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At least 60% of the average intelligence gain seen in breast-fed
infants comes from breast milk's nutritional value, rather than benefits
from maternal bonding, according to a study released on Sept. 22. '99.
The survey by University of Kentucky nutritionist James Anderson looked
at 20 different studies comparing the brain development of infants who
had been breast-fed with that of infants who had been given formula.
"Our study confirms that breast-feeding is accompanied by about a
five-points higher IQ than in bottle-fed infants," Anderson said. Within
that increase, Anderson said, he and his associates were able to
separate the benefits from mother-infant bonding, from the purely
nutritional benefits of human milk.
The chief reason for this is most probably that breast milk contains
copious amounts of Omega-3 fatty acids, which are absolutely essential
for brain development. Infant formula, on the other hand, is very
unlikely to contain Omega-3 fatty acids - unless cow's milk contains
high amounts of the Omega-3 acids as well.
How nursing mothers can produce high amounts of the Omega-3 fatty acids
in their breast milk is another puzzling question which deserves much
attention. [my comments].
Leukemia Too!
Breast-fed infants may have up to a 30% lower risk of developing some
forms of childhood leukemia when compared to babies who are bottle-fed,
according to a new study. The findings, published Oct. 20. 99 in the
Journal of the National Cancer Institute, differ from some earlier,
smaller studies that found no statistically significant support for the
idea that breast feeding protected against leukemia. The new study, by
researchers at the University of Minnesota Cancer Center, found that the
longer babies were breast-fed, the more they were protected. For babies
breast-fed for at least one month, the leukemia risk was reduced by 21%,
while the risk was reduced by up to 30% for infants breast-fed for six
months or longer, the study found.
Prevents Obesity as well!
Babies are less likely to grow up into fat children if they are fed
breast milk exclusively, a new study shows - providing powerful
ammunition for the campaign to encourage mothers to choose the breast
over the bottle. German scientists say their findings, which were
published July 16. 1999 in the British Medical Journal, are the result
of the largest study to date investigating the link between
breast-feeding and obesity later in life. The findings suggest
breast-feeding could turn out to be a powerful strategy for fighting the
spiraling level of childhood obesity, said Dr. Robert H. Eckel, chairman
of the American Heart Association's nutrition committee, who was not
connected with the study. |
