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Individualized Reconstitution of Human Milk Microbiota: A Feasible Approach in Real-World Settings
Published on: February 7, 2025
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The Human Milk Microbiota is Modulated by Maternal Diet
Marina Padilha1,2, Niels Banhos Danneskiold-Samsøe3, Asker Brejnrod4
1School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-000, SP, Brazil. marina.padilha@usp.br.
Microorganisms
|November 2, 2019
Summary
Maternal diet significantly impacts human milk microbiota composition. Specific nutrient intake, like vitamin C during pregnancy and fatty acids during lactation, influences microbial diversity, potentially shaping infant gut microbiota.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Human Nutrition
- Infant Health
Background:
- Human milk microorganisms are crucial for infant immune system development and gut microbiota establishment.
- The composition of human milk microbiota is influenced by various factors, including maternal diet.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of maternal diet during pregnancy and lactation on human milk microbiota composition.
- To identify specific dietary components associated with variations in milk microbiota.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study of 94 healthy lactating women.
- 16S rDNA profiling for microbiota composition analysis.
- Food-frequency questionnaires for nutrient intake assessment.
Main Results:
- Two distinct milk microbiota profiles were identified, characterized by high abundance of either *Streptococcus* or *Staphylococcus*.
- Vitamin C intake during pregnancy was associated with milk microbiota diversity, with higher intake linked to a specific profile (*p* = 0.029).
- Intake of polyunsaturated and linoleic fatty acids during lactation correlated positively with *Bifidobacterium* abundance in milk (*p* < 0.01).
Conclusions:
- Maternal diet, particularly during pregnancy, plays a significant role in shaping human milk microbiota.
- Dietary interventions could potentially modulate milk microbiota composition to benefit infant gut health.
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