It would seem that if it prevents breastfed infants from contracting
certain diseases and illness that it just may do the same for adults as well.
In fact, there are some people who are using this controversial form of
nourishment to help guard against certain illnesses and even to help fight
certain diseases and conditions, like cancer, Chrohn’s disease, acne, leukemia
and diabetes.
So, is there a real benefit?
While there is no documented evidence specifically on using
breast milk in adults, many believe that breast milk can heal or help
conditions such as cancer, Chrohn’s disease, infections, rashes, and more.
In 1995, scientists at the Lund University used a compound
found in breast milk called alpha-lactalbumin
to kill brain tumor cells in a test tube. It seemed to have worked. The same
research team, in 2004, used the breast milk compound to destroy many warts
caused by HPV, creating the possibility that it could have implications for the
treatment of cervical cancer, which is linked to the Human Papiloma Virus, HPV.
Howard Cohen, diagnosed with prostate cancer, drinks breast
milk in smoothies and believes it has helped put this cancer into remission.
A woman named Patty uses breast milk to help treat her 15
year old son for Chrohn’s disease. She claims that using the breast milk has
helped control her son’s dietary habits and other symptoms, so that he could
again return to normal weight. Many Chrohn’s disease patients suffer weight
loss from frequent bowel movements and other dietary symptoms.
In 2010, a Swedish team of researchers reported that the
sizes of bladder tumors were reduced just 5 days after patients were injected
with a breast milk compound. The team at Gothenburg University has been looking
at the antibiotics properties of breast milk when a researcher noticed that
cancerous lung cells in a test tube died on contact with breast milk. They than
isolated the active compound - a protein called alpha-lactalbumin.
Breast milk is already been used by many as a topical agent
for many different skin ailments. A science student at the University of
California recently discovered that the lauric acid in breast milk reduces the
irritation and spots, and has developed an acne cream from breast milk; the
cream uses tiny gold particles to carry lauric acid into pores where its
antimicrobial properties fight bacteria that cause acne.
Breast milk is a
popular treatment, in Nigeria, for allergic conjunctivitis (Apollo) – a few drops of breast milk on the
swollen conjunctiva is said to bring quick symptomatic relieve and resolution
of the inflammation.
The extra-ordinary ability of breast milk in attacking rogue
cells could be the reason breast milk appears to protect babies from all sorts
of illnesses. Researches have shown that breast fed babies have reduced risk of
many adult illnesses, including cancer.
Is there any possible risk?
The main risk that comes to mind for the use of breast milk
by adults is that if the milk used was from an unknown source, there might be a
possibility of contracting a disease. Even if the breast milk is from a milk
bank, they do not know the source or whether the donor has diseases or not. Though
breast milk banks usually screen their donors, there are risks of inaccuracies
as with other tests. There could be other risks, but since little or no
research has been done on adults using breast milk, it would be impossible to
say for sure what the other risks may be present.
Another problem lies in the fact that if an adult have the
need for breast milk and knows someone who is lactating, they may not be
comfortable asking that person and if they do ask that person, she may not
always be willing to donate her milk for that purpose. That’s when the adult
will have to seek out alternatives like milk banks which may not provide breast
milk to an adult with or without a prescription, and breast milk bank services
is only available in a few developed countries.
Today, some patients suffering from immunological diseases –
such as HIV, leukemia or hepatitis – or those others receiving therapy that
reduces the immune system such as chemotherapy, have drunk breast milk in the
hope that it can help adults, just as it helps sick babies.
However, when deciding whether or not this is an option for
you, all factors must be considered, including what your family and friends
thinks of this line of treatment, your cultural background and how to source
for the breast milk.
Also, consult your doctor – he or she will be able to tell
you whether it’s good for you or not.
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