Simply Lipids – A Guide to Understanding Lipids

This booklet provides healthcare professionals with a clear and practical overview of lipids, their classification, and their essential functions in the human body and breastmilk. Lipids, which make up the second largest group of macronutrients in breastmilk, provide around 50% of an infant’s daily energy needs and play critical roles in growth, neurodevelopment, immune function, and nutrient absorption. The guide covers key lipid types including triglycerides, phospholipids, sphingolipids, and cholesterol, while also highlighting the importance of essential fatty acids such as DHA and ARA, which are vital for brain and immune development.

What You Will Learn from This Resource

This booklet offers evidence-based insights to help you:

• Understand the structure and classification of fatty acids (saturated, monounsaturated, polyunsaturated)

• Explore the roles of essential fatty acids, particularly DHA and ARA, in infant brain and immune system development

• Review how Milk Fat Globules (MFGs) and the Milk Fat Globule Membrane (MFGM) contribute to efficient nutrient delivery and neurocognitive benefits

• Recognize how maternal diet, BMI, lactation stage, and geography influence breastmilk lipid composition

• Gain knowledge of how lipids impact growth, immune defense, and sensorial properties of breastmilk

View the Booklet on DNC

Take a moment to explore the full booklet directly on this page. It provides scientific explanations, practical visuals, and clinical insights to support your conversations with parents and enhance your expertise in early life nutrition.