Fatty acids and their sn -2 positional distribution in breast milk and their association with edible oils in maternal diet: a study of five regions in China

-2 position. In breast milk, major FAs (16 : 0, 18 : 1 n-9, LA, and ALA) and the ratio of PUFAs (LA/ALA and n-6/n-3) were obviously influenced by maternal edible oils. Breast milk from mothers consuming rapeseed oil had the lowest LA (∼19%) and the highest ALA (∼1.9%). The MUFAs, especially 18 : 1 n-9, in breast milk from mothers consuming high oleic acid oils were significantly higher than those in breast milk from mothers consuming other types of edible oils. These results provide a potential nutritional strategy for better breastfeeding by specifically adjusting maternal edible oils despite other fat sources being part of the diet of lactating women.