Let’s show everyday how we love our moms! This mother’s month, join us in recognizing one of nature’s greatest elixirs—the human breast milk. In this installation of The Chemist Trivia, we will explore the unique blend of nutrients, antibodies, and bioactive components that make breast milk the perfect nourishment for the little ones.
Human breast milk is considered as the optimal benchmark for infant nutrition. According to the WHO, it is an unparalleled way of providing infants with the nourishments necessary for healthy growth and development. It contains a plethora of macronutrients, micronutrients, bioactive compounds, and interactive elements that collectively play a key role in infants’ physiological function, immune system maturation, and cognitive development.
Macronutrients
Proteins include casein for growth and development, whey for immune function and digestion, and enzymes like amylase for carbohydrate digestion and lipase for fat digestion and absorption.
Breast milk also has carbohydrates such as lactose which serves as an energy source and helps gut health.
Fatty acids, a component of lipids, aid in brain development, energy production, and absorption of fat-soluble vitamins.
Micronutrients
VITAMINS
Vitamin A: for vision, immune function, and cell growth
Vitamin D: for bone health
Vitamin E: for protection from free radical damage
Vitamin K: for blood clotting and bone health
MINERALS
Calcium: for bone development, muscle function
Iron: for oxygen transport and formation of RBCs
Zinc: for immune function, growth, and development
Phosphorus: for energy metabolism, regulation of cellular processes
Magnesium: for nerve function, muscle contraction
Immunological Components
ANTIBODIES
Secretory IgA: for immune protection
WHITE BLOOD CELLS
Lymphocytes: boost adaptive immunity
Macrophages: beneficial in pathogen elimination
Bioactive Compounds
EPIDERMAL GROWTH FACTOR (EGI): useful for cellular growth and tissue repair
INSULIN-LIKE GROWTH FACTOR (IGI): boosts growth and development
PREBIOTICS: beneficial for digestive health
References:
Ballard, O., & Morrow, A. L. (2013). Human Milk Composition. Pediatric Clinics of North America, 60(1), 49–74. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pcl.2012.10.002
Garwolińska, D., Namieśnik, J., Kot-Wasik, A., & Hewelt-Belka, W. (2018). Chemistry of Human Breast Milk—A Comprehensive Review of the Composition and Role of Milk Metabolites in Child Development. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 66(45), 11881–11896. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jafc.8b04031
Hosea Blewett, H. J., Cicalo, M. C., Holland, C. D., & Field, C. J. (2008). The Immunological Components of Human Milk (pp. 45–80). https://doi.org/10.1016/S1043-4526(07)00002-2
Kim, S. Y., & Yi, D. Y. (2020). Components of human breast milk: from macronutrient to microbiome and microRNA. Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics, 63 (8 ), 301–309. https://doi.org/10.3345/cep.2020.00059
Meng, F., Uniacke-Lowe, T., Ryan, A. C., & Kelly, A. L. (2021). The composition and physico-chemical properties of human milk: A review. Trends in Food Science & Technology, 112, 608–621. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tifs.2021.03.040
World Health Organization (2009). The physiological basis of breastfeeding. Infant and Young Child Feeding: Model Chapter for Textbooks for Medical Students and Allied Health Professionals. NIH National Library of Medicine. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK148970/
