FATS

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) - A fatty acid shown to have an important role in infant brain development, particularly with association and short term memory.

Arachidonic acid (AHA) - A fatty acid required for the synthesis of molecules involved in pain and inflammation. Also thought to play a role in infant brain development.

Linoleic acid (Omega 6)/ Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) (Omega 3) - An essential fatty acid which is thought to have numerous roles in the body, from possible anti-cancer properties to the reduction of cholesterol levels.

Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)

Conjugated linoleic acid (Rumenic acid- active omega 6)

Free Fatty Acids

Oleic acid

Palmitoleic acid

Heptadecenoic acid

Stearic acid

Palmitic acid

Lauric acid

Phosphatidylcholine - Important phospholipid fat found in every cell in the body, thought to have a role in reducing the risk of inflammatory bowel disease and tissue repair.

Phosphatidylethanolamine

Phosphatidylinositol - A phospholipid essential for cell structure, which is partially prevalent in brain tissue

Lysophosphatidylcholine - A compound derived from phospholipids, thought to have potential anti-cancer properties.

Lysophosphatidylethanolamine

Plasmalogens

Sphingolipids

Sphingomyelin

GM1

GM2

GM3

Glucosylceramide

Galactosylceramide

Lactosylceramide

Globotriaosylceramide (GB3)

Globoside (GB4)

Sterols

Squalene

Lanosterol

Dimethylsterol

Methosterol

Lathosterol

Desmosterol

Triacylglycerol (triglyceride)

Cholesterol 7-dehydrocholesterol

Stigma-and campesterol

7-ketocholesterol

Sitosterol

β-lathosterol

VITMAINS AND MINERALS

Vitamin A - An essential vitamin required for vision and healthy skin.

Beta carotene

Vitamin B6

Vitamin B8 (Inositol)

Vitamin B12 - Needed for early development of the central nervous system. 

Vitamin C

Vitamin D

Vitamin E  - Important for the protection of delicate tissues against oxidant induced injury such as the lungs and retina. 

a-Tocopherol

Vitamin K

Thiamine

Riboflavin

Niacin

Folic acid

Pantothenic acid

Biotin

Calcium - Essential mineral and is the most abundant mineral in the body, functions range from heart contractions to development of teeth and bones.

Sodium

Potassium

Iron

Zinc - Shown to be protective against some rare but serious congenital conditions. 

Chloride

Phosphorus

Magnesium

Copper

Manganese

Iodine

Selenium

Choline

Sulphur

Chromium

Cobalt

Fluorine

Nickel

Molybdenum 

GROWTH FACTORS AND INFLAMMATORY MEDIATORS

Cytokines - Involved in the regulation of the immune system. In babies they have an important role in protection from disease.

Stem cells - These are a unique kind of cell which can divide and self-renew to create and repair different organs and systems. 

Interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10

Interleukins - a group of chemical signalling molecules. Generally involved in regulating the immune system and promoting a response to infection and inflammation.

Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) - a growth factor which stimulates the development of white blood cells involved in the protection of the body against infection.

Macrophage-colony stimulating factor (M-CSF) - A growth factor, which stimulates the development of white blood cells involved in the protection of the body against infection.

Interferon-γ - Involved in coordinating T and B cells to combat infection, particularly against viral infection.

Epithelial growth factor (EGF) - Stimulates the production of intestinal mucosa and gut wall lining, important barriers that prevent pathogens and allergens entering a babyʼs blood stream.

Transforming growth factor-α (TGF-α), TGF β1, TGF-β2.

Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) (also known as somatomedin C), Insulin-like growth factor- II

Erythropoietin, Stimulates the development of red blood cells.

HMGF I (Human milk growth factor), HMGF II, HMGF III - Thought to be involved in stimulating growth via DNA synthesis and cellular proliferation

Nerve growth factor (NGF)

β-endorphins - Thought to help to overcome stress on the neonatal system following a vaginal delivery.

Parathyroid hormone (PTH)

Parathyroid hormone-related peptide (PTHrP)

β-defensin-1

Calcitonin

Gastrin

Motilin

Bombesin

Neurotensin

Somatostatin

Platelet derived growth factors (PDGF)

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)

Hepatocyte growth factor -α (HGF-α)

HGF-β

Tumour necrosis factor-α

Peptides (combinations of amino acids)

HORMONES

Cortisol, Insulin, Thyroxine and Cholecystokinin - Help develop the baby’s intestinal system and the intestinal defence system. Thyroxine is essential for growth, and Cholecystokinin helps with digestion, sedation, and a feeling of well-being.

Triiodothyronine (T3), Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), Thyroid releasing hormone (TRH)

Prolactin - Enhances the development of lymphocytes (T and B cells) and hence has a protective role against infection.

Oxytocin - Squeezes muscles in the breast that start the faster flow of milk, also promotes emotional connection between mother and baby. Helps them both to relax and go back to sleep after a feed at night. Reduces the risk of bleeding following vaginal delivery by promoting contraction of the uterus.

Corticosterone

Thrombopoietin

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) GRH

Leptin - Regulates appetite, food intake and energy metabolism. The higher the milk leptin concentration, the lower the infants BMI indicating that leptin could play a part in preventing obesity.

Ghrelin - aids in regulation of food intake

Adiponectin

Feedback inhibitor of lactation (FIL)

Eicosanoids

PG-E1, PG-E2 - Prostaglandins, important for mounting an inflammatory response to injury and infection. They are also protective towards cells.

PG-F2

Leukotrienes, Thromboxanes, Prostacyclins - Mediators of inflammatory response required to fight infection and promote healing.

ENZYMES AND CARBOHYDRATES

Amylase - Helps the baby to digest the starches found in milk, thought to promote better digestion of solid foods once the baby is weaned of milk.

Arysulfatase

Catalase

Histaminase

Lipase - Helps babies to digest fat when their own pancreatic function is still immature.

Lysozyme - Both bactericidal and anti-inflammatory actions. Increases in concentration as babies get older and more mobile.

PAF-acetylhydrolase

Phosphatase

Xanthine oxidase

Antiproteases - Thought to prevent allergic and anaphylactic reactions.

a-1-antitrypsin

a-1-antichymotrypsin

ANTIMICROBIAL FACTORS

Leukocytes (white blood cells) - These are the cells found in blood which fight infections and other harmful objects.

Phagocytes - absorb harmful molecules and organisms and consequently destroy them, they also then have a role in protection from future infection.

Basophils, Neutrophils, Eoisinophils, Macrophages - Important in protection against infection.

Lymphocytes- T cells and B cells - responsible for targeted destruction of harmful organisms.

sIgA (Secretory immunoglobulin A) - The most important anti-infective factor)

IgA2, IgG, IgD, IgM, IgE

Maternal immunoglobulins - coordinate a targeted immune response against infection and also give some immunity to infections.

Complement C1, Complement C2, Complement C3, Complement C4, Complement C5, Complement C6, Complement C7, Complement C8, Complement C9

The complement proteins are part of the body’s defence mechanism against potentially harmful agents such as bacteria.

Mucins - Attach to bacteria and viruses to prevent them from clinging to mucosal tissues.

Alpha-lactalbumin - A protein that induces death in cancerous cells when studied in the laboratory. It has antiviral actions against HIV components, and acts as pain relief.

Oligosaccharides (HMO) - Each mother produces a unique signature of HMOs, tailored to her own baby. Many HMOs cannot be digested by humans, but instead act as food for particular bacteria. These bacteria help the baby to resist infection with harmful bacteria and to develop a normal gut microbiome. The microbiome plays an enormous role in making sure the gut and immune system develops properly. HMOs can also trick bacteria and viruses into binding to them, instead of the gut wall, preventing them infecting the baby. Some studies suggest that HMOs may provide essential nutrients to the developing brain in the first 2 years of life.

Lactadherin

Alpha-2 macroglobulin

Lewis antigens

Ribonuclease

Haemagglutinin inhibitors

Bifidus Factor - Increases growth of Lactobacillus bifidus, a good bacteria protective in the gut, and discourages replication of dangerous bacteria.

Lactoferrin - Binds to iron, which prevents harmful bacteria from using the iron to grow. Helps babies to absorb their own iron stores. It has an anti-tumour effect and has been found to significantly inhibit the growth of some cancerous cells. Also inhibits infection by Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Adenovirous (causes the common cold), Poliovirus, Enterovirus (diarrhoeal virus) and others.

Lactoperoxidase - B12 binding protein Deprives microorganisms of vitamin B12 (antibacterial function).

Fibronectin - Makes phagocytes more aggressive, regulates inflammation, and repairs damage caused by inflammation.

AMINO ACIDES

Alanine 

Arginine 

Aspartate 

Clycine 

Cystine 

Glutamate 

Histidine 

Isoleucine 

Leucine 

Lyscine 

Methionine 

Phenylalanine 

Proline 

Serine

Taurine: The second most abundant amino acid in human milk. It plays an important role in early brain maturation.

Theronine 

Tryptophan 

Tyrosine 

Valine 

Carnitine

NUCLEOTIDES

5’-Adenosine monophosphate (5”-AMP)

3’:5’-Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (3’:5’-cyclic AMP)

5’-Cytidine monophosphate (5’-CMP)

Cytidine diphosphate choline (CDP choline) - Important for the maintenance of cell membrane proteins particularly in the nervous system, some evidence to suggests it has a protective role against hypoxic brain damage, and helping to improve memory and learning.

Guanosine diphosphate (UDP)

Guanosine diphosphate – mannose

Uridine monophosphate (3’-UMP)

Uridine diphosphate (UDP)

Uridine diphosphate hexose (UDPH)

Uridine diphosphate-N-acetylhexosamine (UDPAH)

Uridine diphosphoglucuronic acid (UDPGA) - Important for the production of essential sugars, required for normal growth and development.