Call for an instant quote 0345 90 80 161
Open Mon to Fri 09:00 - 17:30 | Sat 09:00 - 16:00 (GMT)
18 January 2018 12:01
It is suggested that breastfeeding can cut diabetes risk
Mothers who breastfeed for at least six months cut the risk of diabetes during their child-bearing years by half, a study has found.
Scientists analysed 30 years' worth of data from a major US investigation of heart disease risk factors.
About 5,000 adults aged 18 to 30 joined the coronary artery risk development in young adults (Cardia) study between 1985 and 1986.
Strong association
Women who breastfed for six months or more were 47% less likely to develop type 2 diabetes than those who chose not to breastfeed, the researchers found.
Mothers breastfeeding for six months or less reduced their risk of diabetes by a quarter.
Lead investigator Dr Erica Gunderson, from the US care provider Kaiser Perminante, said: "We found a very strong association between breastfeeding duration and lower risk of developing diabetes, even after accounting for all possible confounding risk factors."
Diabetes patients heading abroad may want to consider securing travel insurance for existing medical conditions before jetting off.
Growing evidence
The findings, published in the journal Jama Internal Medicine, add to growing evidence that breastfeeding has protective effects for both mothers and their babies.
Previous research has shown that it lowers a mother's risk of breast and ovarian cancer.
Dr Gunderson added: "The incidence of diabetes decreased in a graded manner as breastfeeding duration increased, regardless of race, gestational diabetes, lifestyle behaviours, body size, and other metabolic risk factors measured before pregnancy, implying the possibility that the underlying mechanism may be biological."
Hormones associated with breastfeeding may have an effect on the pancreatic cells that blood insulin levels, the scientists believe.
22 September 2018
The NHS should switch to electric vehicles across its organisations, health officials have advised.
[more...]
21 September 2018
UK holidaymakers could be missing out on more than 60 direct flight routes thanks to Air Passenger Duty (APD), a report suggests.
20 September 2018
Living in areas with high levels of air pollution could be linked to an increased risk of dementia, new research suggests.
19 September 2018
Multiple sclerosis (MS) patients are shelling out tens of thousands of pounds for care - and many are unable to cover the costs, a leading charity has warned.
18 September 2018
As much as £6 of every £10 spent on domestic flights in the UK goes on Air Passenger Duty (APD), new research suggests.
15 September 2018
UK driving licences might become invalid in certain European countries if the UK crashes out of the EU with no deal, the Government has warned.
14 September 2018
Online crowdfunding for cancer treatments is indirectly advancing the rise of alternative "quack" therapies, experts have warned.
13 September 2018
A "wee-stick" like those used in pregnancy testing could be employed to prevent thousands of deaths from ovarian cancer.
11 September 2018
As many as 1.3 million passengers endured severe flight delays in the last year, a new study reveals.
08 September 2018
British Airways customers are cancelling their credit cards after the carrier was hit by a 15-day data breach that compromised the details of around 380,000 people.
06 September 2018
Plastic trays at security desks harbour the highest numbers of viruses at airports, new research has discovered.
05 September 2018
Adults are being urged to take advantage of a new online tool to find out if they are at risk of having a heart attack or stroke.