According to recent studies, breastfeeding may reduce the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis in mothers. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes chronic pain and inflammation in the joints.

While breastfeeding has many proven benefits for both mother and child, the association of breastfeeding with decreased risk of rheumatoid arthritis is a relatively new finding that is gaining attention in the medical community.

What is Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that can cause long-term joint pain and damage throughout the body.

It is a chronic inflammatory disorder that affects the lining of joints, leading to painful swelling and eventually eroding the joint’s cartilage. This can lead to deformity and disability. Rheumatoid arthritis is more common in women than men and is typically diagnosed between the ages of 30 and 60 years old.

The Study

A study published in the Annals of Rheumatic Diseases showed that women who breastfed for a longer period of time had a lower risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis than those who did not breastfeed.

The study looked at data from over 7,000 women who were between the ages of 50 and 75, and who had gone through menopause. The participants were asked about their breastfeeding history and health status. The study found that women who had ever breastfed, regardless of duration, had a reduced risk of rheumatoid arthritis compared to those who had never breastfed.

The longer women breastfed, the lower the risk of rheumatoid arthritis. Women who breastfed for at least 12 months had a 50% lower risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis than those who never breastfed.

Women who breastfed for at least six months had a 25% lower risk of developing the disease compared to those who never breastfed.

Why Breastfeeding May Reduce Risk of Rheumatoid Arthritis

The exact reasons why breastfeeding may reduce the risk of rheumatoid arthritis are not yet known. However, researchers have suggested several possibilities.

One possibility is that breastfeeding positively affects the hormones that regulate inflammation in the body. Breastfeeding has been shown to reduce the levels of certain inflammatory markers, including C-reactive protein, which are associated with a higher risk of rheumatoid arthritis.

Another possibility is that breastfeeding may modify the gut microbiome, the collection of microorganisms that live in the intestine. A healthy balance of gut bacteria is important for overall health, including maintaining a healthy immune system.

Breast milk contains a unique combination of bacteria that are essential for the development of a healthy gut microbiome in infants. Breastfeeding may also help to maintain a healthy microbiome in mothers, which could reduce their risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis.

Other Benefits of Breastfeeding

There are many benefits to breastfeeding for both mother and child. Breast milk provides all the nutrients a baby needs for healthy growth and development during their first six months of life.

Breastfeeding can also help protect babies from infections and illnesses, and may reduce their risk of developing chronic conditions like obesity and diabetes later in life.

For mothers, breastfeeding can help to reduce the risk of certain cancers, like breast and ovarian cancer. It can also help to promote weight loss after pregnancy, lower the risk of postpartum depression, and improve sleep.

Conclusion

The association of breastfeeding with a lower risk of rheumatoid arthritis is an exciting new finding in the medical community.

While more research is needed to fully understand the connection between breastfeeding and rheumatoid arthritis, this study highlights yet another potential benefit of breastfeeding for both mother and child.