The Role of Human Milk Lipids and Lipid Metabolites in Protecting the Infant against Non-Communicable Disease

Abstract

Non-communicable diseases continue to increase globally and have their origins early in life. Early life obesity tracks from childhood to adulthood, is associated with obesity, inflammation, and metabolic dysfunction, and predicts non-communicable disease risk in later life. There is mounting evidence that these factors are more prevalent in infants who are formula-fed compared to those who are breastfed. Human milk provides the infant with a complex formulation of lipids, many of which are not present in infant formula, or are present in markedly different concentrations, and the plasma lipidome of breastfed infants differs significantly from that of formula-fed infants. With this knowledge, and the knowledge that lipids have critical implications in human health, the lipid composition of human milk is a promising approach to understanding how breastfeeding protects against obesity, inflammation, and subsequent cardiovascular disease risk. Here we review bioactive human milk lipids and lipid metabolites that may play a protective role against obesity and inflammation in later life. We identify key knowledge gaps and highlight priorities for future research.

Defining the lipid profiles of human milk, infant formula, and animal milk: implications for infant feeding

“…Previously, some human milk TG, PE, and FFA species have been correlated with infant circulating PC(O-36:4) ( 49 ). Nutrient transfer from mother to infant has been of interest for many other species and ratios (such as DHA and LA), and this novel finding suggests that dietary lipids may impact development of infant circulating ether lipids, which is essential to understand because we know that metabolic physiology is established early in life ( 7 , 50 ). These results have important implications for infant nutrition and health, as they suggest that increasing the levels of ether lipids in maternal diet could lead to increased human milk ether lipid content and potentially alter infant circulating ether lipids.…”

“…The compositional differences between human milk and infant formula are likely responsible, at least in part, for these effects. There is emerging evidence that the human milk lipidome contributes to some of the benefits afforded by breastfeeding, decreasing the risk of obesity, diabetes, and non-communicable diseases (7). The potential mechanisms include anti-infection and anti-inflammatory actions by fatty acids (8)(9)(10)(11), sustenance of beige adipose tissue by alkylglycerols and thus decreased risk of obesity (12,13), and establishment of healthy metabolism and lipid regulation by lipid metabolites such as 12,13-diHOME (14)(15)(16).…”

Short- and Long-Term Effects of Split-Suckling in Pigs According to Birth Weight

“…One potential explanation could be linked to the metabolic stimulation and neonatal imprinting effect of certain components in colostrum. These components may regulate biological processes including adiposity, insulin sensitivity, prevention of oxidative stress, lipogenic activity in white adipocytes, and sex differentiation among others [33].…”