Increasing breast milk betaine modulates Akkermansia abundance in mammalian neonates and improves long-term metabolic health.

ABSTRACT: Accelerated postnatal growth is a potentially modifiable risk factor for future obesity. To study how specific breast milk components contribute to early growth and obesity risk, we quantified one-carbon metabolism-related metabolites in human breast milk and found an inverse association between milk betaine content and infant growth. This association was replicated in an independent and geographically distinct cohort. To determine the potential role of milk betaine in modulating offspring obesity risk, we performed maternal betaine supplementation experiments in mice. Higher betaine intake during lactation increased milk betaine content in dams and led to lower adiposity and improved glucose homeostasis throughout adulthood in mouse offspring. These effects were accompanied by a transient

SUBMITTER: Ribo S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8823629 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature