Diabetes: Breastfeeding protects mothers from diabetes

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MunichBreastfeeding could protect mothers from type 2 diabetes. A German study suggests this. It is likely to improve the mommy's metabolism over the long term.

Scientists at the Institute for Nutritional Research in Potsdam evaluated data from 1,262 women that had been recorded in a long-term study between 1994 and 2005. The mothers filled out questionnaires about the duration of breastfeeding and their lifestyle. In addition, at the beginning of the study, the researchers examined blood samples from the study participants and determined their body measurements. They measured certain biomarkers in the blood that provided information about the test subjects' metabolism, such as the fat, liver or sugar balance.

Activated metabolism

A total of 203 study participants developed diabetes later in life. But breastfeeding women had a 40 percent lower risk of developing the disease than mothers who bottle-fed their babies. This phenomenon appeared regardless of social status and lifestyle. The analysis of the biomarkers showed that breastfeeding had a positive effect on the metabolism of the mothers. That was boosted overall. Women who breastfeed for more than six months, in particular, had lower blood lipid levels and higher adiponectin levels on average. This hormone accelerates the metabolism of fat and sugar, for example by improving the body's cells' sensitivity to insulin. As a result, women lost weight more quickly after giving birth than mothers who did not breastfeed. "So breastfeeding is not only good for the children, the mothers also benefit from it," sums up study author Susanne Jäger.

Disturbed insulin balance

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a common metabolic disease. Those affected can no longer use sugar properly, the result is an increased blood sugar level. The reason for this is an impaired release of the hormone insulin and a reduced sensitivity to insulin. Obesity and lack of exercise are possible risk factors that can contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is often referred to as old-age diabetes because people who are older are particularly at risk. Nevertheless, young people can also get sick. (away)

Source: Jäger S. et al .: Breast-feeding and maternal risk of type 2 diabetes: a prospective study and meta-analysis. Diabetologia, 2014.

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