“Just scratching the surface”: Layer Origin Nutrition demystifies HMOs with 7 supplement launches

01 Jul 2021 --- US-based nutrition start-up Layer Origin Nutrition has launched seven supplements containing human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs). The company predicts this “star” ingredient will see major growth in the years ahead due to its fast and direct mechanism of action. 

The latest offerings add to its existing PureHMO gut health line launched in 2020, and include products that target irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), immunity, beauty-from-within and children. 

Beau Berman, co-founder and director of marketing for Layer Origin Nutrition, tells NutritionInsight that HMOs are at the point that probiotics were at about 15 years ago. 

“At that time, ‘probiotics’ were more of a fringe topic. A lot of people thought you only needed them if you had major GI problems; they didn’t understand the holistic nature of the microbiome.” 

The new line of HMO supplements is suitable for consumers who can't drink milk.But with the proliferation of probiotics NPD and overall gut health awareness, cultured strains touting gut-boosting benefits widely abound today. 

“Probiotics are now squeezed into all sorts of products, and we think HMOs will follow a similar trajectory, but with a faster growth curve.” 

“Just scratching the surface” 
More than 200 types of HMOs have been identified, and so far industry is just scratching the surface, says Berman. 

“We expect to see more HMO types in the coming years and advancements in the sustainability of production methods.”

The company currently features 2’-Fucosyllactose (2’-FL) and Lacto-N-neotetraose in its products.

Layer Origin Nutrition’s latest products were inspired by increasing customer demand for children’s HMO supplements, gut health support products, fiber products and immunity supplements. 

The new line includes: 

• PureHMO for Kids Powder. 
• PureHMO Beauty Mix with collagen peptides and hyaluronic acid.
• PureHMO Premium Prebiotic with whey protein peptides.
• PureHMO Diverse Fiber with 7 fiber powders and 9 greens powders.
• PureHMO + Vitamin D3.
• PureHMO + Vitamin D3 + Zinc.
• PureHMO + Colostrum.

HMOs were “evolutionarily tailored” to build the microbiome of babies, according to Layer Origin Nutrition.Breaking down misconceptions 
As consumers become acquainted with the emerging ingredient, questions and misconceptions arise. Clarifying consumer understanding is one of the biggest hurdles that Layer Origin Nutrition faces. 

“Customers often wonder whether our products contain actual human milk, which they do not. They often think they cannot take our products if they are lactose intolerant or if they have a milk allergy, but they can.”

Layer Origin Nutrition’s products are fermented from lactose and then purified. The result is a tasteless white powder that is considered bio-identical to the most abundant HMO in breast milk, 2′-FL.

“Ultimately, our products do not contain any real human milk, but they carry nearly all the benefits of the HMO you would find in real human milk. It’s the best of both worlds, in our eyes.”

Fast-acting results 
Berman predicts the HMOs will experience accelerated growth due to their “tangibly noticeable” benefits to the body and overall health.

HMO supplementation can lead to noticeable results in as little as two days, he explains. “In terms of the clinical data regarding HMOs, people reported a reduction in IBS symptoms within a matter of weeks.”

So far, the company reports the most success from consumers who are seeking better gut health and boosted immunity. IBS or leaky gut are among the primary conditions leading to HMO supplementation. 

“Once people discover HMOs and the benefits, the word typically spreads rapidly among their friends and family.” 

“We fully expect to see more HMO products and competitors entering the market as demand rises and demand will simply be predicated by awareness,” he adds. 

HMOs are linked to immunity, gut health and cognitive function.Formulated by Mother Nature 
Compared to other gut health ingredients that may work more indirectly, Berman details that HMOs work directly to defend against pathogens in the gut. The metabolites of the HMOs (propionate, butyrate and lactate) have also been linked to cognitive health. 

“One recent study showed that the amount of 2′-FL, measured in mother’s breast milk one month after birth, predicted improved cognitive outcomes in two-year-old children.” 

He underscores that HMOs’ impact is due to their molecular shape. “They were evolutionarily tailored to build the microbiome of babies from scratch. They were formulated by Mother Nature.” 

Bright future ahead
Gearing up to meet demand, Layer Origin Nutrition recently invested in building its own product manufacturing line at its headquarters in Ithaca, New York, US, to streamline production and to allow the company to be nimbler in its creation and testing of new product offerings.

In other HMO NPD, Standard Process launched GI Stability last year, a prebiotic wafer containing 2’-FL and wholefood powders. 

Meanwhile, a study last January found that gut dysbiosis is common among babies in industrialized nations, which may be linked to missing bacterial strains that metabolize HMOs. 

By Missy Green