The Biology of Breast Milk

[@FoundMyFitness]

If you enjoyed this episode, co-released with it is a preview of a special Q&A mashup that goes VERY in-depth on all of Rhonda's perspectives on pregnancy and child development. Because this mashup is a pooling of this type of content across more than a dozen Q&A sessions, it really is a potent trove of great information! Get the free preview of this member content on the FoundMyFitness iTunes channel or at www.foundmyfitness.com/aliquot now.

[@BallietBran]

Does it have any benefit outside of being a baby?

[@FoundMyFitness]

@@BallietBran The Aliquot as a whole? Absolutely. This is a new flagship sort of content where we curate a lot of things out of the main channel and also provide access to some members only sort of content (like Q&As). The fact that we're leading with this "pregnancy & development" Q&A mashup episode is mostly circumstantial to the fact that it goes along with today's release, which is also focused on child development.

[@BallietBran]

@@FoundMyFitness Oh wow how amazing! Thanks for responding! 😊😀😀

[@snilionsigh4752]

Hi Dr Rhonda, great video! I recently had twins and they were in the NICU for the first three days. I expressed as much colostrum as I could but they were also fed formula. They are almost 10 weeks old now, developmentally 6 as they were delivered at 36 weeks, I have been pumping and partially breast feeding / supplementing with soy free formula. What is your opinion on the benefits in terms of their gut health as I have been unable to meet their needs for exclusive breast milk?

[@ethan3942]

I’ve seen pregnant women smoking and I just don’t get it but glad you’re here to help give those who can’t quit more reasons to quit while pregnant or preferably never start

[@Muzick]

Dr. Rhonda Patrick your time, dedication, and never-ending passion to educate us is amazing. Thank you!

[@oneman1812]

Pink awareness

[@Howitchewstofeel5gum]

I'm gonna be honest: I just clicked because of Rhonda's GLORIOUS hair

[@FoundMyFitness]

Thirst trappin' with the doo

[@melaniereeder2349]

FoundMyFitness lol!

[@contempt3247]

@@FoundMyFitness You got me super thirsty over here. Looking quite yummy.

[@nygardenguru]

Myself I love Rhonda's big mouth

[@juliaedwards7331]

This🙌🏽 currently still breastfeeding my 9 month old and this made me feel SO good about it. It definitely is the hardest thing I've ever done but SO worth it💙💙

[@xxDarkDragon15xx]

Leaving a comment just to promote this video, the thorough review of literature here is remarkable

[@TheLavenderLover]

Thank you for explaining what many of us know in our hearts and souls. My son never had ear infections like other babies. It’s so sad how society has twisted common sense and nature.

[@daxd8358]

2 sons both breast fed year 1 -1/2 had 1 ear infection in 9 years between them and both have advance academically and physically strong .... who knew ??? Moses time recorded that children were breast fed up to 5 years .

[@WhatIveLearned]

Fantastic overview!

[@anallelimartinez6025]

I've been following your work for years, and I'm a big fan. Your smoothies have impaced my life, microbiome, and definitely the quality of the milk l produce. You are changing peoples life in the most beautiful way, thank you so much.

[@PolitischeTier]

You have been a household name in my immediate and extended family for years now. Thanks Dr. Rhonda for all you do! P.S. I have a 9 day old right now...so we are in the middle of figuring out how milk works! This is really helpful

[@jr123ramos]

I have 6 day old right now and this video is opening up my brain! Hope your baby is doing amazing 😊

[@kariivins-senft9302]

I wish the medical community knew this in 1962 when I was born. Back then the “Modern Woman” didn’t have to be a slave to breastfeeding she was told. I had pneumonia by the time I was six months without being breast-fed. Things didn’t change a whole lot in 1991 when my daughter was born. I breast-fed her until she was seven months when my doctor told me it wasn’t necessary anymore and she became very sick shortly after I quit breast-feeding her. Very interesting information. Thank you Rhonda.

[@lothekitty1327]

Wow, I too struggled with respiratory infection as a child, I was formula fed

[@jaydon1232]

Wow what a timing. We just welcomed our little one last week and have been battling between formula and breastmilk . Thanks for the video

[@PrinceOfLight4]

*Every word that comes out of Rhonda's mouth, is golden*

[@nenahunt]

Thank you so much for posting this amazing information, breastfeeding isn't always easy for mums to master, but total worth the struggle and pain.

[@sallygomez1044]

I absolutely love you Dr. Rhonda Patrick!

[@gabriels335]

I had no idea it was this complex. Human system/ mother nature is amazing...

[@jusTRYNAgetaPEANUT]

You're my favorite scientist! ❤️ You Dr. Rhonda! Can't wait until I can introduce your work to my niece! Please appear on the JRE again when you can 🙏🤞🔮

[@basamnath2883]

God Bless You for helping so many people.

[@TheJugga21]

Such important information delivered in the best way, appreciate it Dr. Patrick!

[@clubpesoideal1902]

Thank you, I was wondering so many things about this theme, but is really awsome listen about it from you.

[@outsider1st]

Rhonda's glowing. Keep it up!

[@Anythingforfreedom]

Can you do a video about the gut microbiome of centenarians and super-centenarians.

[@michellekoekemoer6379]

Thank you for making this video Dr, it took a lot of searching to find such an in depth informative video about breast milk and you did a great job. :)

[@alejandrojullian]

Awesome synthesis as always. I appreciate the time and dedication you display to educate us.

[@steakovercake3986]

"I have to get something off my chest... breast milk!" Hahaha too funny. I see what you did there 👀

[@Fin4L6are]

I knew a mother who hadn't breast fed her child due to her smoking. The baby was commonly sick and had at least one round of antibiotics. Looking at the video it seems the cons of cigarette milk seem more trivial than the cons of not breastfeeding, which I suspected.

[@zeyneperzenginaydin4974]

Thank you for this wonderful contribution

[@FlylightD]

So much awesome!! I sent this to my Wife’s midwife.

[@janvishah5877]

The video was really interesting and helpful to learn about breast milk and gut microbiome. Thank you.

[@cliffp.8396]

Now that was academic, and really cool I might add.

[@artin9999]

This is so interesting. Thank you!

[@Ash-ty2uh]

I have learnt more about nutrition from Rhonda than anyone else, so thank you.

[@yeeboy217]

very helpful and insightful thank you for the reserach and great content!

[@t00bz9]

5:07 at first glance I thought the chart was telling us that we were meant to be carb based creatures, but I quickly realized it could just mean the person who had their breast milk looked at for the nutritional data be suboptimal, or perhaps just plain "sh*t", based on their individual diet.

[@PaulL17]

It's great seeing the biology of human breast milk. I wonder if brain development etc are also influenced by the social implications of breastfeeding.

[@Brismo7]

Dad joked in under 15 seconds. A new world record.

[@cynthiagaudino9272]

GREAT INFORMATION!!! Thank you.

[@Kris_2535]

Great information. thanks...

[@generatingideas]

super fun to hear about the liquid life from rhonda patrick. but i wish she talked more about the diet and other habits of the mother besides just smoking. what if the mother doesn’t smoke? are there other things we can do to optimize breast milk quality?

[@tnicole902]

My husband and I just started trying for a baby, so this was perfect timing 👶

[@slowdown7276]

Hope you got a beautiful baby 😄

[@tnicole902]

@@slowdown7276 We have a beautiful baby boy that turns 2 this month! And still breastfeeding!

[@mu9284]

Dr. Is there any advantage or disadvantage of taking vegan source vitamin D like from lichen ? Thnx.

[@bdbaba8875]

Who the actual F would give this video a thumbs down? Infant formula makers? Born in the sixties to a Doctor following the science at the time. Screwed from the get go. Formula fed. Sigh...

[@jodskiinca]

Same here. 😭

[@dudea3378]

Formula fed is gonna become a common derogatory term

[@jiujitsubeast15]

Thank you for making this video! How do you feel about vaccines and the gut development in young children?

[@Yawnpawn1]

Test

[@Yawnpawn1]

I'm sorry YT seems to block my more complex answer considering your question. Please use the link. All the best!

[@jiujitsubeast15]

@@Yawnpawn1 I don’t see a link?

[@Yawnpawn1]

@@jiujitsubeast15 Did it work now?

[@jiujitsubeast15]

@@Yawnpawn1 No I’m not sure what’s going on? Are you attaching it in your original comment?

[@DavidRossDr]

Thanks very much for this. Did Morton et al examine the case where the mother has no intake (no consumption of fish, no supplement) of long chain omega-3s?

[@matthewrichard9626]

This makes me feel so inferior because I wasnt breast fed

[@cc-dt1sh]

Never too late too start ;-D

[@UHFStation1]

I think I was. Can't be sure my brain fully developed.

[@UHFStation1]

Also have eczema.

[@0e0]

@@UHFStation1 my child was breast fed and has eczema too

Don't worry, you can still change your epigenetics. Eat lots of fatty cow and chicken and Salmon and kimchi and sourkraut. do HIIT workouts every weekday and exercise your brain by doing puzzles and intelligence building exercises. And like CC CC said, it's actually never too late to start breast feeding. You can share a little milk with your baby from your wife's supply, (with the priority going to the baby of course) and you can even order donor breast milk from some places. Just remember, we can't all be breast fed, it doesn't make you a less valuable person. If you feel inferior, one thing that ALWAYS helps you feel better, is getting out there and helping other people. Volunteer at a soup kitchen, or a homeless shelter or a charity, do a mitzvah for someone everyday and you'll realize how valuable and useful you really are. being a good servant to your family, friends, community or even a stranger is the best medicine for feeling sorry for yourself.

[@furiousdoe7779]

That explains a lot ....thanks ... I am glad I am still alive though ...

[@keisarinn]

Do you have thoughts/videos on infant solid foods? Doctor recommended my 5 month old start in oatmeal.

[@user-gd7mr5bx1l]

Doc, is Broccomax any good for sulforaphane?

[@knittingknut]

August is world breastfeeding month -very apt.

[@LeoandLongevity]

Ah, Rhonda is trying to be as comprehensive as me! Awesome.

[@redblueiris]

Is breast milk healthy for men as well or just babies? Compared to cow's milk, which type of milk is healthier for men?

[@moniryousefian8782]

Where we can get the best n highest quality of broccoli seeds ? Thanks for your informative videos.

[@jg4624]

Could you address the issue of ketogenic diet in pregnancy? I know many advise against it and recommend low carb (minimum 50g) instead but where can I find any research regarding a minimum of carbs needed for healthy preganacy? There is very little on the internet yet the most common recommendarion is actually high carbs diet (200g) which I really cannot understand. Where is that recommendation coming from anyway?

[@remsma3412]

Here's a presentation on the topic from Lily Nichols: kzbin.info/www/bejne/q2fCdJZ4hql7g9E From personal experience, I can tell you that I was on a low carb diet for most of my pregnancy and my baby is now three months old and doing great.

[@08sarahrangel]

I feel like I have a super power after watching this video!!

[@annathewise]

thank you

[@snowdriftwood]

Great info. Thanks!

[@taevan4463]

I think I need a live demonstration

[@CHRISTIANNWO]

I always remember this billboard sign: babies were meant to be breastfed.

[@RobertWadlow292]

How's your kid doing Rhonda? Keep up the great videos

[@Alexandra-oy2xu]

Wow. So informative. I have a question, when I was young and dumb I got a tattoo while I was breastfeeding. I wasn't even aware at the time of the heavy metal content in tattoo ink. Do you have any info on that you can share? Does that go into the bloodstream and then into the breast milk?

[@fluxequinox]

powerful information and magnificent hair!

[@bewellwithdanyel938]

Wonderful. thank you. Only question/comment: if breastmilk naturally does not contain high quantity of thinks like Vit K, why would we think that's not ok. I mean, wouldn't there be a reason for that just like there is for everything else in breastmilk?!? I wonder if there were any studies done, similar to the one with Vit D supplementation, with Vit k that showed whether or not, and how much, increased intake from the mother affected the breastmilk composition. Thank you, again.

[@ahlammohamed7135]

She is amazing ❤

[@kiltedcripple]

Breast milk jokes to set things off... that's why I watch this channel.

[@ethemaras84]

is partial feeding still helpful?

[@cherrylow9818]

Omg. I can’t believe new mums are so confused about breast feeding. It’s not that hard. 🙄

[@pirrurrashon]

Is it possible that at a certain age (baby) the benefits are either different or no benefit at all? For example first 6 months vs a 1 year old or 18 month old toddler.

[@LincolnClay98]

I literally never drank breast milk because my mum didn't love me enough. That probably the reason why I suffer with autism and severe paranoia.

[@Jayyy667]

Yup

[@PrinceOfLight4]

*Every thought that forms within Rhonda's mind, is divine*

[@XxXxDominator]

Amazing video I was taking colostrum today for my eczema flare up

[@ingeweeda]

the only specie that continue drinking breastmilk their whole life, is the human specie... on top of that, also the only specie that drinks óther mothers breastmilk... even switching to animal breasts... isnt it logic that most humans get fat and over-hormonized, let alone allergic to lactose?! milk is designed for babies only. nature is so smart. who are we to think that breastmilk from animals is meant for us... thank you for your exquisite teachings!!

[@OxysLokiMoros]

How does the nutrition influence the breast milk?

[@brianj8366]

Quick question unrelated to video what your opinion on fire cider?

[@briansteen8853]

Love you Rhonda! My developing baby girl loves you also! Fish eggs and all! Brain is 2 weeks bigger than the body at 25 weeks!

[@DexiPawnz]

I love you. We thank you for everything!

[@Thurgor_Supreme]

What if my wife can't breastfeed due to medical reasons? Are there any supplements I can add to the formula to compensate?

[@marykochan8962]

You can purchase breast milk that women have pumped out especially for babies in that situation.

[@remsma3412]

The Weston Price Foundation has a recipe for homemade formula made from raw cow's milk. I think that would be the next best thing if breastfeeding isn't possible.

[@kentcontreras4692]

Odd question I know. But if Breast milk is a primary method of infant Immune health, which transfers Immunoglobins to the infant. Wouldn't infected and recovered and or normal breast milk(colostrum) from donors offer some degree of protection to the immunocompromised or sick patients with COVID.

[@TyrooShino]

Weird idea, but would HMOs have any application to adults? For example those who have a compromised guy microbiome for whatever reason? Seems like it would surely be a solution

[@crisclourt2028]

My mother breastfed my sister but not me yet am smarter. Rhonda; 1) do you still breastfeed your child? If not, how long did you do it? 2) Are breastfed babies/ children at risk of developing an autoimmune disease or no correlation? Thanks 😊

[@sidmichael1158]

I need to be breast fed 😤

[@jetmech9287]

I remember the episode on Rogan when everyone was talking about breasts.

[@Ahov]

You're the best.

[@aenankhaled1286]

Thanks Doc for detailed info. I ve a question. Does Breastfeeding cause genetic & DNA change in infants ? Like if the infant fed on other women's breast milk not his/her biological mother's mother for some reason will this cause DNA or Genetic change infant ? Will that infant's DNA test will declare him/her sibling or cousin of that woman's biological children ?

[@supernaturalnatalie7]

The average US child is on a round of antibiotics a year?! Is this unique to the US? I grew up in the UK and I don't know 1 person out of my whole family and friends who had them when younger, and I'm from a family of 5 (all breastfed). My mum said that breastfeeding here was strongly encouraged by the midwives who tend to new mothers. I had my first antibiotics at 17 for a chest infection, so it's very strange to hear such a statistic.

[@rhyothemisprinceps1617]

My daughter had problems digesting breast milk. She looked very healthy and grew quickly, but she would have at least 10 rounds of explosive diarrhea per day and also lots of reflux/spit up and she barely slept. At around 5 months she was spending at least 12 hours a day feeding since so much was being lost; I got no sleep at all. At 5 1/2 months I had to switch her to formula; she immediately started having one normal bowel movement per day, started sleeping through the night and ceased spitting up. We are both carriers for medium acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency; her infant screening for fatty acid oxidation disorders was normal, however. I have doubts about whether the newborn FAOD screening test is really a good indicator of all possible issues with fatty acid oxidation since some cell types are going to be more vulnerable than others to metabolic disturbance; there could be problems in some cells/tissues without what is considered to be clinically significant alteration of the acylcarnitine profile. I am symptomatic for MCAD, but the hypoglycemia attacks did not start until I was in my late teens. I regret not giving her solid food before weaning, since as pointed out in the video, breastfeeding when introducing wheat lessens the chance of developing Ceilac Disease. She was diagnosed with Celiac at 17 years.

[@chiowa]

have you tried looking into your own diet and whether that was affecting the breastmilk? hopefully the formula you fed your child wasnt soy based. did you know wheat is bad for everyone? some wheats are okay, but in general gluten is bad. only heirloom einkorn wheat is good because it's more easily digestible. id look in to balancing your omega 3 to omega 6 ratios, through natural foods, balancing your copper to zinc ratios, eating grass fed only meat, wild caught not farmed fish, and avoiding vegetables laden with pesticides, agrochemicals, and antinutrients

[@rhyothemisprinceps1617]

@@chiowa I eliminated dietary items associated with digestive problems, as per lactation consultant. It made no difference.

[@chiowa]

@@rhyothemisprinceps1617 as if this lactation consultant is the be all end all of all dietary information. I would have tried another diet before concluding that it simply is something you cannot fix. i recommend weston price books

[@The_Gallowglass]

Breast milk is good stuff. I tasted it when the baby was born. Why do we like cow's milk, but find milk from a human revolting? My mother didn't breastfeed me but a week, unfortunately.

[@youwhatmadeidk]

Very good video!

[@agentsmidt3209]

Homelander also liked this video.

[@above_genetics]

I bet there is a biological reason vitamin K is low in new born infants, and breast milk, and the recommendation by the academy of pediatrics to inject it at birth is likely more harmful than helpful, especially factoring in any excipients in that injection. Kind of like the counter intuitive assumption around iron.

[@rhyothemisprinceps1617]

I worry about that also. Studies in rodents have found brain benefits for undercarboxlytaed osteocalcin, but not the carboxylated form. Mom likely releases a lot of osteocalcin during the birthing process since it is released under stress conditions. It's possible that undercarboxylated osteocalcin could help repair brain injury from birth trauma. The bleeding issue the vitamin K shot is meant to prevent does not happen right away after birth so it seems they could hold off for a few days on it. This really needs to be investigated. Also, I'm wondering about K2 supplements and whether constant high levels of carboxylation might interfere with brain benefits of osteocalcin in older people. Interestingly, serum K1 was found to be correlated with cognitive performance in the elderly, but not brain K2 (they did autopsies) - so eating greens is definitely good but I'm not so sure about my K2 supplement (I'm mostly concerned about brain health and less so about atherosclerosis per se, though of course atherosclerosis is not good for the brain I think my vessels are fairly clean). pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31504672/

[@Steffystr8mobbin]

My thoughts exactly

[@RyanLynch1]

nice pun at the beginning

[@nicoleedwards588]

I didn't produce enough milk to feed my first child solely on beast milk, and eventually went to straight formula at 3 months. My second child wasn't breastfed at all. Both were born visa cesarean as well. I'm afraid for their wellbeing and their future development. What can I do to help them now!?

[@SaturnCrashing]

:(

[@lothekitty1327]

Damn, you better make it a priority to build their gut microbiome from now onwards. Feed them fermented foods, raw goats milk kefir, fermented veggies, etc. My health is screwed up because I was formula fed, I spent my childhood years being sick, the antibiotics made my gut microbiome worst, & my parents had no knowledge about gut microbiome, they didn’t rebuild my gut microbiome. As an adult I have many food sensitivities, extremely thin, & have been clinically diagnosed to have ‘gut dysbiosis’...I’m now working with a Dr to correct the situation. All areas of my life affected too, my studies, career, social life, relationship, I’m behind than my peers..all of them are building their careers & life, while here I am worrying whether I can digest the food I eat & whether I would have an immune reaction from eating it..it’s not the best situation to be in

[@lothekitty1327]

Zab Gates Do you follow a specific diet? My report have not come out yet, right now the naturopath Dr I work with only said gut dysbiosis from blood test result, very possible also there’s leaky gut...have you healed your leaky gut? Mind sharing how you did it?

[@lothekitty1327]

Zab Gates Leaky gut is tricky & seems like everyone has different food sensitivities..maybe you can try work with a good naturopath Dr? From my extensive reading, vegan diet seems to lead to leaky gut, because vegans eat plenty of legumes, & legumes have this called ‘lectin’? Which contributes to leaky gut..but everyone has different microbiome, so unless we get tested for food allergies, we can’t exactly know which foods our bodies have sensitivies to..but of course some foods give obvious symptoms of inflammation..food sensitivities sure do make life harder..

[@DramaticOgre]

Do adults benefit from drinking breast milk? Asking for a friend.

[@FormRunna]

No...your gut will not benefit...

[@mate53]

@@FormRunna Does she say this in the video though?

[@UHFStation1]

Only Cambodian. The good stuff.

[@FormRunna]

mate53 nope...but if you continue the research from her bibliography given, it shows no gut benefit from human breast milk in adults...

[@mate53]

@@FormRunna But like what's it taste like?

[@Steffystr8mobbin]

Hmmm the HMO's are fascinating but what if it's a byproduct of the organisms already exisisting in the mothers gut? In other words similar to the parasites or fungi that cause the host to say die in a certain position that benefits proliferation of the fungi? Maybe in HMO's case the gut bacteria of the mother are causing the mother to produce the oligosaccharides to ensure species survival?

[@sidmichael1158]

Does breast milk beneficial for adults?

[@TyrooShino]

If this video doesnt make people get their shit together with their food habits and health, I don't know what will.

[@DonaldBuckley7202]

How sad that you lose sight of the truth of creation, meaningful existence on purpose, and proceed instead into the darkness of meaningless existence on accident, evolution.

[@dvdragon]

Breast milk...you make dayyyyyyy!

[@DissidentClipper]

Idk why I'm watching this video or how I got here,, I'm a 25 year old single man with no kids.

[@davidabner8885]

I wish there was a way to re esterify the fats in stored breast milk.

[@dc3100]

I'm 31, is it too late to get the benefits of breast milk? LoL

[@edwardcoyle5425]

The benefits are completely different.

[@josev1544]

It may seem like your only joking but compared to all the unhealthy stuff we eat daily, there is no possible way breast milk could be bad for you and in fact probably necessary to help in many conditions.

[@Andrew-yf3lu]

Cows breast milk however, is ideal for baby cows. So if you're not a cow, move from mother's milk to eating plant based.