Human milk: composition and health benefits

Abstract

Breastfeeding is widely acknowledged as the normal and unequalled method for feeding infants due to its associated health benefits, both for the infant and the mother. The World Health Organization recommends that infants are exclusively breastfed up to the completion of six months of age, with breastfeeding continuing to be an important part of the diet until the infant is at least two years old. The several health benefits associated with breastfeeding are driven by the combined action of the nutritional and bioactive components in human milk and the magnitude of the majority of the ascertained biological effects is directly dependent on breastfeeding duration. This review briefly summarizes the current knowledge on the composition of human milk and provides an overview on its functional effects on health outcomes, focusing on the latest research results.

Human milk as a protective factor for bronchopulmonary dysplasia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Studies have shown that an important cause of BPD is oxidative stress, which may be due to mechanical ventilation, infection and other causes 42. Early cumulative supplemental oxygen exposure is independently associated with BPD 45. Human milk has antioxidant components, including large amounts of tocopherol, carotene and so on, which alleviate oxidative stress in preterm infants and reduce the occurrence of BPD 26…”

Human Milk Feeding in Preterm Infants: What Has Been Done and What Is to Be Done

“…Moreover, an increasing number of studies are showing that breast milk contains stem cells whose implications in infant neurodevelopment are under study. Hence, it is mandatory to promote initiation of breastfeeding as well as to support its duration [1][2][3][4].When taking into consideration feeding options for preterm infants, it should be highlighted that there is a biological hierarchy with milk of own mothers' being the first choice. When own mothers' milk is not available, donor human milk is recommended, whereas formula feeding should be the last choice [2].Human milk feeding represents a cost-effective strategy to reduce disease impact and associated costs in preterm infants, during the neonatal intensive care unit hospitalization [5].…”

“…Moreover, an increasing number of studies are showing that breast milk contains stem cells whose implications in infant neurodevelopment are under study. Hence, it is mandatory to promote initiation of breastfeeding as well as to support its duration [1][2][3][4].…”

Current understanding of the role of gut dysbiosis in type 1 diabetes

“…Breast milk is regarded as the first type of food entering the gut of the newborn. It plays a major role in establishing a healthy gut barrier through the nutrients, vitamins, macromolecules, and immunoglobulins it contains . It also contains the mother's intestinal bacteria, which is believed to translocate to the mammary glands during late pregnancy and throughout lactation .…”

“…It plays a major role in establishing a healthy gut barrier through the nutrients, vitamins, macromolecules, and immunoglobulins it contains. 83 It also contains the mother's intestinal bacteria, which is believed to translocate to the mammary glands during late pregnancy and throughout lactation. 84,85 Breast milk feeding was found to be the most significant factor associated with the microbiome structure during first year of life, 62 being associated with higher levels of Bifidobacterium species (B. breve and B. bifidum), and its cessation resulted in faster maturation of the gut microbiome, indicated by a higher abundance of Firmicutes.…”