SIGNIFICANCE OF LIPID CONSUMPTION DURING LACTATION

Human milk lipids are the main source of energy to support optimum gro wth of the breast-fed infant. The content and composition of milk lipi ds come from three main sources of fatty acids: the diet, mobilization of body fat stores and fatty acid synthesis de novo by the mammary gl and. On account of these, the consumption and composition of the lipid s from the diet and also the nutritional state, specifically the body fat percentage of the lactating woman, are elements that maintain a cl ose relation with the content and composition of milk lipids which tra nslates into the energy content given to the baby. The evidence sugges ts that the body fat stores significantly provide the demand imposed b y lactation, and under suboptimal nutritional conditions where body fa t stores are depleted, dietary lipid consumption is essential. It is n ecessary to elucidate the physiological regulatory mechanisms involved in the utilization of dietary lipids on milk synthesis. This informat ion will be of great practical value, since it may allow the developme nt of optimum diets for lactating women.