Mother's milk provides immune protection against some infectious agents through the transfer of antibodies, a process referred to as passive immunity.
Breastfeeding Protects Babies From Adverse Effects of Environmental Pollution
Neither the hazardous pollution particle matter nor the nitrogen dioxide exert a harmful effect on babies breastfed on mother's milk for at least four months.
Neither the hazardous pollution particle matter nor the nitrogen dioxide exert a harmful effect on babies breastfed on mother's milk for at least four months.
‘Vaccinating the mother, who will eventually nurse the baby, will improve infant immunity against tuberculosis (TB).’
"If we can instead vaccinate mom or boost her vaccination shortly before she becomes pregnant, transferred immune cells during breastfeeding will ensure that the baby is protected early on," Walker explained. Scientists have long understood that mother's milk provides immune protection against some infectious agents through the transfer of antibodies, a process referred to as "passive immunity."
The new research, published in the Journal of Immunology, showed that mother's milk also contributes to the development of the baby's own immune system by a process the team calls "maternal educational immunity."
First Breast Milk Bank Set Up in Udaipur
In northwestern India, a mother's milk bank catering to needy infants free of cost has been set up for the first time, say officials.
In northwestern India, a mother's milk bank catering to needy infants free of cost has been set up for the first time, say officials.
"While our work has used mouse models because we can study the process in detail this way, we do know that milk cells cross into human babies as well," Walker pointed out.
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Adding Milk, Meat to Diet Improves Nutrition for Poor Households in Zambia
Adding a small amount of milk and meat to the diet dramatically improves the supply of nutrients - specifically protein, calcium, zinc, iron, vitamin A, B2, B12, D.
Adding a small amount of milk and meat to the diet dramatically improves the supply of nutrients - specifically protein, calcium, zinc, iron, vitamin A, B2, B12, D.
One of the infectious agents the research team studied was the organism that causes tuberculosis. Generally, babies directly vaccinated against TB do not have a very good response.
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Oestrogens In Cow Milk Do Not Affect Blood Levels, Reproductive Organs
Bovine milk, which is known to contain naturally occurring estrogens, was so far assumed to play a negative role in human reproductive health.
Bovine milk, which is known to contain naturally occurring estrogens, was so far assumed to play a negative role in human reproductive health.
"It's like vaccinating the baby without actually vaccinating the baby. In some instances, our work has shown that immunity against TB is far more effective if acquired through the milk than if acquired through direct vaccination of the baby," Walker noted.
"Of course, clinical trials will need to be conducted to test whether this is the case in humans," Walker said.
Source-IANS
