Mineral composition in breast milk of healthy Chinese lactating women

Mineral compositions in breast milk of healthy Chinese lactating women in urban areas and its associated factors.  

Zhao A, Ning Y, Zhang Y, Yang X, Wang J, Li W, Wang P

Optimal mineral intake is crucial for infant growth and development, but there is little data on mineral concentration in human milk. This study described mineral content of breastmilk of mothers living in three cities of China, and assessed the influence of food intake and delivery method on mineral content. The concentration of most minerals (Na, Ca, P, K, Zn, Cu and I) decreased across lactation, with the exception of Fe and Mg, which did not changed. Mode of delivery influenced the concentration of iodine in the first 5 to 11 days postpartum, being lower in women with natural childbirth. Mineral intake assessed by 24 hr recall and by food frequency questionnaire was not associated to mineral concentration in breastmilk.

Chin Med J (Engl). 2014;127(14):2643-8. PMID: 25043082

Read the article via Pubmed:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25043082