Friday, March 16, 2012 Although it is known that breastfeeding
is best, there are times when a mother is not able to adequately
feed her baby, or does not wish to breastfeed. In such
circumstances, having a formula able to provide positive immune-
related effects as well as the needed nutrition can have long-
term health benefits. A recent study aimed at investigating the
effect of infant starter formula containing the probiotic strain
Bifidobacterium lactis on intestinal immunity and inflammation
has revealed that the inclusion of this probiotic can have a
positive effect on the immune function of non-exclusively
breastfed infants. The randomized, double-blind, controlled
clinical trial studied two groups of healthy formula fed infants
in parallel with a breastfed comparison group. The study showed
that the negative immune-related effects of not breastfeeding
and cesarean delivery can be mitigated by including
Bifidobacterium lactis in infant formula; providing infants with
a safe, dietary, immune-modulating b