Breastfeeding V. Asthma

Asthma Prevention & Breastfeeding 

Childhood is such a critical point in everyone’s lives. Some of our fondest memories as adults are formulated in our childhood. The earlier years we spend with our children are priceless. For that, we all hope that a child’s health, no matter who or where they are, is able to keep up with their unstoppable energy, sense of adventure, and fearlessness.

Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. Sometimes clumsiness gets in the way and bones are broken. Other times, children are born with or develop disorders that slow them down, such as asthma.

In fact, asthma is the most common chronic disorder experienced by children and adolescents. For example, in the United States, 55% of the pediatric population experiences an asthma attack and 50% of those children are under the age of five. Over the past few decades, the prevalence and severity of asthma has been increasing.

With this in mind, methods of natural prevention such as breastfeeding should be considered.

In order to demonstrate how breastfeeding can play a role in preventing the development of asthma, an understanding of what asthma is and what causes it is necessary. The cause of asthma is extremely variable and there are a number of factors that play a role in its development, including a genetic predisposition, the makeup of the individuals’ immune system, and allergic sensitization. Factors that can increase the risk of developing asthma include having a family history of asthma or atopy (the predisposition toward developing certain allergic hypersensitivity reactions), being male, having a low birth weight, preterm birth, young maternal age, maternal smoking, bottle feeding, and early weaning in infancy.

Asthma is a condition characterized by wheezing, difficulty breathing, cough, shortness of breath, and a feeling of discomfort in the chest. These symptoms are caused by an immune hypersensitivity response, often found in reaction to inhaled stimuli such as smoke or cold air, which then causes inflammation of the respiratory tract, leading to increased mucous production and swelling of the airway lining.

This shows us the importance of supporting the development of the immune system to prevent the development of asthma.

Research suggests that breastfeeding plays an important role in the prevention of asthma because of its ability to modulate the infants’ immune system. This is due to breast milks’ contents of a number of immunological molecules such as antibodies and anti-inflammatory substances. It’s been shown that breastfeeding can encourage development of the immune system, and prevent infection and inflammation.

Given that asthma is an inflammatory process resulting from an imbalanced immunological hypersensitivity response, the use of breast milk to prevent the development of asthma is highly recommended, especially in those with a family history of asthma and atopy. Results of research suggest that infants should be breastfed exclusively (without formula) for at least six months to be protective against the development of asthma.

So what’s the difference between breastfeeding and using formula?

Although there are formulas that have immune modulating contents, studies have compared breast milk to formula and have found that breast milk produces a significantly higher benefit. This may be due to a synergistic effect of the many immune components and nutrients in breast milk.

Aside from its role in the prevention of asthma, the importance of breastfeeding spans over many other aspects. It has a role in both the infants’ and mother’s health, and also has a fiscal and environmental impact.

Dramatic health benefits have been proven to pass from mother to child through breast milk, as infants receive an optimal mix of nutrients and immune molecules to meet their individuals’ needs. The risk of developing of a number of disorders such as colic, childhood diabetes, constipation, gastrointestinal infections, ear infections, pneumonia, allergies, eczema, childhood obesity, and allergies is also greatly reduced.

Mothers also benefit from breastfeeding. It reduces the risk of developing breast cancer, maternal diabetes, stress, anxiety, and aids mothers in returning to pre-pregnancy weight. The relationship between the mother and infant that is formed throughout the process of breastfeeding is also important.

With the profound impact that breastfeeding has on health, it is no surprise that it’s been found that the number of office visits from babies that have been breastfed is significantly lower than those that have not been breastfed. Breastfeeding can therefore considerably relieve the burden placed on our tax dollars.

Also, did you know that formula costs about $2500.00 a year?!

Breastfeeding also benefits the environment. It reduces the need to make plastic bottles required for formula feeding, therefore decreasing the production of bisphenol A (a component of plastics that is known to be an endocrine disruptor. It mimics the body’s own hormones and leads to negative health effects). It also reduces the number of dairy herds needed to make milk used in formula. This is important because the livestock sector occupies a quarter of emerged land, contributing to a fifth of anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions, uses eight percent of water resources, and threatens a wide range of endangered species.

In short: Breast is best!

If breastfeeding is at all daunting to you, there is a lot of information and support available through your local community and health care providers, such as Naturopathic Doctors, and community groups like La Leche League

Dr. Cristina

Osteoporosis: The Silent Disease

Most of us are aware that our bones become more fragile as we age.  What you may not know is that this  decrease in bone strength is actually a disease called Osteoporosis  and there are actually 2 million Canadians that suffer from osteoporosis.  With such a high prevalence it is important to know what osteoporosis is and how we can prevent it before it’s too late. 

Osteoporosis occurs when there is a decrease and deterioration of bone mass.  Basically bones become thin and brittle which makes them more fragile and increases the risk of fracture (broken bones).  It isn’t uncommon for someone suffering from osteoporosis to experience a fracture with very little stress, like lifting something, banging their arm, or a small slip and fall.   

The frightening part about osteoporosis is that it’s a silent disease.  There are actually no warning signs until a possibly life altering fracture occurs. 

Here are some important facts to consider:

• ·       1 in 4 women over the age of 50 has osteoporosis
• ·       1 in 8 men over the age of 50 has osteoporosis

But you can’t wait until osteoporosis strikes, prevention begins at an early age.


Building strong bones actually takes place in childhood and adolescence.  We reach our peak bone mass in our teens and then it slowly decreases as we age.  So, if we don’t start with a lot of bone mass then osteoporosis can strike early on.  Women need to pay special attention as the rate of bone loss rapidly increases as we approach menopause. 

A Frightening Reality:

Osteoporosis affects all the bones in our body but the areas most commonly fractured are the wrist, hip and vertebral bodies in the spine.  These injuries can result in deformity, loss of function or even death.  One study found that 20% of osteoporotic hip fractures result in death, and 50% result in serious disability. 

Osteoporosis prevention has to be a priority on everyone’s list.   Don’t wait until it’s too late!

How do you know if you are at risk? 

Below is a list of risk factors that increase your chance of developing osteoporosis.  The more risk factors you have, the higher the chance of developing the disease.

·       Age 65 or older

·       History of vertebral compression fracture (spine fracture)

·       Previous fracture with little trauma

·       Family history of osteoporosis

·       Long term use of glucocorticoids (like prednisone)

·       Chron’s, Colitis or other diseases that decrease nutrient absorption

·       Early Menopause (before age 45)

·       Alcohol

·       Smoking

If you are above the age of 65 or have some of the above risk factors you should definitely go for a bone mineral density test.  It is the best way of assessing the quality and quantity of your bone tissue. 

A Bone Mineral Density Test is a safe and painless procedure that can give you information about your current bone health and your chances of developing osteoporosis. 

Prevention and maintaining healthy bones

First and foremost we want to prevent Osteoporosis because the unfortunate part is we can’t build up bone density very well once we have lost it. 

Bone health starts in childhood and requires adequate intake of nutrients while bone tissue is growing and developing. 

1.     1. Good Nutrition

Calcium: is found in bones and it’s really important to make sure you are getting the adequate amount.  Milk, yogurt and cheese are the best sources of calcium.  Other foods with good calcium absorption and utilization are almonds, figs, apricots, sunflower seeds, chickpeas, wild rice, hazelnuts and raspberries. 

Vitamin D is also really important in maintaining strong and healthy bones.  Goods sources of Vitamin D come from sun exposure and can also be absorbed from fatty fish, like mackerel and salmon, as well as dark leafy green vegetables. 

It is also good to limit excess caffeine and salt or sodium intake as they can have a negative effect on bone density. 

2.. 
2.Physical Activity

One of the ways to maintain bone density is to exercise.  Increasing the stress on our bones actually causes them to remodel  and become stronger.  Exercise also increases strength, balance, and coordination which helps prevent falls and subsequent fractures. 

Exercises that stress the bones are the best to incorporate -  Activities that are weight bearing like fast walking, running,  jumping and dancing are great for loading the bones.  Also resistance training- using weights and resistance bands  are great for stimulating bone remodelling. 

Most importantly, osteoporosis can strike at any age and prevention can begin at any age, so don’t wait any longer to begin maintaining your bone strength and health. 

For more information on osteoporosis as well as nutritional information please visit these websites:

Osteoporosis Canada:  www.osteoporosis.ca

National Osteoporosis Foundation:  www.opf.org/

www.fightosteoporosis.ca

Take care and stay strong,

Dr. Lara