Breast-feeding: It protects against cardiovascular disease
Breast-feeding: It protects against cardiovascular disease
Birth weight and short duration of breastfeeding are risk factors for inflammation and heart disease in adulthood, according to a new US scientific study.
Low birth weight and low breastfeeding time increase the risk to adults of inflammation and heart disease, according to the results of this study published in the journal Proceedings of The Royal Society.
High concentrations of C-reactive protein predict an increased risk of chronic inflammation, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases in adulthood. But the development factors of this protein are not known.
Researchers at Nothwestern University analyzed medical data from 6,951 young adults aged 24 to 32 collected from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health database. The scientists wanted to understand if C-reactive protein levels, this key biomarker of inflammation, could be associated with birth weight and duration of breastfeeding.
The duration of breastfeeding has a real impact on health
The researchers found that low birth weight was linked to a high concentration of C-reactive protein in adulthood and that long-term breastfeeding seems to alter these rates.
Compared to non-breastfed individuals, C-reactive protein concentrations were 20.1%, 26.7%, 29.6% and 29.8% lower in breast-fed individuals for less than three months, three to six months months, 6-12 months and more than 12 months.
"The longer the baby is breastfed, the less C-reactive protein he develops in adulthood. Plus he's protected from chronic inflammation and cardiovascular disease, "says Dr. Thomas McDade, a professor at Nothwestern University and lead author of the study.
"The results of this study highlight the importance of breastfeeding for life. This is one more reason to promote and support breastfeeding and to inform women that its duration has a real impact on health. A simple awareness that could reduce these disparities in the risk of inflammation.
The WHO recalls that "breast milk is the ideal food for newborns. It provides all the nutrients necessary for their development and contains antibodies that protect them from common diseases such as diarrhea and pneumonia, the two leading causes of child mortality in the world "and insists that" the Exclusive breastfeeding should be extended beyond 3-4 months, an age when many moms often think of dietary diversification. "