Anti inflammatory agents in breast milk
Anti-inflammatory Agents in Breast Milk
Breast milk is a complex and dynamic fluid that provides essential nutrients and bioactive components to the newborn. Among its many beneficial properties, breast milk contains anti-inflammatory agents that play a crucial role in modulating the infant's immune system and protecting against inflammation-related diseases.
Composition of Breast Milk[edit | edit source]
Breast milk is composed of macronutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, as well as micronutrients, hormones, and immune factors. The composition of breast milk can vary depending on the stage of lactation, maternal diet, and other factors.
Anti-inflammatory Agents in Breast Milk[edit | edit source]
Breast milk contains several components with anti-inflammatory properties, including:
Immunoglobulins[edit | edit source]
Immunoglobulins, particularly secretory IgA, are abundant in breast milk. They help to protect the infant's mucosal surfaces and modulate the immune response, reducing inflammation.
Cytokines[edit | edit source]
Breast milk contains various cytokines such as interleukin-10 (IL-10) and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β), which have anti-inflammatory effects.
Lactoferrin[edit | edit source]
Lactoferrin is a multifunctional protein with anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and immunomodulatory properties. It helps to regulate the immune response and protect against infections.
Oligosaccharides[edit | edit source]
Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) are complex carbohydrates that have prebiotic effects and modulate the gut microbiota. They also have anti-inflammatory properties by influencing immune cell function.
Fatty Acids[edit | edit source]
Breast milk contains long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs) such as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (AA), which have been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects.
Benefits of Anti-inflammatory Agents in Breast Milk[edit | edit source]
The anti-inflammatory agents in breast milk contribute to several health benefits for the infant, including:
- Protection against infections: By modulating the immune response, these agents help protect against bacterial, viral, and fungal infections.
- Reduction of allergic diseases: Breastfeeding has been associated with a lower risk of developing allergic diseases such as asthma and eczema.
- Support of gut health: The anti-inflammatory components help to establish a healthy gut microbiota and reduce the risk of inflammatory bowel diseases.
Research and Future Directions[edit | edit source]
Ongoing research continues to explore the specific mechanisms by which breast milk's anti-inflammatory agents exert their effects. Understanding these mechanisms could lead to new therapeutic strategies for managing inflammatory diseases in infants and adults.
Also see[edit | edit source]
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
