Duration of Lactation and Maternal Risk of Metabolic Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death of women across all ages, and targeting modifiable risk factors, such as those comprised in metabolic syndrome (MetS) (e.g., waist circumference, lipid profile, blood pressure, and blood glucose), is of great importance. An inverse association between lactation and CVD has been suggested, and lactation may decrease the risk of MetS. This systematic review and meta-analysis examined how lactation may affect the development and prevalence of MetS in women. A literature search was performed using Cinahl, Embase, Web of Science, and PubMed. A total of 1286 citations were identified, and finally, ten studies (two prospective and eight cross-sectional) were included. Seven studies (two prospective and five cross-sectional) revealed associations between lactation and MetS, suggesting that breastfeeding might prevent or improve metabolic health and have a protective role in MetS prevention. This protective role might be related to the duration of lactation; however, a lack of controlling for potential confounders, such as parity, might inflict the results. The pooled effect was non-conclusive. Additional research is required to further explore the duration of lactation and its potential role in improving or reversing MetS and its components.

Association of lactation with maternal risk of type 2 diabetes: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of observational studies

“…breastfeeding a child) for mothers, although previous studies have suggested that lifetime duration of lactation is associated with a reduced risk of breast and thyroid cancer, metabolic syndrome, atherosclerosis and hypertension. [5][6][7][8][9] However, evidence of the effects of lactation on women's risk of developing type 2 diabetes is conflicting, with some studies suggesting a protective effect, whilst others report no association. [10][11][12][13][14] Almost all studies are limited by their inability to account for metabolic risk profiles before lactation, and previous history of gestational diabetes (GD), a strong risk factor for type 2 diabetes in women.…”

“…Comparably less attention has been given to the benefits of lactation (i.e. breastfeeding a child) for mothers, although previous studies have suggested that lifetime duration of lactation is associated with a reduced risk of breast and thyroid cancer, metabolic syndrome, atherosclerosis and hypertension 5–9 . However, evidence of the effects of lactation on women's risk of developing type 2 diabetes is conflicting, with some studies suggesting a protective effect, whilst others report no association 10–14 .…”

Women who breastfeed exhibit cognitive benefits after age 50

“…Women’s history of breastfeeding has been associated with lower risk of type-2 diabetes [ 18 ], hypertension, hyperlipidemia, cardiovascular disease [ 19 ], metabolic syndrome [ 20 ], myocardial infarction [ 21 ] and breast cancer [ 22 ], as well as AD [ 23 ]. Type-2 diabetes [ 24 ], hypertension [ 25 ], hyperlipidemia and cardiovascular disease [ 26 ] have each been associated with enhanced risk of AD in multiple studies with a few exceptions [ 28 ], with these epidemiological patterns likely due to compromise of brain metabolism and cerebrovascular function [ 29 ].…”

Metabolic Syndrome and Coronary Artery Disease Risk: A Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies

“…Another possible reason might be that many people worldwide do not meet their dairy requirements, especially in the developing countries [56,57], and lack physical activity [54]. The results from this meta-analysis with recent evidence on T2DM [5], all-cause mortality [6,7], and specific cancer risks [8,9] provide further support for public health advice on increasing the consumption of dairy products [58], fruits/vegetables [59], and increasing physical activity [54], limiting the risk of MetS, its components, and CVD, especially CAD, in the global population.…”

“…MetS and its five individual components affect the blood vessels. As a result it is associated with extending the risk of cardiovascular disease by two-fold (CVD), type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM ) by five-fold [5], and all-cause mortality by 1.5 fold [6,7], along with elevating some specific cancer risks [8,9]. In recent years, the ubiquity and frequency of MetS have quickly progressed globally [10].…”