Breastfeeding May Cut Rheumatoid Arthritis Risk in Half
A study for the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases revealed new ideas about the ability of breastfeeding to prevent rheumatoid arthritis. BBC News reports:
They found women who had breastfed for 13 months or more were half as likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis as those who had never breastfed. Those who breastfed for between one and 12 months had a 25% decreased risk. The study also found that simply having children and not breastfeeding did not seem to protect the women against developing rheumatoid arthritis.
More study is needed in this area to determine exactly what role breastfeeding and lifestyle choices play in the prevention of rheumatoid arthritis. In the meantime, add this to the list of reasons extended breastfeeding is beneficial for both mother and baby!
Hi!
I have Multiple Sclerosis and am nursing my 29 mo old. MS is very similar to RA- and I truly believe my nursing is part of my current good health. My neurologist is amazed and boggled at me.
I was pleasantly validated but not surprised when I found this article:
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/548896/
It basically says that women who breastfed and did NOT take their drugs after delivery, but chose to nurse instead, fared out better than those who chose not to nurse so they could resume their drugs. This to me seemed like common sense, but not everyone thinks like me. Thank heavens!
The nursing moms had something like 80% fewer relapses or something crazy like that.
Yet another reason to extended-nurse!! weehoo!