scholarly journals The study of human milk composition

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Liva Aumeistere ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acid ◽  
Human Milk ◽  
Maternal Nutrition ◽  
Dietary Habits ◽  
Life Sciences ◽  
Milk Composition ◽  
Toxic Element ◽  
Nutritional Adequacy ◽  
Breastfed Infants ◽  
Ongoing Project

The Ph.D. thesis was elaborated during the period from November 2016 to March 2021 at the Faculty of Food Technology of the Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies and the Laboratory of Chemistry of the Institute of Food Safety, Animal Health and Environment BIOR. The hypothesis of the Ph.D. thesis: maternal nutrition during lactation predicts human milk composition and serves as a basis for providing the essential nutrients for the infant. The hypothesis is supported by the following thesis: • a lactating woman can meet her nutritional needs by consuming a well-balanced diverse diet, which also serves as the basis for providing certain nutrients for infant via human milk; • total fat, protein, lactose content in human milk is not directly affected by maternal diet; • qualitative and quantitative fatty acid composition of human milk is influenced by maternal dietary habits during lactation; • essential and potentially toxic element content in human milk is related to maternal dietary habits during lactation; • exclusively breastfed infants till six months of age can receive a sufficient amount of energy and nutrients (fat, protein, lactose, fatty acids and essential elements) via human milk. The research object of the Ph.D. thesis: mature human milk (at least 28 days postpartum). The aim of the Ph.D. thesis: to evaluate human milk composition in relation to maternal nutrition and to assess nutritional supply for exclusively breastfed infants. Consequential research objectives were set to achieve the aim of the Ph.D. thesis: 1) to analyse protein, lactose, fat, fatty acid, essential (Ca, Mg, Na, K, Zn, Se, Mn, Fe, Cu, Co, Cr) and potentially toxic element (Al, Ni, As, Sr, Cd, Sn, Sb, Pb) content in human milk; 2) to evaluate the compliance of the women’s nutrition during lactation with the recommendations at the national and European level; 3) evaluate the association between maternal nutrition and human milk composition; 4) based on elaborated human milk composition results, theoretically evaluate nutritional adequacy of exclusively breastfed infants till six months of age. The Ph.D. thesis consists of three chapters: Chapter 1. Overview of the literature. Description of human milk and its composition influencing factors, including maternal nutrition; Chapter 2. Recital of materials, methods, and statistical analysis methods used in the study; Chapter 3. Summary of elaborated results regarding human milk composition and maternal dietary habits during lactation. Assessment of human milk composition in relation to maternal nutrition. Theoretical evaluation of the nutritional adequacy of exclusively breastfed infants (one to six months old). At the end of the Ph.D. thesis, conclusions of the study are compiled, and suggestions for future research are stated. The scientific significance of the Ph.D. thesis: 1) for the first time in Latvia, composition of human milk has been comprehensively analysed; 2) elaborated data serve as a contribution from Latvia to the global research area of human milk composition. The national significance of the Ph.D. thesis: 1) elaborated findings can be used to develop nutritional guidance for lactating women in Latvia; 2) compiled results can be used to develop nutrient intake guidelines for infants in Latvia (≤6 months old). The study has been financially supported by the grants: • Strengthening Research Capacity in the Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies. Project “The study of human milk composition”. Project No. Z2. Contract No. 3.2.-10/44. Project status – finished (project time from 1 January 2017 to 31 December 2018); • Conducting Fundamental Research in the Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies. Project “Natural variations in fatty acid composition of human milk”. Project No. G1. Contract No. 3.2-10/2019/LLU. Project status – ongoing (project time from 6 January 2020 to 5 January 2022); • Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies Transition to the New Doctoral Funding Model. European Social Fund Project No. 8.2.2.0/20/I/001. Project status – ongoing (project time from 17 May 2021 to 16 May 2022). The Ph.D. thesis is written in English on 127 pages and contains 34 tables, 15 figures, and 19 annexes. In total, 188 information sources were used in the study.

scholarly journals Dietary Patterns of Breastfeeding Mothers and Human Milk Composition: Data from the Italian MEDIDIET Study

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 1722
Author(s):  
Francesca Bravi ◽  
Matteo Di Maso ◽  
Simone R. B. M. Eussen ◽  
Carlo Agostoni ◽  
Guglielmo Salvatori ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Human Milk ◽  
Dietary Patterns ◽  
Maternal Nutrition ◽  
Dietary Habits ◽  
Maternal Diet ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Milk Composition ◽  
Principal Component Factor Analysis

(1) Background: Several studies have reported associations between maternal diet in terms of single foods or nutrients and human milk compounds, while the overall role of maternal diet and related dietary patterns has rarely been investigated. (2) Methods: Between 2012 and 2014, we enrolled 300 healthy Italian mothers, who exclusively breastfed their infant. During a hospital visit at 6 weeks postpartum, a sample of freshly expressed foremilk was collected and information on maternal dietary habits in the postpartum period was obtained through an interviewer-administered food frequency questionnaire. We applied principal component factor analysis to selected nutrients in order to identify maternal dietary patterns, and assessed correlations in human milk macronutrients and fatty acids across levels of dietary patterns. (3) Results: Five dietary patterns were identified, named “Vitamins, minerals and fibre”, “Proteins and fatty acids with legs”, “Fatty acids with fins”, “Fatty acids with leaves”, “Starch and vegetable proteins”. These dietary patterns were correlated with some milk components, namely fatty acids, and in particular ω-3 and its subcomponents. (4) Conclusions: This study showed that overall maternal dietary habits during breastfeeding may influence human milk composition, suggesting the importance of adequate maternal nutrition during lactation not only for the mother herself but also to provide the infant with milk containing adequate amount and quality of nutrients for a balanced nutrition.

scholarly journals Impact of Maternal Diet on Human Milk Composition Among Lactating Women in Latvia

Medicina ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 55 (5) ◽  
pp. 173 ◽  
Author(s):  
Līva Aumeistere ◽  
Inga Ciproviča ◽  
Dace Zavadska ◽  
Juris Andersons ◽  
Viktors Volkovs ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Fatty Acid ◽  
Linoleic Acid ◽  
Human Milk ◽  
Fatty Acid Profile ◽  
Dietary Habits ◽  
Maternal Diet ◽  
Milk Composition ◽  
Lactating Women ◽  
Milk Samples

Background and objectives: Many studies indicate that the maternal diet is an important factor affecting human milk composition. Human milk composition among lactating women in Latvia, as well as the maternal diet during lactation, has not been sufficiently studied. The aim of this research was to assess dietary habits and macronutrient intake among lactating women in Latvia and to examine the effect of diet on human milk composition. Materials and Methods: Research was conducted between November 2016 and December 2017. Mature human milk samples (n = 61) along with a 72h food diary, a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), and a questionnaire about maternal and infant characteristics were obtained from voluntary women who were recruited via an invitation published in a social media member group for nursing mothers. Fat content in human milk was determined by LVS ISO 2446:2008, protein content was determined by LVS EN ISO 8968-1:2014, lactose was determined by ISO 22662:2007, and the fatty acid profile was analyzed using gas chromatography. Dietary data were evaluated using the Finnish food composition database Fineli, release 19 (3 March 2018). Results: Median values for fat, protein, and lactose in mature human milk were 4.40%, 1.08%, and 6.52%, respectively. Predominant fatty acids in human milk were oleic acid (C18:1 n9c), palmitic acid (C16:0), and linoleic acid (C18:2 n6c) at 34.60%, 24.00%, and 11.00% of total fatty acids, respectively. The trans elaidic acid (C18:1 n9t) level was <0.10% in all human milk samples. Significant, positive associations (p < 0.05) were found between maternal dietary intake of linoleic, α-linolenic, docosahexaenoic, total cis-monounsaturated, total cis-polyunsaturated, and total n-6 and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, the ratio of n-6/n-3, and the level of these fatty acids in human milk. Total energy and carbohydrate intake among participants were lower, but total fat, saturated fat, and sugar intake were higher than recommended. Protein, linoleic acid, and α-linolenic acid intake were adequate, but docosahexaenoic acid intake was noticeably lower than recommended. Women should be supported with information regarding their nutritional needs during lactation and the possible impact of diet on human milk composition. Conclusion: Macronutrient (fat, protein, and lactose) content in human milk is not affected by maternal diet. Conversely, the human milk fatty acid profile is affected by the immediate diet consumed by the mother. Habitual dietary habits can also impact the fatty acid profile of human milk.

scholarly journals Selected elements and fatty acid composition in human milk as indicators of seafood dietary habits

2020 ◽  
Vol 180 ◽  
pp. 108820 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marta Jagodic ◽  
Doris Potočnik ◽  
Janja Snoj Tratnik ◽  
Darja Mazej ◽  
Majda Pavlin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acid Composition ◽  
Fatty Acid ◽  
Human Milk ◽  
Acid Composition ◽  
Dietary Habits

scholarly journals A Comparison of Changes in the Fatty Acid Profile of Human Milk of Spanish Lactating Women during the First Month of Lactation Using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry. A Comparison with Infant Formulas

Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 3055 ◽  
Author(s):  
Silvia Sánchez-Hernández ◽  
Adelaida Esteban-Muñoz ◽  
Rafael Giménez-Martínez ◽  
María José Aguilar-Cordero ◽  
Beatriz Miralles-Buraglia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Gas Chromatography ◽  
Fatty Acid ◽  
Human Milk ◽  
Milk Composition ◽  
Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Infant Formulas ◽  
Mature Milk ◽  
Lactating Women ◽  
Milk Samples

Breastfeeding is the ideal way to provide infants with the nutrients they need for healthy growth and development. Milk composition changes throughout lactation, and fat is one of the most variable nutrients in human milk. The aim of this study was to determine the main differences between the fatty acid (FA) profile of human milk samples (colostrum, transitional, and mature milk group) and infant formulas. Human milk samples were provided by lactating women from Granada. Moreover, different commercial infant formulas were analyzed. FAs were determined using gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. According to the results, oleic acid was the predominant monounsaturated fatty acid (41.93% in human milk and 43.53% in infant formulas), while palmitic acid was the most representative saturated fatty acid (20.88% in human milk and 23.09% in infant formulas). Significant differences were found between human milk groups and infant formulas, mainly in long-chain polyunsaturated FAs (LC-PUFAs). The content of araquidonic acid (AA) and docoxahexaenoic acid (DHA) was higher in human milk (0.51% and 0.39%, respectively) than in infant formulas (0.31% and 0.22%, respectively). Linoleic acid (LA) percentage (15.31%) in infant formulas was similar to that found in human milk (14.6%). However, α-linolenic acid (ALA) values were also much higher in infant formulas than in human milk (1.64% and 0.42%, respectively).

scholarly journals Maternal Nutrition and Body Composition During Breastfeeding: Association with Human Milk Composition

Nutrients ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 1379 ◽  
Author(s):  
Agnieszka Bzikowska-Jura ◽  
Aneta Czerwonogrodzka-Senczyna ◽  
Gabriela Olędzka ◽  
Dorota Szostak-Węgierek ◽  
Halina Weker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Composition ◽  
Human Milk ◽  
Milk Fat ◽  
Maternal Nutrition ◽  
Milk Composition ◽  
The Body ◽  
Fat Free Mass ◽  
Total Protein Content ◽  
Time Points ◽  
Dietary Record

The composition of human milk is dynamic and can vary according to many maternal factors, such as diet and nutritional status. This study investigated the association of maternal nutrition and body composition with human milk composition. All measurements and analyses were done at three time points: during the first (n = 40), third (n = 22), and sixth (n = 15) month of lactation. Human milk was analyzed using the Miris human milk analyzer (HMA), body composition was measured with bioelectrical bioimpedance (BIA) using a Maltron BioScan 920-II, and the assessment of women’s nutrition was based on a three-day dietary record. The correlation coefficient (Pearson’s r) did not show a significant statistical relationship between human milk composition and nutrients in women’s diet at three time points. For women in the third month postpartum, we observed moderate to strong significant correlations (r ranged from 0.47 to 0.64) between total protein content in milk and the majority of body composition measures as follows: positive correlations: % fat mass (r = 0.60; p = 0.003), fat-free mass expressed in kg (r = 0.63; p = 0.001), and muscle mass (r = 0.47; p = 0.027); and negative correlation: % total body water (r = −0.60; p = 0.003). The variance in milk fat content was related to the body mass index (BMI), with a significant positive correlation in the first month postpartum (r = 0.33; p = 0.048). These findings suggest that it is not diet, but rather the maternal body composition that may be associated with the nutritional value of human milk.

scholarly journals Arachidonic Acid in Human Milk

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 626 ◽  
Author(s):  
Norman Salem ◽  
Peter Van Dael
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Arachidonic Acid ◽  
Fatty Acid ◽  
Human Milk ◽  
Milk Fat ◽  
Dietary Habits ◽  
Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid ◽  
Milk Lipid ◽  
Membrane Phospholipids ◽  
Long Chain

Breastfeeding is universally recommended as the optimal choice of infant feeding and consequently human milk has been extensively investigated to unravel its unique nutrient profile. The human milk lipid composition is unique and supplies specifically long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs), in particular, arachidonic acid (ARA, 20:4n–6) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n–3). Arachidonic acid (ARA) is the most predominant long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid in human milk, albeit at low concentrations as compared to other fatty acids. It occurs predominantly in the triglyceride form and to a lesser extent as milk fat globule membrane phospholipids. Human milk ARA levels are modulated by dietary intake as demonstrated by animal and human studies and consequently vary dependent on dietary habits among mothers and regions across the globe. ARA serves as a precursor to eicosanoids and endocannabinoids that also occur in human milk. A review of scientific and clinical studies reveals that ARA plays an important role in physiological development and its related functions during early life nutrition. Therefore, ARA is an important nutrient during infancy and childhood and, as such, appropriate attention is required regarding its nutritional status and presence in the infant diet. Data are emerging indicating considerable genetic variation in encoding for desaturases and other essential fatty acid metabolic enzymes that may influence the ARA level as well as other LC-PUFAs. Human milk from well-nourished mothers has adequate levels of both ARA and DHA to support nutritional and developmental needs of infants. In case breastfeeding is not possible and infant formula is being fed, experts recommend that both ARA and DHA are added at levels present in human milk.

scholarly journals Analysis of dietary patterns and nutritional adequacy in lactating women: a multicentre European cohort (ATLAS study)

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dantong Wang ◽  
Frank Thielecke ◽  
Mathilde Fleith ◽  
Myriam C. Afeiche ◽  
Carlos A. De Castro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dietary Patterns ◽  
Dietary Habits ◽  
Eating Habits ◽  
Pantothenic Acid ◽  
Nutritional Adequacy ◽  
Lactating Women ◽  
Breastfed Infants ◽  
Dietary Reference Values ◽  
Food Diaries ◽  
Mean Adequacy Ratio

Abstract Eating habits of lactating women can influence the nutrient composition of human milk, which in turn influences nutrient intake of breastfed infants. The aim of the present study was to identify food patterns and nutritional adequacy among lactating women in Europe. Data from a multicentre European longitudinal cohort (ATLAS study) were analysed to identify dietary patterns using cluster analysis. Dietary information from 180 lactating women was obtained using 3-d food diaries over the first 4 months of lactation. Four dietary patterns were identified: ‘vege-oils’, ‘fish-poultry’, ‘confectionery-salads’ and ‘mixed dishes’. Nutrition adequacy was not significantly different between clusters, but the ‘vege-oils’ cluster tended to yield the highest nutrition adequacy measured by Mean Adequacy Ratio. Compared with European dietary reference values (DRVs) for lactating women, women in all clusters had inadequate intakes of energy, pantothenic acid, folate, vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin D, zinc, iodine, potassium and linoleic acid. Adequate intake for fibre and α-linolenic acid was only achieved in the ‘vege-oils’ cluster. Overall, fat intake was above DRVs. The present study showed that various dietary patterns do not adequately supply all nutrients, indicating a need to promote overall healthy dietary habits for European lactating women.

scholarly journals Trans Fatty Acids in Human Milk in Latvia: Association with Dietary Habits during the Lactation Period

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 2967
Author(s):  
Līva Aumeistere ◽  
Alīna Beluško ◽  
Inga Ciproviča ◽  
Dace Zavadska
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Fatty Acid ◽  
Human Milk ◽  
Trans Fatty Acid ◽  
Trans Fatty Acids ◽  
Acid Level ◽  
Dietary Habits ◽  
Vaccenic Acid ◽  
Fatty Acid Level ◽  
Lactating Women

The human milk fatty acid, including trans fatty acid, composition is predominantly affected by the maternal diet. The aim of this research was to determine the trans fatty acid level in human milk among lactating women in Latvia, and to evaluate how maternal dietary habits affect the trans fatty acid composition of human milk. In total, 70 lactating women participated in this cross-sectional study. A 72-hour food diary and food frequency questionnaire were used to evaluate maternal dietary habits. Different trans fatty acids in human milk samples were determined using gas chromatography (Agilent 6890N, Agilent Technologies Incorporated, the United States). Overall, the dietary intake of trans fatty acids among the participants was 0.54 ± 0.79 g per day. The total trans fatty acid level in the human milk samples was 2.30% ± 0.60%. The composition of trans fatty acids found in human milk was associated with maternal dietary habits. Higher elaidic acid, vaccenic acid and total trans fatty acid levels in human milk were found among participants with a higher milk and dairy product intake. Meat and meat product intake were associated with a higher vaccenic acid and total trans fatty acid levels in human milk. A moderate association was also established between maternal trans fatty acid intake and the total trans fatty acid level in human milk. The obtained correlations indicate that maternal dietary habits during lactation can impact the composition of trans fatty acids found in human milk.

Dietary habits of Slovenian inland and coastal primiparous women and fatty acid composition of their human milk samples

2020 ◽  
Vol 141 ◽  
pp. 111299
Author(s):  
Marta Jagodic ◽  
Janja Snoj Tratnik ◽  
Doris Potočnik ◽  
Darja Mazej ◽  
Nives Ogrinc ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acid Composition ◽  
Fatty Acid ◽  
Human Milk ◽  
Acid Composition ◽  
Dietary Habits ◽  
Milk Samples ◽  
Primiparous Women
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