Human breast milk fatty acids

It is well established that dietary (n-6) and (n-3) LCP modulate Thl and Th2 immune cell responses generation in the adult (Calder and Grimble, 2002). Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (AA) constitute a relatively small fraction of the total fatty acids in human breast milk, but have recently been suggested to participate in immime development... 

Fig. 2. Graphical representation of study by Abedin and co-workers. The lower panel presents the dietary fatty acid concentrations fed for 12 to 15-wk-old guinea pigs. The Lo LCP diet is intermediate in LCP content for human breast milks Hi LCP has threefold higher LCP concentrations. The upper panel shows the outcome variable, DHA concentration in brain or retina phosphatidylethanolamine (PE). Brain and retina DHA were similar between animals fed the Hi LNA diet or Lo LCP. (Based on data from Abedin, Lien, Vingrys, Sinclair, 1999).

Unfortunately, sueh formulas have resulted in poor absorption of fats and minerals, particularly when studied in infants dining the first few weeks of life [62, 91, 92]. This is because PA is present in the sn-1 position (human breast milk, lard native, enzyme-direeted and randomly ehemieally interesterified fats plant) eompared with the sn- and sn-3 positions (bovine milk, randomly ehemieally interesterified lard or crude palm oil). It was found the relative absorption of palmitic acid and full fat was linearly related to the proportion of palmitic acid in the sn-1 position of the TAG in human infants. Panereatie lipase selectively hydrolyses the fatty aeids at the sn- and sn-3 positions, yielding free fatty acids and monoacylglycerols (MGs). The TAG sn-1 position is absorbed more effieiently than free palmitic acid and it is conserved through the digestion, absorption and ehylomicron TAG synthesis [63, 91]. 

ZelinkovdZ., Novotnf O., Schtu ek J., Velisek J., Hajslovd J., DoleralM. Occurrence of 3-MCPD fatty acid esters in human breast milk. Food Additives and Contaminants, 25 669-676 (2008). 

No differences in blood plasma TAC were found after 30 days of feeding low-birth-weight infants with a formula containing n-6 and n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCP) from purified phospholipids as compared with a group fed human milk (Rl). Cyclic voltammetry of blood plasma of 2- to 4-month-old infants did not reveal any differences in the antioxidant capacity between breast-fed and modified cow milk formula-fed infants (G15). 

Limited information was located regarding reducing body burden following exposure to CDDs in humans. A recent study examined the influence of short-term dietary measures on CDD and CDF concentrations in human milk (Pluim et al. 1994c). The authors hypothesized that mobilization of fatty acids from adipose tissue cause the concomitant release of CDDs and CDFs, which will then be eliminated in the breast milk. Two diets were tested for their ability to reduce the concentration of CDDs... 

Fat is the most variable component of human milk and although the fat content of breast milk is markedly influenced by lactation, fat composition remains relatively constant. Breast milk contains primarily fatty acids containing 10 to 20 carbon atoms. Of these, oleic (Ci8 i), palmitic (Ci6 o), linoleic (Ci8 2> w-6), and a-linolenic acid (Ci8 3 -3) are most abundant in... 

Gibson RA, Kneebone GM. Fatty acid composition of human colostrums and mature breast milk. Am. J. Chn. Nutr. 1981 34 252-257. 

Betapol , a human milkfat substitute produced by Loders Croklaan (Wormerveer, the Netherlands), is produced by interesterification of vegetable oils in which the component TAGs have been modified to more closely resemble those found in breast milk. This product closely mimics the specific structure and fatty acid composition of human milkfat and resembles breast milk in terms of its nutritional value and high content of palmitic acid at the sn-2 position than other milkfat substitutes. In addition, the use of Betapol in infant formula can lead to improved mineral and fat absorption and less calcium soap formation within the intestinal lumen resulting in softer stools. 

Thompson, B. I. and Smith, S., Biosynthesis of fatty acids by lactating human breast epithelial cells an evaluation of the contribution to the overall composition of human milk fat, Pediatr Res 19 (1985) 139-143. 

Innis, S.M., and King, D.J. (1999) trans Fatty Acids in Human Milk are Inversely Associated with Concentrations of all-cw n-6 and n-3 Fatty Acids and Determine trans, but Not n-6 and n-3. Fatty Acids in Plasma Lipids of Breast-Fed Infants, Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 70, 383-390. 

Bovine milk fat contains a number of unique fatty acids, some of which have been linked to specific health-promoting properties. Modifying the chanical composition and structure of the milk can further enhance these properties. One fatty add found in relative abundance in milk fat is conjugated linoleic add (CLA), which continues to receive considerable attention because of its assodation with such potential beneficial effects on health as anticarcinogenic, antiatherogenic, and antidiabetogenic activities [see (1) for review]. Recent human studies have demonstrated the link between dietary CLA intakes and risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women (2). 

Research has demonstrated that milk fat can be modified to improve its preharvest fatty acid profile by simple alterations to animal diet. Elucidation of the mechanisms of how CLA is produced in bovine milk, and identification of the technology for selection of high CLA milk producers, in combination with targeted nutritional approaches will allow the dairy industry to provide CLA-rich milk for functional food developments, which would have a significant effect on human nutrition and the rapidly growing functional foods market. This may be of particular relevance in terms of reducing breast cancer risk, which is currently the most prevalent type... 

Breast feeding of children should be encouraged for a variety of reasons (Jelliffe Jelliffe, 1971). When formula feeding is used, however, it would seem desirable from a nutritional point of view to use a formula with a composition patterned as nearly as possible on the normal composition of human milk. This should also apply to the fatty acid composition of the fat used in the formula. 

---