Refereed journal article or data article (A1)
Breast Milk Lipidome Is Associated With Maternal Diet and Infants' Growth
List of Authors: Calvo-Lerma Joaquim, Selma-Royo Marta, Hervas David, Yang Baoru, Intonen Linda, González Sonia, Martínez-Costa Cecilia, Linderborg Kaisa M, Collado Maria Carmen
Publisher: FRONTIERS MEDIA SA
Publication year: 2022
Journal: Frontiers in Nutrition
Journal name in source: FRONTIERS IN NUTRITION
Journal acronym: FRONT NUTR
Article number: 854786
Volume number: 9
Number of pages: 10
ISSN: 2296-861X
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2022.854786
URL: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2022.854786/full
Self-archived copy’s web address: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/175969446
Objectives: The fatty acid (FA) composition of breast milk is a relevant aspect related to the development of the lactating infant. The present study aimed at exploring correlations between dietary intake of macro- and micronutrients with the FA profile in breast milk, and the possible implication for infants' growth.
Study Design: Breast milk samples from a cohort of lactating women were collected 7-15 days postpartum. The FA profiles in triacylglycerol (TAG) and phospholipid (PL)rich fractions were analyzed by gas chromatography. Diet was registered during the third trimester of pregnancy by means of a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). In addition, anthropometric measurements of infants were collected from gestation and up to 12 months postpartum.
Results: The FA profile in breast milk was characterized by a median of 37.4, 41.3 and 16.8% of saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated FAs, respectively. From the dietary components, zinc, iron, and B group vitamins were correlated positively with the proportion of total n-3 FAs in TAG and C20:5 n-3 in PL. Lycopene, vitamin E, zinc, and vitamin B2 showed a similar correlation with total polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA), total n-6 FAs, C20:4 n-6, and C18:2 n-6 in TAG. Regarding food groups, nuts showed the strongest association with several PUFA both in TAG and PL, while the vegetable group was also positively associated with C18:3 n-3. Furthermore, the concentration of linolenic acid (C18:3 n-3) and palmitic acid (C16:0) were positively associated with increased length for age (LFA) and weight for age (WFA) at 12 months compared with birth [ALFA -0.16 (-0.85, 0.37); AWFA -0.26 (-0.77, 0.21)].
Conclusions: Mothers' intake of nuts, dietary sources of zinc, iron, and B group vitamins were identified as potential predictors of a high-unsaturated FA profile in breast milk. In addition, linolenic and palmitic acids in breast milk were positively associated with infants' growth in the first year of life.
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