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You are here:
Breastfeeding
and osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a serious bone disease that many older women
suffer from. It runs out that women who have breastfed are less
likely to have osteoporosis in later life.
- Calcium deficiency is a main cause of osteoporosis.
- Breastmilk is rich in calcium.
- Therefore, you might think that women who breastfeed should be
at a higher risk for osteoporosis.
- But, research has shown that women who have breastfed are in
fact considerably less likely to get osteoporosis.
- This is likely to be caused in part by the calcium-obsession
imposed on lactating women: many people believe that lactating
women must drink huge amounts of milk, eat lots of cheese and ice
cream, and take Tums or similar calcium supplements. All this is
in fact unnecessary. However, a desirable side effect might be
boosting the calcium levels and affording some protection from
osteoporosis.
- More significantly, however, it's been shown that lactating
women metabolize calcium more efficiently than non-lactating
women. Thus, even without taking any extra calcium, lactation
helps prevent osteoporosis!
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The breastfeeding page
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