THE IMPLICATIONS OF NATURAL FOOD IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE INFANT’S IMMUNE SYSTEM
Abstract:
The immune system of the newborn is immature making the risk of infection to be very large.
The breast milk compensates the lack of the immunologic defence, being considered a vital element
for the integrity of the growth of the infant and its immune system integrity, at least during the first 6
months of life. The breast milk factors, such as secretor IgA, lactoferrin, carbohydrates, anti-secretor
factor, alpha-lactalbumin, offers to infant the resistance against the microbial exposure soon after
birth. Studies have shown the significant differences of the immune system between breast-fed infants
and those with no breast-fed. Not least, the breast milk seems to develop a probiotic-like microflora,
containing bacterial antigens, which essentially participates to the maturation of the infant immune
system.
full text article in English (.EN) |