by ThomasCovenant 19 Replies latest watchtower medical
Having just read ''Just n from bethel''s post http://www.jehovahs-witness.net/jw/friends/198904/1/Those-that-just-one-day-were-not-there-anymore
I have to ask is it true that white blood cells are passed to a baby when breastfeeding? If it is true then surely JW's cannot breastfeed.
Yes.
Human colostrum
Newborns have very small digestive systems, and colostrum delivers its nutrients in a very concentrated low-volume form. It has a mild laxative effect, encouraging the passing of the baby's first stool, which is called meconium. This clears excess bilirubin, a waste product of dead red blood cells, which is produced in large quantities at birth due to blood volume reduction, from the infant's body and helps prevent jaundice. Colostrum is known to contain antibodies called immunoglobulins such as IgA, IgG, and IgM in mammals. IgA is absorbed through the intestinal epithelium, travels through the blood, and is secreted onto other Type 1 mucosal surfaces. These are the major components of the adaptive immune system. Other immune components of colostrum include the major components of the innate immune system, such as lactoferrin,[3] lysozyme,[4] lactoperoxidase,[5] complement,[6] and proline-rich polypeptides (PRP).[7] A number of cytokines (small messenger peptides that control the functioning of the immune system) are found in colostrum as well,[8] including interleukins,[8] tumor necrosis factor,[9] chemokines,[10] and others. Colostrum also contains a number of growth factors, such as insulin-like growth factors I,[11] and II,[12] transforming growth factors alpha,[13] beta 1 and beta 2,[14][15] fibroblast growth factors,[16] epidermal growth factor,[17] granulocyte-macrophage-stimulating growth factor,[18] platelet-derived growth factor,[18] vascular endothelial growth factor,[19] and colony-stimulating factor-1.[20]
Colostrum is very rich in proteins, vitamin A, and sodium chloride, but contains lower amounts of carbohydrates, lipids, and potassium than normal milk. The most pertinent bioactive components in colostrum are growth factors and antimicrobial factors. The antibodies in colostrum provide passive immunity, while growth factors stimulate the development of the gut. They are passed to the neonate and provide the first protection against pathogens.
Yes, and antibodies too.
In medical terms white cells are known as leukocytes. We find white cells in blood and just about every other bodily tissue. White cells move in and out of tissue depending on the need.
White cells are found in breast milk. Unlike other ingredients of milk, white cells are not processed through epithelial cells as precursors to milk. White cells have direct entry from a mother’s circulating blood system to her milk through paracellular pathways between epithelial cells that milk precursors are unable to navigate. Unlike other free flowing cells in our bloodstream, white cells have an ability to transmigrate (known as diapedesis) through tissue and remain intact and fully functional. This is how white cells enter milk from the blood stream through tissue. When a mother nurses her infant child white cells are eaten by the child as healthy nutrition. When a mother ceases nursing of her infant the white cells present in her milk return to the blood stream as part of the involution process.
White cells have a natural, healthy and direct transference from a mother’s circulatory system to her child via the mammary organ. As various constituents from blood are transported via the placenta organ from a mother to her fetus, leukocytes are also transported via the mammary organ from a mother to her newborn child.
Marvin Shilmer
Somatic cells exist in the milk of all mammals, including humans. The concentration of neutrophils (A type of white blood cell) is highest during the first few days of lactation.
It's difficult to believe that the JW leadership could be ignorant of this fact. At the corporate level, they placed a great deal of emphasis on self sufficiency at one time. Watchtower Farms produced food for the Bethel tables, with the apparent thought that this would enable operations to continue during "Difficult times." This included dairy products.
Testing milk is basic to monitoring and maintaining the health of dairy cattle. One of these tests is called the, "California Mastitis Test" and this particular test counts the number of (You guessed it...) white blood cells in milk.
This reading is called the SCC. (Somatic Cell Count) An elevated SCC is indicative of infection of the udder, (Mastitis) and the animal giving the elevated count needs to be treated and the milk discarded. (Current USDA standards allow an SCC of 750K/cm3 for cow's milk and 1000K/cm3 for goat's milk.)
This test is not optional if your herd produces milk for human consumption.
there you go, fractioned blood intake. I guess the apostles forgot to ask GodovA about that.
This discovery COULD be what the WT based their decision to allow the use of blood fractions on. They MAY have reasoned that since the white cells are consumed during breast feeding ,which is allowed by God, white cells on their own must not be the same as whole blood, therefore blood fractions aren't whole blood either and wouldn't fall under their understanding of abstaining from blood.
The only thing is, in order to utilize blood fractions for medical purposes, someone had to donate and store the blood from which the allowable blood fractions were extracted from. That in itself goes against their understanding of the proper use of blood.
exwhyzee,
--Problem is, under JW policy, white blood cells are considered a "Primary component," not a fraction.
Question:
Doesn't the treatment of cows' milk (e.g. pasteurization) destroy leukocytes?
Doesn't the treatment of cows' milk (e.g. pasteurization) destroy leukocytes?
Yes, for the most part it does.
