Women who breastfeed for more than a year halve their risk of rheumatoid arthritis

[Celebration]

http://www.physorg.com/news129878360.html

The study also found that taking oral contraceptives, which are suspected to protect against the disease because they contain hormones that are raised in pregnancy, did not have the same effect. Also, simply having children and not breast feeding also did not seem to be protective.

The researchers compared 136 women with rheumatoid arthritis with 544 women of a similar age without the disease. They found that that those who had breast fed for longer were much less likely to get rheumatoid arthritis.

Women who had breastfed for 13 months or more were half as likely to get rheumatoid arthritis as those who had never breast fed. Those who had breast fed for one to 12 months were 25 per cent less likely to get the disease.

The proportion of women breast feeding for more than six months has increased dramatically over the past 30 years. The authors concluded that it was difficult to say whether there was a connection between higher rates of breast feeding and a corresponding fall in the number of women affected by rheumatoid arthritis, but that the results of the study provided yet another reason why women should continue breast feeding.

[Clear Blue Sky]

1. I've heard of protective effects against certain types of cancer too.

[KT2000]

2. passing pollution to the baby

breast milk contains some of the fat soluble toxins that have been stored in the mother's fat tissue. The breastfeeding mother gets rid of those toxins through her breast milk. Her total load of toxic substances is therefore reduced as is her risk of getting certain diseases.

Genetics loads the gun, environment pulls the trigger.

Fat soluble toxins are difficult to get out of the body.

[mzmolly]

4. Cows milk and cow products contain fat soluble toxins as well.

http://www.bflrc.com/newman/handouts/0501-HO28-Toxins_and_Infant_Feeding.htm

It would be interesting to see more studies done comparing the two.

[KT2000]

6. Yes...but

this was concerning a womans reduced risk of illness if she breast fed.
For the child, they still say that the advantages of breastfeeding outweigh the risks.

I just got back from an state sponsored Open House for cleaning pollutants (PCBs, dioxins etc.) out of our sound. I made the rounds telling them that it is our responsibility as adults to get these pollutants out of our environment so they can stop polluting and damaging our children.

[mzmolly]

7. I agree. I was just stating that the alternative is not immune.

I breastfed as it was supposed to be best for my child. But, one can't help but wonder if Mothers shoudln't have some kind of screening?

[KT2000]

8. Good Idea ! n/t

[rurallib]

3. Can I offer to help some ladies out?

I am concerned about their health.

[MountainLaurel]

5. Well, the problem is

For that to work, you need to find someone who has recently given birth, and it's unlikely you'd want to help out much after 5 minutes of squalling infant.

Sorry to burst the bubble.

:evilgrin: