Study confirms that exercise increases a compound in breast milk which helps keep baby protected from diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.
The study, released by the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and College of Medicine, revealed the link between moderate exercise during pregnancy and an increase in the compound in breast milk that helps avoid serious health issues for the baby.
The findings, published online in the journal Nature Metabolism, examined mice born from sedentary mothers and gave them milk from mothers who were physically active during theri pregnancy.
"We've done studies in the past that have shown that maternal exercise improves the health of offspring, but in this study, we wanted to begin to answer the question of why," said Kristin Stanford, a researcher at The Ohio State Wexner Medical Center's Diabetes and Metabolism Research Center and lead author of the study.
"Because there is evidence that breast milk plays a major role, we wanted to isolate the effects of breast milk on offspring health," she added.
The researchers at the University of California, San Diego, Arkansas Children's Nutrition Center, and the Joslin Diabetes Center, discovered the transfer of the health benefits from active mothers to their pups. Results suggest they were passed through breast milk and not just through the genes.
Stanford and her colleagues assessed 150 pregnant and postpartum women with activity trackers. They realized that those who made more steps per day led to an increased amount of a compound known as 3SL in their breast milk. They deem 3SL as beneficial for the health of the baby.
"The increase in 3SL were not necessarily related to exercise intensity, so even moderate exercise like a daily walk is enough to reap the benefits," said Stanford, an associate professor of physiology and cell biology at Ohio State's Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute.
"Exercise is also great for your overall health during and after pregnancy, so anything you can do to get moving is going to benefit both you and your baby."
However, not all women can breastfeed, and some experience complications that require bed rest. With this, researchers are studying if they can isolate this beneficial compound found in the breast milk of fit mothers and mix it with infant formula.
"This human milk oligosaccharide had a significant impact on offspring healthy. Being able to add this into formula could provide benefits for babies when women aren't able to breastfeed," Stanford said.
Benefits of breastfeeding
The World Health Organization (WHO) emphasizes the link between breastfeeding and the health and well-being of mothers. Breastfeeding can "space children, reduces the risk of ovarian cancer and breast cancer, increases family and national resources, is a secure way of feeding and is safe for the environment."
"Breastmilk promotes sensory and cognitive development, and protects the infant against infectious and chronic diseases. Exclusive breastfeeding reduces infant mortality due to common childhood illnesses such as diarrhoea or pneumonia, and helps for a quicker recovery during illness."
