Extended Breastfeeding Boosts Infant Immunity and Reduces Inflammation, Study Finds
New research shows that breastfeeding for at least six months significantly strengthens infants' immune systems and reduces chronic inflammation, potentially lowering the risk of future health issues.
A recent study highlights the significant health benefits of breastfeeding for at least six months, showing that it enhances the immune system and decreases chronic inflammation in infants. Conducted by researchers at the Murdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI) and the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, the study analyzed nearly 900 infants from the Barwon Infant Study. The findings reveal that breastfeeding influences various lipids and metabolic markers in blood, especially a lipid called plasmalogen, which is abundant in breast milk and appears to play a key role in lowering inflammation.
Plasmalogens are unique lipids not typically found in formula milk, and their presence in breast milk supports immune health and may reduce the risk of conditions such as allergies, asthma, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases later in life. The research suggests that components in breast milk help protect infants by targeting biological pathways that support immune development.
The study involved detailed analysis of around 800 lipids and metabolic markers in babies up to 12 months old, illustrating how breastfeeding impacts these biological factors broadly. Researchers emphasize that understanding these mechanisms can lead to improved nutritional strategies, especially for infants who are not breastfed.
Additionally, the project is part of GenV (Generation Victoria), a resource compiling nearly 7,000 breast milk samples and 10,500 stool samples from infants, aiming to further explore the connection between early nutrition, gut microbiome development, and health outcomes.
Dr. Toby Mansell from MCRI underscored the importance of breast milk components like plasmalogens in protecting against chronic inflammation. Meanwhile, Dr. Satvika Burugupalli from the Baker Institute highlighted that this research provides insights into how breastfeeding enhances immune health and reduces future disease risk, emphasizing the nutritional and immunological richness of breast milk.
This research underscores the importance of breastfeeding in early childhood and offers promising avenues for developing nutritional interventions to support infant health, especially for those who cannot be breastfed. Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-10-breastfeeding-months-immunity-babies.html
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