Evidence supporting the use of: 2'-Fucosyllactose
For the health condition: Colic (children)

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

2′-Fucosyllactose (2′-FL) is a human milk oligosaccharide (HMO) that is increasingly added to infant formulas to mimic some of the beneficial properties of human breast milk. The rationale for its use in the context of colic arises from growing scientific interest in the gut microbiota’s role in infant gastrointestinal health and comfort. Colic, characterized by excessive, unexplained crying in infants, has been hypothesized to be linked in part to gut microbiota imbalances and low-grade intestinal inflammation. A few recent studies and clinical trials suggest that 2′-FL may help modulate the infant gut microbiome by promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria such as Bifidobacterium species, potentially reducing gut inflammation and improving gastrointestinal function. Some small-scale randomized controlled trials and observational studies have reported that infants fed formula supplemented with 2′-FL showed improvements in symptoms like crying and fussiness compared to those fed standard formula. For example, a 2020 study found that infants consuming formula with 2′-FL and lacto-N-neotetraose (LNnT) had reduced crying time and improved stool consistency. However, the evidence remains preliminary; studies are few, sample sizes are limited, and not all results are statistically significant. In summary, while the use of 2′-FL for colic is not based on tradition, there is emerging but limited scientific evidence supporting its potential benefit. More robust, large-scale clinical trials are needed before its use for this purpose can be fully endorsed.

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