Exploring the Antibacterial Properties of Breast Milk

Importance of Breast Milk

Researchers have investigated the antibacterial properties of breast milk to understand its effectiveness against infectious bacteria. The benefits of breast milk are well recognized, with the World Health Organization recommending exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life. Following this period, breastfeeding should ideally continue alongside solid food up to two years of age.

Focus on Glycerol Monolaureate

A team from the University of Iowa and National Jewish Health examined glycerol monolaureate (GML), a component of breast milk, to assess its role in the milk’s antibacterial properties. Their findings were published in the esteemed journal, Nature.

Key Findings

The study revealed that breast milk contains 200 times more GML than cow’s milk, while infant formula lacks this compound entirely. When GML was removed from breast milk in a laboratory setting, the milk lost its ability to combat certain bacteria that can lead to severe infections. However, reintroducing GML restored its antibacterial effectiveness.

Unique Properties of GML

GML is particularly noteworthy because, unlike traditional antibiotics that eliminate both harmful and beneficial bacteria, it preserves the beneficial gut bacteria in infants. Patrick Schlievert, a microbiology and immunology professor at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine and the lead author of the study, stated that “GML holds great promise as a potential additive to cow’s milk and infant formula that could promote the health of babies around the world.”

Additional Health Benefits

Beyond its antibacterial properties, GML also reduces inflammation along the gut lining, which can enhance a baby’s susceptibility to disease. The authors suggest that the antibacterial effects of breast milk are likely the result of multiple factors at play, some of which remain unidentified, contributing to the unique properties of breast milk.

References

Schlievert P, Kilgore S, Seo K, et al. Glycerol Monolaurate Contributes to the Antimicrobial and Anti-inflammatory Activity of Human Milk. Nature. volume 9, Article number 14550 (2019).

EurekAlert! Compound in Breast milk fights harmful bacteria. https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2019-10/njh-cib100919.php. Last accessed October 11, 2019.

Image by Iuliia Bondarenko from Pixabay.