Breastfeeding benefits babies in many ways. It ensures their health and also their survival. It prevents childhood diseases by containing antibodies and is not only a food but also has many benefits for the mother.
“Obviously, on the one hand it protects the child. Breastfeeding is important for everyone because it provides the child with bioactive peptides, bacteria, neurotransmitters or prebiotics; that is, various Molecule. Ascensión Marcos, research professor at the Higher Council for Scientific Research (CSIC) and founder of the Immunonutrition Group at the Institute of Food and Nutrition Science and Technology (ICTAN), said in an interview with Infosalus at this institution.
Furthermore, he stressed that breast milk has received “significant attention” for its ability and immune-protective “power” to provide a range of substances that promote tolerance and maturation of the immune system.
“Breastfeeding is known to be beneficial for both the newborn and the mother, as it prevents the development of immunopathologies and reduces the incidence of diarrhea, infections and allergies, especially during the first six months of a newborn’s life. It also reduces diarrhea, Incidence of infections and allergies. Risk of breast cancer in mothers before menopause,” Ascensión Marcos said.
He said that a mother who breastfeeds her child protects herself and develops “a kind of defense”: “It’s as if her immune system is strengthened, and mothers who breastfeed have fewer cases of breast cancer.” I think just because For this reason, this is very important. “
In fact, remember that the argument of the World Health Organization and the Spanish Pediatric Association is for exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months of a child’s life and then combining this period with the intake of other foods until the age of two years. , meets minor and pediatrician growth guidelines.
On the other hand, the researchers noted that scientific evidence shows that if food intake is started too early (4 to 6 months of age), the risk of respiratory infections, gastroenteritis, choking, obesity, type 1 diabetes, or atopic eczema is increased. bigger. This is why it emphasizes that the current recommendation is to introduce this type of complementary food from the sixth month of life onwards.
Precisely, Ascensión Marcos recently published the book Immunonutrición (CSIC-Catarata) in collaboration with Esther Nova Rebato, Sonia Gómez Martínez and Ligia Esperanza Díaz Prieto; scientists, all from the ICTAN research group he founded.