Gene responsible for higher IQ in breastfed babies
Research in Canada seems to prove the long asserted notion that breastfed infants have higher IQs — but only for those with certain genetics.
Scientists have identified a specific gene implicated in the link between breastfeeding and higher IQ in children, suggesting that biology — and not just socio-economics — is involved.
A study published Nov. 5 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences has found that a variant of a gene involved in metabolizing the fatty acids in breast milk determines whether children get an IQ boost from breastfeeding — on average as much as seven points.
Previous research has shown that breastfed children have higher IQs than those who were bottle-fed. But it wasn’t clear if the advantage was partly the result of other factors such as the mother’s own IQ or socio-economic status, said study author Avshalom Caspi. In Western countries, women from higher socio-economic groups are more likely to breastfeed, he explained.
His study controlled for the mother’s intelligence and social class, as well as for the children’s birth weight and gestational age (other factors known to influence intelligence).
Information from: http://www.canada.com/topics/bodyandheal...
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