The Biology of Breast Milk

This episode aims to be the most comprehensive video compendium on the biology of breast milk ever recorded. Looking at the converging clinical and animal evidence of the impact of breast milk paints a complex and beautiful mosaic of developmentally supportive effects that range from allowing the mother to act as a “compensatory” immune system to possibly supporting the development of entire organ systems through the integration of maternal stem cells found in breast milk.

Short attention span? Skip to your favorite topic by clicking one of the time points below.

Episode highlights:
3:02 - Breast milk composition and production
5:50 - Human milk oligosaccharides in breast milk establish the infant gut microbiome
11:39 - Omega-3 fatty acids and other components in breast milk boost brain development
14:05 - Vitamins and minerals in breast milk
17:56 - Breast milk stem cells and multi-organ microchimerism
18:45 - Harmful substances transferred to infant via breast milk
23:54 - The effects of breastfeeding on the infant's immune system
27:08 - Effects on intelligence
30:27 - Breastfeeding as a benefit to maternal health

Chapters
00:00:00 - Introduction
00:03:01 - Breastmilk composition
00:05:50 - HMOs (human milk oligosaccharides)
00:10:33 - Fats
00:12:21 - Omega-3 fatty acids
00:14:05 - Vitamins and minerals
00:14:29 - Vitamin K
00:14:49 - Iron
00:15:34 - Vitamin D
00:15:59 - Smoking
00:17:20 - Probiotics
00:17:55 - Stem cells
00:18:45 - Toxins
00:19:22 - Drugs
00:19:59 - Alcohol
00:20:48 - Nicotine
00:22:10 - Caffeine
00:22:52 - Cannabis
00:23:54 - Immunity
00:26:07 - Gut health
00:27:07 - Intellect
00:29:01 - Cardiovascular health
00:30:28 - Cancer
00:30:50 - Postpartum weight loss
00:31:08 - How long to breastfeed?
00:32:22 - Overview

▶︎ Get the episode's show notes

▶︎ View the in-depth FoundMyFitness breast milk topic page:

▶︎ See the full interview with Drs. Erica and Justin Sonnenburg

▶︎ Did you enjoy this episode? If you’re interested in learning more about this topic, check out a preview of our very first Aliquot episode: Aliquot # 001: Pregnancy & Child Development. It features a compilation of pregnancy and child development-related topics taken from several Q&A episodes over the last couple of years.

#Breastmilk #Braindevelopment #HMOs

[Muzick]

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

[juliaedwards]

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💙💙

[Christopher-mdtf]

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

[anallelimartinez]

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.

[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.

[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

[xxDarkDragonxx]

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

[sallygomez]

I absolutely love you Dr. Rhonda Patrick!

[jaydon]

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

[basamnath]

God Bless You for helping so many people.

[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.

[Anythingforfreedom]

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

[kariivins-senft]

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.

[TheJugga]

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

[PrinceOfLight]

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

[clubpesoideal]

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

[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 🙏🤞🔮

[steakovercake]

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

[zeyneperzenginaydin]

Thank you for this wonderful contribution

[jg]

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?