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This situation of species specificity is Nature's way of cent of colostrum). This contains a wealth of ensuring that each mammal is initially nourished with a | components which are never listed on the side of a tin substance that uniquely gives it an optimum start in — of formula, which is usually based on bovine protein ife. For instance, seal's milk is very high in protein and ~~ with a whey component of just 20 per cent and on a at; this is to ensure that the calf grows quickly and is profile designed to optimise the development of the able to put down fat to protect it against its hostile bovine species, not the human. environment as well as to be able to sustain itself for Apart from a comprehensive array of vitamins, minerals days at a time while the mother goes off to feed herself. (including trace elements) and fatty acids (of which the angaroo milk is low in solids and has a very high water short-chain ones promote gut closure and therefore help content, which is consistent with what's needed for protect against allergies and Giardia, and the long-chain survival in the harsh, dry conditions of the animal's ones optimise central nervous system development), abitat. Human milk, on the other hand, is low in human milk is unique in that it also contains: protein (we grow slowly) and high in lactose, as lactose ¢ a range of antioxidants; is a prime promoter of brain growth. ¢ two specialist proteins (al-antipripsin and a2- Although it is the milk of the ass which has the closest macroglobulin protein) which offer protection agains correspondence to human milk, there influenza, parainfluenza and rotavirus; is, naturally, good correspondence ¢ its very own bifidus factor which between the profiles of human, enhances proliferation of lactobacilli, baboon, monkey and orang-utan Milk is a universal thereby inhibiting some E. coli and milks as all are from primates. A Enterobacteriaceae including Shigella distinguishing feature of primate milk substance with and Salmonella; is the high lactose, as it is this much consistency ¢ bile salt-stimulated lipase which component of milk that optimises generates fatty acids and brain growth and promotes higher- with respect to all monoglycerides that inactivate Giardia order cognitive functioning. Except ° lamblia, Entamoeba histolytica and for humans living in developed constituents across Trichomonas vaginalis; cultures, the general rule among all races and ¢ complement which protects primates is that they lactate for six . . against E. coli; times the gestation rate. In geographical areas; ¢ a range of cytokines which initiate indigenous cultures, females and while diet may and stimulate host defence, prevent auto-immunity, have anti-inflammatory effects on the tend to feed their infants for many years, and may even kill a affect levels of fat newborn if they inadvertently and some vitamins upper respiratory and gastro" reproduce again while they are . . intestinal tracts, and stimulate still lactating.® Harsh as this may and minerals, It development of the digestive veaurding tho auc Tole that does not affect the He 90 different enzymes which uman milk plays in sustaining whey component... perform various functions including biosynthesis and preservation of milk components in the mammary gland, and also In fact, UNICEF tells us that 1.4 have a transport and anti- million babies die each year due infective role, thereby promoting o lack of breastmilk.‘ In situations where mothers think digestive function in the neonate; hat they are choosing the sophisticated or "scientific" ¢ epidermal growth factor which promotes increased option, the realities of lack of clean water, poor growth and maturation of the foetal pulmonary sanitation and insufficient funds to buy formula and pay epithelium, stimulates ornithine decarboxylase activity or heating soon hit home and babies die of and DNA synthesis in the digestive tract, and an infant. When there is no way a mother can reach for a tin of ormula, her options are limited. malnutrition or infection. accelerates the healing of wounds (including the repair This is a shame, as the milk of a mother in a _ of abraded nipples); personally deprived situation differs but little from that ¢ gangliosides which are thought to help protect the of her more well-fed sister. Milk is a universal substance — neonate from toxin-induced diarrhoea, especially from with much consistency with respect to all constituents __ E. coli and V. cholerae; across all races and geographical areas; and while diet ¢ immunoglobulins of which more than 30 have been may affect levels of fat and some vitamins and minerals, _ identified: 18 are from maternal serum, and the rest are it does not affect the whey component (which is 60 per found exclusively in the milk; sIgA, which is found in cent of the protein in mature human milk, and 90 per __ levels five times that of maternal serum, is the most much consistency with respect to all all races and geographical areas; and while diet may affect levels of fat and minerals, it does not affect the NEXUS ¢ 35 Milk is a universal substance with constituents across and some vitamins whey component... DECEMBER 2011 - JANUARY 2012 www.nexusmagazine.com