Mothers
Milk: Circle of Protection
Newman, J. How breast milk protects newborns, Scientific
American 76-79, December, 1995.
It has long been know that breastmilk conveys special immunological
protection from infections, a protection lacking in artificial
baby milks. The complexity, intricacies and functions of the molecules
and cells have baffled and challenged scientists. Gradually, a
picture is emerging that gives us a glimpse into the protective
marvels of human milk.
Jack Newman, MD, director of several breastfeeding clinics
in Toronto, Ontario and the author of a review article in Scientific
American, helps us look at this "fascinating fluid that provides
infants with far more than nutrition". Here are some examples
from his article:
- To see the Illustrated Mechanics of
Breastfeeding Immune Function
- Antibodies (also called immunoglobulins, the most researched
compounds), of which IgA is the most abundant in human milk,
are major players in disease prevention. When inactivating microorganisms,
antibodies go even beyond bindng microorganisms to render them
intert. Antibodies made by the mother in respone to disease-causing
organisms she encounters are passed through her breastmilk to
give her baby the direct protection from potentially harmful
organisms in their mutual environment. These antibodies are able
to zoom in directly on the pathogens that the baby encounters
to deliver the protection needed most. Beneficial bacteria are
ignored and allowed to flourish in the gut and crowd out those
that are harmful.
- To see the Immune Benefits of Breastfeeding
at a Glance
- There may be unknown compounds in human milk that stimulate
the infant to produce more secretory IgA, lactoferrin and lysozyme
than is passed through the milk. These three molecules are foundin
larger quantities in the urine of breastfed babies than in bottle-fed
babies. Although these molecules cannot be absorbed from the
gut, it seems that these antimicrobials are able to be produced
in the mucosa of the infant's urinary tract to provide local
immunity. This is born out in clinical studies demonstrating
that breastfed babies have a lower risk of developing urinary
tract infections.
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