A little bit about Human Milk and its benefits
For as long as we can remember, breastfeeding has been the ideal way to get all the nutrients to an infant (CDC, 2024). Across the world this has been the most natural way of feeding an infant; today there have been alternatives provided to help substitute breast milk. Having these options help mothers that are not able to breastfeed or would like to substitute.In the studies done by Gomes-Gallego et al and Jost et al, focused on the benefits that breastfeeding brings to a mother as well as the infant(Gomez-Gallego et al., 2016)(Jost et al., 2014). The long term benefits can be a bit difficult to determine past the infant stage. Various studies have focused on the gut microbiome, which is a bunch of microorganisms (bacteria) that are found in your body, that is seen in the maternal milks and how that impacts the infant’s gut microbiome (Gomez-Gallego et al, 2016).
Researchers Babakobi et al., were able to find a link between the changes in the mother’s milk composition and how that change can impact the bacteria that is seen in the infants gut (Babakobi et al., 2020). Researchers focused on human milk oligosaccharides (HMO), a complex sugar that has beneficial effects on the development of a healthy microbiome for an infant. They found that the amount of proteins and lactose sugars that are essential for the composition of human milk can vary between women but is essential for the establishment of a healthy and mature gut (Pace et al., 2021)(Ballard & Marrow, 2013) . The composition of human milk is essential for the proper gut maturation and metabolic function as well as providing immune system development of infants. Human milk is made of fats, proteins, sugars and immune components, but what role do mothers’ genetics play in the composition of milk? Johnson et al., focuses on the relationship between maternal genotype, milk composition and infant health. Going into detail on how maternal genetics and gene expression of milk can lead to benefits in the development of the infant microbiome.
Continue reading “What do mamas’ genes have to do with a babies’ guts?”