New JAMA study: Lactation reduces Type II diabetes risk for Mom

[annekevdbroek]

Our issue of JAMA for Nov 23rd/30th just arrived and there is a study that shows that longer duration of lactation reduces the risk of Type II Diabetes in the mother. JAMA (Journal of American Medical Assoc.) does not have the article online right now. If it becomes available I'll try to post a link to it. The study included over 150,000 women.

Presumably the lactation was associated with breast feeding. LOL. One more reason for extended breast feeding.

[Quirky]

I'd really love to see this when it goes online! I come from a family of diabetics and I would love to reduce my risk! My mom nursed each of us three kids for a year and has Type II diabetes, but I'm into my fourth straight year of nursing with (hopefully) several more to come!

[annekevdbroek]

They broke the groups up based on duraction of lactation. The groups were: none, 0-3 months, 3-6 months, 6-11 months, 11-23, and >23 months. They probably didn't have enough women with more than 23 months to break them into additional groups. To quote the study:

"For each additional year of lactation, women with a birth within the last 15 years had a decrease in the risk of diabetes of 15%."

" In these analyses of the 2 large prospective cohorts, we found that duration of lactation was inversely associated with risk of type 2 diabetes in young and middle-aged women, independent of other diabetes risk factors, including body mass index, diet, exercise, and smoking status. This association appeared to wane with time since last birth."

[Quirky]

So my risk may be down for the next 15 years (until I'm 52) but after that I'm on my own? Oh well. My mom wasn't diagnosed until she was in her 60s. Still, yet another reason to breastfeed as long as possible!

(And a good reason to lose the remaining pregnancy weight and exercise regularly.... )

[bobandjess99]

I wonder if it affects women who already have type II????
I must admit I have noticed an easier time having my levels in check while I have been nursing....hhhmmmmmm......

[annekevdbroek]

Here is a link to the abstract, from there you can access the whole artice:

http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/short/294/20/2601


bobandjess: lactation seems to help with insulin resistance. So, even if you have diabetes already BF will help. Of course all the other stuff like diet and exercise are still important.

[sntm]

i went to med school with the lead author -- she's smart as a whip and a member of ABM.