Intake of medium chain fatty acids (notably 12:0 and 14:0) from human milk in Antigua is not related to growth and does not cause energy wasting due to excessive beta-oxidation - abstract

ABSTRACT

The effect of postnatal intake of medium chain fatty acids (MCFA; C6-C14) from human milk on excessive beta-oxidation and growth was studied in Antigua. On day 23-28 a mean estimated intake of 8.9 g(range3.8-16.6) of MCFA (notably 120 and 140) per litre did not cause excessive beta-oxidation, as derived from urinary excretion of ketone bodies and beta-hudroxybutyric acid. MCFA intake was not related to growth in the first 23-28 days. Intakes of as low as 2.7 g MCFA (notably 80 and 100) per litre from semisynthetic medium chain triglycerides are known to produce excessive beta-oxidation and urinary excretion of dicarboxylic acids (Rebouche et al, Am J. Clin. Nutri. 1990;52820-824). It is concluded that, from a metabolic point of view, 120 and 140 from human milk belong to an intermediate subclass of MCFA that resembles long chain fatty acids greater than or equal to 16). Their uptake into adipose tissue may prevent hepatic oxidation, despite conceivable transportation of free 120 via the portal vein (AU)