New ingredient in baby formula supports immune system

A major baby formula maker says it has a new ingredient to make formula more like mother's milk.

Abbott says it has added a nutrient called an HMO, or human milk oligosaccharide, to the formula.

HMOs are prebiotic compounds found in human milk.

They help healthy bacteria in the gut grow better.

Some are also in the bloodstream, where they also boot the immune system.

Those good bacteria are vital for keeping the immune system in good shape.

About 70% of the immune system exists in the gut.

Breast milk continues to be the gold standard for babies.