Dietary folate intake in lactating mothers linked with improved gut-health of infants: Study


PTI, Nov 3, 2023, 10:22 AM IST

In lactating mothers, consuming folates in diet was associated with improved gut-health of infants, researchers have found.

Folate is a vitamin-B essential for cell growth and reproduction and can be found in cereal products, vegetables, legumes, and fruits – in particular, fortified orange juices.

Dietary folate increased the potential of vital carbohydrates in the breastmilk of lactating mothers, known as Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMOs), in protecting the most vulnerable premature babies against necrotising enterocolitis, according to Caren Biddulph, a dietician and PhD graduate at the University of the Sunshine Coast, Australia.

Necrotising enterocolitis is an acute inflammatory disease occurring in the intestines of premature infants and can be potentially fatal. There is growing evidence that HMOs played multiple positive roles in protecting infant health, such as reduced allergies and gastrointestinal and infectious diseases, said Biddulph, lead author of the study published in the journal Nutrients.

“If a breastfeeding mother’s diet can alter the components of milk that help structure the baby’s gut microbiome, adjusting that diet can potentially influence the baby’s lifelong metabolic health,” she said.

The study in 101 lactating mothers was established to investigate differences in breastmilk to help improve infant nutrition and general health, including the survival rate of premature babies suffering intestinal disease.

The researchers found that while dietary folate was associated with the total HMO levels, any level of alcohol consumption was associated with decreased levels of certain HMOs.

They also found no associations between HMO concentrations and maternal fat mass, fat-free mass, or associated body composition indices.

“Regarding the folate finding, there may be some merit in ensuring adequate folate status in clinically deficient mothers, or, at the very least, encouraging plant-based and fortified foods rich in folate in the usual diet when breastfeeding,” said Biddulph.

Udayavani is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel and stay updated with the latest news.

Top News

Temple idols found desecrated in Hyderabad, case registered

SC junks plea against quashing of LOC issued to ex-house help of Sushant Singh Rajput

JPC chairman Jagdambika Pal to visit K’taka on Nov 7 to meet farmers protesting Waqf notices

Indian boxer Mandeep Jangra wins WBF’s world title

IOA submits ‘Letter of Intent’ to host 2036 Olympics in India

CBDT allows tax officials to waive or reduce interest due from assessee

Like UP, bring BJP to power in Jharkhand to ‘bulldoze’ mafia: Yogi at Koderma poll rally

Related Articles More

Risk of abnormal blood fat levels increased by about 30 pc during pandemic, finds study

Attention problems could be ‘middleman’ between genetic risk for, experiencing psychosis: Study

Meeting WHO’s sodium recommendations could avert deaths from heart, kidney disease: Study

Meeting WHO’s sodium recommendations could avert deaths from heart, kidney disease: Study

Study finds loss of smell linked with inflammation in 140 conditions, could be early sign of disease

MUST WATCH

Gho Pooja in Deepavali Festival

Melukote Deepavali

Ganapathi Co-operative Society Ltd

Udayavani Chinnara Banna 2024

Annapoorna Aahar | Food Places In Mysore


Latest Additions

Temple idols found desecrated in Hyderabad, case registered

Rebels to be shown the door: Maharashtra BJP chief Bawankule

Rohit Shetty says ‘Singham Again’ his fastest Rs 100 crore film, thanks audience for support

SC junks plea against quashing of LOC issued to ex-house help of Sushant Singh Rajput

People of Wayanad will ask me not to come there often: Priyanka Gandhi

Thanks for visiting Udayavani

You seem to have an Ad Blocker on.
To continue reading, please turn it off or whitelist Udayavani.