Don't you love that headline from our local newspaper?  The subtitle is
"levels in proteins that protect infants drop after workouts."  The article
goes on to describe the reduction of IgA proteins in the milk of women who
have strenuously exercised--up to 60% less IgA in the milk after 10 minutes
of exercise, 73% less after 30 minutes of exercise.  However, levels rose
quickly and were virtually the same an hour after exercise as they were
when the women were at rest.  The researcher, Richard Gregory from Indiana
University, states that an occasional nursing after a workout may not leave
the baby worse off, because the levels of IgA would be averaged with higher
ones from other feedings.  The findings may not apply at all to moderate
exercise episodes.

Despite the link in the title of "Nursing....with bad"  the rest of the
newspaper article has many good points. 1) Writes breastfeed as one word!
2)Describes the effects of immunoglobulin against foreign bacteria in
general and in specific mentions that it provides infants with protection
during at least the first 6 months of life....the infant's levels don't
reach adult levels until at least one year of age. 3) Mentions that the
concentration of IgA in breast milk (I know -two words here) is higher than
in any other body fluid 4) Doesn't assume formula use should happen when
breastmilk is shown to be less than perfect at the time.  So many times,
that's what is assumed to be necessary!!

The Journal reference is "Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise" a
journal of the American College  of Sports Medicine.  Don't know month of
publication.  Has this been around for awhile, or new?  I have gotten calls
before about the exercise and nursing stuff due to the lactic acid studies,
but thought this was interesting to know that yes, with intense exercise,
levels may go down, but that the question of how levels are affected by
moderate exercise are still uncertain, and that the levels go back up just
fine
very quickly would be good counseling tips to know.

If anyone has the more info about the journal reference,please let me know.
 I thought I'd call our local sports medicine office today, and pose the
question to them---and grin at the questions that would be bouncing around
by the reception staff afterwards as I know they don't get a whole lot of
questions about breastfeeding in their day to day routines!!!!

Karen Foard, IBCLC, State College, PA