Fat intake and breast milk fatty acid composition in farming and nonfarming women and allergy development in the offspring

Abstract

Background: Children growing up on small family farms are at much lower risk of developing allergy than other children. We hypothesized that low intake of margarine and polyunsaturated fats among farming families could contribute to this protection. Methods: Twenty-eight mother-infant pairs living on small dairy farms and 37 nonfarm rural resident pairs were recruited in the FARMFLORA birth cohort. Food items expected to affect dietary fat composition were recorded by food frequency questionnaires during pregnancy and by 24-h recalls followed by 24-h food diaries during lactation. Allergy was diagnosed by doctors, using strict predefined criteria. Maternal diet and breast milk fat composition were compared between farming and nonfarming mothers and related to children's allergy at age 3 y. results: Farming mothers consumed more butter, whole milk, saturated fat, and total fat than nonfarming mothers, who consumed more margarine, oils, and low-fat milk. Farming mothers' breast milk contained higher proportions of saturated and lower proportions of polyunsaturated fat. Allergy was eight times more common in nonfarm children. Mothers of allergic children consumed more margarine and oils than mothers of nonallergic children. conclusion: Low maternal consumption of margarine and vegetable oils might contribute to the allergy-preventive effect of growing up on small dairy farms.

Late introduction of fish and eggs is associated with increased risk of allergy development – results from the FARMFLORA birth cohort

“…However, other factors may contribute, such as differences in diet between farming and non-farming families. We have previously shown in the FARMFLORA birth cohort that farming mothers consumed more full-fat dairy products and saturated fats and less margarines and vegetable oils during pregnancy and lactation than mothers living in the same rural area, but not on farms [6]. This dietary pattern was mirrored in the diet of the children at 1 year of age [7].…”

“…This dietary pattern was mirrored in the diet of the children at 1 year of age [7]. Both the mothers’ and the children’s consumption of margarines was weakly associated with development of allergy in the children at 3 years of age [6,7]. Consumption of margarine has previously been shown to be associated with increased risk of allergy development [8–11].…”

Serum fatty acids in infants, reflecting family fish consumption, were inversely associated with allergy development but not related to farm residence

“…In accordance with this, the breast milk of farming women has been observed to contain a higher proportion of saturated fatty acids and a lower proportion of PUFAs compared to breast milk from nonfarming control women . In the same study, a high maternal intake of margarines and oils was associated with an increased risk of allergy in the offspring . In contrast, high proportions of the long‐chain ω ‐3 PUFA docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in breast milk were associated with a lower risk of allergy development in the child .…”

“…In the same study, a high maternal intake of margarines and oils was associated with an increased risk of allergy in the offspring . In contrast, high proportions of the long‐chain ω ‐3 PUFA docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in breast milk were associated with a lower risk of allergy development in the child .…”

Impact of maternal dietary lipids on human health

“…Moreover, a high breast milk content of long-chain n-3 PUFA was also predictive of a lower prevalence of these two diseases. Since dairy fats are low in LA, the protective effect of a high dairy food consumption could result in a rebalancing of the ratio of n-6 to n-3 PUFA by reducing the high LA maternal intake consequently to a decreased consumption of LA-rich margarines and vegetable oils (Jonsson et al, 2016).…”