Posted on 03/14/2025 6:35:50 PM PDT by ConservativeMind
An observational study found that infants who had more diverse bacteria in their gut had lower childhood blood pressure, and this protective association was stronger if they were breastfed for at least six months.
For the research, investigators reviewed data from 526 children enrolled in a prospective study in Denmark. They looked for connections between infant gut bacteria, which can be influenced by nutrition and support a variety of health functions, and childhood blood pressure. To assess this, they collected fecal samples to analyze bacteria in the infants' intestines during their first week, month, and year of life. Three and six years later, they measured the children's blood pressure.
The researchers found children with more diverse gut bacteria at one month had lower blood pressure six years later.
They discovered that among children breastfed for at least six months, the blood pressure lowering effect of having more diverse bacteria in their gut was even stronger. Specifically, those with a greater diversity of gut bacteria throughout the first month of life had systolic blood pressure that was about 2 mm Hg lower six years later if they were breastfed for at least six months.
Researchers believe there may be several reasons for these associations. Certain gut bacteria have evolved specialized biologic machinery that allows them to convert otherwise indigestible carbohydrates in breast milk into calories and substances that can be used by the body. Specific Bifidobacterium species, including B. infantis, are superstars when it comes to breaking down these carbohydrates and turning them into short-chain fatty acids that may influence blood pressure and support cardiovascular health.
About 4% to 7% of children worldwide have high blood pressure, which can start when the fetus develops in the womb. These rates have doubled since 2020.
(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...
Too late now.
Breastfeeding has untold benefits associated with it.
Those of us raised on formula in the *Better Living through Chemistry* era are now paying the price for their social experiment.
I sometimes wonder if I’d have the food and gut issues I have now if I had been breastfed as an infant.
Outstanding!!!
I’ll keep breastfeeding off my wife!!!
hmmm...i’m feeling a little parched at present time...
BTW- that kid has got to be 8 years old...
So that’s what I’ve been missing.
How do I get started?
I’ve got a lot of making up to do.
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