An Article of interest from my recent reading:

"Another benefit of breastfeeding"

Breastfeeding is associated with a significantly lower rate of
non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM, or type 2 diabetes),
according to a recent report in The Lancet. In a group of Pima Indians, a
population prone to NIDDM, researchers obtained results of oral glucose
tolerance tests and maternal reports of infant-feeding methods on 720
individuals younger than 40.  Those exclusively breastfed for at least 2
months had a significantly lower rate of NIDDM than those exclusively
bottle-fed.
  An association is known to exist between cow's milk formulas and the
onset of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM, or type 1 diabetes),
but until now little has been known about the relationship between
infant-feeding practices and NIDDM. One explanation of the protective
effect of breastfeeding may be that it leads to a calorie intake more
suited to the child's needs, whereas bottle-feeding can result in
overfeeding. Bottle-fed babies also tend to weigh more than breastfed
infants, and obesity is a strong predictor for NIDDM. Another possible
explanation may be different hormonal responses to breastfeeding and
bottle-feeding. Whatever the mechanism, this finding is important in light
of the decline in breastfeeding and the increase of NIDDM, especially in
third-world countries.

>>>as reported in Family Practice Recertification, VOL.19, NO. 9, SEPTEMBER
1997 . 13 <<<

Jon Ahrendsen MD FAAFP