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Stem Cells Discovered in Breast Milk

Any mother can tell you the benefits of breastfeeding, but scientists recently discovered stem cells in human breast milk. Stem cell research and treatments using embryonic stem cells, which are more versatile than adult stem cells, is controversial. An embryonic stem cell can produce cells for almost any tissue in the body, whereas adult stem cells are more specific to blood and skin types. The discovery of stem cells in breast milk may alleviate the controversy of using embryonic stem cells, if breast milk stem cells behave in the same versatile manner. Stem cell research shows they are promising at treating spinal injuries, diabetes and Parkinson’s disease.

Perth scientist Dr Mark Cregan made the world’s first discovery of breast milk stem cells. He believes this is just the tip of the iceberg in discovering the benefits and potency of baby’s first food.

It is setting the baby up for the perfect development. We already know that babies who are breast fed have an IQ advantage and that there’s a raft of other health benefits. Researchers also believe that the protective effects of being breast fed continue well into adult life. The point is that many mothers see milks as identical – formula milk and breast milk look the same so they must be the same. But we know now that they are quite different and a lot of the effects of breast milk versus formula don’t become apparent for decades. Formula companies have focussed on matching breast milk’s nutritional qualities but formula can never provide the developmental guidance.

After testing cultured breast milk cells, Dr. Cregan discovered the stem cell marker nestin. Early indication is that these cells can be reprogrammed to form many types of human tissue, and breast milk stem cells have all of the physical properties of embryonic stem cells, without the ethical issues of harvesting. Breast milk really is the perfect food for infants, and it may even prove to cure many illnesses and diseases plaguing the human race.

Image: Raphael Goetter on Flickr under Creative Commons License

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Comments

  1. web design company says

    June 19, 2008 at 1:05 am

    yeah i could see that coming

    Reply
  2. Michelle says

    June 25, 2008 at 1:10 pm

    I think this is a wonderful revalation! I exclusively BF my son, who is 7 months, and did the same with my daughter, now 10, for 15 months. I plan to BF my son for 2 years and now that I have read this article it further solidifies my decision to do so. Thank you for posting this informative article.

    Reply
  3. Frank says

    December 21, 2008 at 9:55 pm

    Why stop there Michelle? With my boys reaching their teens I’ve been worried about them eating nutritiously. After reading this article and your post I’m beginning to think my wife should resume breastfeeding them. I want my boys to grow up strong and healthy.

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Mother of Octuplets to Breastfeed all 8 Babies : Eco Child’s Play says:
    February 1, 2009 at 8:39 pm

    […] commend the new mother for making sure her infants received the best nutrition possible through breastmilk. They’ve already survived to be only the second set of octuplets to be born alive in America, […]

    Reply
  2. Researchers discover antibodies in breast milk help neutralize HIV | Biomechanism says:
    May 23, 2012 at 1:22 am

    […] source: EcoChildsPlay  You may also like: Caltech biologists deliver neutralizing antibodies that protect against HIV […]

    Reply

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Our ethos is to provide news, information, and opinions on natural, green parenting to help your family live a greener, healthier life! Additionally, we offer personal consulting services to help you achieve your green living goals.

Jennifer is a vegetarian, yoga teacher, gardener, hiker, teacher, and mother that has been living off-the-grid for over 20 years.

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