Breast milk of Jewish and Bedouin ethnic origins have a higher resistance against lipid peroxidation compare to milk substitutes

Oshra Saphier, Tali Silberstei

Abstract

Aims: 1. To measure and compare levels of lipid peroxidation, as detected byMalondialdehyde (MDA) concentration, in breastmilk taken from two different populations in Israel, Jewish and Bedouin. 2. To compare levels ofMDAin commercial dairy newborn formulas toMDA levels in breast milk. Methods: Milk samples were collected from 60 mothers of terminfants, 40 Jewish and 20 Bedouinmothers.MDA levels were measured spectroscopically and compared between groups. Results: The levels ofMDAin the Bedouin group were higher in about 20% then in the Jewish group. The commercials milk powders were found to be more susceptible (P<0.0001) to an oxidative stress than breast milk fromboth ethnic groups. Conclusions:Anti oxidant ingredient exist in the breastmilk, with no relation to ethnic group.Although higher in the Jewish group, no statistically significant difference was found in milk lipid peroxide level between the ethnic groups.