Improved Cardiovascular Health Through Breastfeeding for Women
Breastfeeding, a natural and widely recommended practice for new mothers, has been found to offer numerous benefits beyond nourishing an infant. Researchers at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center have discovered that breastfeeding could potentially reduce the risk of age-related osteoporosis and have an impact on visceral and pericardial fat.
The study, which examined visceral and pericardial fat, found that breastfeeding is associated with a reduction in visceral fat, the fat surrounding internal organs, and potentially pericardial fat, the fat around the heart. This reduction occurs due to the increased energy expenditure during lactation and the hormonal changes, such as elevated oxytocin and prolactin, which influence fat metabolism and distribution.
The long-term health benefits of reduced visceral and pericardial fat are significant. Women with lower levels of these fats have a lower risk of cardiovascular diseases, improved metabolic profiles, decreased risk of hypertension and stroke, and a lower chance of fatty liver and metabolic syndrome. The proximity of pericardial fat to the heart and its secretion of inflammatory cytokines make it a potential risk factor for coronary artery disease.
The American College of Pediatricians (ACP), the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) all widely support the recommendation for exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, followed by a combination of breastfeeding and age-appropriate food between the ages of six months and 12 months. The ACP even recommends breastfeeding for two years or longer if the mother is able.
Furthermore, research suggests that the benefits of breastfeeding may persist long after the nursing period. For instance, a study on the CARDIA study women showed a relationship between the duration of breastfeeding and a 50 percent lower risk of progression to type 2 diabetes, independent of social or lifestyle behaviors, metabolic profiles, or body size before pregnancy.
Current research is also investigating how breastfeeding influences cytokines and other hormones associated with plaque buildup in the arteries. Dr. Duke Appiah and his research team are delving into this area, seeking to understand how lactation could potentially lead to less fat buildup around the heart.
In conclusion, breastfeeding can contribute to long-term cardiovascular and metabolic health in women by reducing harmful internal fat deposits around the organs and heart. For the latest, specific evidence-based studies on this topic, medical literature databases or dedicated research on maternal health and fat distribution could provide detailed data.
Breastfeeding's impact on visceral and pericardial fat suggests potential benefits for heart health, with research linking lower levels of these fats to reduced risks of cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, and stroke. The American College of Pediatricians, American Academy of Family Physicians, and American Academy of Pediatrics all advocate for exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, followed by continued breastfeeding and age-appropriate food between six and twelve months. Furthermore, studies indicate that the benefits of breastfeeding may prolong beyond the nursing period, showing a relationship between the duration of breastfeeding and a lower risk of progression to type 2 diabetes. Current research is exploring breastfeeding's influence on cytokines and hormones associated with plaque buildup in the arteries, aiming to understand how lactation could potentially contribute to less fat buildup around the heart.
