Breast Milk for the Adult Treatment

Breast milk. (Picture from: 
http://charlotte.cbslocal.com/)

No doubt that breast milk is a superfood that helps babies fight infections, improve immune system function, improve intelligence, prevent obesity, and others. However, if the milk has efficacy for treating the disease in adults?

Actually, breast milk has a long history in medicine. The ancient Egyptians to mix the milk with honey used as medicine. breast milk has also been used as a remedy for ailments such as konjuntivitis, insect bite, skin diseases, and burns. At present, scientists continue to explore various possible medical effects from the treatment of breast cancer to eliminate acne.

In 1995, researchers from Lund University, Sweden, succeeded in using the compounds contained in human breast milk called alpha lactalbumin to kill brain tumor cells in a test tube. In 2004, the same researchers using the compounds in breast milk to destroy warts caused by HPV (human papilloma virus) which opens the possibility of using breast milk for treating cancers caused by HPV. Then, a team of researchers from Gothenburg University, Sweden, managed to make a compound called HAMLET (human alpha-lactalbumin made lethal to tumor cells) which is a mixture of compounds contained alpha-lactalbumin in the milk with oleic acid commonly found in baby's stomach. Research shows HAMLET causes apoptosis (cell suicide) in cancer cells.

Breast milk has the potential to become a new source for stem cells. Stem cells into a great hope in the medical world for its ability to develop into different cell types in the body and serves as a system of internal improvements. Potential of stem cells for use in the treatment of leukemia, spinal injuries, diabetes, and Parkinson's disease.

In Italy, the scientists examined whether a molecule in breast milk called Glyerophosphocholine (GPC) can improve mental function in people with dementia, stroke, and traumatic brain injury patients. In some experiments, GPC is able to improve memory, attention, and orientation in some people who suffer from various types of dementia, including Alzheimer's.

Immunological properties of breast milk to make milk to the attention of scientists to be an alternative to improve the immune system of the adult patients who have immune system problems.

Nestle researchers surmised that a protein in milk called CD14 can help the patient of an immune response that causes the problem of Crohn's disease.

Lactoferrin in milk are also potentially for treatment of autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis. Meanwhile, in an enzyme called lysozyme milk has the potential for treatment of diarrhea.

Protective and antimicrobial properties of breast milk also has the potential to be used in the treatment gastroentritis, flu and colds, pneumonia to acne.

Although some people believe that breast milk is efficacious in the treatment of adults, most of the others were skeptical given the research on the medical effects of breast milk to adults is still very small.

Breast milk is also considered a risk of spreading diseases such as HIV / AIDS and other infectious diseases. breast milk also be a source of problems. In some countries there that provide breast milk bank, but only certain circles that can be served and the supply is limited. Also in culture or belief, adults who drink breast milk is considered an unusual thing. *** [AKHMAD TAUFIK | PIKIRAN RAKYAT 02082012]

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