The Breast Milk Omega-3 Trial: Assessing the uptake of a specific omega-3 supplement into breast milk

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Omega-3 fatty acids, in particular Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) are known to play a critical role in both maternal health and infant development, and have a particularly important role in protection against preterm delivery and in ensuring the optimal development of the brain and visual system of the fetus and infant (Makrides & Gibson, Med J Aust, 2002; Demmelmair & Koletzko, World Rev Nutr Dietet, 2015). Achieving and maintaining an adequate supply of these fatty acids during pregnancy and breastfeeding is therefore of vital importance for both short and long term health outcomes of the infant. Recent studies have suggested that many women of childbearing age in many countries, including Australia and the US, fail to meet the recommended levels of intake of these fatty acids, and as a result have a low omega-3 status (Meyer, Nutrients, 2016). Therefore, there is a concern that a significant proportion of women have an insufficient omega-3 status during pregnancy and while breastfeeding in order to meet the needs of their infant. In addition, fish consumption in the majority of these countries also remains low, and therefore these women rely predominately on omega-3 supplements in order to increase their omega-3 status. It is also known, however, that the bioavailability of different supplements into human blood and breast milk can vary significantly according to the formulation and form in which the fatty acids are provided. This is particularly important in the case of women who are breastfeeding, since the uptake of supplements into breast milk depends on both the efficiency of uptake into the maternal circulation, and the transfer of these fatty acids to the breast milk. As such, it is vital to directly test the ability of supplements provided to lactating women to be taken up into the breast milk. The primary objective of this study is to assess the effect of supplementing breastfeeding women with the Pronovum formulation PRF-037 (150:500 Ethyl Ester in SMEDDS) on concentrations of DHA and EPA in breast milk after 4 weeks of supplementation.

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