Myo-inositol found in breast milk may enhance neuronal connectivity in brain of infants

Breast feeding is long known for its ideal nutrition for infants. It has a nearly perfect mix of vitamins, protein, and fat that baby needs to grow. Breast milk contains antibodies that help baby build a better immune system. Breastfeeding is also said to lower baby's risk of having asthma or allergies. Breastfeeding has been linked to higher IQ scores in later childhood in some studies.

The present study in PNAS Journal reveals substantial benefits of the human milk component myo-inositol for developing synapses across species, including in human neurons. The findings demonstrated that myo-inositol promotes neuronal connectivity and can guide dietary recommendations across life stages.

This is a significant finding for pediatric nutrition and the improvement of infant formulas in under resourced areas with conditions that prevent sufficient breastfeeding. Moreover, this carbocyclic sugar can promote synapse density in mature brain tissue.

The researchers aimed to know the effects of micronutrients on brain connectivity. The researchers studied samples from three geographically diverse locations because they hypothesized that the micronutrients present across all samples—independent of diet, race, and location—may be of biological significance. They were especially interested in components that changed over the course of lactation in the same way.