Relationship Between the Diet Quality Index in Nursing Mothers and the Fatty Acid Profile of Mature Breast Milk

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the relationship between the maternal diet quality and the fatty acid composition of breast milk in the first trimester of lactation. Methods: This is an observational cross-sectional epidemiological study of nursing mothers. The data collection instruments were a semi-structured questionnaire for sample characterization and a recall of usual intake. Diet quality was assessed based on the healthy eating index (HEI). Samples of mature breast milk were obtained by hand milking. Milk fat was extracted using the Bligh-Dyer method and methylated with 0.25 mol/L sodium methoxide in methanol diethyl ether. A gas chromatograph equipped with a flame ionization detector determined the milk fatty acid profile. Pearson’s and Spearman’s correlation tests evaluated association between the variables. Subsequently, a multiple linear regression model was built and multivariate regression analysis was applied. Results: Our findings revealed an inverse relationship between the consumption of total fruits and the polyunsaturated fatty acid profile and a direct association of the intake of total fruits and total grains with monounsaturated and saturated fatty acids. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that maternal diet quality affects the fatty acid composition of breast milk.

Evaluating the relationship between the nutrient intake of lactating women and their breast milk nutritional profile: a systematic review and narrative synthesis

“…Fatty acids. Twenty-nine publications on fatty acids were included, fifteen experimental studies (19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26)(27)(28)(29)(30)(31)(32)(33) , and fourteen observational studies (34)(35)(36)(37)(38)(39)(40)(41)(42)(43)(44)(45)(46)(47) and are summarised in Table 1.…”

“…Of the experimental studies, three were rated low risk of bias (22,25,29) and twelve were identified having some concerns (19)(20)(21)23,24,(26)(27)(28)(29)(31)(32)(33) . For the observational studies, three were of good quality (41,42,44) , nine were fair quality (34)(35)(36)39,40,43,(45)(46)(47) and two were poor quality (38,39) .…”

Variation in milk fat globule size and composition: A source of bioactives for human health

“…So far, studies have accessed the effect of maternal diet on breast milk lipid quality (Freitas et al 2021) but, to our knowledge, no correlation have been made between maternal diet and MFG size. Many studies, however, have investigated the effect of pasture on bovine MFG size and lipid composition.…”