Supplementation with the omega-3 docosahexaenoic acid: influence on the lipid composition and fatty acid profile of human milk

• Autor(a) principal: Fagundes Queiroz BORTOLOZO, Eliana Aparecida
• Data de Publicação: 2023
• Outros Autores: SAUER, Elenise, da Silva SANTOS, Marli, BAGGIO, Sueli Regina, dos SANTOS JUNIOR, Guataçara, FARAGO, Paulo Vitor, Bileski CÂNDIDO, Lys Mary, PILATTI, Luiz Alberto
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: eng
• Título da fonte: Revista de Nutrição
• Texto Completo: https://periodicos.puc-campinas.edu.br/nutricao/article/view/8378
• topic: Docosahexaenoic acids; Pregnant women; Lactation. Milk, human; Supplementation feeding; Ácido docosahexaenóicos; Gestantes. Lactação; Leite humano; Suplementação alimenta

ObjectiveThis study assessed the impact of supplementing the diet of women during pregnancy and lactation with fish oil containing the omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid, and its influence on the composition of human milk. MethodsThe sample comprised 60 women aged 18 to 38 years with appropriate dietary pattern, all of them healthy and nonsmokers. The intervention consisted of a daily supplementation with fish oil capsules that corresponded to a daily intake of 315mg of docosahexaenoic acid and 80mg of eicosapentaenoic acid during the thirdtrimester of pregnancy and the first three months postpartum. The total fat content and fatty acid profile of their milk were determined by creamatocrit and gas chromatography. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis and the significance level was set at p<0.05. ResultsThere was no statistical difference between the fat contents of the study (fish oil capsules) and control (capsules containing corn starch as filler) groups. However, the milk of women taking fish oil contained higher docosahexaenoic and eicosapentaenoic acid levels 30 and 60 days after delivery. These results demonstrate that high omega-3 intake can influence its concentration in human milk. ConclusionsGiven the importance of docosahexaenoic acid in the neonatal period, it is appropriate for pregnant and breastfeeding women to supplement on long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, which may be done by adding fish oil to the regular diet.