About Formula

For many moms-to-be, choosing whether to breastfed or use formula is a complex and personal decision. Experts agree that breast milk is best whenever it is an option, but if you rely on formula for any reason, it pays to be careful about the formulas you select.

According to Cornucopia Institute, a nonprofit research group, found that many baby-formula manufacturers, including some organic brands, were using toxic fungal-derived docosahexaenoic and arachidonic acids (DHA and ARA, respectively) additives linked to serious side effects such as diarrhea and vomiting in infants.

Early infancy is a crucial development period, so talk with your health provider about the best options for you and your baby. Research top choices and learn more about potential toxins in formula.

Blueberries: For a healthy diet.

Delectable proof that big things can come in small packages, blueberries get a lot of votes as the ultimate immunity food. A powerhouse of antioxidant phytonutrients - health - promoting components found in plants - blueberries also a good source of both vitamins C and E. "When vitamins C and E work together, they produce their most potent antioxidant effect," say Beth Reardon, RD, an integrative nutritionist at Duke Integrative Medicine, North Carolina. While vitamin C, the body's No.1 water-soluble antioxidant, patrols the body's waters fat-soluble vitamin E works to protect fatty tissues from free radicals.

My research about "Are we ready for genetic testing?"

The idea of discovering your genetic code may sound tantalizing. But some critics say companies (genetics) are not ready for genetic testing. (Kanigel, 2008, p.58)

"Companies have not met the standards of a clinical genetics lab in a health care setting," says Michael S. Watson, Ph.D., executive director of the American College of Medical Genetics. (Kanigel, 2008, p.58).

In contrast to this fact, some companies are offering tests direct to consumers without an order from a physician. This prompts the American College of Medical Genetics and an advisory committee to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services call for more regulation.

Reference:
Kanigel, Rachel (2008). Mapping your genes. USA: Natural Health Magazine.

Do anti-perspirant cause cancer or Alzheimer's?

The aluminum in anti-perspirants does not cause Alzheimer's disease, according to The Alzheimer's Association and researchers are focusing their energy elsewhere. Meanwhile at the National Cancer Institute (NCI), a part of the National Institute of Health, researchers have found no conclusive evidence linking the use of underarm antiperspirants with breast cancer.

Celiac Disease from Bread.

Gluten-free cookies are now flying off supermarket shelves. Why? For children with celiac disease, gluten - the protein in wheat is the culprit. Although the condition was once considered rare in this country, improved diagnostic tests have shown that it actually affects about one in 130 people - including toddlers. In fact, experts say that for every child with celiac disease, there are seven more who have the disease but don't know it. That's why, Alessio Fasano, M.D., medical director of the University of Maryland Center for Celiac Research says, "It's important fro children to be diagnosed and treated as soon as possible.

Unfortunately, doctors and parents often overlooked celiac disease because they don't realize how common it is and the symptoms are easily mistaken for other problems. In some cases, children don't have any signs at all until the disease has progressed and cause damage to the joints or organs such as the pancreas or liver.

"Parent sometimes use the words allergy or intolerance to help other people understand celiac disease, but it's actually an autoimmune disease and not allergy," says Nanci Pittman, M.D., a pediatric gastroenterologist at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York City.

Studies revealed that a child with celiac disease may stop growing, because malnourished, and develop a variety of serious consequences such as anemia, chronic diarrhea and osteoporosis.

Summer can cause headaches, allergies, asthma and bad mood.

According to National Headache Foundation, humidity can trigger migraines in people who are prone to them. And now, bright sunshine is also a culprit.

On the other hand, symptoms of allergies and asthma are often worst in spring but in summer is no picnic either. Common triggers sch as mold and dust mites flourish in humid weather.

Moreover, a Psychological Science study revealed that while warm, bright days boost your mental heath, the effect fizzles as the temperature climbs. That's why most people are not in good mood.

Therefore, we can generalize that the weltering days of summer can make some everyday health problem worse than usual.

Smokers should quit.

According to Nationwide Children's Hospital and Research Institutes, in Columbus, Ohio, Secondhand smoke is especially dangerous for young children and may even put them at risk for future heart disease.

"Young children breathe faster, so they end up taking in more smoke," explains study author Judith Groner, M.D.

Studies further reveal that children ages 2 to 5 absorbed six times more nicotine than older kids who were exposed to the same amount of smoke at home - and 40 percent of the toddlers and preschoolers had nicotine levels in their body equivalent to those of an active adult smoker. They also showed blood-vessel damage and had fewer vessel-repairing cells, both of which can lead to clogged arteries and atherosclerosis later in life.