Lutein Supplementation Increases Breast Milk and Plasma Lutein Concentrations in Lactating Women and Infant Plasma Concentrations but Does Not Affect Other Carotenoids

Abstract

Lutein is a carotenoid that varies in breast milk depending on maternal intake. Data are lacking with regard to the effect of dietary lutein supplementation on breast milk lutein concentration during lactation and subsequent plasma lutein concentration in breast-fed infants. This study was conducted to determine the impact of lutein supplementation in the breast milk and plasma of lactating women and in the plasma of breast-fed infants 2–3 mo postpartum. Lutein is the dominant carotenoid in the infant brain and the major carotenoid found in the retina of the eye. Eighty-nine lactating women 4–6 wk postpartum were randomly assigned to be administered either 0 mg/d of lutein (placebo), 6 mg/d of lutein (low-dose), or 12 mg/d of lutein (high-dose). The supplements were consumed for 6 wk while mothers followed their usual diets. Breast milk carotenoids were measured weekly by HPLC, and maternal plasma carotenoid concentrations were measured at the beginning and end of the study. Infant plasma carotenoid concentrations were assessed at the end of the study. No significant differences were found between dietary lutein + zeaxanthin intake and carotenoid concentrations in breast milk and plasma or body mass index at baseline. Total lutein + zeaxanthin concentrations were greater in the low- and high-dose–supplemented groups than in the placebo group in breast milk (140% and 250%, respectively; P < 0.0001), maternal plasma (170% and 250%, respectively; P < 0.0001), and infant plasma (180% and 330%, respectively; P < 0.05). Lutein supplementation did not affect other carotenoids in lactating women or their infants. Lactating women are highly responsive to lutein supplementation, which affects plasma lutein concentrations in the infant. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01747668.

Nutrient Intakes from Food of Lactating Women Do Not Meet Many Dietary Recommendations Important for Infant Development and Maternal Health

“…Prudent intakes range from 8 -9 mg/d [20] for lycopene and 4 -7 mg/d of lutein + zeaxanthin [21] and are more than double the intakes in the current cohort; only 5 and 6 subjects (<7%), respectively, achieved mean daily intakes from food within these ranges. These findings support the promotion of carotenoid-rich fruit and vegetable intake for lactating women, as lycopene has been shown to be an important antioxidant in both mother and infant health [22] while lutein has a critical role in development of the fovea in the first four months of life [23] and concentrations of lutein in breast milk are highly correlated with maternal intake [11].…”

“…The remaining five subjects completed at least one 3-day food record, as they exited the primary study early [11], and were included in this analysis because their dietary patterns were similar to those of subjects that completed the study. A total of 1518 food records were collected and analyzed, 360 (23.7%) of which were from weekend days.…”

“…All subjects in the study were 4 -6 weeks post-partum at enrollment and were part of a six-week prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled dose response study to examine the impact of lutein, docosohexaenoic acid (DHA) and vitamin E supplementation in lactating women and their infants; all subject characteristics and demographics are previously described [11]. Briefly, all data was collected between fall of 2012 and spring of 2013 from a cohort of lactating women in the midwestern United States.…”

Docosahexaenoic acid supplementation in lactating women increases breast milk and plasma docosahexaenoic acid concentrations and alters infant omega 6:3 fatty acid ratio

“…Eighty-nine (89) U.S. mothers Z18 years who had delivered fullterm singleton infants that were 4-6 weeks post-partum, had been continuously successfully lactating, and planned to continue breastfeeding for at least 6 weeks were enrolled as part of an umbrella study of lutein, DHA and vitamin E supplementation previously described [25]. Seven were excluded for reasons documented in Fig.…”

Why lutein is important for the eye and the brain

“…One of them dealed with serum concentration of lutein supplemented infants in comparison to breast fed infants (Bettler et al, 2010). Another one was focus on the supplementation of the mother throught lactation and how it affected breast milk levels and maternal and infant plasma levels (Sherry et al, 2014). Capeding et al addressed safety, tolerance and growth (Capeding et al, 2010).…”