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Indonesia emposes heavy fines for anyone hindering breastfeeding for at least the first 6 months

posted on February 4, 2012 by janet-jones Leave a Comment

Stem cells in breastmilk confirmed!

posted on November 16, 2011 by janet-jones

In 2007 researchers in Australia found an interesting component in breastmilk that looked like stem cells.  The big question has been wheather or not the act like stem cells and have the ability to differentiate.  The answer to that question has recently been confirmed with a resounding yes.  This new development in the research of human milk has far reaching implications.  There are so many other ingredients in human milk that can not possibly be replicated and mass produced for commercial formula including: SIgA, IgM, IgE, T cell and B cell Lymphocytes, Lactoferrin, Lysozyme, Human Alpha lactalbumin (which actually has a great acronym describing its important attributes: HAMLET – Human Alpha lactalbumin Made Lethal to Tumor cells) over 150 LCPUFAs (Long Chain Poly Unsaturated Fatty Acids) 2 of which are DHA and ARA.  Even with all of these ingredients known and well documented, many new moms exposed to the advertising of infant formula have the perception that breastmilk and formula are equal.  The health claims on formula cans tout immunological benefits with “ingredients naturally found in breastmilk”.  What they are referring to is either pre biotics or pro biotics recently added.  This new discovery in breastmilk is just one more addition to the long list of amazing ingredients in human milk that will hopefully give moms more confidence that the product that their body naturally makes is spectacular and can not be replicated by any pharmaceutical company.  You are a Super Mom, and you truly make a Super Human Milk!

 

BAAR, Switzerland, Nov. 10, 2011 /PRNewswire/ – The theory developed in 2007 by scientists at the University of Western Australia (UWA) that breastmilk contains stem cells has been taken to a higher level with the latest discovery by one of the team’s newer members.  UWA Ph.D. candidate Foteini Hassiotou has proven that stem cells from breastmilk can now be directed to become other body cell types such as bone, fat, liver and brain cells. Could this finally be the answer to ethically and easily obtaining pluripotent stem cells in a non-invasive manner? And what does this mean with regard to the unique power of breastmilk for the growth and development of babies?

Stem Cells in Breastmilk – Theory Becomes Reality

Following  Hassiotou’s  recent win of the 2011 AusBiotech-GSK Student Excellence Award for her research into breastmilk stem cells (Oct.17, 2011), Medela is proud to announce Hassiotou’s first presentation of her findings of stem cells in breastmilk in Europe early next year. She will share her findings during Medela’s 7th International Breastfeeding and Lactation Symposium to be held in Vienna, Austria from  April 20-21, 2012.

This discovery by Hassiotou, who is part of the Human Lactation Research Group under the direction of Professor Peter Hartmann at the University of Western Australia, may well be the answer to ethically and easily obtaining stem cells in a non-invasive manner. The value in harvesting stem cells from breastmilk lies in their incredible potential to develop into many different cell types in the body during early life and growth. They have the ability to act as a type of “internal repair system.” With both types of stem cells (embryonic and adult), however, well-documented hurdles exist both from an ethical as well as from a practical harvesting perspective….

“It is great to see the biology of breastmilk stem cells unfold and to be able to demonstrate new findings that take our knowledge a step further. Through the financial support of Medela it has been possible for me to conduct this research, which shows for yet another reason why breastmilk is so much more than nutrition for the baby,” said Hassiotou. “In addition, it is becoming clear that breastmilk can serve as an ethical, non-invasive and plentiful source for human stem cells—but a lot of questions still remain unanswered, especially about the function of these cells in the breastfed baby. I feel proud to be part of this exciting journey of discovery, and I plan to continue this research at The University of Western Australia.”

 

(From i09.com)

In particular, these breast milk stem cells can develop into any of the three embryonic germ layers, known as the endoderm, mesoderm, and ectoderm. In embryonic stem cells, it’s from these three layers that the cells can then develop into any of the 220 different cell types found in the body. This quality, known as pluripotency, is what makes embryonic stem cells specifically so powerful as a tool in regenerative medicine.

Now it seems that breast milk stem cells could be just as pluripotent as their embryonic counterparts, with few to none of the ethical concerns that have engulfed the use of embryonic stem cells. Team member Foteini Hassiotou comments:

“They can become bone cells, joint cells, fat cells, pancreatic cells that produce their own insulin, liver cells that produce albumin and also neuronal cells. What is really amazing is that these cells can be obtained in quite large amounts in breast milk.”

This is all exciting news, but there is room for some skepticism here. The key test hasn’t happened yet — and that’s to inject these breast milk stem cells into mice to see whether they develop teratomas, which are tumors that feature tissue from all three embryonic germ layers. If the researchers can find that, then we really will have an adult-derived stem cell that is every bit as versatile and potent as embryonic stem cells. Such a breakthrough might not kill the stem cell debate entirely, but it would take a lot of the wind out the sails of the opponents of such research.

Assuming this research holds up, one other question to explore will be just why breast milk unexpectedly contains such pluripotent stem cells. Hassitou speculates:

“It has been shown in mice that live immune cells in breast milk pass through the intestinal mucosa into the blood circulation of the pups and engraft in various tissues. If these cells are in human milk and in such high amounts they probably have a role. They might contribute to tissue regeneration and development of the baby or play certain roles if there is a disease.”

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Disadvantaged mothers should breastfeed their children 'to improve social mobility', experts claim

posted on October 10, 2011 by janet-jones

Breastfed babies are smarter and have a reduced chance of behavioural problems in later life, according to a new study.

Researchers from the University of Essex’s Institute of Social & Economic Research (ISER) and the University of Oxford have spent the past two years looking at the impact of breastfeeding on a child’s development.

They found that it can improve a child’s social mobility by boosting its IQ in later life, and reduces the likelihood of a child having behavioural difficulties at age five.

Six per cent of full-term babies breastfed for four months have these issues compared with 16 per cent of formula fed babies, the research shows.

The group is now now urging the government to act on its findings and include the importance of breastfeeding in its plan for improving social mobility.

However,a report produced by the team fails to identify exactly how and why breastfeeding in a baby’s early weeks leads to success in later life.

The document, which will be discussed at a conference at the British Academy in central London on Wednesday says: ‘Aligning breastfeeding with social mobility may seem tenuous, but a body of research shows that an individual’s behavioural and psycho-social outcomes have a significant impact on adult earnings and education,’ as reported in The Observer.

The report goes on: ‘If research can demonstrate the extent to which positive outcomes are the result of breastfeeding, rather than from social factors, then there is a strong case for encouraging breastfeeding from an early intervention policy that can improve a child’s life chances, particularly targeting young and disadvantaged mothers.’

 

 

Health experts have said there is a large social gap in breastfeeding rates with more privileged mothers opting to breastfeed compared with the more disadvantaged, according to the policy document.

Dr Emilia Del Bono, an economist at the ISER told The Observer: ‘We need initiatives to support mothers not just to start breastfeeding, but to continue beyond the early days.

‘We know very little about the effects of breastfeeding at longer durations because so few women breastfeed for more than a few weeks.

‘It’s only when more women start breastfeeding for longer periods that we will have the data necessary to investigate.’

In the same report, a senior Liberal Democrat source said: ‘We expect the social mobility and child poverty commission to report on the progress of the indicators and to tell us whether they are the right ones.

‘The current list is a good start but it does not have to be the final word’.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2047016/Disadvantaged-mothers-breastfeed-children-improve-social-mobility-experts-claim.html#ixzz1aLyTx0Eo

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Breastfeeding Flash mob in the UK

posted on June 22, 2011 by janet-jones

The ultimate flashmob: Hundreds of mothers breastfeed in front of shoppers

By Daily Mail Reporter

Last updated at 7:59 AM on 21st June 2011

A bold group of mothers gave a new meaning to the term ‘flashmob’ when they bared their breasts at a major shopping centre today to raise awareness of breastfeeding.

More than a hundred mothers of all ages – some accompanied by their partners – descended on the Trafford Centre in Manchester to feed their babies in front of stunned shoppers to promote the start of NHS-backed National Breastfeeding Awareness Week.

The proud women bore all in full view of customers sitting in the shopping centre cafes to highlight the health benefits of breastfeeding.

A stunned onlooker said: ‘It’s not every day you see that many breasts while out doing your shopping. I suppose it’s a good way of getting people to listen to the message. I fully support them.’

The Trafford Centre is backing National Breastfeeding Awareness Week 2011 – which runs from Sunday 19th to Saturday 25th June, backed by the NHS Infant Breastfeeding Services – and has recently refurbished its breastfeeding facilities for shoppers.

One mother, Jade Fitzmartin, 18, from Atherton, Greater Manchester, said: ‘It’s great to get together for such a good cause as we all know how important breastfeeding is. The flashmob was a really exciting thing to be part of, although in normal circumstances I would probably prefer to use the breastfeeding facilities here.

‘All new mums should take it seriously as an option when midwives and health visitors discuss it with them.’

Organiser of the flash mob event, Alison Healey, Breastfeeding Coordinator at NHS Ashton, Leigh and Wigan, said there were a number of advantages linked to choosing to breastfeed.

These included a lowered likelihood of common health complaints in babies such as diarrhoea, ear and chest infections and eczema and an improved immune system.

‘The likelihood of a healthy life for babies is greatly enhanced by parents choosing to breastfeed instead of feeding their baby with formula milk.

‘When a new mum chooses to breastfeed she is also greatly benefitting her own health as it can also help her to lose the weight she might have gained in pregnancy and lower the risk of some cancers.

‘New mums should feel proud of their decision to breastfeed and know that they can get support from their local Midwives and Health Visitors.’

Gordon McKinnon, Director of Operations at The Trafford Centre, said: ‘We’re a family friendly centre, which means we’re fully supportive of mums who make the decision to breastfeed. If they require a comfortable, private space in which to feed their child we have four sets of dedicated facilities including our new Laura Ashley-designed breastfeeding suite, but we consider most public spaces appropriate and our retailers are equally understanding.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2005874/Breast-best-Hundreds-nursing-mothers-surprise-shoppers-awareness-flashmob.html#ixzz1PyZK4JnL

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Genetically Modified Cows made to produce a more "human milk"

posted on June 19, 2011 by janet-jones

Where is technology leading us?

I’m all for technological advances but this line of research is frankly SCARY!  This is still a few years away from being on the market but can you imagine the advertisements and health claims that will follow if the formula companies decide to procure this product?  The implications for future generations may not be known until it’s too late as our babies will be the test subjects.  Please read the article below and let us know what you think. 

The news should send shock waves of incredulity and delight through the medical community and mothers around the world – at last, the ability to purchase real breast milk instead of formula is music to the ears of mothers who cannot or will not breastfeed. Exclusive breastfeeding has been linked to a number of important health benefits in the baby, everything from a lower incidence of allergies and colds, to a reduced risk of ear infections and, most dramatically, death from SIDS. Many studies also demonstrate that breastfed babies have higher IQ’s, a trait that persists through childhood. With such impressive credentials, it is no wonder that many new mothers try, despite full time working schedules and low milk supply, to provide their newborns with Mother Nature’s original and natural baby food.

In response to such a potentially lucrative product need, Chinese scientists have produced a herd of genetically modified cows that make milk that could substitute for human breast milk — a possible alternative to formula in a nation rocked by tainted milk powder scandals. In 2003, after years of testing on mice, researchers created, via modern genetic engineering technology, the first cow that produces human breast milk. They are also proud to have produced a milk that tastes even sweeter and stronger than the original.

Li Ning, the project’s scientific director and lead researcher, says that the milk is 80% genetically human.

“Our modified cow milk contains several major properties of human milk, in particular proteins and antibodies which we believe are good for our health and able to improve our immune system,” he said. His team is set to have the product available on the market within three years.

Behind the project’s efforts, supported by a major Chinese biotechnology company, is a series of poisonings and toxin scandals that have shaken consumer trust in China’s dairy sector and its products. In 2008, at least six children died and nearly 300,000 fell ill from drinking powdered milk laced with melamine, an industrial chemical added to low quality or diluted milk to fool inspectors checking for protein levels.

The new milk, Li Ning says, will undergo stringent safety testing before it is submitted to the government for approval to distribute in the human population. Given China’s checkered record for food and other product safety, and the on-going debate about the safety of genetically-modified foods (GMO’s), enthusiasm for the new “breast milk” ought perhaps to be tempered with caution.

Greenpeace notes that China has been investing considerably in genetically modified food research in recent years, despite the lack of a credible, independent system of supervision and inspection, which is troubling. It also insists that genetically modified products should not be allowed to enter the human food chain.

Indeed, GMO’s are implicated in many adverse environmental outcomes, such as displacing natural crops and reducing bio-diversity by mixing into and taking over the genetic pool of natural plants and animals. Such an impoverishment in genetic variation might imperil future food security.

The benefits of breastfeeding are not strictly limited to the static chemical properties of the milk. The act of nursing an infant is at least a partial protective factor in and of itself. Also, nursing mothers’ bodies continuously modify the precise immunologic and nutritional content of their breast milk in direct response to the biochemical information transmitted from the suckling infant. This effect cannot be replicated in commercially produced breast milk.

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