Home Ingredients 6'-Sialyllactose (6'-SL)

6'-Sialyllactose (6'-SL)

Evidence Level
Limited
6 Clinical Trials
5 Documented Benefits
2/5 Evidence Score

6'-Sialyllactose (6'-SL) is one of the main sialylated oligosaccharides in human breast milk, a three-sugar carbohydrate built from glucose, galactose and sialic acid. Versions sold for infant formula, foods and supplements are made by fermentation with genetically modified E. coli or by enzyme-based synthesis, not taken from breast milk, and the FDA and EFSA have reviewed it for safety. Trials of 6'-SL on its own are few and small. In young men doing resistance training, 900 mg a day did not change strength, body composition or blood lactate compared with placebo. In a rare inherited muscle disorder, muscle strength did not differ from placebo over 48 weeks, though one MRI measure of fat in thigh muscle differed between groups. A 12-week safety trial at 6 g a day found digestive complaints no more common than on placebo. Most trials were funded by makers, and muscle gains so far come from mice.

Studied Dose Trials of 6'-SL alone used 900 mg a day (3 x 300 mg) for 12 weeks in healthy men, 3 g twice a day for 12 weeks in healthy adults, and 3 or 6 g in a rare muscle disorder. One five-HMO formula blend supplied 0.28 g/L. EFSA assessed adult supplement use up to 1 g a day.
Active Compound 6'-Sialyllactose (6'-SL), usually sold as the sodium salt: a trisaccharide of glucose, galactose and N-acetylneuraminic acid (sialic acid), with the sialic acid joined to galactose by an alpha-2,6 bond. Commercial 6'-SL is human-identical and is made by fermentation with genetically modified E. coli strains or by enzymatic synthesis.

Benefits

Training adaptations in men doing resistance training

In men doing 12 weeks of resistance training, 900 mg a day of 6'-SL did not change strength, body composition or blood lactate compared with placebo, the main outcomes. Some aerobic measures differed between groups in both directions, and the authors call the results exploratory. Only 19 men completed it, and the maker funded it.

Supported by Trial 1

Muscle strength and thigh muscle fat in a 48-week patient trial

In 11 adults with GNE myopathy given 6'-SL or placebo for 48 weeks, muscle strength other than grip did not differ between groups, and patient-reported function did not differ. Fat in the back of the thigh, an MRI sign of muscle loss, differed between groups (the abstract does not state which group did better). An earlier small trial reported better limb power within the higher-dose group. Several authors were affiliated with the maker.

Supported by Trial 4, Trial 3

Blood sialic acid levels

6'-SL carries sialic acid. In adults with GNE myopathy, a condition that limits the body's own sialic acid production, free sialic acid in the blood rose at 6 and 12 weeks with either dose but not on placebo, and a later trial found more sialic acid on the surface of blood immune cells. These are blood markers, not health outcomes.

Supported by Trial 3, Trial 1

Growth and stools in infants fed formula with a five-HMO blend

In two maker-funded trials, healthy infants fed formula with five HMOs, including small amounts of 6'-SL, grew no differently from infants fed standard formula, the main outcome, and had softer, more frequent stools like breastfed infants. Adverse events did not differ. These results apply to the blend, not to 6'-SL alone or to adults.

Supported by Trial 5, Trial 6

Muscle size and treadmill endurance in mice

This is animal research. In young mice given 100 mg/kg of 6'-SL for 12 weeks, running distance, grip strength and leg muscle weight rose compared with controls, and a related study found lower blood lactate after a treadmill run. The maker employed three authors of each study. The one training trial in young men did not show gains in strength or muscle.

Supported by Trial 1, Trial 4

Mechanism of action

1

A source of sialic acid

6'-SL contains sialic acid, a sugar found on cell surfaces. When people with a defect in sialic acid production took 6'-SL, free sialic acid in their blood rose and more sialic acid appeared on blood immune cells. Whether this matters for people who make sialic acid normally has not been tested.

2

Food for gut bacteria

A review describes 6'-SL as a prebiotic that some bifidobacteria can use, along with laboratory reports of anti-adhesive and immune effects. No trial of 6'-SL alone cited here measured gut bacteria in adults, so these effects come from lab work and from infant studies of HMO blends.

3

Muscle fiber and energy pathways in mice

In mice, 12 weeks of 6'-SL raised muscle myosin protein, shifted muscle toward slow-twitch fibers and raised proteins of the mitochondrial energy chain. These are animal findings from studies with authors employed by the maker, and they were not confirmed in the human training trial.

Clinical trials

1
6'-Sialyllactose 900 mg a Day for 12 Weeks in Men Doing Resistance Training
PubMed

Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled proof-of-concept trial; primary outcomes body composition, strength and blood lactate; registered in January 2026, a year after ethics approval (ISRCTN50097942). Funded by GeneChem through a service contract with Texas A&M University; the authors declared no conflicts (Estes et al. 2026, Nutrients)

28 healthy recreationally active men aged 18 to 40 were randomized; 19 completed.

Strength, body composition and blood lactate did not differ from placebo. Ventilatory threshold and oxygen uptake at that threshold were lower on 6'-SL at 12 weeks, while some peak aerobic measures rose more at 6 weeks; the authors call the results exploratory. Side effects did not differ between groups.

2
6'-Sialyllactose 3 g Twice a Day for 12 Weeks: Safety in Healthy Adults
PubMed

Randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled safety trial of 3 g of 6'-SL or maltodextrin twice a day; the abstract does not give the number of participants or the funding source, and all authors were from Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine (Kim et al. 2022, Regul Toxicol Pharmacol)

Healthy adults; the number is not given in the abstract.

No serious adverse reactions occurred, and liver and kidney blood tests showed no clinically significant changes at 6 or 12 weeks. Digestive complaints such as diarrhea, abdominal discomfort and bloating did not differ in frequency from placebo.

3
6'-Sialyllactose 3 or 6 g in GNE Myopathy: Blood Levels and Muscle Function
PubMed

Single-dose pharmacokinetic study followed by a randomized pilot trial of low-dose or high-dose 6'-SL or placebo; the abstract gives no primary outcome, group sizes or between-group statistics, and the same group's later paper describes this trial as lacking a placebo arm. Seven of nine authors listed GeneChem affiliations, yet the authors declared no conflicts (Park et al. 2023, Biomed Pharmacother)

Adults with GNE myopathy, a rare inherited muscle disorder: 10 in the pharmacokinetic study and 20 in the trial.

Free sialic acid in the blood rose at 6 and 12 weeks on both doses but not on placebo. The authors report that proximal limb power improved in the high-dose group and that MRI muscle fat results were better on the high dose than the low dose. 6'-SL was well tolerated apart from short-lived digestive discomfort.

4
6'-Sialyllactose vs Placebo for 48 Weeks in GNE Myopathy
PubMed

Randomized, placebo-controlled trial after 12 weeks of pre-study observation, with stratified randomization; outcomes were muscle strength, muscle MRI, blood tests, a 6-minute walk and a patient questionnaire; the abstract states no daily dose, primary outcome or registry number. Two authors listed GeneChem affiliations and two listed Neuragene Inc.; competing interests were declared as none (Park et al. 2025, Mol Genet Metab)

11 adults with GNE myopathy, a rare inherited muscle disorder (5 on 6'-SL, 6 on placebo).

Muscle strength other than hand grip did not differ between groups; grip fell significantly only within the placebo group. The rise in posterior thigh fat fraction on MRI was smaller on 6'-SL (p = 0.0004 between groups), with no significant difference at other leg sites. Patient-reported function scores did not differ. No safety concerns arose.

5
Infant Formula With a Five-HMO Blend Including 6'-SL: Growth and Tolerance
PubMed

Randomized, controlled, multicenter parallel trial of formula with 5.75 g/L of five HMOs (including 0.28 g/L 6'-SL) or formula without HMOs for 4 months, with a breastfed reference group; primary outcome mean daily weight gain (NCT03513744). Funded by Chr. Hansen HMO GmbH, which made the blend; all four authors worked for Chr. Hansen or Jennewein Biotechnologie (Parschat et al. 2021, Nutrients)

341 healthy term infants aged 14 days or younger were enrolled; 225 were randomized to the two formulas and the rest were breastfed.

Weight, length and head circumference gains did not differ between the two formula groups. Infants on the HMO formula and breastfed infants had softer, more frequent stools than the control formula group, and adverse events were similar in all groups.

6
Infant Formula With Five HMOs at 5.75 g/L: Growth and Gut Tolerance
PubMed

Randomized, double-blind, controlled parallel feeding trial of formula with five HMOs (2'-FL, 3-FL, LNT, 3'-SL and 6'-SL) at 5.75 g/L versus control formula, with a human milk reference group; primary outcome weight gain per day from day 14 to 119 (NCT04105686). Funded by Abbott Nutrition, which employed all authors (Lasekan et al. 2022, Nutrients)

Healthy term infants: 129 on control formula, 130 on HMO formula and 104 fed human milk.

Weight gain per day did not differ among the three groups. Stools on the HMO formula were softer, more frequent and more like those of breastfed infants. Adverse events did not differ; fewer HMO-fed infants were seen by health care providers for illness to days 56 and 84, a secondary finding.

Side effects and drug interactions

Common Potential side effects

Digestive complaints such as diarrhea, abdominal discomfort and bloating were the most common effects in healthy adults taking 3 g of 6'-SL twice a day for 12 weeks, but they were no more frequent than on placebo, and no serious adverse reactions occurred.
In a 12-week trial of 900 mg a day, side effects did not differ from placebo and no one withdrew because of them. In adults with a rare muscle disorder, 6'-SL was well tolerated apart from short-lived digestive discomfort, and a 48-week trial raised no safety concerns.
EFSA states that 6'-SL food supplements are not intended for days when other foods with added 6'-SL, or breast milk for young children, are consumed. In a 90-day rat study, EFSA set the no observed adverse effect level at 3,000 mg/kg body weight a day because of a testicular finding at the top dose.
In infant formula trials of five-HMO blends that included 6'-SL, growth and tolerance were no worse than with standard formula. Adult trials of 6'-SL lasted 12 weeks, or 48 weeks in a small patient group, so long-term use in healthy adults has not been studied.

Important Drug interactions

No drug interaction studies of 6'-SL were found in the research reviewed here.
Medical conditions: trials in a rare inherited muscle disorder were small, so anyone with a diagnosed muscle condition should discuss 6'-SL with their doctor rather than use it in place of medical care.
Infants: use 6'-SL only as part of an infant formula or as advised by a pediatrician, and ask a doctor before giving adult supplements to children.

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Frequently asked questions about 6'-Sialyllactose (6'-SL)

What is 6'-sialyllactose (6'-SL)?

6'-SL is a three-sugar carbohydrate in human breast milk made of glucose, galactose and sialic acid, at roughly 0.4 to 0.9 g per liter in milk after term births. Supplement and formula versions are human-identical copies made by fermentation with genetically modified E. coli or by enzyme-based synthesis, not taken from breast milk.

Does 6'-SL help build muscle or strength?

Not in the human trials so far. In young men doing 12 weeks of resistance training, 900 mg a day did not change strength or lean mass compared with placebo. Muscle gains have been shown in mice, and a small trial in a rare inherited muscle disorder found no difference in strength from placebo.

How much 6'-SL has been studied?

Adult trials used 900 mg a day for 12 weeks, 3 g twice a day for 12 weeks in a safety study, and 3 or 6 g in a rare muscle disorder. EFSA assessed adult supplement use up to 1 g a day. One infant formula blend supplied 0.28 g per liter. Follow the product label.

Is 6'-SL safe?

The FDA responded with no questions to six GRAS notices for 6'-SL, and EFSA judged several versions safe in formula, foods and supplements. FDA stopped reviewing a seventh notice, from GeneChem, maker of the 6'-SL in the training trial, at the company's request. In a 12-week trial at 6 g a day, digestive complaints were no more common than on placebo. Long-term adult data are lacking.

Is 6'-SL the same as an HMO blend?

No. Many infant formulas combine 6'-SL with 2'-FL, LNT, 3'-SL and other milk oligosaccharides, and results from those blends apply to the blend. See the human milk oligosaccharides page for blends and the 2'-fucosyllactose page for that HMO alone.

What is 6'-Sialyllactose?

6'-Sialyllactose (6'-SL) is one of the main sialylated oligosaccharides in human breast milk, a three-sugar carbohydrate built from glucose, galactose and sialic acid. Versions sold for infant formula, foods and supplements are made by fermentation with genetically modified E.

What is 6'-Sialyllactose used for?

NutraSmarts does not list 6'-Sialyllactose under a health category. What the research covers: In men doing 12 weeks of resistance training, 900 mg a day of 6'-SL did not change strength, body composition or blood lactate compared with placebo, the main outcomes.

What is the recommended dosage of 6'-Sialyllactose?

The clinically studied dose is Trials of 6'-SL alone used 900 mg a day (3 x 300 mg) for 12 weeks in healthy men, 3 g twice a day for 12 weeks in healthy adults, and 3 or 6 g in a rare muscle disorder. One five-HMO formula blend supplied 0.28 g/L. Always follow the product label and check with a healthcare provider for personal advice.

Does 6'-Sialyllactose interact with any medications?

Possible interactions include: No drug interaction studies of 6'-SL were found in the research reviewed here. Medical conditions: trials in a rare inherited muscle disorder were small, so anyone with a diagnosed muscle condition should discuss 6'-SL with their doctor rather than use it in place of medical care… If you take prescription medication, check with a pharmacist or doctor before using it.

How strong is the scientific evidence for 6'-Sialyllactose?

NutraSmarts rates the evidence for 6'-Sialyllactose as Limited (2 out of 5). It is backed by 6 study summaries and 14 cited references summarized on this page. A higher rating reflects more, larger, and better-designed human studies.

References(14 citations)

Evidence ratings on NutraSmarts are based on the totality of human clinical research, with emphasis on randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews. The references below directly support claims made throughout this page.

  1. Estes L, Broeckel J, Rhoades N, Kibler GL, Bivins IH, Liu Y, Johnson S, Dickerson BL, Gonzalez DE, Sowinski RJ, Rasmussen CJ, Kreider RB. Efficacy of Human Milk Oligosaccharide 6'-Sialyllactose Supplementation on Exercise Performance and Training Adaptations. Nutrients. 2026;18(11):1743. doi: 10.3390/nu18111743.PubMedUsed to support: Funded by GeneChem through a service contract with Texas A&M University; the authors declared no conflicts (ISRCTN50097942, registered January 2026). Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled proof-of-concept trial in recreationally active men taking 900 mg a day of 6'-SL or placebo during 12 weeks of resistance training; 19 of 28 randomized completed. Body composition, strength and blood lactate, the primary outcomes, did not differ between groups. Ventilatory threshold and oxygen uptake at that threshold were lower with 6'-SL at 12 weeks, while some peak aerobic measures rose more at 6 weeks; the authors call the results exploratory. Side effects did not differ between groups.
  2. Kim JH, Yong SY, Kim SH, Baek A, Go TH, Kang DR. Randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the safety of 6'-Sialyllactose in healthy adults. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol. 2022;129:105110. doi: 10.1016/j.yrtph.2021.105110.PubMedUsed to support: Randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled safety trial in healthy adults taking 3 g of 6'-SL or maltodextrin twice a day for 12 weeks. No serious adverse reactions occurred, liver and kidney blood tests showed no clinically significant changes, and digestive complaints such as diarrhea, abdominal discomfort and bloating did not differ in frequency from placebo. The abstract notes EFSA has assessed 6'-SL sodium salt as a novel food; it does not give the number of participants or the funding source.
  3. Park YE, Park E, Choi J, Go H, Park DB, Kim MY, Sung NJ, Kim L, Shin JH. Pharmacokinetics and clinical efficacy of 6'-sialyllactose in patients with GNE myopathy: Randomized pilot trial. Biomed Pharmacother. 2023;168:115689. doi: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115689.PubMedUsed to support: Pharmacokinetic study in 10 adults with GNE myopathy given a single 3 g or 6 g dose of 6'-SL, followed by a randomized pilot trial in 20 patients of low-dose or high-dose 6'-SL or placebo. Free sialic acid in the blood rose at 6 and 12 weeks on both doses but not on placebo; proximal limb power improved in the high-dose group, and MRI muscle fat results were better on the high dose than the low dose. Well tolerated apart from self-limited digestive discomfort. The abstract gives no between-group statistics versus placebo, and the same group's 2025 paper describes this trial as lacking a placebo arm. Seven of nine authors listed GeneChem affiliations; the authors declared no conflicts of interest.
  4. Park YE, Choi J, Kim L, Park E, Go H, Shin J. A pilot trial for efficacy confirmation of 6'-sialyllactose supplementation in GNE myopathy: Randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Mol Genet Metab. 2025;144(1):108614. doi: 10.1016/j.ymgme.2024.108614.PubMedUsed to support: Randomized, placebo-controlled trial in 11 adults with GNE myopathy (5 on 6'-SL, 6 on placebo), assessed every 12 weeks for 48 weeks after 12 weeks of pre-study observation; the abstract does not state the dose. Muscle strength other than hand grip did not differ between groups; grip declined significantly only within the placebo group. The rise in posterior thigh MRI fat fraction differed between groups (p = 0.0004), with no significant difference at other leg sites, and patient-reported function scores did not differ. Sialic acid on blood monocytes rose with 6'-SL, and no safety concerns arose. Two authors listed GeneChem affiliations and two listed Neuragene Inc.; competing interests were declared as none.
  5. Parschat K, Melsaether C, Jäpelt KR, Jennewein S. Clinical Evaluation of 16-Week Supplementation with 5HMO-Mix in Healthy-Term Human Infants to Determine Tolerability, Safety, and Effect on Growth. Nutrients. 2021;13(8):2871. doi: 10.3390/nu13082871.PubMedUsed to support: Funded by Chr. Hansen HMO GmbH, which produced the blend; all four authors were employees of Chr. Hansen or its former affiliation Jennewein Biotechnologie (NCT03513744). Randomized, controlled multicenter trial in healthy term infants fed formula with a five-HMO blend at 5.75 g/L (2.99 g/L 2'-FL, 0.75 g/L 3-FL, 1.5 g/L LNT, 0.23 g/L 3'-SL and 0.28 g/L 6'-SL) or formula without HMOs for 4 months, with a breastfed reference group; 341 enrolled and 225 randomized. Mean daily weight gain, the primary outcome, and length and head growth did not differ between formula groups. Stools were softer and more frequent on the HMO formula, and adverse events were equivalent.
  6. Lasekan J, Choe Y, Dvoretskiy S, Devitt A, Zhang S, Mackey A, Wulf K, Buck R, Steele C, Johnson M, Baggs G. Growth and Gastrointestinal Tolerance in Healthy Term Infants Fed Milk-Based Infant Formula Supplemented with Five Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMOs): A Randomized Multicenter Trial. Nutrients. 2022;14(13):2625. doi: 10.3390/nu14132625.PubMedUsed to support: Funded by Abbott Nutrition; all authors were employees of the sponsor (NCT04105686). Randomized, double-blind trial in healthy term infants fed control formula (n = 129), formula with five HMOs including 6'-SL at 5.75 g/L in total (n = 130), or human milk (n = 104). Weight gain per day from day 14 to 119, the primary outcome, did not differ among groups. HMO-fed infants had softer, more frequent stools like breastfed infants; adverse events did not differ, and fewer were seen by health care providers for illness to days 56 and 84.
  7. EFSA Panel on Nutrition, Novel Foods and Food Allergens (NDA), Turck D, Castenmiller J, De Henauw S, Hirsch-Ernst KI, Kearney J, Maciuk A, Mangelsdorf I, McArdle HJ, Naska A, Pelaez C, Pentieva K, Siani A, Thies F, Tsabouri S, Vinceti M, Cubadda F, Engel KH, Frenzel T, Heinonen M, Marchelli R, Neuhäuser-Berthold M, Poulsen M, Schlatter JR, van Loveren H, Colombo P, Knutsen HK. Safety of 6'-Sialyllactose (6'-SL) sodium salt as a novel food pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283. EFSA J. 2020;18(5):e06097. doi: 10.2903/j.efsa.2020.6097.PubMedUsed to support: EFSA safety opinion on 6'-SL sodium salt made by fermentation with a genetically modified E. coli K-12 DH1 strain, following an application by Glycom A/S. It describes 6'-SL as a trisaccharide of glucose, galactose and N-acetylneuraminic acid with an alpha-2,6 linkage, cites term breast milk levels of 0.38 to 0.91 g/L, notes a proposed maximum of 1 g a day in food supplements for people over 3, sets a 90-day rat no observed adverse effect level of 3,000 mg/kg body weight a day, and concludes the novel food is safe under the proposed uses. Supplements are not intended for days when other foods with added 6'-SL or breast milk are consumed.
  8. EFSA Panel on Nutrition, Novel Foods and Food Allergens (NDA), Turck D, Bohn T, Castenmiller J, De Henauw S, Hirsch-Ernst KI, Maciuk A, Mangelsdorf I, McArdle HJ, Naska A, Pelaez C, Pentieva K, Siani A, Thies F, Tsabouri S, Vinceti M, Cubadda F, Frenzel T, Heinonen M, Marchelli R, Neuhäuser-Berthold M, Poulsen M, Prieto Maradona M, Schlatter JR, van Loveren H, Colombo P, Noriega Fernández E, Knutsen HK. Safety of 6'-sialyllactose (6'-SL) sodium salt produced by derivative strains of Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) as a novel food pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283. EFSA J. 2022;20(12):e07645. doi: 10.2903/j.efsa.2022.7645.PubMedUsed to support: EFSA opinion concluding that 6'-SL sodium salt made by fermentation with two genetically modified E. coli BL21 (DE3) strains is safe under the proposed uses, which include infant and follow-on formula, foods for special medical purposes and food supplements, although in some scenarios intake per kg body weight exceeded the high average natural intake from human milk. It is a safety opinion, not an efficacy assessment.
  9. EFSA Panel on Nutrition, Novel Foods and Food Allergens (NDA), Turck D, Bohn T, Cámara M, Castenmiller J, De Henauw S, Jos Á, Maciuk A, Mangelsdorf I, McNulty B, Naska A, Pentieva K, Siani A, Thies F, Aguilera-Gómez M, Frenzel T, McArdle HJ, Moldeus P, Neuhäuser-Berthold M, Schlatter JR, van Loveren H, Noriega Fernández E, Hirsch-Ernst KI. Safety of 6'-sialyllactose (6'-SL) sodium salt produced with a derivative strain (Escherichia coli K-12 MG1655 INB-6SL_02) of E. coli K-12 MG1655 (ATCC 700926) as a novel food pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283. EFSA J. 2026;24(1):e9856. doi: 10.2903/j.efsa.2026.9856.PubMedUsed to support: EFSA opinion recording that 6'-SL sodium salt made by fermentation with genetically modified E. coli K-12 DH1, E. coli BL21 or E. coli W strains is already authorized and on the EU list of novel foods, and concluding that 6'-SL made with a new E. coli K-12 MG1655 strain is safe under the same conditions of use. It is a safety opinion, not an efficacy assessment.
  10. Gurung RB, Dolan LC, Arceneaux BG, Go H, Park EJ. In vitro and in vivo toxicological evaluation of 6'-Sialyllactose sodium salt produced by a novel method. Toxicol Rep. 2025;15:102101. doi: 10.1016/j.toxrep.2025.102101.PubMedUsed to support: GLP toxicology studies of 6'-SL sodium salt made by a new process: no genotoxicity in three assays, no acute toxicity in rats up to 6,000 mg/kg body weight, and a 26-week rat no observed adverse effect level of 6,000 mg/kg a day, the highest dose tested. Three authors were GeneChem employees and two worked for GRAS Associates; GeneChem received a Korean government grant. PubMed lists a 2026 erratum.
  11. Park EJ, Kim LL, Lee JO, Lee HY, Kim YA, Go HR. 6'-Sialyllactose Enhances Exercise Performance via Increased Muscle Mass and Strength. Nutrients. 2024;16(16):2600. doi: 10.3390/nu16162600.PubMedUsed to support: Animal study: young male mice given 100 mg/kg of 6'-SL for 12 weeks ran farther and longer on a treadmill, had higher grip strength and heavier gastrocnemius and soleus muscles, with larger fibers and more myosin heavy chain protein. Three authors were GeneChem employees, one held its stock, and GeneChem stated it is promoting HMOs as dietary supplements.
  12. Park EJ, Kim LL, Lee JO, Lee HY, Kim YA, Go H. 6'-Sialyllactose Alleviates Muscle Fatigue through Reduced Blood Lactate Level after Treadmill Exercise in Mice. Nutrients. 2024;16(17):2957. doi: 10.3390/nu16172957.PubMedUsed to support: Animal study: mice given 100 mg/kg of 6'-SL for 12 weeks had lower blood lactate after treadmill exercise and more slow-twitch myosin and mitochondrial energy chain proteins in leg muscle, with no change in food intake, tissue injury markers or blood lipids compared with controls. Three authors were from GeneChem, the 6'-SL maker.
  13. Zhu Y, Zhang J, Zhang W, Mu W. Recent progress on health effects and biosynthesis of two key sialylated human milk oligosaccharides, 3'-sialyllactose and 6'-sialyllactose. Biotechnol Adv. 2023;62:108058. doi: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2022.108058.PubMedUsed to support: Review of 3'-SL and 6'-SL, the two simplest sialylated HMOs; sialylated HMOs make up about 13% of total HMOs. It summarizes prebiotic effects on bifidobacteria and laboratory reports of anti-adhesive, antiviral and immune effects, notes both have FDA GRAS status and are added to infant formula, and reviews enzymatic and microbial production methods. It is a review, not a clinical trial; the authors declared no conflicts.
  14. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. GRAS Notices inventory: search results for sialyllactose FDA Human Foods Program (GRAS Notice Inventory). 2026;Online database, accessed November 2026..SourceUsed to support: Not PubMed-indexed; FDA database and notice detail pages read in November 2026. Lists seven GRAS notices for 6'-sialyllactose sodium salt: GRN 881 (Glycom A/S, February 2020), 922 (Jennewein Biotechnologie, April 2021), 1016 (Chr. Hansen A/S, July 2022), 1075 (Inbiose N.V., March 2023), 1053 (Kyowa Hakko Bio, May 2023) and 1275 (Cataya Bio (Shanghai), March 2026) closed with 'FDA has no questions', and GRN 1169 (GeneChem, Inc., October 2024), which FDA ceased to evaluate at the notifier's request.