Breastfeeding Prevents Diabetes in Mothers
Randall Neustaedter OMD, LAc, CCH
This study examined the association of type
2 (adult onset) diabetes in women with their
history of lactation. The researchers reviewed
the health reports of 240,000 women enrolled
in the Nurses' Health Study since 1976. These
women initially reported their health status
and health-related habits in a detailed questionnaire,
and then completed follow-up questionnaires
every two years. Of the initial cohorts enrolled
in 1976 and 1989, 150,000 women who had children
reported their lifetime duration of breastfeeding.
Approximately 75 percent of the entire group
reported ever breastfeeding their babies.
Results of the study showed that breastfeeding
had a protective effect on the later development
of diabetes in these women. This study found
that each year that a mother breastfed reduced
her risk of developing type 2 diabetes by
15 percent. This effect was independent of
other risk factors for diabetes including
body mass index, diet, exercise, and smoking.
The most interesting and convincing finding
in this study was the reduced risk of acquiring
diabetes attributed to the length and intensity
of breastfeeding. Each year of exclusive breastfeeding
was associated with a greater diabetes risk
reduction than a similar duration of breastfeeding
if babies received supplementary formula as
well. Similarly, a longer duration of breastfeeding
per pregnancy was associated with a greater
benefit. One year of lactation with one child
resulted in a 44 percent reduction in risk
compared with a 24 percent reduction in risk
for a woman who breastfed different children
for a total of one year.
These results point to a remarkable health
benefit for women as a result of breastfeeding.
And they show that the longer a woman breastfeeds
her child, and the longer the time she exclusively
breastfeeds, the greater the benefit to her
health. We know the tremendous advantages
of breastfeeding for infants, including benefits
on both health and intelligence that extend
far into the child's future, even as an adult.
This study contributes further evidence that
breastfeeding also confers protection for
mothers from serious, life-threatening disease.
Previous studies have associated duration
of breastfeeding with a reduced risk of breast
cancer and ovarian cancer. The message from
these studies should encourage all women to
breastfeed as long as practicable, and should
convince medical providers to encourage exclusive
breastfeeding for the first six months of
life and extended breastfeeding whenever possible.
Stuebe AM, et al. Duration of lactation and
incidence of type 2 diabetes. JAMA, Journal
of the American Medical Association. 2005,
Nov 23; 294 (20):2601-2610.
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