Dietary factors influencing levels of food antibodies and antigens in breast milk

Abstract

The effect of a milk-free diet during late pregnancy and lactation, on levels of cows' milk specific antibodies and antigens in breast milk, was examined. Women with an allergic condition (defined as atopic) were randomly allocated to a milk-free diet (n = 10) or an unrestricted diet (n = 12). Twelve non-atopic women followed an unrestricted diet. A significant reduction (p < 0.001) in beta-lactoglobulin-specific immunoglobulin A and alpha-casein-specific immunoglobulin A levels was observed over the first 5 days in all groups. The mean level of beta-lactoglobulin antigens in breast milk from women who adhered strictly to the milk-free diet was significantly lower than the levels of the atopic group on the unrestricted diet (p < 0.02). The allergy incidence in the infants born in the atopic diet group was significantly lower compared with that of the atopic group on the unrestricted diet.