Nursing cuts mom heart disease risk

Aside from the many health benefits of breastfeeding for babies, a new study has found that nursing also lowers heart disease risk in moms. Breast-milk helps protect babies against obesity, diabetes, asthma and infections of the ear, stomach and chest; a new study shows breastfeeding also safeguards mothers against various health conditions. Hormones stimulated by breastfeeding are believed to play a critical role in achieving these health benefits. According to the study published in Obstetrics and Gynecology, nursing lowers the mother's risk of developing heart attacks and strokes through reducing the fat stores in the body. While breastfeeding for at least a month cuts the risk of diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol, nursing for more than one year lowers the risk of developing cardiovascular events by 10 percent. Breastfeeding is also reported to reduce a woman's risk of developing ovarian and breast cancers as well as osteoporosis in the long run. Scientists concluded that breastfeeding has health benefits for both the mother and the baby, many of which last for several decades. They added that the longer a mother nurses her baby, the better the outcome is for both.