A diet rich in protein can help well-nourished, breastfeeding women lose only fat, not muscle mass, as their postpartum weight comes down. Our previous studies suggested that breastfeeding women who consume a diet relatively low in protein may compromise their bodies' protein stores in order to support milk production. Protein needed for milk synthesis is derived from either the mother's diet or by mobilizing maternal protein stores. While the women who breastfed their infants all experienced a small, progressive weight loss during the course of the study, body composition measurements showed none of the women experienced any measurable change in muscle mass. Dr. Motil believes that some internal signal may be at work, causing women who breastfeed to automatically increase the caloric and protein content of their diet.
Falls can have unfortunate results beyond the actual physical injury.
Older people who have fallen often become afraid they will fall again, and they restrict their activity and mobility. Hip fractures are the most serious injury from falls because they take long to heal. Dr. Ostwald says prevention starts with physical fitness. Exercise has been shown to reduce falls, even among frail residents in nursing homes. Physical activity can also reduce the severity of injuries from falls.