Academic Journal
Maternal diet and fatty acids in human milk: results of the MELK study.
| Τίτλος: | Maternal diet and fatty acids in human milk: results of the MELK study. |
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| Συγγραφείς: | Petersohn I; Division of Human Nutrition and Health, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands. inga.petersohn@wur.nl.; Ausnutria B.V., Zwolle, The Netherlands. inga.petersohn@wur.nl., Zock PL; Division of Human Nutrition and Health, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands., Knipping K; Ausnutria B.V., Zwolle, The Netherlands., Brouwer-Brolsma EM; Division of Human Nutrition and Health, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands., Feskens EJM; Division of Human Nutrition and Health, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands. |
| Πηγή: | European journal of nutrition [Eur J Nutr] 2026 Aug 25; Vol. 65 (6). Date of Electronic Publication: 2026 Aug 25. |
| Τύπος έκδοσης: | Journal Article |
| Γλώσσα: | English |
| Στοιχεία περιοδικού: | Publisher: Steinkopff Country of Publication: Germany NLM ID: 100888704 Publication Model: Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1436-6215 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 14366207 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Eur J Nutr Subsets: MEDLINE |
| Imprint Name(s): | Original Publication: Darmstadt, Germany : Steinkopff, 1999- |
| Ιατρικοί όροι (MeSH): | Milk, Human*/chemistry , Fatty Acids*/analysis , Fatty Acids*/administration & dosage , Diet*/methods , Maternal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena*, Micronutrients/administration & dosage ; Micronutrients/analysis ; Dietary Fats/administration & dosage ; Dietary Fats/analysis ; Fatty Acids, Omega-3/administration & dosage ; Fatty Acids, Omega-3/analysis ; Humans ; Female ; Adult ; Breast Feeding ; Diet Records |
| Περίληψη: | Purpose: Human milk is the preferred nutrition for infants. Maternal diet influences its fatty acid composition particularly fish-derived fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). Evidence for other fatty acids and associations with micronutrient intake remains inconsistent. This study examines associations between maternal macro- and micronutrient intake and human milk fatty acid composition. Methods: Data of 109 breastfeeding mothers was collected. Dietary intake was assessed using repeated 24-h food records and a short food frequency questionnaire. Nutrient intakes were calculated using the Dutch food composition database. Human milk samples were collected at 6-8 weeks postpartum following a standardized protocol, and fatty acid concentrations were analyzed using ISO16958:2015. Associations between maternal diet and human milk fatty acids were evaluated using beta regression. The MELK study is registered at the ISRCTN registry (ISRCTN35735283). Results: Higher maternal intakes of n-3 PUFAs, n-6 PUFAs, and trans fatty acids (TFAs) were associated with higher proportions in milk. Milk total saturated fatty acids (SFA) were inversely associated with most dietary fatty acid groups. At the individual level, higher SFA intake was positively associated with several milk SFAs, while higher TFA intake was linked to higher palmitic acid in milk, intake of n-3 PUFA showed the opposite pattern. Higher micronutrient intake was associated with increased milk PUFA levels and lower SFA and TFA levels. Conclusion: This study provides further detail on links between maternal dietary fatty acids and their levels in human milk, and suggests that micronutrient and vitamin intake may also influence milk fatty acids. (© 2026. The Author(s).) |
| Competing Interests: | Declarations. Conflict of interest: IP and KK are employed at Ausnutria B.V. EMB-B and EJMF received research support from Ausnutria B.V. and Regiodeal FoodValley. PLZ declares no competing interests. |
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| Contributed Indexing: | Keywords: Diet; Fatty acid; Human milk; Macronutrients; Micronutrients |
| Substance Nomenclature: | 0 (Fatty Acids) 0 (Micronutrients) 0 (Dietary Fats) 0 (Fatty Acids, Omega-3) |
| Entry Date(s): | Date Created: 20260825 Date Completed: 20260825 Latest Revision: 20260928 |
| Update Code: | 20260928 |
| PubMed Central ID: | PMC13506561 |
| DOI: | 10.1007/s00394-026-04083-8 |
| PMID: | 42640325 |
| Βάση Δεδομένων: | MEDLINE |
| ISSN: | 1436-6215 |
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| DOI: | 10.1007/s00394-026-04083-8 |