Is it possible that breast milk contains the magic potion which kills the virus that causes AIDS? According to new research, that’s a distinct possibility.
A recent study published in PLoS Pathogens, which was conducted by researchers from the University of North Carolina School of Medicine, found that mice did not contract HIV after ingesting virus-tainted breast milk.
Moreover, the researchers found, the breast milk actually killed the virus. (more…)
Mothers who feed their babies formula rather than natural breast milk are doing their children a major disservice in terms of their immune development and overall health. But baby formula can at least be somewhat enhanced through the addition of prebiotic foods and probiotic bacteria, which two recent University of Illinois (UI) studies found mimics, at least in a small way, the nutritional profile of natural breast milk in promoting proper intestinal development of young babies. (more…)
If your newborn infant is not properly digesting breast milk, your doctor may suggest that you feed your baby formula. In extreme cases, a doctor will recommend an infant dose of prescription antacids.
One of the most important tasks for any newborn baby is to develop digestive competence, which involves having a harmonious relationship between the trillions of foreign organisms that will inhabit their digestive tract and the cells that form their body. A new study proves that breast feeding, as compared to bottle feeding, is far superior in facilitating proper development of the bacterial types in the digestive tract. In fact, the failure to breastfeed can lead to imbalanced bacterial populations that encourage highly inflammatory digestive problems and consequent development of Celiac disease. (more…)The pesticides and herbicides used to treat genetically-modified organisms (GMO) are showing up in significant amounts in rainwater, water wells, and even mothers’ breast milk, according to new research out of Brazil. Particularly among residents living near massive GMO monoculture operations, research reveals that 100 percent of women tested positive for at least one agrochemical in their breast milk, and cumulatively tested at agrochemical levels much higher than what is even permitted in cow’s milk. (more…)
When a new mother is eating a balanced diet and providing her body with the proper nutrients, breastfeeding is always the preferred method of nourishment for a baby. Not only does breastfeeding promote bonding between mom and baby, but breast milk also provides babies with immunity from nutrients, enzymes and proteins that are not found in any other food source. However, there are situations when a mother can not breastfeed, whether from medical reasons or by choice. Infant formulas are no match for human breast milk, but they are the alternative. And, there are some methods to boost a baby`s immune system if breastfeeding is not a viable option.
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Four hundred thirty-four very-low-birth-weight infants (< 1500 g) who were being breast-fed or receiving mixed feedings (breast milk and formula) were randomly assigned to receive 109 colony-forming units each of Bifidobacterium bifidum and Lactobacillus acidophilus added to their feedings twice a day for 6 weeks or to receive the same feedings without the probiotics. The incidence of death or necrotizing enterocolitis stage 2 or greater was significantly lower in the active-treatment group than in the control group (1.8% vs. 9.2%; p = 0.002). The incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis stage 2 or greater was also significantly lower in the active-treatment group than in the control group (1.8% vs. 6.5%; p = 0.02). No adverse effects, such as sepsis, flatulence, or diarrhea, were seen.
Comment: Necrotizing enterocolitis is a serious gastrointestinal disease seen mainly in premature, very-low-birth-weight infants. It is characterized by necrosis of part of the intestine, which can lead to life-threatening complications. While the cause is unknown, it appears to be related to intestinal ischemia and to the presence of abnormal intestinal flora. The results of the present study indicate that the addition of probiotics to the feedings of very-low-birth-weight infants can reduce the incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis and decrease the death rate in these infants.
Lin HC, et al. Oral probiotics prevent necrotizing enterocolitis in very low birth weight preterm infants: a multicenter, randomized, controlled trial. Pediatrics. 2008;122:693-700.
The longer a mother breastfeeds her baby, the less likely the child is to have seizures later in life, according to a recent study published in the Journal of Pediatrics. Danish researchers observed that babies who are breastfed for at least the first nine months are nearly half as likely to experience seizures than babies breastfed for only the first three months. (more…)