According to an article in Science Daily, some mothers carry a gene that produces breast milk that helps influence the bacteria in her baby. This gene is known as fucosyltransferase 2 (FUT2) and it nourishes the bacteria that start to grow inside the newborn's stomach. Breast milk from women without this gene is not considered any less healthy than breast milk from women with this gene. Scientist have found no evidence to the contrary. However, they did find that this gene helps with premature babies who are susceptible to intestinal diseases. Having healthy stomach bacteria also helps with the infant's response to vaccines and helps to fight off illnesses.
This discovery can help to prevent premature babies from suffering intestinal diseases and fight off pathogens that affect them in the future. I find it interesting how this gene directly effects the bacteria inside of the baby instead of the baby itself. Scientists may venture into finding a way to synthesize this gene as a last resort for very weak, premature babies in hopes of nourishing the colonizing bacteria in their stomachs.
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That is really interesting. I have never heard of anything like that before. I hope that more studies will be done on this because premature babies need all the help they can get.
ReplyDeleteI think its amazing how much breast milk can help the development of young children. It is one of the main ways in which a child's immunity system is built. For mothers who don't breast feed their child, through this research, scientists can look to making baby formulas with that can help gastrointestinal health.
ReplyDeleteThis is a good study to share with others, as there are some people who wish to not breastfeed their children. It is still their choice whether to or not, but as this shows, there are definitely great benefits. Strengthening children before certain ages is much more beneficial in the long run, because it could cause so many more problems later on if not.
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