Impact of maternal dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) status on fatty acid profile of erythrocytes and breast milk of Punjabi women

Le résumé fourni par la source

Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs), particularly arachidonic acid (AA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), play a critical role in fetal brain and retinal development during pregnancy and lactation.This study aimed to evaluate the dietary intake of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids among 50 lactating women from Ludhiana, India, and its impact on their erythrocyte fatty acid profile and DHA levels in breast milk at the first and sixth month postpartum.The findings revealed a significant decline (47.36%) in DHA levels in breast milk over the study period, despite consistent dietary intake.Conversely, omega-6 fatty acids, particularly AA and linoleic acid, remained stable in erythrocytes and breast milk.The low dietary intake of omega-3 precursors (alpha-linolenic acid, ALA) and negligible consumption of DHA-rich foods such as seafood contributed to this imbalance.Competitive inhibition between omega-3 and omega-6 pathways further exacerbated the decline in DHA levels.Maternal BMI, dietary patterns, and parity were identified as additional factors influencing LCPUFA levels.These results underscore the need for nutritional interventions and policy measures to improve omega-3 intake during pregnancy and lactation, particularly in regions with limited access to DHA-rich foods, to optimize maternal and neonatal health outcomes.

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