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Milk fat globule membrane components and gut health effects
Milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) is a complex biopolymer that is primarily composed of polar and neutral lipids and membrane glycoproteins. MFGM is present in all dairy products to some degree, but may be isolated as a co-product from the manufacture of butter and cheese. Based on its composition, it has been suggested that MFGM may have value as a nutraceutical ingredient, yet relatively few studies have been conducted to test this assumption. Individual components of MFGM, such as sphingomyelin and gangliosides, have been shown to reduce the development of preneoplastic lesions in rodent models of colon cancer and a recent study from our lab extended this finding to MFGM itself. In addition, MFGM itself, and isolated components have been shown to protect the barrier properties of the gut against stress-induced permeability development. Several groups have shown MFGM has antiviral and antibacterial properties, and recent data from our lab indicates MFGM may affect the microbiome composition and metabolism. Lastly, we have recently conducted an acute and a chronic human trial investigating the effects of MFGM on gut health and resilience.
Keywords:
milk fat globule, nutraceuticals, gut health