Nutr Res Pract.  2017 Feb;11(1):64-69. 10.4162/nrp.2017.11.1.64.

Retinol, α-tocopherol, and selected minerals in breast milk of lactating women with full-term infants in South Korea

• Kim H
• Jung BM
• Lee BN
• Kim YJ
• Jung JA
• Chang N

• KMID: 2395295
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4162/nrp.2017.11.1.64

Abstract

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES
This study was performed to measure fat-soluble vitamins and minerals in breast milk of Korean lactating mothers who exclusively breastfed their babies.
SUBJECTS/METHODS
Breast milk samples were collected from 334 mothers. Concentrations of retinol and α-tocopherol were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography ultraviolet spectrometry while concentrations of minerals were measured by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry.
RESULTS
Retinol and α-tocopherol contents of breast milk were 39.58 ± 19.64 µg/dL and 0.23 ± 0.13 mg/dL, respectively. Average sodium, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium levels in breast milk were 11.11 ± 5.16, 38.56 ± 9.01, 27.87 ± 6.10, 13.56 ± 3.30, and 3.05 ± 0.65 mg/dL, respectively. Contents of trace elements such as iron, zinc, copper, and manganese were 40.26 ± 46.21, 98.40 ± 62.47, 24.09 ± 9.03, and 0.90 ± 1.63 µg/dL, respectively. Fat-soluble vitamin concentration was positively correlated with total fat in milk samples, but no significant differences were observed in levels of retinol, α-tocopherol, or minerals based on whether or not lactating women were taking dietary supplements.
CONCLUSIONS
Micronutrient contents of breast milk samples from Korean lactating women were comparable to those of other nations. Retinol and α-tocopherol levels were correlated and also with total fat in breast milk.

Keyword

Vitamins; minerals; fats; breast milk; Korea

MeSH Terms

Breast*
Calcium
Chromatography, Liquid
Copper
Dietary Supplements
Fats
Female
Humans
Infant*
Iron
Korea*
Magnesium
Manganese
Micronutrients
Milk
Milk, Human*
Minerals*
Miners*
Mothers
Phosphorus
Plasma
Potassium
Sodium
Spectrum Analysis
Trace Elements
Vitamin A*
Vitamins
Zinc
Calcium
Copper
Fats
Iron
Magnesium
Manganese
Micronutrients
Minerals
Phosphorus
Potassium
Sodium
Trace Elements
Vitamin A
Vitamins
Zinc

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