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Duchessa
26-09-2006, 13:03
Just stumbled upon this article - thought some bfers in here might be interested...

The effect of oral supplementation of Lactobacillus reuteri on the immunological composition of breast milk. Jakobsson T, Abrahamsson T, Björkstén B, Fredrikson M, Böttcher M (2005) J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 40(5):624, abstract OP4-05.

As part of a prospective study of decreasing the risk of allergy during the first years of life, it was also investigated whether the intake of Lactobacillus reuteri ATCC 55730 could affect the immunologic compositon of breast milk. 109 pregnant women received L. reuteri (108 CFU daily), or placebo, during the last 4 weeks of pregnancy. Samples of breast milk were taken within the first three days after delivery (colostrum) and after one month. The levels of the anti-inflammatory substance Interleukin-10 (IL-10) were significantly increased in the first delivered milk of mothers taking L. reuteri as compared to the milk of the control group mothers. The levels of Transforming Growth Factor beta 2 (TGF-B2) were on the other hand decreased in the colostrum milk in the L. reuteri group compared to the controls. A month later the content of immunoactive substances of the milk were the same in the two groups.

Conclusion: The study shows that the oral intake of Lactobacillus reuteri ATCC 55730 can exert effects beyond the gut wall, i.e. on other parts of the body, in this case the mammary glands.

FinnsMama
27-09-2006, 08:16
Very interesting read! My DS has had some pretty nasty reactions :barf:to things in my diet since a few weeks of age. We don't know yet whether he has allergies or intolerances or a bit of both. Anyway I have since found out that a baby's gut is colonised by his mumma's gut flora as he/she passes through the birth canal, and this gut flora comprises 70% of our immune systems. A weakened immune system can = allergies. I was given antibiotics when I arrived at the birth centre because my waters had broken a couple of days previously, and this would have wiped out all my gut flora (including all the good stuff). I believe that this contributed to DS developing food intolerances/allergies (plus he probably had a genetic predisposition too). I've been on restricted diet for the past few months plus I've been taking probiotics, and it seems like Finn is finally able to tolerate more than he used to (I ate some wheat yesterday and so far so good :fingerscrossed:)! So I will definitely be taking probiotics during my next pregnancy and whilst bfing.

Thanks for posting the article Duchessa :)