Breastfeeding beats statins to curb risk of heart disease Being breastfed as a baby might be better than statins in staving off heart disease in later life, according to new research. Babies given mother’s milk for three months or more have a much lower risk of the chronic inflammation that can lead to diabetes and other metabolic illnesses, US researchers say. Suckling lowers the amounts of C-reactive protein (CRP) in the blood that is linked to clogged arteries and damage to blood vessels. Professor Molly Metzger, of Washington University, said: ‘We are looking at the effects of these early factors on later levels of CRP, a biomarker associated with risk for cardiovascular and metabolic disease. The researchers used data from the US National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, including parent surveys, and blood samples providing measurements of CRP. The findings held up in a series of sibling models – in which one was breastfed and the other not – which allow for genetic factors for elevated CRP. Professor Metzger added: ‘These findings underscore the importance of a preventive approach, including but not limited to prenatal health care and breastfeeding.’ dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2712720/Breastfeeding-beats-statins-curb-risk-heart-disease.html
Posted on: Fri, 01 Aug 2014 10:56:09 +0000
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