Human milk microbiota and impact on health

Abstract

Breast milk is a complex biological fluid. Additionally to its nutritional impact, it contains diverse bioactive elements related to early metabolic programming and molecular structures, such as microRNA related to the epigenetic signaling process. Now, we know that human milk is not sterile and contains a significant diversity of microorganisms such as bacteria (bacterioma), viruses (viroma) and fungi (mycobiome), all of which integrate the concept of the human milk microbiota. Apparently the origin of this microbiota is found in the entero-mammary circulation, as well as in the retrograde circulation of the skin of the mammary gland, although it is speculated in what percentage the microbiota of the oral cavity of the infant contributes in a significant way. From a functional point of view, it has been shown the transfer of this microbiota to the infant͸s digestive tract, which is related to better digestive tolerance, lower frequency and intensity of dysfunctionalities of the brain-intestine-microbiota axis, and improved immunity, among others.