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Women's milk is being used as the basis for a new antibiotic
Last reviewed: 02.07.2025
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At the National Physical Laboratory in the UK, a team of experts have discovered that breast milk can help fight viruses and bacteria. Previous research in this area has shown that breast milk contains all the antibodies and nutrients a baby needs, as well as molecules that have pain-relieving, anti-inflammatory and wound-healing effects.
British specialists have identified a protein in breast milk that helps newborns resist various infections, and a drug has been created based on this protein, which, according to scientists, will help in the fight against microorganisms that are resistant to existing antibiotics.
A protein present in breast milk helps a child resist diseases in the first few months of life. A microscopic fragment was found in this protein (lactoferrin), which is responsible for the "miraculous" properties of breast milk. Specialists studied the identified fragment in more detail and suggested that it could be used to create a unique drug that would be active even against those bacteria that are currently highly resistant to antibiotics.
During the further work of the experts, an experimental drug was created that destroys a certain type of bacteria without affecting the surrounding cells. The scientists tested the new version of the antibiotic in a viral environment and found that the protein effectively fights pathogenic microorganisms and is safe for healthy cells.
Experts say the new drug can even combat diseases that were previously considered incurable, including sickle cell anemia, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and cystic fibrosis.
According to some experts, drugs that are active against bacteria that have increased resistance to existing antibiotics will help save millions of lives. Also, most antibiotics that were recently considered the most effective are rapidly losing their positions today. In a number of countries, bacteria have been identified that have developed resistance to the latest generation of antibiotics – colistin.
Scientists continue to study breast milk, as they are confident that the protein it contains requires closer attention. The research group plans to create a drug that will not only surpass all existing antibacterial drugs, but also have minimal side effects.
It is worth noting that breast milk has been studied by scientists for a long time and it has been scientifically proven that such nutrition promotes the normal development of the child and strengthens his immunity. Last year in the USA, a group of cosmetologists stated that breast milk is also useful for adults, it contains a large number of antibodies that help to cope with infections and therefore one of the American SPA centers uses breast milk in some masks for problem skin.
Milk for the masks is purchased from a special breast milk bank, where it undergoes appropriate testing.
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