Early weaning may increase risk of diabetes, Brazilian rat study finds

12 Dec 2019 --- Breastfeeding may have an important role to play in preventing short- and long-term diabetes, according to a recent rat study conducted at the Rio De Janeiro State University, Brazil. The results reveal that early weaning leads to increased insulin secretion in adolescent male rats, as well as reduced insulin secretion in adult offspring. Considering insulin resistance is one of the primary factors for the development of Type 2 diabetes, this study demonstrates the importance of breastfeeding in the fight against the disease.

“There are many causes of Type 2 diabetes, but not breastfeeding for long enough is one cause that we can do something about. Understanding the increased susceptibility to Type 2 diabetes as a result of early weaning will help us develop the best public health guidance,” says Patricia Cristina Lisboa, the study’s lead author.

The researchers showed that weaning infant rats early increased insulin secretion in adolescent male pups and in both genders as adults. This increased insulin secretion is indicative of developing insulin resistance, which translates into reduced responsiveness to insulin. In response to compensating for this reduced responsiveness of the body, it secretes more insulin. 

This is one sign of diabetes, a disease characterized by high blood sugar levels. Blood sugar levels are normally regulated by insulin, so higher blood sugar levels mean the body creates more insulin to try to regulate this.   

The study, therefore, concludes that this result of increased insulin secretion indicates that the rat pups might be more susceptible to Type 2 diabetes, as will all the offspring in adulthood.  

Previous research and industry innovation
This research on breastfeeding comes as academia is currently calling for more studies on the composition of breast milk. By identifying and clarifying the causes of the health benefits of breastfeeding, experts could be better equipped to establish better treatment options in the future. This is according to Afif El-Khuffash, Honorary Clinical Professor of Paediatrics at RCSI and Consultant Neonatologist at The Rotunda Hospital.

“The current evidence comes from observational studies, which highlights the strong link between early breast milk administrations and improvement in long-term heart health, but it lacks concrete mechanistic explanations,” El-Khuffash says.

Indeed, research shows that a baby’s first 1,000 days of life, from conception to the age of two, are the most important for future development. Indicated by prominent medical and nutrition organizations, breast milk and infant formula, alongside water and plain milk, are part of comprehensive beverage recommendations for children from birth through age five. 

As breastfeeding remains a vital part in childrens’ early nutrition, industry continues to provide formula for breast milk in this space. Examples include Advanced Lipids’ Infat range of ingredients for infant formula, as well as Nestlé’s recent probiotic solution for lactating mothers.

Also active in this space, Bunge Loders Croklaan unveiled its “next-generation” infant formula product at Fi Europe 2019, in Paris, France, last week. Betapol Plus, which received the Fi Europe 2019 Innovation Award for Functional Innovation, is marketed as a premium quality oleic-palmitic-oleic (OPO) lipid product for infant formula.

Edited by Anni Schleicher