Copper, lead and zinc concentrations of human breast milk as affected by maternal dietary practices

Conference · Fri Feb 28 23:00:00 EST 1986 · Fed. Proc., Fed. Am. Soc. Exp. Biol.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5316003

Umoren, J; Kies, C

Maternal dietary practices have been found to affect the concentrations of some nutrients in human breast milk. Lead toxicity is a concern in young children. Lead, copper and zinc are thought to compete for intestinal absorption sites. The objective of the current project was to compare copper, lead and zinc contents of breast milk from practicing lacto-vegetarian and omnivore, lactating women at approximately four months post-partum. Analyses were done by atomic absorption spectrophotometry using a carbon rod attachment. Copper concentrations were higher in milk samples from lacto-ovo-vegetarians. Milk samples from the omnivores had the highest lead and zinc concentrations. Lead and copper concentrations in milk were negatively correlated. The higher zinc concentrations in the milk of the omnivore women may have been related to better utilization of zinc from meat than from plant food sources.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln
• OSTI ID: 5316003
• Report Number(s): CONF-8604222-
• Journal Information: Fed. Proc., Fed. Am. Soc. Exp. Biol.; (United States), Journal Name: Fed. Proc., Fed. Am. Soc. Exp. Biol.; (United States) Vol. 45:3; ISSN FEPRA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560306* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Man-- (-1987)
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ABSORPTION
ABSORPTION SPECTROSCOPY
BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS
BODY FLUIDS
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
COPPER
DIET
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
ELEMENTS
FOOD
INTESTINAL ABSORPTION
LACTATION
LEAD
MATERIALS
METALS
MILK
SPECTROSCOPY
TOXICITY
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
UPTAKE
ZINC