Temporal Changes in Breast Milk Fatty Acids Contents: A Case Study of Malay Breastfeeding Women

Abstract

The composition of human breast milk changes in the first two months of life, adapting itself to the evolving needs of the growing new-born. Lipids in milk are a source of energy, essential fatty acids (FA), fat-soluble vitamins, and vital bioactive components. Information on breast milk FA of Malaysian lactating women is scarce. Based on convenience sampling, a total of 20 Malay breastfeeding women who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were recruited. Breast milk was collected three times from each subject at consecutive intervals of 2–3 weeks apart. A total of 60 breast milk samples were collected and classified into “transitional milk” (n = 8), “early milk” (n = 26) and “mature milk” (n = 26). All milk samples were air freighted to University of Groningen, Netherlands for analysis. The dominant breast milk FA were oleic acid, constituting 33% of total fatty acids, followed by palmitic acid (26%). Both these FA and the essential FA, linoleic acid (10%) and alpha-linolenic acid (0.4%), showed no significant changes from transitional to mature milk. Breast milk ratio of n-6:n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) was comparatively high, exceeding 10 throughout the lactation period, suggesting a healthier balance of PUFA intake is needed in pregnancy and at postpartum.

Jointly analyzing the association of human milk nutrients with cognition and temperament traits during the first 6 months of life

“…In addition, the median HM ARA/total fat of 0.60% in our cohort was higher compared to the global average (0.55 %), leading to a higher ARA/DHA ratio (3.24) when compared to that reported in the literature (1.5 -2) (37). The HM n-6/n-3 fatty acid ratio in our study (mean 10.57), while comparable to some geographies, was higher than others (38), suggesting differences either in body fat composition and mobilization of fat stores or dietary habits such as consumption of LA-rich vegetable oils (39). Levels of most PLs (PC and PE) in our study were comparable to those reported from Singapore (32).…”

Joint analyses of human milk fatty acids, phospholipids, and choline in association with cognition and temperament traits during the first 6 months of life

“…In addition, the median human milk ARA of 0.60% in our cohort was higher compared with the global average (0.55 %), leading to a higher ARA/DHA ratio (3.24) when compared with that reported in the literature (1.5–2) ( 47 ). The human milk n-6/n-3 fatty acid ratio in our study (mean 10.57), while comparing some geographies, was higher than others ( 48 ), suggesting differences in either body fat composition and mobilization of fat stores or dietary habits such as consumption of LA-rich vegetable oils ( 49 ). The levels of most PLs (PC and PE) in our study were comparable to those reported from Singapore ( 42 ).…”

Reverting to a Healthy Diet during Lactation Normalizes Maternal Milk Lipid Content of Diet‐Induced Obese Rats and Prevents Early Alterations in the Plasma Lipidome of the Offspring

“…It could be speculated that the dietary deficiency of these essential FA early in life in WD‐pups may contribute to the inappropriate programming and development of these animals, which is in accordance with the metabolic alterations observed in WD‐pups at mid lactation. Moreover, ALA is precursor of the long‐chain n‐3 PUFA EPA (C20:5) and DHA (C22:6), [ 32 ] whose proportions were also decreased in the milk of WD‐dams. It has been previously described that maternal obesity induced by a high‐fat diet also causes, among other changes, a reduction in the levels of EPA and DHA in milk.…”