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Some Tuesday evening #science! In several countries, human milk is being trialled as a preventative or therapeutic approach against #covid19.This is because of the antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 produced by some mothers in response. But that's only part of the story...
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Human milk contains so many more antiviral components. Milk evolved to help the newborn navigate a world of infectious diseases, including viruses. It makes sense therefore that antibodies, while really important, are not a one-trick pony.
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So here's a list of human milk components with antiviral properties (+ some refs). Ping me if you know more!
Immunoglobulin A
Immunoglobulin G
Human milk oligosaccharides (200+)
Lactoferrin
Lactadherin
Tenascin A
Extracellular vesicles
Bacteriophages
http://Bit.ly/34PxAjG
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Immunoglobulin A
Immunoglobulin G
Human milk oligosaccharides (200+)
Lactoferrin
Lactadherin
Tenascin A
Extracellular vesicles
Bacteriophages
http://Bit.ly/34PxAjG
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Cytokines (lots)
Glycosaminoglycans
Mucins
SLPI
sTLR2
Lewis X
Monolaurin
Vitamin A
http://Bit.ly/311gaQd
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Glycosaminoglycans
Mucins
SLPI
sTLR2
Lewis X
Monolaurin
Vitamin A
http://Bit.ly/311gaQd
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One oxysterol, a cholesterol metabolite called 27-hydroxycholesterol, may inhibit the infectivity of SARS-CoV-2.
http://Bit.ly/3dm48Wv
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http://Bit.ly/3dm48Wv
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How these components behave throughout lactation are largely not known, but some have been shown to increase as a baby grows into a toddler - giving them more immune protection as they explore and meet more people/ animals/ surfaces.
Human milk is much more than nutrition.
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Human milk is much more than nutrition.
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