October is Spina Bifida Awareness Month. 
Spina Bifida* and anencephaly are a sever
forms of birth defects that has since food
fortification of Folic acid in the US dropped about 30%. *Spina bifida, literally means “cleft spine,” and is characterized by the incomplete development of the brain, spinal cord, and/or meninges (the protective covering around the brain and spinal cord)
Folate, the natural form of this vitamin is found in green leafy vegetables, brewers yeast, lentils and liver. Unfortunately, Americans are still lacking in this B vitamin and many are not aware of how important Folate supplementation is in birth defect prevention. The Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) and the national Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies (HMHB) is spearheading new education. There has however, been shown that food fortification of the synthetic Folic Acid is causing gene mutations in embryos leading to disease. This makes the case more important to consume supplements with natural Folate in a comprehensive multivitamin. Folate works with vitamin B12 and C to utilize protein and is necessary for red-blood-cell formations which carry oxygen through the blood to our bodies and a growing baby in utero. Folate also forms nucleic acid, which is vital for growth and reproduction of all body cells. Folate is crucial for brain function, mental and emotional health, proper appetite and helps prevent food poisoning. It is sadly the most deficient nutrient in our diets as it’s easily destroyed by light and high temperatures, or even when food is left out for too long. Especially pregnant women lack Folate. Pregnant women need 800 mcg daily. A deficiency can lead to anemia, irritability, forgetfulness, mental sluggishness, cancer, damaged blood vessels, blood clotting, cholesterol, cardiovascular, neurological, skeletal, digestive problems, and while pregnant, to mentally retarded children, spina bifida birth defects, cleft palate, brain damage and poor learning abilities in a child. Other problems during pregnancy of Folate deficiency are preeclampsia, premature birth, after birth hemorrhaging and anemia in both mom and child. Alcohol, oral contraceptives and anti-convulsants interferes with Folate absorption. Folate can also help with diarrhea, ulcers, menstrual problems atherosclerosis, fatigue, forgetfulness and graying hair. Most supplements are made of Folic Acid the synthetic form of Folate (naturally occurring in foods). Folic acid is not bioactive and must be converted by our intestines before it can be used. 25% of people have reduced ability to convert Folic acid and un-metabolized Folic Acid can be stored in cells, inhibiting Folate dependent functions. Unlike Folic Acid, natural occurring Folates require no transformations to be absorbed and used by the body. The B vitamin Choline is also vital in working with Folate to prevent birth defects such as Spina Bifida and to improve neurological development in unborn babies. Choline also helps Omega Fatty acid absorption. Actually all B vitamins; B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B12, B15, Biotin, Choline, Folate, Inositol, and PABA work so closely together and must therefore be taken together. Supplementing with one or just a few (such as the synthetic prescription prenatals and most prenatals - read labels before purchase) makes them either useless or can cause a deficiency in others by throwing off the balance. A high dose of one can deplete the others. Because of their metabolic function, they should be taken on a full stomach. According to studies and the FDA, taking prenatal 12 months before conception offers best protection
Vitamin B deficiency has recently been shown in 2 new studies, to also cause cognitive impairment and B12 deficiency in particular leading to brain shrinkage. B12 deficiency is usually caused by a vegan diet as B12 is not found in any plant foods, only animal protein. these studies were published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences and the Journal of Neurology respectively.
Kids could be over-exposed to melamineTDI via Chinese foods. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) are afraid that children globally could be exposed to 3 times the safe melamine levels through eating chocolate and biscuits made in China. Just as infants have been throughout the Austral/Asia area, via infant food milk powder. Milk powder is present in most processed carbohydrate foods, from candy to cookies and cereal and even protein bars. Investigations so far show that melamine was added to milkpowder to mask that it had been watered down to fake a good protein content (melamine and protein both have high nitrogen content which is how protein levels are measured in foods). Its advisable to read foodlabels and know where they are from.
California broadens chemical control.
CA can now regulate and ban toxic chemicals in our products such as lead in jewelry, and mercury in thermometers . THe chemcials to most targeted are: Pthaltes in plastics such as baby bottles (endocrine disruptors, reproduction problems), PBD's in elextronics and furniture(neurotoxins affecting congnition), Lead in electronics, pipes, and paint (neurotoxin), Bisphenol in canned foods, water bottles, infant food containers (neurotoxin causing cancer, heart disease, diabetes), Arsenic in electronics (carcinogen), and Mercury in those new twisty light bulbs and some electronics (neurotoxin).
Flu shot or Not?In an article in the LA Times this week, many parents are questioning flu shots, for various reasons. flu shots may be inexpensive but many are not convinced of their safety or effectivness. Parents wants to do what they think is best for their children and are concerned with mercury content. Despite some mercury free vaccines parents are still wary of possible toxic side effects that could have neurologal consequenses. They prefer to prevent the flu naturally. There are many ways to do so: wash, wash and wash your hands, eating only nautral un-processed foods, regular exercise, taking comprehensive multi vitamins, eating garlic, lots of vitamin C, staying positive, staying away from sick people, not touching public surfaces with your skin (elevator buttons, door handles, toilet flushers, gas pump handles etc...) and some even swear that massages and taking cold showers help. The Neti pot is also popular for sinus problems. And in a perfect world every sick child should stay home from school and day care. The most vulnerable people in our society to exposure of toxins are those most targeted for flu shots, those being small children, pregnant women and the elderly. A new study blows away all the myths, and hype of the flu shot pushers: It says giving flu shots to the elderly results in zero reduction in their risk of death. In reality, it doesn't even prevent them from catching the flu. Even worse, it makes their immune systems more vulnerable to future infections. Especially since the infulenza virus changes every year and the vaccines strains can be pure guess work. The fact is that between 1976 , before flu vaccines and 1999, deaths from the flu quadrupled.
BABYBJÖRN has new baby carriers
in the new Sprit collection in many
vibrant new colors for fashion forward
parents
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