The list of benefits of breastfeeding continue to expand.
A new study published in JAMA Pediatrics suggests that babies who are breastfed are at a lower risk of developing childhood leukemia, according to Fox News.
“Breastfeeding is a low-cost, highly-accessible public health measure to potentially lower the risk for a serious disease,” stated Dr. Eftrat Amitay, the lead researcher of the study and epidemiologist at the School of Public Health at the University of Haifa.
For the recent study, scientists analyzed 18 different studies along with a separate analysis of 15 studies that previously found that being breastfed compared with never being breastfed was associated with a 11pc lower risk of childhood leukemia, according to the U.K. publication The Independent. ie.
The 18 major studies reportedly reviewed data from North America, Europe, New Zealand, Turkey, South Eastern Arabia and China.
Researchers reportedly found that breastfeeding for six months or more was linked with a 19 percent lower risk of childhood leukemia compared to children who were breastfed for a shorter period of time, or never at all.
“Maternal antibodies, lactoferrin that can destroy microbes and reduce inflammatory response and Human α-lactalbumin (HAMLET) that kill tumor cells and breast-milk stem cells that have properties similar to embryonic stem cells and may provide active immunity in the infant’s body,” stated Amitay.
Leukemia is reportedly the most common cancer in childhood; however, very little is known regarding its cause.
Aside from recent research, studies have reportedly shown that breastfeeding can lower the risk of other major health issues, including celiac disease, diabetes and SIDS.
“I think more research is needed exploring the properties of breast milk that may be associated with lower risk of leukemia, as they may have implication not only for the prevention of childhood leukemia but also for prevention and treatment of other types of cancer,” stated Amitay.
