Microbiome

Pediatrics

Microvesicles

Bacteria

Bioinformatics

Biology

Gene

Function (biology)

microRNA

Human Microbiome Project

Immunology

Breast milk

Immunity

Exosome

Cell biology

Human health

Breast feeding

Commensalism

Genetics

Biochemistry

Medicine

Immune system

Human microbiome

Environmental health

Nutrients

Human breast milk (HBM) is not only an indispensable source of nutrients for early human growth and development, supplying components that support infant growth and development, but also contains various essential immunologic components with anti-infectious activities and critical roles in the formation of immunity. It is also known that HBM contains its own unique microbiome, including beneficial, commensal, and potentially probiotic bacteria, that can contribute to infant gut colonization. In addition, HBM-derived extracellular vesicles, exosomes, and microRNA are attracting increasing interest for their potential to transfer to the infant and their role in infant development. In this article, we examine some of the various constituents in HBM and review the evidence supporting their associated health effects and their potential applications in human health.

Human Breast Milk Composition and Function in Human Health: From Nutritional Components to Microbiome and MicroRNAs