Dietary supplementation and improvements in the lactation performance of Indian women
Belavady, B.
Maternal nutrition during pregnancy and lactation: 264-273
1980
Document Number: 460520
Studies on Indian women belonging to low socioeconomic groups revealed an inadequate dietary intake of almost all nutrients both during pregnancy and lactation. Chemical composition of milk was similar to that of milk from well-nourished women except for vitamins and a few other minor components. Dietary supplements of protein and calories given to nursing mothers did not provide unequivocal results on the yield of milk. Changes in the composition of milk caused by proteins induced a decrease in the creatine concn. in milk. There was no change in the individual fractions but the total protein N showed a slight, but not significant increase. Calorie supplement had no effect on any of these constituents. Supplementation of water-soluble vitamins produced an increase in the concn. of the respective vitamin. 3.0 mg riboflavin and 200 mg ascorbic acid daily maintained high concn. of the respective vitamin in milk. While administration of an oily preparation of vitamin A was not successful in increasing and maintaining high concn. of vitamin A in milk, an emulsified preparation was. Ca supplementation for short periods had no effect on its concn. in milk while continued supplementation for long periods (30-90 days) brought about a significant reduction. Fe supplements decreased Fe concn. in milk.