Nestle’s Research on Probiotics for Gut Brain Axis
The gut-brain axis represents a critical bidirectional communication network where specific oligosaccharides can modulate neurological function. Research has demonstrated that human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) like 2'-fucosyllactose (2'FL) and difucosyllactose (DFL), when combined with galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS), can increase gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) production by intestinal microbiota. In controlled studies, these prebiotic combinations have shown measurable effects on stress resilience and pain perception pathways, with demonstrated impacts on visceral sensitivity and bidirectional signaling.
The central challenge in probiotic gut-brain axis research lies in identifying specific oligosaccharide combinations that can predictably modulate neurotransmitter production while maintaining appropriate developmental outcomes across different age groups.
This page brings together solutions from recent research—including targeted HMO combinations for GABA production, fucosylated and sialylated oligosaccharide formulations for enhanced butyrate synthesis, specific oligosaccharide triads for digestive health, and precise HMO ratios that normalize pain transmission pathways. These and other approaches demonstrate how carefully formulated prebiotic interventions can beneficially influence gut-brain communication with applications from infant nutrition to pediatric neurological health.
1. Nutritional Composition with Galacto-Oligosaccharides and Specific Human Milk Oligosaccharides
NESTLE SA, 2025
A nutritional composition for treating and preventing stress and mood disorders in infants and children, comprising a combination of galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) and human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs). The HMOs are specifically 2'-fucosyllactose (2'FL) and difucosyllactose (DFL) or lacto-N-tetraose (LNT) and 6' sialyllactose (6'SL). The composition increases production of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) by the gut microbiota, promoting stress resilience and maintaining healthy gut-brain axis function.
2. Galacto-Oligosaccharide and Human Milk Oligosaccharide Composition with Specific Oligosaccharide Components
NESTLE SA, 2025
A combination of galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) and human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) for treating and preventing stress and mood disorders in infants, toddlers, and children. The HMOs comprise 2'-fucosyllactose (2'FL) and difucosyllactose (DFL) or lacto-N-tetraose (LNT) and 6'-sialyllactose (6'SL). The combination increases gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) production by intestinal microbiota, promoting gut-brain axis health and reducing stress symptoms.
3. Composition of Human Milk Oligosaccharides with 2'-Fucosyllactose and Difucosyllactose Mixture
NESTLE SA, 2024
A composition comprising a mixture of human milk oligosaccharides, specifically 2'-fucosyllactose and difucosyllactose, for reducing pain and pain perception in infants and young children. The composition restores normal sensitivity of the brain-gut axis pain transmission pathway, particularly effective in reducing abdominal pain associated with gastrointestinal discomfort, functional gastrointestinal disorders, and diseases.
4. Combination of Galactooligosaccharides and Human Milk Oligosaccharides with Specific Monosaccharide Composition
NESTLE SA, 2024
A combination of galactooligosaccharides (GOS) and a specific mixture of human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) for treating and preventing stress and mood disorders in infants, young children, and children. The HMO mixture comprises 2'-fucosyllactose (2'FL) and difucosyllactose (DFL) or lacto-N-tetraose (LNT) and 6' sialyllactose (6'SL). This combination increases production of the neurotransmitter GABA by the gut microbiota, promoting relaxation and potentially mitigating stress and mood disorders.
5. Nutritional Compositions with Fucosylated and Sialylated Oligosaccharides for Enhanced Butyrate Production in Pediatric Gut
SOCIETE DES PRODUITS NESTLE SA, 2024
Nutritional compositions containing specific oligosaccharides for promoting accelerated butyrate production in the gut of young children to prevent/treat health disorders and promote benefits. The compositions contain fucosylated oligosaccharides like 2'-fucosyllactose (2'-FL) and difucosyllactose (DFL) along with sialylated oligosaccharides like 3'-sialyllactose (3'-SL) and 6'-sialyllactose (6'-SL). The compositions are for preventing/treating disorders and promoting health in young children by promoting rapid butyrate production in their gut through selective oligosaccharide supplementation.
6. Compositions of Human Milk Oligosaccharides with 2'-Fucosyllactose and Difucosyllactose Mixture
Société des Produits Nestlé S.A., SOCIETE DE PRODYUI NESTLE SA, SOCIETE DES PRODUITS NESTLE SA, 2024
Compositions comprising a mixture of human milk oligosaccharides consisting of 2'-fucosyllactose and difucosyllactose for reducing pain and/or pain perception in infants and young children. The oligosaccharide mixture is particularly effective in restoring sensitivity of bidirectional pain pathways in the gut-brain axis to normal levels, providing benefits such as decreased visceral sensitivity, reduced abdominal pain, and improved sleep quality.
7. Nutritional Composition with Triad of Human Milk Oligosaccharides
NESTLE SA, 2024
Nutritional composition comprising at least three human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) for increasing butyrate production in the digestive tract of infants and young children. The composition can be used to prevent and/or treat health disorders and/or promote health benefits influenced by butyrate production. The HMOs can be selected from fucosylated, N-acetylated, and sialylated oligosaccharides, and the composition can be formulated as a hypoallergenic infant formula or growing-up milk.
8. Galacto-Oligosaccharides and Human Milk Oligosaccharides Mixture with Variable Composition
NESTLE SA, 2023
Combination of galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) and a specific mixture of human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) for treating and preventing stress and mood disorders in infants, young children, and children. The HMO mixture consists of 2'-fucosyllactose (2'FL) and difucosyllactose (DFL) or lacto-N-tetraose (LNT) and 6' sia lyl lactose (6'SL). The combination increases production of the neurotransmitter GABA by gut bacteria, potentially benefiting mental health.
9. Nutritional Composition with Human Milk Oligosaccharides for Enhanced Butyrate Production
NESTLE SA, 2023
Nutritional composition for infants and young children that increases butyrate production in the digestive tract. The composition contains at least three human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs). The HMOs are fucosylated oligosaccharides, N-acetylated oligosaccharides, and/or sialylated oligosaccharides. The composition can be used to prevent and treat health disorders related to butyrate production, and promote health benefits associated with butyrate production.
10. Nutritional Compositions with Specific Human Milk Oligosaccharides Including 2'-Fucosyllactose for Enhanced Butyrate Production
NESTLE SA, 2023
Nutritional compositions containing specific human milk oligosaccharides for promoting butyrate production in the gut of toddlers to prevent/treat health disorders and promote health benefits. The compositions contain 2'-fucosyllactose (2'-FL) for accelerating butyrate production. Other oligosaccharide mixtures containing 2'-FL, like difucosyllactose and lactose-N-tetraose, also promote butyrate. These compositions can prevent/treat disorders like colitis and promote benefits like intestinal maturation and cancer prevention.
11. Composition Comprising Fucosyllactose for Enhanced Butyrate Production in Pediatric Intestinal Microbiota
NESTLE SA, 2023
Composition containing fucosyllactose for promoting accelerated butyrate production in the intestines of young children. Butyrate is a beneficial short-chain fatty acid produced by gut bacteria. The composition, containing fucosyllactose from breast milk, promotes butyrate production when consumed by young children. This provides health benefits like intestinal maturation, colon healing, and anti-cancer effects. The composition can be used to prevent/treat intestinal disorders and promote intestinal health in young children.
12. Composition of Human Milk Oligosaccharides with 2'-Fucosylactose, Difucosyllactose, and Lacto-N-Tetraose for Enhanced Gut Butyrate Production
NESTLE SA, 2023
Composition containing specific human milk oligosaccharides for promoting accelerated butyrate production in the gut of young children to prevent/treat health disorders and promote benefits. The composition comprises 2'-fucosylactose (2'-FL), difucosyllactose (DFL), and lacto-N-tetraose (LNT). It can also contain additional oligosaccharides like 3'-sialyllactose (3'-SL) and 6'-sialyllactose (6'-SL) to further enhance butyrate production. Consuming this composition by young children promotes butyrate production in their gut. Butyrate has beneficial effects like improved colon health, immune boost, and reduced inflammation.
13. Nutritional Composition Containing 2-Fucosyllactose and Difucosyllactose
NESTLE SA, 2022
A nutritional composition for reducing pain and perception of pain in infants and young children, comprising a mix of human milk oligosaccharides consisting of 2-fucosyllactose and difucosyllactose. The composition is particularly effective in restoring normal sensitivity of the gut-brain axis to pain transmission, reducing abdominal pain, and improving quality of life, sleep, mood, and temperament in infants and young children.
14. Nutritional Composition with Three Human Milk Oligosaccharides for Enhanced Butyrate Production
NESTLE SA, 2022
Nutritional composition for infants and young children comprising at least three human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) to increase butyrate production in the digestive tract, thereby preventing/treating health disorders and promoting health benefits. The composition can be in the form of a milk-based beverage, infant formula, or follow-up formula, and can be administered to infants from birth through early childhood.
15. Compositions of Human Milk Oligosaccharides with 2'-Fucosyllactose and Difucosyllactose
NESTLE SA, 2022
Compositions comprising a mix of human milk oligosaccharides consisting of 2'-fucosyllactose and difucosyllactose for reducing pain and perception of pain in infants and young children, particularly effective in restoring normal gut-brain axis pain transmission pathways and alleviating abdominal pain, gastrointestinal discomfort, and functional gastrointestinal disorders.
16. Nutritional Composition with 2'-Fucosyl Lactose and Difucosyl Lactose for Modulating Gut-Brain Axis
NESTLE SA, 2022
A nutritional composition containing specific human milk oligosaccharides, 2'-fucosyl lactose (2'-FL) and difucosyl lactose (DiFL), for reducing pain and pain perception in infants and young children. The composition can be used in infant formulas, follow-up formulas, growth milks, and supplements. The specific mixture of oligosaccharides restores sensitivity of bidirectional pain transmission pathways in the gut-brain axis. The composition can help reduce abdominal pain, crying, improve sleep, and enhance quality of life in infants and young children.
17. Nutritional Compositions with 2'-Fucosyl-Lactose and Difucosyl-Lactose HMO Mixture
NESTLE SA, 2022
Nutritional compositions containing a specific mixture of human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) to reduce pain and pain perception in infants and young children. The compositions contain 2'-fucosyl-lactose (2'-FL) and difucosyl-lactose (DiFL) in a mixture for use in reducing pain and pain perception. The compositions can be infant formula, follow-on formula, or growth milk. The HMO blend restores sensitivity of bidirectional pain transmission pathways in the gut-brain axis.
18. Compositions of Human Milk Oligosaccharides with 2'-Fucosyllactose and Difucosyllactose
SOCIETE DES PRODUITS NESTLE SA, 2022
Compositions comprising a mix of human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) consisting of 2'-fucosyllactose (2'-FL) and difucosyllactose (DiFL) for reducing pain and perception of pain in infants and young children. The HMOs restore normal sensitivity of the gut-brain axis pain transmission pathways, reducing abdominal pain, visceral sensitivity, and associated discomfort. The compositions improve sleep quality, reduce crying periods, and enhance overall quality of life in infants and young children.
19. Composition Containing 2'-Fucosyllactose and Difucosyllactose for Modulating Brain-Gut Axis in Infants
NESTLE SA, 2022
Using specific human milk oligosaccharides, 2'-fucosyllactose (2'-FL) and difucosyllactose (DiFL), to reduce pain and pain sensitivity in infants and young children. The composition containing these oligosaccharides can be used in infant formulas, follow-up formulas, and supplements to reduce abdominal pain, gastrointestinal discomfort, crying periods, improve sleep quality, and overall quality of life for infants and young children. It works by restoring normal levels of the bidirectional pain transmission pathway in the brain-gut axis.
20. Compositions of Fucosylated and Sialylated Oligosaccharides for Enhanced Butyrate Production in Gut
NESTLE SA, 2022
Using specific oligosaccharides to promote accelerated butyrate production in the gut of young children. The compositions contain fucosylated oligosaccharides like 2'-fucosylactose (2'-FL) and mixtures containing 2'-FL, difucosyllactose (DFL), lacto-N-tetraose (LNT), 6'-sialyllactose (6'-SL), and 3'-sialyllactose (3'-SL). Consuming these compositions by young children promotes butyrate production in the distal colon within 3 weeks, which has benefits like gut maturation, colonic healing, and anti-cancer effects.
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