by David Gutierrez, (NaturalNews) staff writer

Mothers who do not breastfeed their infants may be significantly increasing their risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, according to a study conducted by researchers from the University of Pittsburgh and published in the American Journal of Medicine.

Breast-feeding is already known to provide such important health benefits to infants that medical professionals universally recommend that all mothers who are capable of doing so breast-feed exclusively for at least the first month of life, and ideally quite a bit longer.

"Dr. Ruth Lawrence, author of Breastfeeding: A Guide for the Medical Profession, says that, depending on the mother's wishes, breast-feeding should continue for at least a year, along with other foods as they are introduced, and even longer if the mother feels it is best for her and her child," writes Phyllis A. Balch in the book Prescription for Nutritional Healing, 4th Edition.

"Our study provides another good reason to encourage women to breastfeed their infants, at least for the infant's first month of life," researcher Eleanor Schwarz said. "Clinicians need to consider women's pregnancy and lactation history when advising women about their risk for developing type 2 diabetes."

Researchers surveyed 2,233 women between the ages of 40 and 78. They found similar diabetes rates between women who had never given birth and mothers who had breast-fed their infants for at least one month (58 breast-fed). Women who had not breast-fed for that long (27 percent) were significantly more likely than either other group to develop the disease, however. These differences remained significant even after adjusting for other diabetes risk factors such as age, alcohol and tobacco use, ethnicity and physical activity level.

Women who supplemented breast milk with formula were also more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes than women who fed their infants with breast-milk alone.

"We have seen dramatic increases in the prevalence of Type 2 diabetes over the last century," Schwarz said. "Diet and exercise are widely known to impact the risk of Type 2 diabetes, but few people realize that breast-feeding also reduces mothers' risk of developing the disease later in life by decreasing maternal belly fat."

Sources for this story include: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_relea... http://www.medpagetoday.com/OBGYN/P....

Roasted, toasted, soaked, or served raw, a handful of nuts is a superfood snack that's hard to beat. Nuts of all varieties are chock-full of satisfyingly rich flavors, healthful fats, protein, and fiber. And in a recent review of 23 studies, scientists confirmed that eating nuts on a regular basis—anywhere from 1.5 to 3.5 ounces five times a week—could lower total cholesterol by between 2 and 16 percent.

One of the darlings of the nut world is the almond, a favorite among nutritionists for its high levels of the antioxidant vitamin E. A study published last year in the Journal of Nutrition showed that eating three ounces of almonds a day might help prevent chronic diseases by reducing oxidative damage. That's the kind of damage you can get from, say, breathing polluted air, which has been linked with the development of cancer, heart disease, and Alzheimer's.

The study noted that whole almonds seemed to have more preventive benefits than vitamin supplements. "We don't know whether it's the good fats, the proteins, the antioxidants, or a synergistic effect of this mixture," says study author Jeffrey Blumberg, also director of the Antioxidants Research Laboratory and professor of the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University. "But when we looked at the effect in the whole food context, we determined that eating almonds was more beneficial in reducing oxidative damage."

Not all nuts pack such a powerful punch, but each variety has its own unique nutritional benefits to help you stay healthy. Toss a few in your salad, dessert, pasta, and cereal, or enjoy a scoop for a protein-rich snack in a small but tasty package.

Health Nuts Nut/Serving Size Almonds (1 oz/about 23)
Good Because Loaded with calcium and antioxidants.
Who Knew? One serving has nearly half the recommended daily allowance of vitamin E and as much antioxidant power as a cup of green tea.

Nut/Serving Size Hazelnuts (1 oz/about 20)
Good Because Rich in immunity-boosting antioxidants and heart-healthy monounsaturated fat.

Who Knew? Hazelnuts are also high in tryptophan, the amino acid that's the precursor to sleep-inducing serotonin and melatonin. Eating a few before bed might help you fall asleep.

Nut/Serving Size Pistachios (1 oz/about 45)
Good Because Packed with the antioxidants lutein and beta carotene, which reduce cholesterol.

Who Knew? One study concluded that eating three servings a day could reduce the effects of physical and mental stress on blood pressure.
Nut/Serving Size Walnuts (1 oz/about 14)

Good Because The most significant nut source of omega-3 fatty acids.
Who Knew? Omega-3s boost the immune system and promote heart health. A half serving contains a little more than the recommended daily value.

Nut/Serving Size Pecans (1 oz/about 20)
Good Because Great source of fiber and antioxidants.
Who Knew? One serving has the same amount of fiber as a medium-size apple.

By Charity Ferreira (Yoga Journal News)