lthough numerous dietary factors
influence the fatty acid profile of human breast
milk, little is known about the effect of trace
minerals such as selenium. Consequently, the
purpose of this study is to evaluate the
influence of selenium supplementation during
pregnancy and lactation on the concentration
of breast milk fatty acids in healthy lactating
women from New Zealand, an area of naturally
low selenium status. Milk samples were
obtained at parturition and 3 months
postpartum from 22 women supplemented with
either 50 mcg selenium daily as
selenomethionine or a placebo during
pregnancy and lactation. Selenium
concentration in milk was significantly
increased by the supplementation (P=0.0001
and 0.003, respectively), but glutathion
peroxidase activity was unchanged. The
selenium supplement also significantly
increased the concentration of polyunsaturated
fatty acids in breast milk (P=0.02), especially
linoleic acid (P=0.02), and decreased the
concentration of saturated fatty acids (P=0.02).
These data indicate that selenium plays a
unique role in influencing the lipid content of
human milk.
Dodge MI, Wander RC, Butler JA, Du SH,
Thompson CD, Whanger H, J. Trace Elem Exp Med
1999;12:37-44
Copyright © 2003 Anamol Laboratories Ltd.
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