September 3, 2002 — Breastfeeding may have long-term benefits for cardiovascular health, according to the study, "Infant Feeding and Blood Cholesterol: A Study in Adolescents and a Systematic Review." The researchers studied more than 1,500 adolescents, and reviewed studies of cholesterol levels in infants, children, adolescents and adults, comparing those who were breastfed vs. formula-fed. The results suggest that breastfeeding is associated with different effects on cholesterol at different stages of life. Breastfeeding seems to be associated with high levels of cholesterol in infancy. Although the authors found no relation between infant feeding pattern and cholesterol in childhood and adolescence, cholesterol levels were lower in adults who had been breastfed. This suggests that early exposure to breast milk may program fat metabolism in later life, resulting in lower blood cholesterol levels and thus a lower risk of cardiovascular disease.