Researchers are uncovering a range of potential health benefits of human breast milk that extend beyond its traditional role as infant nutrition. In her recent article, Sarah Sloat delves into this fascinating subject, exploring the historical context, ongoing research, and societal perceptions surrounding breast milk.
Historically, breast milk has held value for various purposes aside from feeding babies. For instance, Pliny the Elder recommended it for treating fever and gout in ancient Rome, while in 17th- and 18th-century England and America, it was used to address conditions like tuberculosis and blindness. Today, we are beginning to recognize that breast milk offers more than just infant nourishment, although the supporting evidence for its various uses varies in strength.
Lars Bode, a professor and the founding director of the Human Milk Institute at UC San Diego, points out that the mammary gland remains significantly understudied. He asserts that even though human milk is primarily designed for infants, its unique components could also yield potential benefits for adults.
Katie Hinde, an associate professor at Arizona State University specializing in lactation, explains that breast milk has three stages—colostrum, transitional milk, and mature milk—loaded with essential nutrients like fats, proteins, vitamins, minerals, and human milk oligosaccharides. However, Hinde notes that healthy adults may not experience significant benefits, primarily due to the physiological differences between adults and infants that affect digestion and nutrient absorption.
Despite the absence of established health benefits for adults, interest in breast milk is on the rise. Some individuals are even buying it online in hopes of various health enhancements. Bode warns against this practice, citing the health risks associated with unregulated human milk. Prices for breast milk can range from $1.50 to $10 an ounce, a reflection of its growing demand.
Diane Spatz, a nurse scientist at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, attributes this surging interest to heightened awareness of breast milk’s protective qualities for infants. Nonetheless, she reiterates that no scientifically validated health benefits for adults currently exist.
Online forums are buzzing with discussions about alternative uses for breast milk, including its potential as a remedy for minor ailments. While some studies suggest that breast milk might soothe burns or rashes, Spatz cautions against generalizing these benefits beyond infant feeding. She notes that the efficacy of lactoferrin, an antibacterial protein found in breast milk, diminishes when the milk is frozen or heated.
For new mothers with an excess of milk, Spatz recommends considering donation to milk banks, where the milk is carefully screened and pasteurized for safe use.
Bode’s research is also shedding light on the potential of human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) beyond infant nutrition. These compounds may exhibit anti-inflammatory properties, and scientists are actively working on synthetic versions for therapeutic applications, including potential treatments for chronic inflammatory diseases.
Kathleen Arcaro, a researcher at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, is exploring how breast milk can benefit mothers as a “liquid biopsy.” By analyzing breast milk, researchers can pinpoint individual breast cancer risks and detect signs of inflammation, which could lead to early intervention strategies.
Arcaro imagines a future where new mothers can have their breast milk evaluated at hospitals shortly after delivery, paving the way for proactive health measures. Many mothers donating milk for this research express urgency, questioning why such practices haven’t been implemented sooner.
As research progresses, the complexities and potential applications of breast milk are being gradually uncovered, opening new pathways that could benefit not just infants, but adults as well.
