Total fat and alpha-tocopherol in breast milk: is there a relationship after supplementation with vitamin E?

Abstract

Introduction: Fat intake during lactation may modify the concentration of vitamin E in human milk, probably because both nutrients are fat soluble and also share similar pathways of distribution, metabolism and molecular action. It is known that the high maternal vitamin E intake through supplementation alters alpha-tocopherol concentration in breast milk, but the relationship with human milk lipids has not yet been studied. Objective: This study aims to evaluate the association between alpha-tocopherol and total fat in breast milk after maternal supplementation with megadoses of vitamin E. Method: This study is part of a clinical trial composed of lactating women from a public outpatient clinic in the city of Natal, RN, Brasil. The group studied were 26 lactating women from a supplemented group whom were given a single dose of 800 IU of RRR-alpha-tocopherol (588 mg) between 30 and 90 days postpartum. Breast milk was collected before and 24h after supplementation. The food intake was assessed by a 24-hour Dietary Recall, the concentration of alpha-tocopherol was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography, and lipid concentration was determined by a creamatocrit analyzer. Results: All participants had inadequate vitamin intake (<16mg). Alpha-tocopherol concentration in milk increased from 294.8 µg/dL to 631.6 µg/dL after supplementation (p = 0.002). No relationship was found between alpha-tocopherol and total fat in breast milk before and after RRR-alpha-tocopherol supplementation. Conclusion: Therefore, vitamin E supplementation did not show a relationship between alpha-tocopherol and total fat in breast milk.

Keywords

• lactação. ácidos graxos. consumo alimentar. suplementação alimentar.