Effect of diet on the fatty acid compostion in human milk

Abstract

The proportion of saturated fatty acids of human milk is in Finland higher than in many other countries (Timonen et al.: Pediat.Res.1977:11:1028), likely reflecting the high consumption of saturated fats. The purpose of the present study was to find out whether a well-adaptable change in the dietary fats can influence the fatty acid composition of human milk. Eight lactating mothers were on the third week after delivery on the usual Finnish home diet (P/S ratio < 0,2), on the fourth week on a modified diet (P/S ratio > 1,0), and on the fifth week again on the low P/S ratio diet. The fatty acid composition of the milk samples was determined by gas chromatography. - The change from a low to high P/S ratio diet was reflected in the fatty acid composition of human milk within 12 hours. Among the major fatty acids the proportions of oleic (C18:1) and linoleic (C18:2) acids increased (p<0, 05 and <0,005, respectively), and those of myristic (C14:0), palmitic (C16:0), and stearic (C18:0) acids decreased (p<0,01, <0,05 and <0,05, respectively). After the return to low P/S ratio diet the opposite changes were observed. - Our results show that the low percentage of unsaturated and the high percentage of saturated fatty acids in human milk can be changed by an easily realizable alteration of the mother's diet.