Posted on April 8, 2009 in Latest News
Breastfeeding is beneficial for babies, is a universal truth but latest research study has added one more benefit of breastfeeding. According to Swedish research study, women who breastfeed their babies for longer are shielded against rheumatoid arthritis. The findings of the research study were published online in Annals of the Rheumatoid Diseases.
The research study conducted by Sweden’s Malmo University Hospital compared 136 women with RA to 544 healthy women. Researchers found that having children and not breastfeeding them, does not protects women from rheumatoid arthritis. Other findings of the research study conducted under the guidance of Mitra Pikwer are:
- Women who breastfed for more than a year halved the risk of rheumatoid arthritis as compared to those who never.
- Women who breastfed between 1 to 12 months reduced their chances of getting rheumatoid arthritis by 25%.
- Earlier it was suspected that taking oral contraceptives protects from rheumatoid arthritis but the research findings did not show the same results.
Researchers noted that over past 30 years the percentage of breastfeeding women for more than 6 months has increased significantly. Researchers concluded that it is difficult to say there is link between reduced number of women with RA and increases % of breastfeeding.
Generally breastfeeding is associated with increased levels of oxytocin hormone. Oxytocin hormone is known to reduce stress hormone level, decreases blood pressure and stimulates well being. Breastfeeding is also linked with raised levels of prolactin hormone, which stimulates immune system and it might increase the risk of RA.
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