Research studies

Here you will find an array of clinical studies for you to explore, covering an array of research areas, such as: the importance of early nutrition; a review of the nutrient content of preterm and term breast milk; review of fatty acid composition of human milk preterm vs full-term infants; infant sex predicts breast milk energy content; and, true protein, amino acids and bioactive proteins in breast milk.

Join Lönnerdal et al. (2017)¹ who investigated the longitudinal evolution of true protein, amino acids and bioactive proteins in breastmilk: a developmental perspective.

The researchers carried out a meta-analysis of the protein and amino acid contents of breast milk and how they evolve during lactation. As several bioactive proteins are not completely digested in the infant and therefore represent “non-utilizable” protein, they evaluated the quantity, mechanism of action and digestive fate of several major breast milk proteins. A better knowledge of the development of the protein contents of breast milk and to what extent protein utilization changes with age of the infant will help improve understanding of protein needs in infancy.

Alternatively, peruse a systematic review and meta-analysis of the nutrient content of preterm and term breast milk, by Gidrewicz and Fenton (2014)². Their aims were to conduct a meta-analysis of preterm and term breast milk nutrient content (energy, protein, lactose, oligosaccharides, fat, calcium, and phosphorus); and to assess the influence of gestational and postnatal age.

Investigate whether infant sex predicts breast milk energy content with Powe et al. (2010)³, who quantified nutrient and energy content of breast milk from 25 healthy, well-nourished Massachusetts mothers with infants aged 2–5 months. They examined several potential sources of variation in milk quality, particularly feeding patterns, infant sex, and maternal breast growth during pregnancy.