Retinol, α-tocopherol, and selected minerals in breast milk of lactating women with full-term infants in South Korea.
- Author:
Hyesook KIM
1
;
Byung Mun JUNG
;
Bum Noh LEE
;
Yun Je KIM
;
Ji A JUNG
;
Namsoo CHANG
Author Information
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords: Vitamins; minerals; fats; breast milk; Korea
- MeSH: 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
- From:Nutrition Research and Practice 2017;11(1):64-69
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
- 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.
