Breastfeeding protects mother
Women who breastfeed their babies may be lowering their own risk of a
heart attack, heart disease or stroke, research suggests.
A US study found women who breastfed for more than a year were 10
percent less likely to develop the conditions than those who never
breastfed.
Breastfeeding reduces a woman’s risk of ovarian and breast
cancer |
Even breastfeeding for at least a month may cut the risk of diabetes,
high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
The research features in the latest issue of the journal Obstetrics
and Gynaecology. Research has found that breastfeeding reduces a woman’s
risk of ovarian and breast cancer and osteoporosis in later life.
The study adds to a growing body of evidence suggesting breastfeeding
has health benefits for both mother and baby.
The list of benefits for the baby is long, with breast milk credited
with protecting against obesity, diabetes, asthma and infections of the
ear, stomach and chest.
The latest US study, by the University of Pittsburgh, focused on
nearly 140,000 post-menopausal women.
On average, it had been 35 years since the women had last breastfed-
suggesting the beneficial impact lasts for decades.
As well as cutting the risk of heart problems, breastfeeding for more
than a year cut the risk of high blood pressure by 12 percent, and
diabetes and high cholesterol by around 20pecent.
Fat stores
It has been suggested that breastfeeding may reduce cardiovascular
risk by reducing fat stores in the body. However, the researchers
believe the effect is more complex, with the release of hormones
stimulated by breastfeeding also playing a role. Researcher Dr. Eleanor
Bimla Schwarz said: “We have known for years that breastfeeding is
important for babies’ health; we now know that it is important for
mothers’ health as well.
“Breastfeeding is an important part of the way women’s bodies recover
from pregnancy.
“When this process is interrupted women are more likely to have a
number of health problems (including heart attacks and strokes).
“The longer a mother nurses her baby, the better for both of them.”
In the UK, the Department of Health recommends exclusive breastfeeding
for six months. June Davison, a cardiac nurse at the British Heart
Foundation, said:
“Breastfeeding has long been thought to be beneficial to baby and
mother.
“This research suggests that it might have also have heart health
benefits for mum too.
“However, it only showed an association between breast feeding and
these health benefits. We will need further research to understand why
this is the case.”
-BBC News
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