Genes May Affect Nutrients in Breast Milk: "
A woman's genes could affect the nutrients in her breast milk, say researchers.
By?Miranda?Hitti
WebMD Medical News Reviewed By?Brunilda ?Nazario,?MD
on Tuesday, May 17, 2005


Researchers Say Women's Genes Could Have Impact on Contents of Fat and Nutrients in Breast Milk
This story is part of WebMD's coverage of the Digestive Disease Week 2005 conference. Other stories include:
Statins May Cut Risk of Some Cancers | Antidepressants May Be Tied to Bleeding in Gut | Hepatitis C Drug Rocks Virus in Early Test



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May 17, 2005 -- A woman's genes could affect the nutrients in her breast milk, say researchers from Wake Forest University Health Sciences.

'It is well known that genes control the nutrient levels in cow's milk,' says Wake Forest's Richard Weinberg, MD, in a news release. 'But until now, no one has considered how genes might affect human milk.'

One particular gene variation may enhance breast milk levels of a vital nutrient that babies needenhance breast milk levels of a vital nutrient that babies need for brain and eye development, and another might affect the fat content (and calories) of breast milk, say the researchers.
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