Human Milk Composition and Nutritional Status of Omnivore Human Milk Donors Compared with Vegetarian/Vegan Lactating Mothers

Abstract

Women of childbearing age in Western societies are increasingly adopting vegetarian diets. These women are sometimes rejected as milk donors, but little about the composition of their milk is known. The present study aimed to compare the intake, nutritional status, and nutritional composition of human milk from omnivore human milk donors (Donors) and vegetarian/vegan lactating mothers (Veg). Milk, blood, and urine samples from 92 Donors and 20 Veg were used to determine their fatty acid profiles, as well as vitamins and minerals. In a representative sample of both groups, we also determined the lipid class profile as a distribution of neutral and polar lipids, the molecular species of triacylglycerols, and the relative composition of phospholipids in their milk. A dietary assessment was conducted with a five-day dietary record (while considering the intake of supplements). We highlight the following results, expressed as the mean (SE), for the Veg vs. Donors: (1) Their docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) intake was 0.11 (0.03) vs. 0.38 (0.03) g/day; the plasma DHA was 0.37 (0.07) vs. 0.83 (0.06)%; and the milk DHA was 0.15 (0.04) vs. 0.33 (0.02)%. (2) Their milk B12 levels were 545.69 (20.49) vs. 482.89 (4.11) pM; 85% of the Veg reported taking B12 supplements (mean dose: 312.1 mcg/day); and the Veg group showed no differences with Donors in terms of total daily intake or plasma B12. (3) Their milk phosphatidylcholine levels were 26.88 (0.67) vs. 30.55 (1.10)%. (4) Their milk iodine levels were 126.42 (13.37) vs. 159.22 (5.13) mcg/L. In conclusion, the Vegs’ milk was shown to be different from the Donors’ milk, mainly due to its low DHA content, which is concerning. However, raising awareness and ensuring proper supplementation could bridge this gap, as has already been achieved for cobalamin.

Concentration and composition of odd-chain fatty acids in phospholipids and triacylglycerols in Chinese human milk throughout lactation

“…As reported in a previous study, 10 PC and SM are the major sub-classes of human milk PLs, which may partly account for the predominance of PC-OCFA and SM-OCFA in PL-OCFA. PC and SM are considered pivotal constituents of cell membranes 46 and important sources of choline, 47 contributing to brain and cognitive development. SM is also associated with early myelination trajectories and plays a crucial role in early neurodevelopment and childhood cognitive development.…”

Associations of Dietary Intake and Nutrient Status with Micronutrient and Lipid Composition in Breast Milk of Donor Women

“…This study was part of a larger research project, a cross-sectional observational study conducted at the Aladina MGU Regional Human Milk Bank (RHMB) at the "12 de Octubre" University Hospital in Madrid, Spain. Two previous articles based on this research project have recently been published [35,36].…”

“…The full study protocol and laboratory studies have been previously described in detail in the abovementioned studies [35,36].…”

“…A full description of the analytic techniques employed for each of the nutrients is available in a previous paper [36], as mentioned above.…”

“…The results of the five-day dietary record, the FFQ, and the analysis of nutrients in the erythrocytes, plasma, and urine of the donors for the assessment of their nutritional status are displayed as supplementary data (Tables S2-S7). References [36, are cited in the Supplementary Materials.…”