It would be interesting to study whether lactation affects cholesterol
levels.  We are actually screeing kids/teens now for high cholesterol &
triglyceride, particularly those with family histories of high cholesterol &
early MI's.  (I have one teen in my practice with a cholesterol of 367 and
triglyceride equally high whose dad died at age 33 of an MI--for patients
like these, screening and treatment may be significanly life-prolonging.)

Maybe because breastmilk contains a good amount of cholesterol which serves
to mylinate the CNS, the mom's body mobilizes cholesterol during lactation.
I would love to see a study done comparing a large number of women's
cholesterol levels pre-pregnancy, during pregnancy, and during lactation.

Linda Shaw MD

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