The Selling of Breast Milk and Dangers

Recently an on-line market for breast milk has gained popularity. This has been fueled by many studies that show breast milk is far superior for infants, but also by anecdotal reports from body-builders that this is an ideal supplement.

The main problem is that this market is unregulated.

Online markets do not routinely pasteurize breast milk, and donors (and their donated milk) are not required to undergo testing for HIV, syphilis, hepatitis C, or other communicable diseases.

In one study, the authors note, 21% of breast milk samples bought online tested positive for cytomegalovirus, versus just 5% of those purchased from licensed banks. In addition, over 90% of online samples showed bacterial contamination, likely due to lack of pasteurization as well as suboptimal shipping and storage practices. Another study identified illicit drugs in breast milk purchased online.

This can place everyone in danger. We need to make sure this new industry is properly monitored and promises of screening and pasteurization are enforced.

Finally, there is absolutely no evidence that breast milk is superior to protein - fat - carbohydrate mixtures for body building. If you want something similar to breast milk for your weight lifting buy baby formula. It has an almost exact ratio of these three elements, as well as all the vitamins and minerals of breast milk. It only lacks the antibodies and other biological substances that growing babies, and not muscular men and women, require.