Breast milk is often described as liquid gold; it is packed full of vitamins, minerals, and digestive enzymes. It is thought to be the optimal food for babies and beside the nutritional content there are a host of other benefits for both mother and baby.
So is it surprising that that bodybuilders, cross-fitters and health fanatics are using breast milk as a protein shake alternative? Yes, Actually. It is rather surprising. But it seems that adult consumption of breast milk is actually happening – and it is becoming more popular.
The new trend emerged when wanted adverts from men "seeking breast milk" started appearing on classified ad websites such as Only the Breast. One of the posters told KUTV that he buys breast milk so that he can drink it for "health and workout purposes". He explained that a friend, who is a doctor, had introduced him to "a life fresh, raw, and natural products."
KUTV also reported that breastfeeding mothers were being approached and propositioned for their milk. Rebecca, a new mum told them that a man had walked up to her and asked if she was breastfeeding. What he said next, startled her:
"He lingered for a minute and you could tell he was a little nervous to ask, and then he asked if I would be interested in selling him my breast milk," Rebecca told KUTV.
"I just sort of looked at him strangely and said 'I don't think so, but if you need breast milk they have milk banks for that – to make sure babies get milk' and he said 'Oh, no it's for me. I'm doing bodybuilding and Cross-Fit.'"
So, do the well-documented benefits of breast milk extend to adults? Lactation consultant Anna Quenault says that in some circumstances they do. "Adults who have severe gastrointestinal problems, IgA deficiency in liver transplant recipients, or have cancer among others sometimes source human milk," she explains.
However, Quenault does not think that breast milk would be beneficial for body builders or other athletes. "It's an interesting that human milk is being considered as a fitness supplement as its quite low in protein, typically less than 1 per cent, while most sports supplements are very high in protein," she says.
Quenault also warns that there are some potential risks, which she says include contractible diseases such as Hepatitis B and C, and HIV. "Milk banks routinely screen for such diseases as well as bacteria, then the milk is pasteurised," she explains.
Fitness inductor, personal trainer and cross-fit enthusiast Jen Dugard is astonished by the trend and sceptical about the benefits. "There is no specific proof that breast milk actually has any benefits to adults. Common sense tells me that the nutritional needs of an adult differ greatly from that of a baby," she says.
Dugard also notes that while the taking of supplements has become the norm in fitness circles they are often unnecessary. "A big question I get asked is 'what protein powder should I take?' My answer is almost always, 'none – get your protein from the real source'," she says.
Of course there is another side to this debate – is it OK for breastfeeding mums to sell their milk for this purpose? While there are no laws dictating who can and can't drink breast milk, many mums see it as a waste of "liquid gold".
"If I had breast milk to spare I would donate it to a milk bank or a mother who is struggling with milk supply," says mother of one Tarka Terry.
"I think that giving it to a body builder would be depriving someone tiny who would benefit from it a thousand times more."
