Mothers who breastfeed their babies for at least one year, are protecting themselves by lowering the risk of a heart attack, stroke, and cardiovascular disease, reports a new study by U.S. researchers.

According to new findings, women who nursed for more than a year were 10 per cent less likely to develop the conditions, compared to those who had never breastfed. Even breastfeeding for at least one month may decrease the risk of developing diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol, which are all linked to heart disease, the experts said.

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh based their conclusion on the evidence that came from the massive Women's Health Initiative trial, a study of chronic disease that began in 1994 and involved nearly 140,000 post-menopausal women. All women were asked about their earlier breastfeeding history. Based on this information, researchers found that compared to women who had never nursed their babies, women who breastfed for one to six months in their lifetimes had a:

• Five per cent lower risk for developing high blood pressure.
• Nine per cent lower risk for developing diabetes.
• Seven per cent lower risk for high cholesterol.

Women who breastfed for two or more years during their lifetimes had a:

• Thirteen per cent lower risk for high blood pressure.
• Twelve per cent lower risk for diabetes.
• Twenty per cent lower risk for high cholesterol.

On average, it had been 35 years since the women, who took part in the study, had last breastfed their child, suggesting that the benefits from breastfeeding last for many years, said a lead investigator of the study, Dr. Eleanor Bimla Schwarz, an assistant professor of medicine, epidemiology and obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive sciences. She also added that it has been known for a long time that breastfeeding is very important for kids' health, but now there are new facts showing that it is important for mothers' health as well. The longer a woman breastfeeds her child, the better for the health of both of them, Schwarz said.

It has been suggested that breastfeeding may reduce cardiovascular risk by reducing fat stores in the body. However, the researchers believe that the effect is much more complex, with the release of hormones stimulated by breastfeeding also playing not a last role. Research has also revealed that breastfeeding reduces a woman's risk of ovarian and breast cancer and osteoporosis in later years. Researcher Dr. Eleanor Bimla Schwarz said: "Breastfeeding is an important part of the way women's bodies recover from pregnancy." However, when this process is being interrupted, ladies are more likely to develop a number of health-related issues, such as heart attacks and strokes.

The Department of Health recommends that babies are exclusively breastfed until they are six months old. The list of benefits for a child is long, with mother's milk credited to protect against obesity, diabetes, asthma, ear, stomach and chest ailments, as well as against eczema and urinary infections. Another benefit of mother's milk for the baby is also the fact that breast milk is low in salt. Salt is not good for babies and they need to be protected from salt and salty food.

The study is published in the latest issue of the journal Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Tags: Breastfeeding, Women's Health, Heart Disease, Stroke

More articles by eNotAlone.com