by Anne Eglash MD, IBCLC, FABM
Why is lactoferrin important in breastmilk? Some people believe that the big difference between breastmilk and formula is just the antibodies in breastmilk. When I hear this sort of disparaging remark about breastmilk, I scramble up my skyscraper soapbox with my megaphone and let ‘er rip. Breastmilk is like a military; it has a variety of specially trained fighters with strategies to kill germs using a variety of tactics. In addition, the fighters in breastmilk build infrastructure, like our Army Corps of Engineers. Lactoferrin is one of breastmilk’s Army Generals.
Lactoferrin is the second most abundant protein in breastmilk, and for good reason given its multifaceted role in the immunity of an infant. It prevents infection, plays a role in iron metabolism, has anti-inflammatory properties, and is an antioxidant.
A 2017 issue of the journal Biochemistry and Cell Biology is dedicated to research papers and reports on lactoferrin. One article is entitled Lactoferrin and Prematurity: a promising milk protein? It reviews several clinical trials that are being done using human and bovine lactoferrin supplementation.
These authors report on studies done to evaluate the effectiveness of lactoferrin supplementation for children. What do you think the authors found? Choose one or more:
- Lactoferrin supplementation reduces the incidence of NEC in premature infants
- Lactoferrin supplementation reduces the incidence of sepsis in premature infants
- Lactoferrin supplementation given to mothers in preterm labor delays the preterm birth.
- Lactoferrin supplementation protects children from diarrhea.