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Breast feeding is not just a Mom thing

You might view breast tissue as private territory, out of bounds to all but the special people in our lives, but bacteria view breast tissue as a classy hotel

You’ve heard about gut microflora – the trillions of bacteria that live in your gut. They’re mostly good guys, doing good things……

Major disruptions to your gut crew, put you at risk of metabolic and auto-immune problems.

You’ve probably also aware of skin microflora – the trillions of bacteria that live on you. Unlike the gut flora, this crew doesn’t get as much press, but they’re also often in the business of helping you.  Antiseptic soaps and dirt phobia, put these guys at risk – which puts you at risk of carbuncles and things.

Lungs also have their own bacterial community.

So does the bladder/urethra.

Now science has discovered, your have a breast hotel.

Yup. A group of researchers from Western University, have discovered, bacteria are tucked between the fat cells in breast tissue.

It makes sense…

Breasts are warm and cozy

And full of food – mostly fat.

Mmmmmm…… an ideal home for any bacteria. And there is an “easy” in – the nipple serves as the entrance to a pathway of tubes, following a milk duct will take a bacteria deep into the breast tissue.

We might view breast tissue as private territory, out of bounds to all but the special people in our lives. But, it is another public opening…… no different from the mouth, lungs or urethra.

What are they doing ?

Breast feeding the beasties

At this stage – science really doesn’t have a clue. Discovering their PRESCENCE is big news….

Odds are they’re contributing to breast health and disease.

So who is there ?

Introducing your breast buddies

Using sophisticated molecular biology techniques, the research team scanned 81 breast tissue samples for signs of bacteria.

The breast tissue samples that were scanned, came from women undergoing breast related procedures, they ranged in age from 18 to 90. Some had been Moms’ and breast fed, some had never produced breast milk. The majority (71) where having a “lump” biopsied (Eish !), but 10 ladies were having their breasts tinkered with i.e. they were making their breasts smaller.

The team found, no matter where the breast tissue sample came from, the front or the back, it contained bacteria. Lots and lots of different types…. and every ladies breast bacteria were slightly different.

The type of bacteria dominating the scene – Proteobacteria.

This is unusual. No other tissue bacterial community is dominated by these bacteria.

Feeding on fat

Proteobacteria are for the most part – fat eaters, makes sense…………just like us, bacteria go where the food is.

• Where do they come ?
• What do they do ?
• Is who is there determined by our genes ?
• Does our behaviour impact who takes up residence ?
• Are they protecting/causing breast cancer ?

So many questions…..

They must be doing something

We do know, that human breast milk is packed with bacteria, over a thousand species have been identified. The bacteria in breast milk contribute to a baby’s gut microflora – this is one of the reasons breast feeding is SO IMPORTANT.

It seems logical to surmise, these bacteria come from Mom’s breast hotel. When the milk machine is turned on, some of them opt to leave……….. bacteria really are team players !

Protect your breast “beasties”

Antibiotics are designed to kill bacteria EVERYWHERE.

Sometimes you need to bring out the big guns and exterminate a pathogenic bacteria that is attacking you. So when you’re at WAR, antibiotics are a necessity. But WAR is always dirty, there will be collateral damage………………. your gut flora will be decimated, your breast microflora will also be impacted.

Protect your ALL your “beasties” – only take an antibiotic when it is absolutely necessary.

Further reading

&nsbp;

Interested in learning more about how to cultivate your microflora ?

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