The Breast Fed Brain

Several studies have indicated that children and adults who had been breast fed had higher IQ scores, performed better in school, and had better mental development, including cognition ability, than those who had been formula fed.

A recent study provided visual proof of differences in the brain development of babies fed breastmilk, breastmilk and formula, and formula alone.


To read the published study itself, click here.

To read a lay person synopsis of the study, click here.

One thing I found interesting, but not surprising, is that the researchers cited a study which noted that the addition of AA and DHA to formula (as touted by the formula companies) did not provide the same benefits as breastmilk, partly because of the lack of cholesterol in formula as compared to breastmilk:

"In contrast to breast milk, formula milk contains only the precursors to DHA and AA, and thus must be synthesized by the infant, and has limited cholesterol content (Reynolds, 2001)." 

(NeuroImage. Volume 82, 15 November 2013, Pages 77–86)

Most likely, the formula fed babies and children studied had been fed formula to which DHA and AA had been added, as these have been "prescribed" by physicians for the past few years.  Yet, the brain of babies fed these formulas is clearly less developed than those fed human milk only.  I wonder how they formula companies will spin this study?

It was also interesting to note that the authors supported the World Health Organization's recommendation for breastfeeding for at least two years because of the benefits to the toddler brain. 

Yep.  I guess since God makes the brain, He know how to grow it right!