The changes in breast milk lutein concentrations and their associations with dietary lutein intake: a 12-week prospective analytical study.

We aimed to investigate the trends of breast milk lutein concentrations at different times and their relationship with dietary lutein intake during the 12 weeks after delivery. Breast milk samples were collected from thirty-seven mothers at 4, 8 and 12 weeks postpartum. A HPLC detection method was used to measure breast milk lutein concentrations. Dietary intake was assessed using an FFQ, and then dietary lutein intake was calculated. The correlations between dietary lutein intake and breast milk lutein concentrations during lactation were investigated by Pearson's correlation coefficient. General linear regression models were used to evaluate the optimal regression equation. The mean values of dietary lutein intake at 4, 8 and 12 weeks postpartum were 5 center dot 22 (sd 3 center dot 60), 7 center dot 28 (sd 4 center dot 30) and 7 center dot 33 (sd 4 center dot 24) mg/d, respectively. The mean values of breast milk lutein concentrations at 4, 8 and 12 weeks postpartum were as follows: 46 center dot 41 (sd 41 center dot 36), 57 center dot 96 (sd 40 center dot 00) and 62 center dot 33 (sd 30 center dot 10) mu g/l, respectively. Breast milk lutein concentrations were positively associated with dietary lutein intake at 4 weeks postpartum (r 0 center dot 527, P < 0 center dot 05), which was consistent with the positive correlations observed at 8 and 12 weeks postpartum (r 0 center dot 444, P < 0 center dot 05; r 0 center dot 468, P < 0 center dot 05) by the sensitivity analysis. Increased dietary lutein intake can increase the concentration of lutein in the breast milk, and women are recommended to increase their dietary intake of green leafy vegetables and fruits that are rich in lutein during the pregnancy and postpartum periods.