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Is human lactation a particularly efficient process?

C Frigerio1, Y Schutz, A Prentice

  • 1Institute of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lausanne, Switzerland.

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition
|September 1, 1991
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

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Current recommendations for lactation energy needs assume 80% milk production efficiency. This study in Gambian women suggests a higher efficiency, proposing 95% for more accurate energy cost calculations in human lactation.

Area of Science:

  • Human lactation
  • Nutritional science
  • Metabolic efficiency

Background:

  • Expert committees (e.g., UK DHSS, FAO/WHO/UNU, USA NRC) recommend dietary allowances for lactation based on an 80% efficiency for human milk production.
  • Accurate estimation of energy requirements during lactation is crucial for maternal and infant health.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the metabolic efficiency of human milk synthesis.
  • To evaluate the appropriateness of the currently accepted 80% efficiency figure used in dietary recommendations.
  • To propose a revised efficiency value for calculating lactation energy costs.

Main Methods:

  • Measurement of resting energy expenditure in lactating Gambian women.
  • Comparison with a control group of non-pregnant, non-lactating women.
Keywords:
AfricaAfrica South Of The SaharaAnthropometryBiologyCaloric IntakeCase Control StudiesControl GroupsDeveloping CountriesEnglish Speaking AfricaGambiaHealthHuman MilkLactationMatched GroupsMaternal PhysiologyMeasurementMetabolic EffectsMethodological StudiesNutritionPhysiologyResearch MethodologyStudiesWestern Africa

Related Experiment Videos

  • Review of existing human studies on energy expenditure during lactation.

    • Main Results:

    • The study suggests that the metabolic efficiency of human milk synthesis is higher than the 80% currently used.
    • Data from Gambian women and a review of international studies indicate a greater efficiency.

    Conclusions:

    • The findings challenge the established 80% efficiency rate for human milk production.
    • An average efficiency of 95% is proposed as more appropriate for calculating the energy cost of human lactation.
    • Revised efficiency values could lead to more accurate nutritional guidance for lactating individuals.