The Effect of Oral L-cysteine on Breast Milk and Plasma Cysteine Concentrations.

Purpose: Greater oxidative signaling is implicated in major depressive disorder; hence, there is considerable interest in developing oral supplements with anti-oxidant properties to prevent or treat mood disorders, such as postpartum depression. L-cysteine is a precursor for glutathione, an important antioxidant in the brain. So, developing L-cysteine as a dietary supplement may be useful, provided oral supplementation substantially raises its concentration in blood plasma yet does not affect its total concentration in breast milk.

No effect of oral L-tryptophan or alpha-lactalbumin on total tryptophan levels in breast milk.

Postpartum depression (PPD) is the most common complication of childbearing with a 13% prevalence rate. Sleep disturbances are also common, particularly during early postpartum. In theory, l-tryptophan could improve sleep and reduce depressed mood in early postpartum; however, the first step in clinical development of tryptophan for use in postpartum is to measure the effect of oral l-tryptophan on its concentrations in breast milk, which is presently unknown.

No effect of oral tyrosine on total tyrosine levels in breast milk: implications for dietary supplementation in early postpartum.

Postpartum depression (PPD) is the most common complication of childbearing with a 13 % prevalence rate, and there is no widespread approach for prevention. There is an appealing theoretical rationale for oral tyrosine to help prevent PPD. However, the effect of oral tyrosine on its total and free concentrations in breast milk and plasma of breastfeeding mothers is not known.