Breast Milk: The Market and Some Basics

Apparently there is a black market for breast milk. According to the Medical Confession podcast episode "All About Breastmilk" the liquid gold can go for $1.50 an ounce. A woman's production can vary, but typically at four to five weeks a baby will consume 30 oz of breast milk a day.

Due to a lack of safety and sanitary controls, however, this black-market milk may be contaminated with bacteria or could be fraudulently mixed with cow’s milk.

Fortunately, there are legit human milk banks that are subject to strict safety standards. The Human Milk Bank Association of North America (HMBANA), for example, provides FDA and CDC designed guidelines to its member milk banks.

According to safe storage standards, Mom's can save their expressed milk for up to six months in a freezer. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends breastfeeding for the first six months of a child's life.

Breast milk contains all the major macronutrients such as fat, carbs, and protein as well as important vitamins and minerals. Breast milk also contains antibodies from the mother that can provide newborns immunity protections. Babies who are breastfed are at 73% reduced chance of SIDS, show increased intelligence, contract fewer middle ear infections, colds/flu, etc.

Top health agencies like WHO, NIH, the American Academy of Pediatric Physicians, etc. are huge supporters of breastfeeding.

The production of breast milk is initiated by the hormones prolactin and oxytocin. According to the Medical Confessions podcast, men can also produce breast milk, called witches’ milk, that is surprisingly similar to a woman’s breast milk if given the proper milk-producing hormones.

There is both an art and a science to breast milk production. Some environmental and biological agents can help increase breast milk production. One of the hosts mentions Fenugreek as being particularly helpful, though she noticeably gave off the aroma of maple syrup. Mom’s must also be aware that what they ingest and what is in their system can be passed to their child.

Midwife rang today: mum who survived breast cancer is due next week.🤰Within 1 h we had plan for donor milk! #helpingothers @milk_foundation pic.twitter.com/t9wsJdnH0f

— Hearts Milk Bank (@heartsmilkbank) August 3, 2018

Testosterone: Levels and Effects

Testosterone is a hormone that is present in both men and women, but men to a much higher degree. The average levels in men over the age of 19 range from 240 to 950 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL). For women the range is 8 to 60 ng/dL.

Testosterone is linked to such expressions as libido, behavioral traits like dominance and the competitive spirit, body hair, muscle mass, fat metabolism, and bone density. It also facilitates the development of the male reproductive system.

Testosterone levels peak around the age of 18 or 19 and then decline throughout adulthood. Ways to naturally increase testosterone include lifestyle habits like getting enough sleep, keeping a healthy weight, staying physically active, and cutting back on stress. For women, a Livestrong article gives additional suggestions like getting quality protein, "good" fats, zinc, magnesium, vitamin B6 and vitamin C.

Low testosterone (Low T) and depression have some similar symptoms, including irritability, anxiety, sadness, low sex drive, trouble concentrating, and sleep problems. There are divergent symptoms too. It is recommended that people who want to better understand their physiology make an appointment with their physician who can help perform a physical exam and do blood work.