Recognized as the gold standard, human milk (HM) is an extremely complex yet fascinating biofluid tailored to meet an infant’s nutritional requirements throughout development. Endocannabinoids and endocannabinoid-like compounds (endocannabinoid metabolome, ECM) are endogenous lipid mediators derived from long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids that have been identified in HM. Previous research has shown that arachidonoylglycerol might play a role in establishing the infant’s suckling response during lactation by activating the type 1 cannabinoid receptor in the infant’s brain. The mechanisms of action and the role of the ECM in HM are not fully understood. Transitional and mature milk samples were collected from lactating women (n = 24) for ECM characterization, quantification, and to evaluate differences among the two stages. HM samples were analyzed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Identified members of the ECM were: arachidonoylethanolamine, palmitoylethanolamine, oleoylethanolamine, docosahexaenoylethanolamine, eicoapentaenoylethanolamine, eicosenoylethanolamine, arachidonoylglycerol, palmitoyglycerol, oleoylglycerol, docosahexaenoylglycerol, eicosapentaenoylglycerol, eiconenooylglycerol, arachidonic acid, docosahexaenoic acid, and eicosapentaenoic acid. Only docosahexaenoylglycerol was different across transitional and mature milk (p ≤ 0.05). Data from this cohort suggest that bioactive constituents in HM may also play a role in infant health and development. Future studies can be developed based on this study’s data to help elucidate specific roles for each ECM member in addition to understanding how the ECM modulates infant health.

Recognized as the gold-standard ideal fare, human milk has a unique composition that meets infants’ needs throughout development. Endocannabinoids and endocannabinoid-like compounds [endocannabinoid metabolome (ECM)] are endogenous lipid mediators derived from long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. Based on animal models, it has been proposed that endocannabinoid arachidonoyl glycerol (AG) plays a role in establishing the suckling response during lactation. In addition, endocannabinoid ethanolamides have been shown to stimulate food intake. The mechanisms of action and the role of the ECM in human milk are not fully understood. The present study aimed to characterize and quantify the ECM in human milk samples from an underserved population in Guatemala. Human milk samples were collected from lactating women (n = 26) for ECM characterization and quantification. Samples were taken at 3 different time points between 4 and 6 mo of lactation during maternal fasting. Human milk samples were analyzed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Identified members of the ECM were: arachidonoyl ethanolamide, palmitoyl ethanolamide (PEA), oleoyl ethanolamide, docosahexaenoyl ethanolamide, eicoapentaenoyl ethanolamide, eicosenoyl ethanolamide, AG, palmitoyl glycerol, oleoyl glycerol, docosahexaenoyl glycerol, eicosapentaenoyl glycerol, eicosenoyl glycerol, arachidonic acid (ARA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). Overall, concentrations in the ethanolamide group were lower than the glycerols. A time effect was observed for ARA, DHA, EPA, and PEA across the 3 time points (P ≤ 0.05). Our study identified the ECM in mature human milk and provides the first report for a population with health disparities within a developing country. The few studies available have been conducted in developed countries. Hypotheses for future studies can be developed based on this study's data to help elucidate specific roles for members of the ECM and how this biological system modulates infant health and development.

Background. The 2015–2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend that pregnant women and women of childbearing ages consume 8–12 oz. of seafood per week. Fish are the major dietary source of omega-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, which have benefits for the mother and fetus.Methods. In this observational study, we investigated dietary habits of pregnant women in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA, to determine if they achieve recommended seafood intake. A print survey, which included commonly consumed foods from protein sources (beef, chicken, pork, and fish), was completed by pregnant women at a single-day hospital convention for expecting families in October 2015. Women (n=221) chose from six predefined responses to answer how frequently they were consuming each food.Results. Chicken was consumed most frequently (75% of women), followed by beef (71%), pork (65%), and fish (22%), respectively. Consumption frequency for the most consumed fish (catfish, once per month) was similar to or lower than that of the least consumed beef, chicken, and pork foods. Consumption frequency for the most consumed chicken and beef foods was at least once per week.Conclusion. Our data indicate that pregnant women in Louisiana often consume protein sources other than fish and likely fail to meet dietary seafood recommendations.

Age‐related macular degeneration (AMD) is a multifactorial progressive disease and is the leading cause of irreversible vision loss in the elderly. Among factors related to development of AMD are gender (females>males), eye color (blue>dark), body mass index (BMI; high>low), and low macular pigment optical density (MPOD), a measure of the density of the macular. The current study aimed to assess dietary intake of nutrients recognized as important in macular health and their relationship to MPOD, with a focus on dietary lutein + zeaxanthin (L+Z) and DHA+EPA (22:6n‐3, 20:5n‐3), dietary nutrients known to impact MPOD. College‐aged students [age range 18–28 years; n=440, 276 females (F) and 164 males (M)] were recruited to participate. Dietary intake was obtained through a 24‐hour dietary recall using NDSR 2016. A health history form was used to collect demographic information and frequency of consumption of specific foods. MPOD of subjects was measured using a macular metrics densitometer. Data were analyzed with SAS 9.4 using ANOVA and linear regression. There was a significantly higher MPOD (p=0.037) for M compared to F. Males had higher dietary intake of DHA+EPA (p=0.008) and L+Z (p=0.033) than F. Fifty‐five percent (n=90) of M and 42% (n=115) of F consumed seafood rich in DHA+EPA, e.g. salmon and trout. The DHA+EPA recommendation by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2015–2020 (250 mg/day) was fulfilled by 20% (n= 33) of M and 8% (n=22) of F. Seventy‐six percent (n=25) of Asian subjects consumed seafood rich in DHA+EPA while on average 46% of White, Black and Hispanics did. There were no differences between BMI groups (normal, overweight, obese) regarding MPOD (p=0.064) and dietary consumption of DHA+EPA (p=0.968) and L+Z (p=0.099) in the student population. The relationship of dietary DHA+EPA and MPOD in this population approached significance (p=0.051) and warrants further exploration. This work points to a need for early nutrition education to increase the consumption of foods high in the nutrients that are known to promote macular health. Support or Funding Information Supported in part by Louisiana State University and Louisiana State University Agricultural Center.