Human milk lipids provide the infant with energy and essential vitamins, polyunsaturated
fatty acids, and bioactive components. Adding complex lipids and milk fat globule
membranes to vegetable oil-based infant formula has the potential to enhance infant
development and reduce infections. Cholesterol provision with breastfeeding modulates
infant sterol metabolism and may induce long-term benefits. Some 98-99% of milk lipids are
comprised by triacylglycerols, whose properties depend on incorporated fatty acids …

Human milk from healthy and well-nourished mothers is the preferred form of feeding for all
healthy newborn infants. The nutrient supply with human milk supports normal growth and
development of the infant. Here the general characteristics of human milk lipids and recent
knowledge on lactational physiology, composition and functional aspects of human milk
lipids are discussed. Lipids in human milk represent the main source of energy for the
breastfed baby and supply essential nutrients such as fat-soluble vitamins and …