Nutritional and biochemical properties of human milk: II Lipids, micronutrients, and bioactive factors

During the last decade, the physiological functions of lipids in human milk have received great attention. Some areas of recent investigation are the role of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in the mental and visual dev elopment of neonates and the relevance of the triglyceride structure in fat absorption. Human milk also contains essential micronutrients such as mine rals and vitamins that have relevant function in the neonate. Moreover, the wide spectrum of bioactive factors, such as enzymes, growth factors, and h ormones, which confer uniqueness to human milk, have a relevant role in pro tecting the infant against infections and other diseases. The amounts of th ese components in human milk, the factors that affect their concentration, and their biological effects in the neonate infant are reviewed in this art icle.