Fat-Soluble Vitamins in Human Milk

Background: Whole milk is a good source of all the nutrients, and it also contains a sufficient number of vitamins to permit regular the growth of the neonate. Dairy cow milk can create allergy in infants less than 12 months old because of the high caseins and β-lactoglobulin content. In these circumstances, donkey milk can represent a good replacement for dairy cows’ milk in children affected by Cow Milk Protein Allergy (CMPA) because of its close chemical composition with human milk, mainly due to its low protein and low mineral content. Milk vitamin content is highly variable among mammalian species and it is strictly correlated with the vitamin status and the diet administered to the mother. Fat-soluble vitamins content in donkey milk is, on average, lower compared to ruminants’ milk, while vitamin C content determined in donkey milk is higher compared to dairy cows’ milk, showing a great similarity with human milk. In donkey milk, the content of vitamins of the B-complex such as thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pyridoxine, and folic acid is higher compared to human milk. The use of donkey milk as a new functional food must be further evaluated in interdisciplinary clinical trials in which pediatricians, dietitians, and food scientists must be involved to deepen the knowledge about the positive health impact of donkey milk in different sensitive people, especially children and the elderly.

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Fat-Soluble Vitamins in the Maternal Diet, Influence of Cod Liver Oil Supplementation and Impact of the Maternal Diet on Human Milk Composition

Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism ◽

10.1159/000046737 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 45 (6) ◽

pp. 265-272 ◽

Cited By ~ 33

Author(s):

Anna S. Olafsdottir ◽

Karl-Heinz Wagner ◽

Inga Thorsdottir ◽

Ibrahim Elmadfa

Keyword(s):

Human Milk ◽

Maternal Diet ◽

Milk Composition ◽

Cod Liver Oil ◽

Fat Soluble Vitamins

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The Associations Between Light Exposure During Pumping and Holder Pasteurization and the Macronutrient and Vitamin Concentrations in Human Milk

Journal of Human Lactation ◽

10.1177/0890334420906828 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 36 (2) ◽

pp. 254-263 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Hope K. Lima ◽

Kenneth Vogel ◽

Daniela Hampel ◽

Montana Wagner-Gillespie ◽

April D. Fogleman

Keyword(s):

Human Milk ◽

Light Exposure ◽

Water Soluble ◽

Vitamin B ◽

Adequate Intake ◽

Milk Samples ◽

Milk Banks ◽

Fat Soluble Vitamins ◽

Β Carotene

Background During pumping, storage, and pasteurization human milk is exposed to light, which could affect the concentrations of light-sensitive vitamins. Currently, milk banks do not regulate light exposure. Research Aim The aim of this paper was to determine the influence of light exposure during pumping, storage, and pasteurization on (1) macronutrients, (2) select water-soluble vitamins, and (3) select fat-soluble vitamins. Methods All 13 participants donated 4 milk samples each. Each sample underwent 1 of 4 treatments: raw and light protected, raw and light exposed, pasteurized and light protected, and pasteurized and light exposed. Samples were analyzed for macronutrients and Vitamins B1, B2, retinol, γ-tocopherol, α-tocopherol, and β-carotene. Results β-carotene concentrations were not influenced by light exposure. Vitamin B1 was significantly ( p < 0.05) affected by light-exposure ( M = 0.23, SD = 0.01mg/L) compared to light-protected ( M = 0.27, SD = 0.01mg/L) samples. Vitamin B2 concentrations were reduced ( p < 0.05) by light-exposure in raw ( M = 62.1, SD = 0.61µg/L) and pasteurized ( M = 73.7, SD = 0.72µg/L) samples compared to light-protected raw samples ( M = 99.7, SD = 0.66µg/L). No other tested nutrients were affected by light exposure. Conclusions If milk is exposed to excessive amounts of light, Vitamins B1 and B2 concentrations may degrade below the current Adequate Intake recommendations for infants 0–6 months of age, increasing the risk of insufficient vitamin supply to the exclusively human milk-fed infant. Thus, pumped or processed human milk should be protected from light to preserve milk vitamin concentrations.

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