Choline and Betaine Concentrations in Breast Milk of Korean Lactating Women and the Choline and Betaine Intakes of Their Infants.
10.4163/kjn.2010.43.6.588
- Author:
Hanok JEONG
1
;
Yoonsuk SUH
;
Young Jin CHUNG
Author Information
1. Department of Food and Nutrition, College of Human Ecology, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 305-764, Korea. yjchung@cnu.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
choline;
free choline;
betaine;
breast milk;
infant
- MeSH:
Betaine;
Body Weight;
Breast;
Choline;
Female;
Human Body;
Humans;
Infant;
Milk, Human;
Parturition;
Pregnant Women
- From:The Korean Journal of Nutrition
2010;43(6):588-596
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Most nutrients taken by pregnant women are secreted into their breast milk. Food contains choline together with betaine, and in human body choline is oxidized to betaine which transfer methyl group. The aim of the study was to estimate the concentrations of choline and betaine in breast milk of Korean lactating women and the choline and betaine intakes of their infants. Total choline, free choline and betaine concentrations in breast milk of some lactating women living in Daejon Metropolitan city were analyzed every month by using HPLC-MS and enzymatic method during the first five months. Total choline concentrations of breast milks were 157.64 mg/L (1.52 mmol/L), 157.83 mg/L (1.52 mmol/L), 165.99 mg/L (1.60 mmol/L), 153.67 mg/L (1.48 mmol/L), 145.05 mg/L (1.39 mmol/L) by month after delivery for five months. The concentrations of total choline and free choline in breast milks were not significantly changed for the five months while the betaine concentrations gradually decreased. Daily intake of total choline of the infants appears to be adequate for the infant's requirement according to the US DRI; 124.6 mg/d, 120.9 mg/d, 126.5 mg/d 104.1 mg/d from 2nd to 5th month after birth. Free choline and betaine intakes of the infants were not significantly changed during the four months except showing decrease in betaine intake per kg body weight. Choline intakes of the infants more correlated with choline concentrations of the breast milks (r = 0.982, p = 0.000) than intake amount of the breast milk (r = 0.414, p = 0.028). These results suggest that the choline intake of Korean breast-fed infants appears to be adequate and the intake could be affected by the choline concentration of the breast milk.
