Tuesday 13 May 2008

Breastfeeding can reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes

Breast-feeding has many benefits says, UrBod Nutritionist Melody Mackeown, who specialises in pre-conceptual care, fertility and pregnancy.

One of these effects appears to be a reduction in the risk for the development of type 2 diabetes. Breast-feeding reduces this risk primarily by reducing children's weight, but the precise means by which this occurs is unclear, says, UrBod Nutritionist Melody Mackeown.

Breast-feeding may set a lower and enduring satiety limit (feeling of fullness and satisfaction) for infants, whereas overfeeding among bottle-fed infants can increase peak insulin levels and prolong the insulin response.

Certain exposures associated with bottle-feeding, particularly to chemicals used to make plastic bottles and nitrates in tap water, can also reduce pancreatic beta-cell function, another reason why breast is best.

To find out more about how nutrition can help with breastfeeding, contact UrBod Nutritionist Melody Mackeown Dip.ION (mBANT), specialist in pre-conceptual care, fertility and pregnancy care in the city of London, EC2. I have co-authorised a free e-book which can be obtained by clicking on the following link: http://www.urbod.co.uk/Nutritionist/BreastfeedingCityoflondon.htmv