Breast milk protein linked to anticancer benefits

A study has found high quantities of a beneficial protein in breast milk that could offer an explanation of its anticancer properties.

Sage-published research in the Journal of Human Lactation has found high levels of the cancer-fighting TNF-related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL) protein in human milk.

Colostrum – the first milk available to newborns – contains 40 times as much TRAIL as blood and mature breast milk contains 100 times the amount, while the various ready-to-feed infant formulas tested contained none at all.

It is the first time TRAIL has been measured in human milk and goes some way to explaining why human milk has been shown to offer protection against conditions such as lymphoblastic leukaemia, Hodgkin's disease and neuroblastoma.

The authors said: "The important role of breastfeeding in the prevention of certain childhood cancers … has been previously demonstrated. However, endogenous soluble TRAIL represents a strong candidate to explain the overall biological effect of breastfeeding against cancer."

NHS data suggests that breastfeeding can also protect babies from digestive problems, eczema, chest and ear infections, obesity and diabetes.