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Mother's Breast Milk Vs Coconut Oil

The document compares human breast milk and coconut oil, highlighting their fatty acid compositions and health functions. While both contain medium-chain fatty acids like lauric and capric acid, breast milk is rich in essential nutrients for infant growth and immunity, whereas coconut oil is primarily saturated fat with limited nutritional value. Coconut oil can complement breast milk in certain contexts but cannot replace it nutritionally.

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ASND Prasad
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10 views2 pages

Mother's Breast Milk Vs Coconut Oil

The document compares human breast milk and coconut oil, highlighting their fatty acid compositions and health functions. While both contain medium-chain fatty acids like lauric and capric acid, breast milk is rich in essential nutrients for infant growth and immunity, whereas coconut oil is primarily saturated fat with limited nutritional value. Coconut oil can complement breast milk in certain contexts but cannot replace it nutritionally.

Uploaded by

ASND Prasad
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Here’s a detailed comparison between human breast milk and coconut oil, focusing mainly

on their fatty acid composition and health functions, especially since both are rich in
medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs) like lauric acid and capric acid.

🍼 Mother’s Breast Milk vs 🥥 Coconut Oil


Aspect Mother's Breast Milk Coconut Oil

Total Fat Content ~3.5–4.5% in milk (varies by ~100% (pure fat)


stage & diet)

Main Fat Type Saturated + Unsaturated Fats ~90% Saturated Fats

Lauric Acid (C12:0) ~6–10% of total fatty acids 45–53% of total fatty acids

Capric Acid (C10:0) ~6–7% 5–8%

Caprylic Acid (C8:0) ~5–6% 6–10%

Palmitic Acid (C16:0) ~20–25% 7–10%

Oleic Acid (C18:1) ~30–35% 5–8%

Linoleic Acid (C18:2) ~10–15% 1–2.5%

Cholesterol Present (essential for infant Absent


brain development)

Essential Fatty Acids Present (ω-6, ω-3; vital for Low amounts
growth & brain)

Medium Chain ~12–15% of total fat ~60–65% of total fat


Triglycerides

Digestibility Easily digested by infants Easily digested (due to


MCTs)

Immune Function Contains antibodies, Contains antimicrobial


lactoferrin, enzymes, MCFAs like lauric acid
lysozyme

Purpose Infant growth, immunity, brain Cooking, cosmetics,


development therapeutic use
🧬 Key Similarities:
●​ Both contain lauric acid, capric acid, and caprylic acid, which are antimicrobial.
●​ Both are easily digestible, especially in infants.
●​ Lauric acid in both supports immunity by forming monolaurin, which fights bacteria
and viruses.

❗ Important Differences:
●​ Breast milk contains essential fatty acids, cholesterol, proteins, antibodies, and is
tailored for infant growth and immune development.
●​ Coconut oil is plant-based, lacks protein, cholesterol, and other micronutrients found in
milk.

📝 Conclusion:
●​ Coconut oil mimics some fat components of breast milk (especially lauric and capric
acid).
●​ However, it cannot replace breast milk nutritionally — it can be complementary,
especially in infant formulas or malnutrition therapy under guidance.

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