Fatty Acids in Human Milk in Latvia: Association with Dietary Habits during the Lactation Period.

The human milk fatty acid, including fatty acid, composition is predominantly affected by the maternal diet. The aim of this research was to determine the fatty acid level in human milk among lactating women in Latvia, and to evaluate how maternal dietary habits affect the fatty acid composition of human milk. In total, 70 lactating women participated in this cross-sectional study. A 72-hour food diary and food frequency questionnaire were used to evaluate maternal dietary habits. Different fatty acids in human milk samples were determined using gas chromatography (Agilent 6890N, Agilent Technologies Incorporated, the United States). Overall, the dietary intake of fatty acids among the participants was 0.54 ± 0.79 g per day. The total fatty acid level in the human milk samples was 2.30% ± 0.60%. The composition of fatty acids found in human milk was associated with maternal dietary habits. Higher elaidic acid, vaccenic acid and total fatty acid levels in human milk were found among participants with a higher milk and dairy product intake. Meat and meat product intake were associated with a higher vaccenic acid and total fatty acid levels in human milk. A moderate association was also established between maternal fatty acid intake and the total fatty acid level in human milk. The obtained correlations indicate that maternal dietary habits during lactation can impact the composition of fatty acids found in human milk.