Comparative study of immunological properties: breast milk vs. cow's milk.
Journal name: Ancient Science of Life
Original article title: A comparative study on the immunological properties of breast milk and cow's milk - ii
The ANSCI is a peer-reviewed, open-access journal focused on Ayurveda and traditional medicines. It publishes original research, reviews, and literary studies linking traditional knowledge with modern science, covering disciplines like botany, ethnomedicine, pharmacology, and clinical research.
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Original source:
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C.P. Saraswathy, Ms. Janabai Giri
Ancient Science of Life:
(A quarterly multi-disciplinary scientific research journal in Ayurveda)
Full text available for: A comparative study on the immunological properties of breast milk and cow's milk - ii
Year: 1990
Copyright (license): CC BY-NC-SA
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Summary of article contents:
Introduction
This study compares the immunological properties of human breast milk and cow’s milk, focusing specifically on the levels of immunoglobulins A (IgA) and G (IgG). It underscores the significance of these antibodies in providing immune protection to infants, emphasizing that breast milk offers the best nutritional source for newborns. Breast milk contains various immune factors that help resist infections, and the study aims to evaluate and quantify the immunological contents of both human and cow’s milk samples.
The Importance of Immunoglobulin A (IgA)
Immunoglobulin A (IgA) and Immunoglobulin G (IgG) play crucial roles in infant immunity. The research findings indicate that human breast milk has a mean IgA level of 52.89 mg/dl, which is essential for safeguarding infants from bacterial and viral diseases. In contrast, cow’s milk shows no traces of IgA, indicating a significant difference between the two types of milk in immunological properties. IgA in human milk is primarily in a dimeric form, which is beneficial for the infant as it is unable to produce IgA until approximately two months of age. The study emphasizes that breast milk’s unique composition, particularly its IgA content, provides essential protection against infections, highlighting the inadequacy of cow’s milk in replacing breast milk in infant nutrition.
Conclusion
The findings of this study reinforce the value of breast milk in neonatal care, particularly in preventing infections and diseases during the early months of life. Breast-fed infants exhibit lower rates of conditions such as colic, allergies, and eczema compared to those fed with cow’s milk. Overall, the study concludes that breast milk is irreplaceable due to its rich supply of immunological factors, especially IgA, which are vital for the infant’s immune system. Therefore, early exposure to breast milk is strongly advised to enhance infant health and immunity.
FAQ section (important questions/answers):
What immunoglobulins were compared in human and cow's milk?
The study compared Immunoglobulin A (IgA) and Immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels in human breast milk and cow's milk, highlighting differences in their immune properties.
What is the significance of Immunoglobulin A (IgA) in breast milk?
IgA is crucial for protecting infants against bacterial and viral infections. Human breast milk contains significant levels of IgA, while cow's milk contains virtually none.
How does the IgG content in cow's milk compare to human milk?
Cow's milk contains a higher concentration of IgG (16.6 mg/dl) compared to human milk (6.0 mg/dl), suggesting a different immune support mechanism.
What are the overall findings regarding breast milk versus cow's milk?
Breast milk has unique immunological properties that provide better protection against infections for infants than cow's milk, emphasizing the importance of breastfeeding.
Glossary definitions and references:
Scientific and Ayurvedic Glossary list for “Comparative study of immunological properties: breast milk vs. cow's milk.�. This list explains important keywords that occur in this article and links it to the glossary for a better understanding of that concept in the context of Ayurveda and other topics.
1) Milk:
Milk is a crucial source of nutrition for infants, providing essential immunological factors that protect against infections. In this study, human breast milk is highlighted for its high IgA content, which plays a vital role in immune defense, whereas cow's milk lacks this immunoglobulin, making breast milk superior for infant health.
2) Science (Scientific):
The term scientific refers to the empirical approach taken in the study, which relies on rigorous methods to investigate the immunoglobulin levels in milk. This approach ensures that conclusions drawn about the immunological properties of breast milk versus cow's milk are based on verifiable data, enhancing the credibility of the research.
3) Cow milk (Cow's milk):
Cow's milk serves as a comparative subject in this study to illustrate differences in immunological properties between it and human breast milk. The analysis reveals that cow's milk contains higher levels of IgG but lacks significant IgA, suggesting that it does not provide the same protective benefits that human milk offers to infants.
4) Discussion:
The discussion section is critical for interpreting the study's findings and placing them within a broader context. It highlights the importance of breast milk's immunological properties, explores implications for infant feeding practices, and suggests that exclusive reliance on cow's milk may pose risks to infant health due to lower IgA levels.
5) Activity:
Activity in the context of this study relates to the immune functions performed by immunoglobulins, notably IgA and IgG. These antibodies are engaged in specific immune responses and are integral to protecting the infant from infections. The presence and levels of these antibodies reflect the active role of milk in immune defense.
6) Giri:
Ms. Janabai Giri, as a co-author, contributes to the research and analysis within the study, indicating collaboration in scientific inquiry. Her involvement signifies the importance of collective effort in academic research, fostering diverse insights and expertise which enrich the findings and credibility of the study.
7) Hand:
In the context of the study, 'hand' may refer to the manual expression method used to collect breast milk samples. This technique is crucial for obtaining accurate samples for analysis, highlighting the importance of proper methodology in research that can impact the outcomes and interpretations of immunological studies on milk.
8) Shand (Śaṇḍ, Sand):
The term 'sand' relates to the incorrect mention of 'sand' in the text, where it appears in error as 'leave to sand' instead of 'leave to stand.' This highlights the necessity of precise language in scientific writing to avoid misunderstandings and ensure that the methodology is clearly communicated to readers.
Other Science Concepts:
Discover the significance of concepts within the article: �Comparative study of immunological properties: breast milk vs. cow's milk.�. Further sources in the context of Science might help you critically compare this page with similair documents:
Cow milk, Comparative study, Breast milk, Eczema, Immunoglobulin G (IgG), Colostrum, Infant Formula, Sialic acid, Neonatal infection, Radial immunodiffusion (RID).