Effect of vitamin C and E supplementation on total antioxidant content of human breastmilk and infant urine

Breastfeed Med. 2015 May;10(4):214-7. doi: 10.1089/bfm.2014.0143.

Abstract

Objectives: After delivery and birth, mothers and neonates are exposed to oxidative stress. The present study examined the effect of supplementation of the diet of breastfeeding mothers with vitamin C and E to improve the antioxidant content of breastmilk and evidence of antioxidant activity in infant urine.

Subjects and methods: The subjects were 60 healthy lactating breastfeeding mothers and their infants 1-6 months of age. They were randomly allocated to a control group (n=30) consuming a free diet or an experimental group (n=30) consuming a free diet supplemented each day with effervescent tablets of vitamin C (500 mg) and chewable tablets of vitamin E (100 IU). After 30 days, the total antioxidant content of the mothers' breastmilk and evidence of antioxidant activity in the infants' urine were measured by the ferric reducing/antioxidant power assay. The free radical scavenging activity of the urine samples was measured by the α,α-diphenyl-β-picrylhydrazyl method. Differences pre- and postintervention were compared within and between the groups.

Results: Significantly higher levels of antioxidants in the breastmilk (610±295.5 to 716±237.5 μmol/L) and infant urine (43.2±21.8 to 75.0±49.2 μmol/mg creatinine) were observed in the experimental group over the control group (p<0.05). A significant increase in evidence of free radical scavenging in infant urine was observed in the experimental group after 30 days of supplementation by mothers (p<0.05).

Conclusions: Consumption of vitamin C and E supplements appears to have a positive effect on total antioxidant content of breastmilk and evidence of antioxidant activity in infant urine.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antioxidants / administration & dosage*
  • Antioxidants / metabolism
  • Ascorbic Acid / administration & dosage*
  • Ascorbic Acid / metabolism
  • Beer
  • Breast Feeding*
  • Carbonated Beverages
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Lactation / immunology
  • Lactation / metabolism*
  • Male
  • Maternal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena
  • Milk, Human / metabolism*
  • Mothers*
  • Oxidative Stress
  • Random Allocation
  • Vitamin E / administration & dosage*
  • Vitamin E / metabolism
  • Vitamins / administration & dosage*
  • Vitamins / metabolism

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Vitamins
  • Vitamin E
  • Ascorbic Acid

Associated data

  • IRCT/IRCT2012072410379N1