The effects of ascorbic acid, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, and folic acid supplementation on the breast milk and maternal nutritional status of low socioeconomic lactating women

doi:10.1093/ajcn/34.7.1338

The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition

Volume 34, Issue 7, July 1981, Pages 1338-1346

https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/34.7.1338 Get rights and content

ABSTRACT

In this double-blind study, the effects of ascorbic acid, vitamin B₆, vitamin B₁₂, and folate supplementation on the maternal nutritional status and vitamin content of breast milk in 16 low socioeconomic lactating women were studied. Nine subjects were administered a commercial multivitamin-multimineral supplement and seven were given placebos. Milk samples were collected four times per day at 4-h intervals from 5 to 7 and 43 to 45 days postpartum. Fasting blood samples were taken from all mothers at the end of each milk collection period. Dietary records of all foods consumed were kept from 4 to 7 and 42 to 45 days postpartum. There were no significant differences in milk or plasma levels of ascorbic acid between the unsupplemented and supplemented groups. Both the EGPT index and milk concentrations of vitamin B₆ were significantly different (p < 0.01) between the unsupplemented and supplemented groups. The milk concentrations of vitamin B₁₂ increased significantly (p < 0.05) in the supplemented group, as did the milk concentrations of folate (p < 0.01). Because of consistently low levels of dietary vitamin B₆ and folic acid in this group of low socioeconomic lactating women, either dietary changes or supplements could be necessary to maintain recommended levels of these vitamins in the womens’ breast milk.

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^⁴: Address reprint requests to: M. Rita Thomas, Ph.D., Assistant Professor in Nutrition Sciences, College of Health, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112.

^¹: Present address: Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720.

^²: Present address: Department of Nutrition and Food Science, Texas Woman’s University, Denton, Texas 76204.

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Original Research Communications: GeneralThe effects of ascorbic acid, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, and folic acid supplementation on the breast milk and maternal nutritional status of low socioeconomic lactating women

ABSTRACT

Original Research Communications: General
The effects of ascorbic acid, vitamin B₆, vitamin B₁₂, and folic acid supplementation on the breast milk and maternal nutritional status of low socioeconomic lactating women