Fatty acid composition of breast milk in Galicia (NW Spain): A cross-country comparison

Abstract

Based on the premise that the fatty acid composition of human milk can be substantially altered by diet, the current study investigated the fatty acid profile (fattyacidome) of breast milk in Galicia, a small region located in the north-west of Spain and characterized by the Southern European Atlantic Diet (SEAD). A cross-country comparison was also performed to assess worldwide variety and diet impact, reviewing the profiles reported various European, North and South American, Asian and African countries and Australia. Galician human milk appeared similar to the rest of Europe, with some particular features related to the SEAD (dairy, pork, beef and sunflower and olive oils), such as relatively high levels of linoleic acid and lower α-linolenic acid. The results also showed the existence of woman-specific profiles and significant changes over lactation in some fatty acids. Worldwide, the fatty acid profiles were similar, with the clear exception of Asiatic breast milk. The impact of fatty acids on infant health warrants further investigation.