A review on examination of breast milk in Ayurveda and its physicochemical properties with its component

Abstract

Background: Breast milk is the only and complete nutrition supply for infants breastfeeding contains all the necessary elements for healthy baby growth and development. Breast milk contains bioactive agents that help in the proper functioning of the gastrointestinal system which affects the circulatory system. Objectives: The objective is to review recent findings on the different content and components of breast milk from premature and term infants, examination protocol of breast milk, the physicochemical properties of mature breast milk, recent knowledge of the prebiotic and probiotic effect of breast milk through different articles, classical books of Ayurveda then summarized the evidence available. Materials and methods: The information is collected from articles which are from PUBMED, SCOPUS, GOOGLE SCHOLAR, and only classical books of Ayurveda. Observation: The composition of breast milk including protein, carbohydrate, fat, minerals, vitamin, and immunoglobulin contribute to the nutrition and immunity action of breast milk. The composition of breast milk i.e. macronutrients and micronutrients differ at different stages of breast milk including colostrums, transitional and mature milk. The result of physicochemical properties differs according to the methods used for the evaluation of the different physicochemical properties of breast milk but the mean value is taken into consideration. Results: The different parameters in the examination of breast milk as per Ayurveda. The physicochemical properties of breast milk include pH, specific gravity, electrical conductivity, viscosity, water activity, osmolarity, refractive index, freezing point, and surface tension.