Kerry spotlights human milk probiotics for early life and maternal health

Kerry has consolidated evidence backing the importance of probiotics from breast milk for early life nutrition by supporting immunity, growth, and maternal wellness. The company’s LC40 Infant (Lactobacillus fermentum CECT5716) is the first probiotic strain of its kind clinically validated for both infant and maternal applications.

Supported by six clinical studies and two safety trials, LC40 supports gut and immune health in babies, especially those born via C-section or fed with formula, who may miss out on the natural microbial transfer during vaginal birth and breastfeeding.

When integrated into a formula, the probiotic has shown to reduce gastrointestinal infections by 48% and respiratory infections by 27%, while promoting a microbiome “similar to that of breastfed infants.”

“Human milk probiotics like LC40 are redefining how we support health in the first 1,000 days of life,” says Dr. Monica Maria Olivares, RD&A director, Women & Infant Health at Kerry.

“They offer a natural yet science-driven solution to some of the most pressing challenges in early life nutrition, from microbial gaps in newborns to breastfeeding complications in mothers. LC40 is not just a probiotic; it’s a holistic intervention for better outcomes.”

For infants and mothers

Human milk probiotics are strains of beneficial bacteria, specifically including Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, naturally found in breast milk. Kerry collaborated with the Complutense University of Madrid, Spain, to be the first to isolate these strains. The researchers evaluated over 40 criteria to select the most potent candidates, which included LC40 and BfM26 (Bifidobacterium breve CECT7263).

Kerry’s Hereditium LC40 Breastcare addresses mastitis, one of the most common challenges in early motherhood and women’s health. The condition affects up to 30% of breastfeeding women, which can lead to pain, emotional distress, and stopping breastfeeding early.

In Kerry research, LC40 demonstrated a 51% reduction in mastitis incidence. It also “significantly improved” emotional well-being and women’s health. In the study, 88% of women reporting their symptoms completely resolved compared to just 29% in the antibiotic group.

LC40 supports gut and immune health in babies, especially those born via C-section or fed with formula, who may miss out on the natural microbial transfer during vaginal birth and breastfeeding.LC40 supplementation can also support neonatal care. Administering this probiotic witch BfM26 to preterm babies, the combination “significantly reduced” the risk of necrotizing enterocolitis and lowered mortality rates.

Kerry adds that BfM26 alone has shown positive outcomes in reducing crying time and improving gut comfort, particularly in colicky infants. It does so by modulating the gut microbiota and helping reduce intestinal inflammation.

For long-term growth benefits, infants formula-fed with LC40 showed improved height gains that persisted up to two years of age.

Infant probiotics on the growth path

Kerry has obtained several certifications for LC40, such as NDI, QPS, China FDA, kosher, halal, non-GMO, and gluten-free. It is suitable for a wide range of applications, from infant formula to maternal supplements.

The ingredient’s patented ExLCusive fermentation process ensures genomic-DNA security and consistent quality.

In related news, Lallemand Health Solutions published findings of a women’s and infant health study supporting its latest probiotic formulation, Prenatis, with two proprietary strains. This formulation can support maternal health during pregnancy and help develop a healthy infant microbiome through breastfeeding.

In July, an extensive peer-reviewed review gathered decades of research into Novonesis’ BB-12 (Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis). This is one of the industry’s most thoroughly researched probiotic strains. The publication highlights mechanisms of action, clinical efficacy, and relevance across all stages of life.