Essential fatty acids in breast milk of atopic mothers : comparison with non-atopic mothers, and effect of borage oil supplementation

To evaluate whether levels of n-6 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPs) in human breast milk are related to the mother's atopic constitution, and whether a decreased level can be restored by gamma-linolenic acid supplementation. Cross-sectional study and dietary supplementation trial. 20 atopic mothers and 20 non-atopic mothers (controls), all lactating. General population. The atopic mothers were randomly assigned to low (n=10) or high (n=10) dosage oral supplementation with oral borage oil for one week (230 or 460 mg gamma-linolenic acid (18:3n-6) per day). Essential fatty acid composition of the breast milk total fat fraction, determined by gas liquid chromatography. Arachidonic acid (20:4n-6) was lower in breast milk of atopic mothers compared with non-atopic mothers (0.39 wt% vs 0.46 wt%, difference -0.07% wt% (95% confidence limits -0.13, -0.01 wt%; P