Docosahexaenoic Acid in Breast Milk Reflects Maternal Fish Intake in Iranian Mothers

Beheshteh Olang,Zinat Kamali,Mohammad Palesh,Mohamed Atiya Ali,Majid Hajifaraji,Birgitta Strandvik,Sophie Hellstrand,Agneta Yngve,Ebrahim Azadnyia

doi:10.4236/fns.2012.34063

Abstract

To estimate essential fatty acid (FA) and long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LCPUFA) concentrations in early breast milk (BM) in relation to habitual fish intake. BM was collected within 72-hours after delivery from consecutively included mothers, 60 in Guilan (coastal) and 60 in Kermanshah (inland) provinces. Mothers were interviewed to com-plete a food frequency questionnaire. The FA composition was measured with gas chromatography. Mothers in the coastal area had higher intake of fish/seafood. Consumption of saturated fat was higher in Kermanshah and olive intake was higher in Guilan. High fish/seafood intake was associated with higher docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and lower arachidonic acid (AA)/DHA ratio in BM. There were no differences in linoleic and α-linolenic acid concentrations in BM between the provinces. N-3 FA and DHA concentration were significantly higher in Guilan than Kermanshah, but total n-6 FAs and AA did not differ and were high in both provinces. The ratios of total n-6/n-3 and AA/DHA in BM of mothers from Guilan were significantly lower than those in Kermanshah. The LCPUFA status in BM in two Iranian provinces was generally good and DHA was higher and the AA/DHA was significantly lower in mothers with high fish intake.

Highlights

In the last 20 years, several studies have examined the maternal intake of fish, seafood and omega (n)-3 longchain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA) during pregnancy and lactation in relation to the impact on infant’s health outcome [1,2]
The concentrations are modulated by the diet and especially docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in breast milk (BM) reflects the intake of fish, seafood and fish oils, because the marine food chain is based on ocean phytoplankton, which synthesize DHA [9]
The aim of this study was to estimate if EFA and long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LCPUFA) concentrations in BM differed in two provinces of Iran, deviating in regard to dietary fish intake

Summary

Introduction

In the last 20 years, several studies have examined the maternal intake of fish, seafood and omega (n)-3 longchain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA) during pregnancy and lactation in relation to the impact on infant’s health outcome [1,2]. The efficient placental transfer is reflected in lower concentrations of DHA and AA in the mother’s plasma as pregnancy progresses [5,7]. The concentrations are modulated by the diet and especially DHA in BM reflects the intake of fish, seafood and fish oils, because the marine food chain is based on ocean phytoplankton, which synthesize DHA [9]. The lower conversion of ALA to LCPUFA might reflect the high levels of n – 6 FA in modern diet since the transformations of LA and ALA are dependent on competing enzymes. The recommended (n – 6)/(n – 3) ratio in the diet is 4:1 but is in many countries today it is much more than 10:1 [12]

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