Clin Nutr Res.  2016 Jan;5(1):15-25. 10.7762/cnr.2016.5.1.15.

Association of Maternal Diet With Zinc, Copper, and Iron Concentrations in Transitional Human Milk Produced by Korean Mothers

• Choi YK
• Kim JM
• Lee JE
• Cho MS
• Kang BS
• Choi H
• Kim Y

• KMID: 2162591
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.7762/cnr.2016.5.1.15

Abstract

The aims of this study were to evaluate zinc, copper, and iron concentrations in the transitory milk of Korean lactating mothers and to investigate the relationship between these concentrations and maternal diet. Human milk samples were collected between 5 and 15 days postpartum from 96 healthy, lactating mothers in postpartum care centers in Seoul, Korea. Dietary intake during lactation was determined based on a 3-day dietary record. The mean zinc, copper, and iron concentrations in the human milk samples collected were 3.88 +/- 1.74 mg/L, 0.69 +/- 0.25 mg/L, and 5.85 +/- 8.53 mg/L, respectively. The mothers who consumed alcoholic beverages during pregnancy had tended to have lower concentrations of zinc and copper, as well as significantly lower concentrations of iron, in their milk (p < 0.047). In contrast, the mothers who took daily supplements had much higher iron concentrations in their milk (p = 0.002). Dietary intakes of zinc, copper, and iron during lactation did not affect the concentrations of zinc, copper, and iron in the milk samples analyzed. Intakes of vitamin C, selenium, and iodine were associated with the concentration of copper in the milk samples analyzed, and consumption of food categorized as 'meat and meat products' was positively associated with the concentration of zinc. Consumption of rice was the top contributor to the concentrations of all three minerals. In conclusion, associations between maternal diet and nutrient concentrations in transitory human milk can provide useful information, particularly in regard to infant growth.

Keyword

Human transitional milk; Zinc; Copper; Iron; Dietary intake

MeSH Terms

Alcoholic Beverages
Ascorbic Acid
Copper*
Diet Records
Diet*
Female
Humans*
Infant
Iodine
Iron*
Korea
Lactation
Meat
Milk
Milk, Human*
Minerals
Mothers*
Postnatal Care
Postpartum Period
Pregnancy
Selenium
Seoul
Zinc*
Ascorbic Acid
Copper
Iodine
Iron
Minerals
Selenium
Zinc

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