My understanding about vegetarianism is that roughly 50% of the protein that
humans  need daily comes from shed cells in the GI tract.  If this is the
case, human cells are "complete" protein.  Any other protein consumed would
be thrown in with these constantly recycled cells, so the needs for essential
amino acids are met.  Also remember reading that the flora in a BF baby's
colon are capable of upgrading amino acids from non-essential to essential
which might account for the reason that the seemingly "low" amount of protein
in Human Milk is sufficient.

As to iron absorption, I think I read the other day on Lactnet that someone
was concerned that adding dietary iron would affect the iron absorption from
human milk.  It would seem to me (I am NOT an expert on lactoferrin, but do
own a large article that I have not read about it....) that adding iron to
the GI tract would have little effect on the bioavailability of the iron from
the human milk, but would increase the availability of iron in the colon,
thereby promoting the growth of iron-loving bacteria such as E.Coli and other
sickening cousins.  Also when more iron is added to the diet (I think that
the ratio of iron to zinc should not be more than 2:1) it affect the needs
for zinc and then copper.  All this stuff is related.  That is one of the
reasons why it is no longer recommended that women get TONS of iron in
pregnancy.  ADA had an article in the last 2-3 years that showed an increase
in infant mortality when mothers were supplemented with high doses of iron.
 All my references are at work, but if anyone wants to know, I will provide.

I'm enjoying the discussion on lactose.  Seems that the "lactose-free"
formula hype has been sold lock stock and barrel to the physicians.  Does
anyone know much about the role of lactose in brain development?  I do know
that it helps in calcium absorption. (What a concept!!)

Queen of Mineral Trivia (had a mom today who craved white mineral clay but
couldn't find any, so had to do without)