Summary
This comparative study analysed the fatty acid profile of breast milk from 69 Polish women across three lactation stages (colostrum, transitional, mature) and compared these profiles with commercial infant formulas. Colostrum showed significantly lower short- and medium-chain saturated fatty acids but higher arachidonic and docosahexaenoic acids than transitional and mature milk. Infant formulas differed markedly from human milk in their saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated fatty acid composition, contained substantially lower trans fatty acids, and contained only trace amounts of branched-chain fatty acids.
Regional applicability
The findings provide compositional reference data applicable to UK infant nutrition discussions and formula composition standards, though the study population was geographically specific to Poland's Warmia and Mazury region, so dietary and lactation pattern variations in UK populations may influence applicability.
Key measures
Fatty acid composition (SFAs, MUFAs, PUFAs) determined by gas chromatography with flame ionisation detection; trans fatty acid content; branched-chain fatty acid content; omega-6 to omega-3 ratio
Outcomes reported
The study compared fatty acid profiles (saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated) in colostrum, transitional, and mature human breast milk from Polish women with those of selected commercial infant formulas. Key differences in specific fatty acids, trans fatty acid content, branched-chain fatty acids, and omega-6 to omega-3 ratios were quantified.
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