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Association between lutein intake and lutein concentrations in human milk samples from lactating mothers in South Korea

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Abstract

Purpose

This study aimed to determine the lutein content of breast milk and its association with maternal lutein intake among lactating mothers in South Korea.

Methods

Milk samples were obtained from 98 healthy lactating women (mean age; 32.5 ± 3.5 years). Dietary intake data were collected by a food record method for three consecutive days. Maternal lutein intake was estimated by using the lutein database. Lutein concentrations in human milk were analyzed using a high-performance liquid chromatography–ultraviolet detection method.

Results

The mean values of the daily lutein intakes and breast milk lutein concentrations in lactating mothers were 4.70 ± 3.11 mg/day (median 3.87) and 3.50 ± 3.71 µg/dl (median 2.45), respectively. Breast milk lutein concentrations were positively associated with the dietary lutein intake of lactating mothers after adjustment for lactating women’s age, BMI, dietary energy intake, type of breastfeeding, and infants’ age (β = 0.3629, P = 0.0056).

Conclusions

Considering that lutein in milk can be associated with dietary lutein intake, knowledge about infant requirement is needed to define the adequate lutein levels in human milk.

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Acknowledgements

This research was supported by Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) funded by the Ministry of Science (NRF-2016R1C1B1014641) and Brain Korea 21 Plus.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Nutritional Science and Food Management, Ewha Womans University, 52, Ewhayeodae-gil, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03760, Republic of Korea

    Hyesook Kim & Namsoo Chang

  2. Maeil Asia Human Milk Research Center (MAHRC), Maeil Dairies Co. Ltd, The K Twin Tower A, Joonghak-Dong, Jongno-Gu, Seoul, 03142, Republic of Korea

    Hyunju Yi & Ji A. Jung

Authors
  1. Hyesook Kim
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  2. Hyunju Yi
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  3. Ji A. Jung
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  4. Namsoo Chang
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Correspondence to Ji A. Jung or Namsoo Chang.

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On behalf of all authors, the corresponding author states that there is no conflict of interest.

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Kim, H., Yi, H., Jung, J.A. et al. Association between lutein intake and lutein concentrations in human milk samples from lactating mothers in South Korea. Eur J Nutr 57, 417–421 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-017-1414-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-017-1414-2

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