This article is receiving a lot of media attention and raising concerns among breastfeeding mothers. In this article, the authors looked at the distensibility, or stiffness of arteries in two groups of twenty year olds who were either breastfed four months or exclusively formula fed. The researchers used non-invasive measurements of the arteries of both feeding groups and interviews of the participants mothers regarding feeding method. It is important to note that information obtained from just one study should never be considered conclusive.
All studies are vulnerable to flaws.
No single research study could ever absolutely prove any conclusion drawn by its authors. It is only after research has been repeated in the same area of concern, obtaining similar results, that one can become confident that the body of research has revealed the truth and that practices should be changed in accordance with the findings. In the case of this study, there are other studies whose authors come to an entirely different conclusion and conclude that formula feeding is linked to an increase in suspected risk factors for cardiovascular disease. In addition to the conflicting evidence noted, I have many concerns about the methods employed and conclusions drawn by the authors in this study. You should not rely on this information as a substitute for personal medical attention, diagnosis or hands-on treatment.