LATEST HEALTH NEWS AND TRENDS
HEALTH AND SAFETY NEWS AND WARNINGS
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COVID-19 UPDATES COMING SOON
SUMMER THREATS: HOT CARS AND SUNSCREEN
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On a sunny day, even if it is only 60 degrees outside, a closed-car interior can reach 100 degrees. At 73 degrees outside, a vehicle can heat up to 100 degrees in ten minutes and to 120 degrees in just 30 minutes. At 90 degrees outside, the interior of a vehicle can spike to 160 degrees within several minutes. 80% of the temperature rise happens within the first half hour. One may think how could somebody forget they have a child in the car, but it happens more often than you might think. Please read the following article: 5 Myths About Hot Car Dangers and visit kidsandcars.org for more resources and information.
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MORE SUNSCREEN WARNING: All sunscreens are not created equal, nor are they all safer than going out into the sun "unprotected". Here is one parent's experience with Dollar Tree sunscreen, and I will be posting the best recommended sunscreens in the near future.
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HOUSEHOLD CLEANING PRODUCTS: A new study in the Canadian Medical Association Journal has found that the heavy use of household cleaning disinfectants may contribute to changes in infant gut bacteria and weigh gain. University of Alberta researches collected fecal samples and studied the gut health of 757 babies between the ages of 3 and 4 months, then restudied the children at 1 and 3 years old. They found that children in households that used disinfectants at least once a week had higher body mass index (BMI) scores and elevated levels of Lachnospiraceae, gut microbes linked in other studies to insulin resistance and metabolic disorders. Babies in households that used vinegar or other eco-friendly cleaners (such as "Thieves") had lower BMI scores and much lower levels of a family of bacteria that includes E.coli.
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GET THE BRAIN FACTS: We know that gut and mouth care are important for good health. But did you know that infant brain development is the first determining factor of our adult health? And what seems to make the most difference? Studies show that it's things like parental contact for the first year of life, responding to our baby's cries as quickly as possible, and in general having their needs met with little stress. This also helps prevent many behavior challenges later on. Contrary to popular belief, babies can't be "spoiled" by too much comfort and love; only too little of it can be damaging.
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ACETAMINOPHEN LINKED TO DELAYED LANGUAGE SKILLS, ADHD-LIKE BEHAVIOR AND MORE: Girls born to 754 Swedish mothers that used acetamino-phen during pregnancy showed less ability in acquiring early language skills at 20 months of age, report Mount Sinai Health System study researchers. If the mothers took aetaminophen more than six times in early pregnancy, their daughters (but not their sons) were nearly six times more likely to have language delays than girls born to mothers that didn't take the drug. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 65 percent of pregnant women in this country use acetaminophen, which is marketed for pain and fever relief in Tylenol and Escedrin, and included in man over-the-counter formulations such as NyWuil and Robitussin. By the same token, a study involving Danish mothers where more than half of them reported acetaminophen use while pregnant showed that children whose mothers used acetaminophen during pregnancy were at higher risk for receiving a hospital diagnosis of HKD, use of ADHD medications, or having ADHD-like behaviors at age 7 years. Stronger associations were observed with use in more than 1 trimester during pregnancy, and exposure response trends were found with increasing frequency of acetaminophen use during gestation for all outcomes (ie, HKD diagnosis, ADHD medication use, and ADHD-like behaviors). Results did not appear to be confounded by maternal inflammation, infection during pregnancy, the mother's mental health problems, or other potential confounders that were evaluated. An article about the Swedish study can be read here. The full article about the Danish study can be accessed here.
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TENNESSEE POISON CENTER SEES RISE IN CHILDREN INJESTING ESSENTIAL OILS
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LOOK FOR THE NEW SAFER CHOICE LABEL! Choosing safer and wiser has become a little easier. More than 2,000 products currently qualify to carry the Safer Choice label. Read the article and follow more links here.
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BATTERIES AND MAGNETS: Parent, swallowing a battery or a magnet could kill your child! Please heed the experiences of these parents, as well as Emmett's Story.
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MEDICATION SAFETY: Just because the lid is reputed to be childproof, that is not always the case, as seen in this video.
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PLANTS: There are many plants known to be toxic to children and pets and we highly suggest that you do the research on this. One plant has recently made the headlines, however, due to the speed at which it brings on death, even to an adult. The name of the plant is the Diefenbaker or Amoena and it may look familiar to you, but it is very, very dangerous.
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SCENTED CANDLES: You don't really hear much about this one but this article by an observant mom is worth checking out.
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OH BABY...JOHNSON AND JOHNSON HAS COME CLEAN WTIH THEIR DIRTY. Unfortunately, however, many conventional baby products are made from the same or similar ingredients. As with food, only choose organic, chemical and GMO-free products for your most precious ones.
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NEW SCENT PRESERVATION KITS can preserve and document the scent of those you love and care for with the original scientifically tested SEK9.
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FOOD AND FOOD SAFETY
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FOOD ADDITIVES: WHAT PARENTS SHOULD KNOW - Food additives have been used for thousands of years, ever since people realized salt could keep meat from spoiling. Today, there are more than 10,000 additives approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to preserve, package, or modify the taste, look, texture, or nutrients in foods. But increasing evidence suggests some chemicals used as food additives should be avoided―especially for children. Read more
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THE EFFECTS OF A HIGH-FAT DIET AND VEGGIES ON M.S. IN CHILDREN: A high-fat diet increases the risk of relapse of multiple sclerosis in children by as much as 56 percent, reports the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry. A multi-university study of 219 children also found that each 10 percent increase in saturated fat as a share of total calories tripled the risk of relapse. Inversely, each additional cup of vegetables per week cut the risk of relapse by 50 percent.
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ALARMING NEWS ABOUT INFANT FORMULA AND OTHER BABY FOOD: A November, 2017 study found many baby food products test positive for arsenic, including 80% of infant formulas. And, that's not the only dangerous contaminate found. Besides the presence of dangerous nanoparticles, the Clean Label Project, a nonprofit advocating for transparent labeling, tested baby food, infant formulas, toddler drinks and snacks purchased within the past 5 months prior to the study. The group, which did not publish findings in a peer-reviewed journal, looked at top-selling formulas and baby food using Nielsen data, and also included emerging national brands. After about 530 baby food products were tested, researchers found 65% of products tested positive for arsenic, 36% for lead, 58% for cadmium and 10% for acrylamide. All of these chemicals pose potential dangers to developing infants. Jennifer Lowry, pediatrician and toxicologist at Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, Mo., who is not affiliated with the research, said these chemicals can affect fine motor skills and cognition. Read more on this topic here.
BABY CARROT ALERT: DANGER TO YOUR FAMILY!! From the Department of Life Education:
The following is information from a farmer who grows and packages carrots for IGA, METRO, LOBLAWS, etc.:
"The small cocktail (baby) carrots you buy in small plastic bags are made using the larger crooked or deformed carrots which are put through a machine which cuts and shapes them into cocktail carrots - most people probably know this already. What you may not know and should know is the following: Once the carrots are cut and shaped into cocktail carrots they are dipped in a solution of water and chlorine in order to preserve them (this is the same chlorine used in your pool). Since they do not have their skin or natural protective covering, they give them a higher dose of chlorine. You will notice that once you keep these carrots in your refrigerator for a few days, a white covering will form on the carrots. This is the chlorine which resurfaces. At what cost do we put our health at risk to have esthetically pleasing vegetables? Chlorine is a very well-known carcinogen, which causes Cancer." According to Food Babe, the organic ones are OK.
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TBHQ: Another dangerous food additive. You can’t get much more toxic than TBHQ. This synthetic preservative is a form of butane and has been linked to vision disturbances, liver enlargement, childhood behavioral problems, and stomach cancer in animal studies. It’s also banned for use in food in other countries including Japan, and is on the Center For Science in The Public Interest’s list as one of the worst food additives to be avoided.
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GMO'S: Parents, child care workers and educators are misinformed about what is in the food commonly served to children. PLEASE READ the ingredients in the food being sold and served to your children. If it does not say "Organic" or "Verified non-GMO", then you can pretty much count on them ingesting pesticides, chemicals and genetically modified ingredients. According to the Non-GMO Project and reported in a recent issue of Energy Times, here is the low-down on GMO crops in the U.S.:
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Alfalfa (first planting in 2011)
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Canola (approximately 90% of U.S. crop in 2013)
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Corn (approximately 92% of U.S. crop in 2015)
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Cotton (approximately 94% of U.S. crop in 2015)
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Papaya (most of Hawaiian crop)
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Soy (approximately 94% of U.S. crop in 2015)
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Sugar beets (approximately 95% of U.S. crop in 2013)
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Zucchini and yellow summer squash (approximately 25,000 acres)
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Honey and other bee products, eggs, meat and milk are animal derivatives considered to be at high risk by the Non-GMO Project Standard because of potential contamination in feed and other inputs.
Read more here, here and here. Read about glycophate's effect on children here. At Mamavation, learn how the American Academy of Pediatrics has cut their ties with Monsanto. More information on this topic continues to be forthcoming.
DECODING EGG LABELS: Egg cartons are increasingly cluttered with third-party certification claims and a myriad of potentially misleading statements. Some of these are meaningful to egg buyers, and some of them are nothing more than marketing gimmicks. Read more
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GOOD NEWS! Thanks to the "Food Babe" and all who signed petitions, Kraft is removing all artificial dyes from their mac and cheese! You can read the article here. You can also read this CNN article about the dangers of processed macaroni and cheese, in general.
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MORE GOOD NEWS, while we're at it! In December of 2017, researchers from the University of Pennsylvania reported that children who eat fish at least once a week tend to sleep better and have higher IQ scores (by about 4 points). The scientists attributed the benefits to omega-3 fatty acids in the fish.
IF YOU ARE STILL TAKING YOUR KIDS TO MCDONALD'S, SEE THIS: Don't let your kids see this video but know what you are supporting when they are lovin' that "Happy" Meal. And if that's not enough to stop you, how about 10 more reasons?
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GET YOUR PEANUT BUTTER AND CHOCOLATE AWAY FROM MY MOUTH! Read the truth about Reeses Peanut Butter Cups and how to make your own healthy alternative.
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DO YOU STILL USE TUPPERWARE? READ THIS. There is also concern over the BPA and BSA levels in canned goods. Just one serving has been shown to greatly elevate the levels of this toxin in tested urine.
WHAT ABOUT JELLO? - What about it, you ask? Hospitals serve it for Heaven's sake so it must be OK. Right? Well... not so fast. Please read this article (yes, Food Babe vs. Kraft again but she's very thorough and thank God there is someone who cares enough to research all this stuff and make it available).
MICROWAVING GOOD-BYE - The safety of microwaving food is questionable at best and there are some things that should NEVER be nuked, as the chemical changes that happen to these foods are hazardous to your health! Those foods are: beets, celery, chicken, eggs, mushrooms, potatoes, spinach and turnips.
THE EYES HAVE IT
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Vision check-ups and care are essential throughout childhood. Visit the Optometrists Network Website for a check-list of things to know and be aware of right from infancy on up. For some problems, including Autism, Dyslexia and ADD, Optometric Vision Therapy can be helpful.
IMPORTANT DENTAL HEALTH INFORMATION!
Did you know that cavities are caused by bacteria that can spread from one person to another by kissing, sharing utensils and other similar activities?
If you have an active cavity, you should never kiss anyone on the lips or share anything wtih them that could pass on mouth germs. Once you infect that person with bacteria from an active cavity, IT NEVER LEAVES THEIR BODY.
Take the following quiz to see how much you know about dental health in children:
1. A child should visit the dentist:
a) only if there is a problem
b) by their first birthday
c) by their third birthday
d) before kindergarten
2. Fluoride can be obtained in which of the following ways (check all that apply)*:
a) toothpaste
b) pills or drops at home
c) water
d) at the dentist's office
* Please educate yourself on the effects of fluoride in both children and adults. There is some information in our links.
3. A toothbrush should be replaced (check all that apply):
a) every 3 months
b) after an illness
c) every 6 months
d) when it drops on the floor
4. It is OK to share toothbrushes (check all that apply):
a) when you forget yours
b) when you rinse it between users
c) with family members
d) never
5. The number of grams in one teaspoon of sugar is
a) 1 gram
b) 4 grams
c) 8 grams
d) 12 grams
6. The best choice for a tooth-healthy snack would be
a) granola bar and soda
b) fruit roll-up and Sunny Delight
c) raisins and crackers
d) cheese and apple slices
7. The plastic coatings applied to the biting surfaces of back teeth to prevent decay are
a) fluorides
b) molars
c) sealants
d) incisors
8. Swelling, redness and bleeding of the gums is
a) cavities
b) decay
c) gingivitis
d) halitosis
9. An "acid attack" in the mouth lasts for
a) 20 seconds
b) 2 minutes
c) 20 minutes
d) 2 hours
10. The most important time to brush our teeth is
a) before breakfast
b) after breakfast
c) before bedtime
d) before going to the dentist
11. Flossing should begin in children
a) as soon as they have two teeth side-by-side in their mouth
b) by age 3
c) by age 7
d) as soon as they are able to floss by themselves
12. Neglecting dental care and hygene in children can lead to
a) mouth infection and pain
b) overall poor health
c) heart disease
d) death
Now check your answers with the correct ones below:
1. b 2. a,b,c,d 3. a,b,d 4. d 5. b 6. a 7. c 8. c 9. c 10. a,b,c,d (but the most important time is c.) 11. a 12. a,b,c,d
Mobile Dentists visits schools to provide dental care to children.
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Hey, Mom and Dad, did you know brushing your teeth can be healthy for you in ways you may have never known?
In a 10-year Korean study, people that brushed their teeth three or more times a day had a 10% lower risk o atrial fibrulation and a 12% lower risk of heart failure.
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And while you're in there...take a bath!
A study in the journal, Heart, middle-aged Japanese adults that took a daily bath in warm or hot water had a 28% lower risk of cardiovascular disease and a 26% lower risk of stroke than people that didn't bathe in the tub more than twice a week.
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THANKS FOR VISITING!