Beta-Glucan, Omega-3, and Prebiotic Blend Benefits Child Respiratory Health, Mead Johnson Study Shows

A Mead Johnson milk-based product containing omega-3 fatty acid DHA, a prebiotic blend of polydextrose (PDX) and galactooligosaccharides (GOS), and a yeast beta-glucan reduced incidence of acute respiratory infections in children. Mead Johnson presented the results of its study at the recent Experimental Biology conference in Boston.

The double-blind, randomized, controlled trial took place over 28 weeks. Subjects were 310 healthy children aged 3-4 years, who were administered three servings/day of the Mead Johnson milk-based formula. The formula contained 25 mg/serving DHA, 1.2 g/serving PDX and GOS, and 12.8 mg/serving of yeast Wellmune beta-glucans from supplier Biothera (Eagan, MN). The control group received powdered cow’s milk.

Researchers found that the Mead Johnson formula group had fewer episodes, with a shorter average duration, of acute respiratory infections compared to control.