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God's Most Perfect
Foods
A sliced Carrot
looks like the human eye. The pupil, iris and radiating lines look just like the human eye. Science now shows carrots greatly
enhance blood flow to
and function of the eyes. A Tomato has
four chambers and is red. The heart has four chambers and is red. All of the res earch shows tomatoes are loaded with
lycopine and are indeed pure heart and blood food.
Grapes
hang in a cluster that has the shape of the heart. Each grape looks like a blood cell and all of the research today shows grapes are also profound heart and blood vitalizing
food. Celery, Bok Choy, Rhubarb and many more
look just like bones.. These foods specifically target bone strength. Bones are 23% sodium and these foods are 23% sodium.
If you don't have enough sodium in your diet, the body pulls it from the bones, thus making them weak. These foods replenish
the skeletal needs of the body.
Avocadoes, Eggplant
and Pears target the health and function of the womb and cervix of the female - they look just like these organs. Today's
research shows that when a woman eats one avocado a week, it balances hormones, sheds unwanted birth weight,
and prevents cervical cancers. And how profound is this? It takes exactly nine (9) months to grow an avocado from blossom
to ripened fruit. There are over 14,000 photolytic chemical constituents of nutrition in each one of these foods (modern science
has only studied and named about 141 of them).
Figs are full of seeds and hang in twos
when they grow. Figs increase the mobility of male sperm and increase the numbers of Sperm as well to overcome male
sterility.
Sweet Potatoes look
like the pancreas and actually balance the glycemic index of diabetics.
Olives assist
the health and function of the ovaries.
Oranges, Grapefruits, and other Citrus fruits look
just like the mammary glands of the female and actually assist the health of the breasts and the movement of lymph
in and out of the breasts.
Onions look
like the body's cells. Today's research shows onions help clear waste materials from all of the body cells. They even produce
tears which wash the epithelial layers of the eyes.. A working companion, Garlic, also helps eliminate waste materials and
dangerous free radicals from the body.
Here are 10 things happy
moms do--so remember these tips in your day-to-day life!
1. Find time for yourself
Happy moms know
they deserve a little time to themselves. When you know you're going to have a little room to breathe later on in the day,
it's easier to take on everything that's in front of you. Our formula? Take 2 hours out for yourself every 3 days. 2. Don't make a happy baby, happier!
We all do it...you see your baby's head at what
you're sure is an unnatural angle snoozing in their car seat. You just know they'll be happier if their head was straight.
So you move them. And they wake up. Then they scream. Or, you see them playing happily in the sand. You just know they'll
be happier if they played on the slide. So you interrupt them and move them to the slide. And they're angry. And they
let you know they're REALLY angry. Here's the thing, they were happy. It can be hard to do, but if your kid's not complaining,
leave them be! Happy baby = Happy Mommy. 3. Embrace the mess
So your house doesn’t
look like something out of a magazine. That just means it’s cozy! Your children have hands coated in dirt from the playground
and faces coated in spaghetti from dinner. It’s not gross—it’s an adorable photo op! Life is about how you
look at things. Next time that pile of laundry that’s been sitting on the chair for three days starts to get you down,
just remember… it’s probably feng shui. 4. Make time for your friends
Your family can survive without you while you make time to see friends. You are a woman with your own
identity and its imperative that you and that identity go out for some margaritas once in awhile! 5. Stop blowing yourself off
While you may be the one taking care of everyone, it doesn't mean you
can't also get what you want. Help your family realize your needs are as important as theirs and when mom is happy, everyone
is happy, but when mom is not.... 6. Get in the zone
Take 10 minutes
to do absolutely nothing but rest. Take a break from your day, close your eyes, breath in slowly and deeply through your nose
and exhale through your mouth. Repeat several times. Think about a place you love that is relaxing, spend 10 minutes
there in your mind. 7. Remember your dreams and goals
Everyday we are
encouraging our children to reach their full potential. But sometimes in the midst of being a parent we forget about our own
dreams and goals. The best thing you can do to encourage a child is to lead by example –happy moms hold on to their
dreams and goals and don’t let go. 8. Be lighthearted
Don't be the
uptight mom. Be silly and dance with your kids to their music or tv show tunes. Be romantic and pull your partner into a waltz.
Dance in slippery socks in your kitchen while making dinner. 9. Bend the Rules
One of the best parts of making the rules is occasionally breaking them. Maybe it’s taking your child out of school
for half a day on their birthday, or waking them up in the middle of the night to see a sky of shooting stars. Happy
moms know how to turn the mundane into fun. 10. Mind your own business
Concentrate
on creating your life the way you want it. Take care of you and your family. Don’t get overly concerned with what other
people are doing or saying. Don’t get caught up with gossip or name calling. Stop seeking the validation of others and
be confident in yourself.
The biggest risks for pregnant women If you’re pregnant, it’s easy to get paranoid. Every aspect of your daily
routine presents risks, from the food you eat to the way you sleep. But don’t stress about it. That’s bad for
the baby too. With new studies everyday and unverified advice from friends and family, it’s easy to get bogged down
with information. Just last week, women who believed they shouldn't drink through their pregnancy were advised in a study
it may not be a bad idea. In a survey of 11,000 British mothers who drank in moderation during pregnancy, the majority found no harmful side effects
and a reduced rate of hyper-activity in the children
later. But the study's methods have already been challenged and
moderate drinking means different things to different people. Confused yet? Let’s get back to the basics. How risky
are our routine products and practices when it comes to pregnancy? Consider the basic facts. Fish: The
sea becomes the great unknown when you’re eating for two. To be on the safe side, the Mayo Clinic recommends cooking all your fish to 145 degrees inside and out. It’s also safe to limit yourself to 6 ounces
a week. - High risk: Larger, older fish with high levels of mercury can damage
the developing nervous system of a fetus. Currently the FDA and the Environmental Protection Agency urges pregnant women
to avoid the following fish: swordfish, shark, king mackerel, tilefish, raw fish or seafood, smoked salmon or other cured
fish.
- Low
risk: Protein-rich seafood is helpful in brain development, when consumed in moderation. Shrimp, canned light tuna
(limit albacore tuna and tuna steak to no more than 6 ounces or 170 grams a week), salmon, pollock, catfish.
Meat: The principle behind any meat concerns is avoiding bacteria since pregnant women are more likely to be susceptible. But the guidelines are fairly intuitive—stay away
from food that’s been sitting out a while and make sure everything is cooked through. - High
risk: Refrigerated meat-based spreads and raw, pre-stuffed poultry should be avoided as they tend to breed more bacteria.
Deli meats and hot dogs should be cooked to steaming temperatures or just skipped to avoid the food-borne listeria. Liver
is high in vitamin A which can cause birth defects if consumed in large quantities.
- Low risk: Any poultry or meat
that’s fresh, well done and cooked through is safe to eat.
Eggs/Dairy/Cheese:
They’re protein-rich, satisfying and reasonably priced but after this recent salmonella scare, are they really
worth it? And what about dairy products? When the word pasteurized enters the equation, the rules get complicated. The pasteurization
process kills listeria, a food-borne bacteria that can cause infection and miscarriages. With pregnant women 20 times more
likely to contract the bacteria, the risks are real. - High risk: Unpasteurized
milk or cheese is off limits. Eggs Benedict, eggnog and certain sauces that involve partially cooked eggs, aren't worth the
risk. Brie, Feta, Camembert, blue cheese, Mexican-style cheeses are all potentially hazardous. For safety and piece of mind,
only consume something that says “pasteurized” on the label.
- Low risk: Hard-boiled eggs, cottage
cheese, cream cheese, yogurt are safer bets. Hard cheeses like cheddar and Swiss are more likely to be pasteurized, but make
sure you check the label.
Beverages: Liquids can be just as risky as solid
food. But filtered water doesn't have the same appeal as say, a Diet Coke or even glass of wine. Know what's worth the risk. - High risk: Multiple cups of coffee daily: The Mayo Clinic recommends consuming less than 200 milligrams, or one cup, a day. Caffeine can effect the baby's heart rate and growth, and possibly
contribute to miscarriages and stillbirths. Alcohol: Any liquor in the first 3 months can jeopardize your baby's well-being
and regular drinking throughout the pregnancy is just a bad idea. Studies have found it leads to stillbirths, heart problems,
facial deformities, mental retardation and slow growth. Even moderate drinking may contribute to slowed development. When
it comes to wine or beer, one drink a week after the first trimester isn't expected to do much damage. But it's not recommended
by the Mayo Clinic.
- Medium risk: Herbal teas: More research is needed on different types of herbal effects but at
least one of them, red raspberry leaf, may cause contractions. Saccharine, still found in Sweet n' Low and some diet
sodas, can lead to birth defects in studies on rats, so skip it.
- Low risk: Diet sodas that contain
aspartame: No negative effects have been reported if limited to one can a day. The only risk is from another ingredient in
diet beverages called phenylalanine. "Women with a condition called phenylketonuria (PKU
- for which your baby will probably be screened for at birth), a rare hereditary condition in which the amino acid phenylalanine
is not properly metabolized, are at risk because high levels of phenylalanine can cause damage to the fetus," warns nutritionist Allison Gamble in the magazine, Pregnancy Today.
Depression: Because of a variety of factors including hormonal
changes, physical discomfort and increased stress, depression can rear its ugly head for up to 23 percent of pregnant women
in the US. The change in mood affects proper eating habits, exercise and sleep patterns crucial to the baby's development.
And the latest research says the ripple effect of risks can be high. Premature delivery and low-birth weight increased
in depressed women, according to a report this month in the Archives of General Psychiatry. When depression gets really bad, antidepressants can be helpful. But
are they safe to take during pregnancy? “Overall, the risk of birth defects and other problems for babies of mothers
who take antidepressants during pregnancy is low," writes Dr. Roger Harms of the Mayo Clinic. "Still, few medications have been proven safe without question during pregnancy and some types of antidepressants have
been associated with health problems in babies.” - High risk: Paxil,
Nardil and Parnate are a few antidepressants that pose major health risks for a fetus.
- Medium risk: Prozac and Zoloft
are both administered to pregnant women suffering from severe depression, especially in the first two trimesters and the risks
are low. Persistent pulmonary hypertension in newborns (PPHN) has been linked to the antidepressants when taken in the third
trimester. Wellbutrin, the quitting smoking aid and anti-depressant, has yet to show any negative side effects
on the fetus, according to the Mayo Clinic, but that may be due to limited research.
Exercise: Bad news for couch potatoes hoping to spend the next nine months in a horizontal position: exercise
is crucial. Working up a sweat once a day, for about 30 minutes, is important for a healthy pregnancy regimen. But don't overdo
it. The first step is checking with your doctor for recommendations catered to your own body's comfort level. - High risk: Before you lace up your sneakers, consider your own health. Exercising should be done
with great caution if you're a pregnant woman with poorly controlled diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, or placenta
previa. Lifting heavy weights, and exercising to exhaustion no matter what shape you're in can be dangerous for the fetus.
- Low
risk: 30 minutes or less of moderate exercise is healthy for most. Walking, swimming, rowing and stationary cycling
are best, since they don't exert too much impact on the joints.
Flying: Babymoon
anyone? Be sure to plan accordingly. While flying is fine at certain points in the pregnancy, keeping hydrated and stretching
to increase circulation is crucial. - High risk: Flying after 36 weeks isn't recommended
for fear of miscarriage or premature delivery. Also airborne radiation exposure poses a risk to frequent fliers, based on
studies of miscarriages in flight attendants.
- Low risk: Flying between 14 to 28 weeks presents the lowest risk of
miscarriage, so get your last trip in before you're flying with a screaming baby. And an occasional flight won't present any
radiation risks. "Decreased air pressure during flight may slightly reduce the amount of oxygen in your blood, but your
body will naturally adjust," explains Dr. Harms. "And although radiation exposure increases at higher altitudes, the level of exposure for the occasional traveler
isn't a concern."
Wellness and beauty products: Your medicine cabinet
is not your friend. If you're pregnant, you might want to clear it out and do a fetus-friendly shopping spree at your local
drug store. - High risk: Accutane: A study by the Organization
of Teratology Information Services (OTIS), found approximately 25-35% of infants born to women exposed to the acne medication
during the first trimester of pregnancy showed a pattern of birth defects. Miscarriage is also a risk. Retin-A: Check your anti-aging creams and makeup foundations for this chemical. It
can pass through the blood stream to the baby, and the effects are still unclear. Tetracycline: Bone growth and coloring
problems have been shown in some fetuses as a possible result of the drug, according to BabyCenter's pregnancy guidelines.
- Medium risk: Salicyclic acid: It's been shown to cause birth defects but doctors have
deemed it safe for once a day use in a product like a toner or a foundation with low doses of the chemical.
- Low risk: Sunscreen
products with the "active soy" ingredient as opposed to "soy" are less likely to discolor skin like estrogen-rich
soy products. Any make-up labeled "mineral-only," "noncomedogenic" or "nonacnegenic" means it's
lightweight, oil-free and won't travel through your blood stream and infect your baby with harmful chemicals.
Aspirin, acetaminophen and ibuprofen during pregnancy can cause reproductive problems in
male offspringBOOSTER SHOTS: ODDITIES, MUSINGS AND NEWS FROM THE HEALTH WORLD
November 08, 2010|By Thomas H. Maugh II, Los Angeles Times Taking mild painkilllers such as aspirin, acetaminophen and ibuprofen during pregnancy, especially during the second trimester, can cause a sharp increase in reproductive
problems in male offspring, researchers from Denmark, Finland and France reported Monday. The team found that women who used
two of the drugs simultaneously during the second trimester were as much as 16 times as likely to bear a son with undescended
testicles, a condition known as cryptorchidism. Cryptorchidism is known to be a risk factor for poor semen quality and testicular
germ cell cancer in later life. The researchers demonstrated in rats that the drugs block the production of testosterone,
which is necessary for the formation of male sex organs.  Reproductive biologist Henrik Lefferts of the University of Copenhagen and his colleagues questioned 834 pregnant
women in Denmark and 1,463 in Finland about their medication use, then examined their sons at birth. The Danish women received
only a written questionnaire, while the Finnish women received both a written questionnaire and a phone interview. The women
were more likely to say they had taken the painkillers in the phone interview, apparently not considering them to really be
"medications." The team found that women who used more than one painkiller simultaneously had a seven-fold increase in risk
of having a son with cryporchidism compared with women who took nothing. The second trimester appeared to be particularly
sensitive. Any painkiller use during this period doubled the risk of cryptorchidism. Ibuprofen or aspirin quadrupled the risk,
while acetaminophen doubled the risk. Using more than one painkiller simultaneously led to a 16-fold increase in risk. Overall, the researchers
said, the incidence of cryptorchidism in Denmark during the study was 8.5%, compared with 1.8% in a similar study in 1959
to 1961. "Moreover, this finding is in accordance with the reported decline in reproductive health in the adult male
population in the last five decades," they wrote in their report in the journal Human Reproduction. As part
of the same study, biologist Ulla Hass of the Technical University of Denmark in Soborg and Bernard Jegou of the University
of Rennes in France found that the analgesics disrupted the production of androgenic hormones in rats, leading to an insufficient
supply of the male hormone testosterone during the crucial early period of gestation when the male organs were forming. The
effects were comparable to that caused by similar doses of known endocrine disruptors such as phthalates, whch are used in
the manufacture of plastics like PVCs. In a statement, Lefferts said that, "Women may want to try to reduce their analgesic
use during pregnancy. However, as biologists, this is not something we can advise women about. So we recommend that pregnant
women seek advice from their physician before using mild analgesics and in general follow the advice to use as little medicine
during pregnancy as possible." Useful Herbs for Pregnancy
Choosing which herbs to use during pregnancy is as important as choosing what you eat, drink, which over-the-counter
medications to take or even whose opinion to listen to. In the end, herbalists and health care providers have a few basic
herbs that are generally agreed upon as being ones of benefit to women during pregnancy as well as herbs to avoid during pregnancy.
In some cases, an herb may be thought to be helpful in small amounts and harmful in large amounts, so always avoid high doses
of any herb during pregnancy. (even water is good in moderate "doses"!)
Women have used herbs safely and successfully
for thousands of years. As always, using common sense and being well informed are a woman's best bet to the safe use of herbs
during pregnancy. That includes getting information from your midwife, naturopath, or health practitioner who is knowledgeable
about herbs and their mode of action.
Of course, the information given is not meant to diagnose,
treat or cure any disease and you should always check with health care provider about the use of herbs to ensure a healthy
pregnancy. Black Haw (Viburnum prunifolium) - helps relieve leg
cramps
- may help prevent possible
miscarriage in the early stages of pregnancy
Chamomile (Matricaria
chamomilla) - helps ease symptoms of morning sickness, indigestion
and gas
- high in calcium and
potassium, therefore an excellent nervous system tonic
- calming, soothing and helps ease sleeplessness and lift the spirits
- gentle enough for babies suffering from colic, restlessness or teething
- effective for mild inflammations of joints
Cramp Bark (Viburnum opulus) - helps relax uterine muscles in the event of possible miscarriage
- reduces uterine bleeding during labor and postpartum
- should be used under the supervision of health care provider
Dandelion Root & Leaf (Taraxacum officinales) - rich source of vitamins and minerals, especially Vitamin A, Calcium, potassium and iron
- the bitters in the leaves aid digestion
- leaves are mildly diuretic and helpful in edema or mild hypertension
due to fluid retention
- root is a gentle laxative
and useful for pregnancy constipation
- root nourishes the
liver
Lady's Mantle (Alchemilla
vulgaris) - tones the uterus
- reduces the possibility of hemorrhage during childbirth and
postpartum
- helps ease postpartum
depression
- helps relieve diarrhea
- (antagonizes the drug pitocin)
Lavender (Lavandula officinalis) - calming for nervous tension and stress
- antiseptic for perineal tears postpartum (do not apply oil undiluted)
- avoid high doses
Lemon Balm (Melissa
officinalis)
- calming-relaxes the nervous system and helps
relieve insomnia, irritability and restlessness
- elevating-helps ease depression and anxiety
- aids digestion and relieve gas
- mild antihistamine
action
Marshmallow (Althea
officinale) - very mild mucilaginous herb
- eases symptoms of heartburn and indigestion
- soothing to the genitourinary system and cystitis
- eases bronchitis and coughs
Nettle (Urtica dioica) - rich source of vitamins K, A, C and the minerals calcium, phosphorus, potassium, iron and others
- pregnancy tonic because of its high vitamin and mineral content
and its ability to help prevent postpartum hemorrhage
- aids and restores a woman's vitality following birth
- increases the richness and amount of breast milk
- helps relieve the symptoms of hay fever
- mild natural diuretic effect
Squaw Vine, also known
as Partridge Berry, (Mitchella repens) - considered a valuable
late pregnancy tonic
- helps tone the uterus
to prepare for birth during the last 4-6 weeks of pregnancy, especially when mixed with red raspberry leaf to promote easier
childbirth
- mild diuretic action
Oats and oat straw (Avena sativa) - nutritive and very rich in calcium and magnesium-highly beneficial during pregnancy all three pregnancy
trimesters
- calming to the nervous
system-helps relieve restlessness, anxiety and tension
- used in a bath, it helps moisturize and relieve itchy skin (such as caused by stretch marks)
Peppermint (Mentha piperita) - helps relieve nausea, especially morning sickness and flatulence
- avoid high doses during pregnancy
Red Raspberry Leaf (Rubus idaeus) - helps improve uterine
tone and blood supply
- improves contractions
during labor
- helps prevent postpartum
hemorrhage
- a rich source of vitamin
A, B-1, C and E, calcium, iron, potassium and phosphorus
- is thought to ease morning sickness and improve digestion
- improves diarrhea
- is a galactagogue (increases breast milk production)
- helps restore vitality postpartum
Slippery Elm (Ulmus
rubra, or Ulmus fulva)
- soothing mucilaginous
herb eases mucous membranes of the entire gastrointestinal tract
- eases inflammation of the mouth, throat, stomach, intestines, bladder and urethra
- can be used during pregnancy for heartburn, nausea, colds
or vaginal irritations
Wild Yam (Dioscorea
villosa) - helps ease uterine spasms and prevent miscarriage
- use under the guidance of a qualified health care provider
Emmenagoges are a
family of herbs that have a strong action uterine stimulant action. They include such herbs as Black Cohosh, Blue Cohosh and
Motherwort. They can be considered useful herbs during the last few days of your pregnancy to help stimulate uterine contractions.
These herbs should not be taken during pregnancy except unless under the supervision of your midwife or naturopath or during
labor.
emab, reprinted with permission |
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Tea
& Health Tea is one of the healthiest beverages
in the world! From fighting bad breath to cancerous tumors, the health benefits of tea are immense, and it is likely
that even more will be discovered in the near future. There is a lot of research currently focused on the health benefits
of tea. WHITE TEA - contains cancer fighting anti-oxidants, cooling and detoxifying, has lowest content of caffeine found
in all teas, anti-aging and anti-stress properties, and a high L-theanine amino acid content promotes longevity and concentration.
GREEN TEA - highest content of cancer fighting anti-oxidants, antiseptic and anti-viral effects: kills oral bacteria
that can lead to colds and flu, fights degenerative diseases and supports immune system function, strengthens tooth enamel
and fights bad breath, potent source of vitamins and minerals, and effective for slimming and weight loss. OOLONG TEA
- high content of tea polysaccharides, lowers cholesterol and blood sugar, high content of anti-oxidants, strengthens tooth
enamel, potent source of vitamins and minerals, and effective for slimming and weight-loss. BLACK TEA - heart health:
black tea can help prevent heart attacks, helps prevent plaque build-up in arteries, increases bone density, oral health:
kills bacteria in mouth that can cause cavities, and fights bad breath. PU-ERH TEA - perhaps the most effective
tea for slimming and weight-loss, helps metabolize fatty acids and oily foods, believed to reduce cholesterol and blood sugar
levels, and cleansing & detoxifying to the bloodstream. OTHER GENERAL BENEFITS - promotes mental clarity and
alertness, stimulates neural activity and improves learning function, provides even sustained energy and sound rest, much
lower caffeine content than coffee, strengthens immune system and has anti-stress properties, very cleansing, detoxifying,
and longevity promoting. The benefits of tea are realized when consumed as part of a healthy lifestyle, on a regaular
basis over a sustained periods of time. Common knowledge is that tea helps prevent illness more so than recover from
it. Information provided by Rishi Tea company
Behind the Bean The Heroes and Charlatans of the Natural and Organic Soy Foods Industry On or shortly before one month of age, my son Aidan began experiencing
violent reactions to the Similac® formula with DHA. Symptoms included: explosive diarrhea, projectile vomiting,
dehydration, excessive gas, weight loss, excessive crying, and loss of sleep. It was difficult to get him to finish a complete
bottle because he would begin screaming half way through. This screaming continued, along with pulling his legs up
and writhing, for approximately two hours after the feeding. When it was time for him to eat again, the process
would start all over again. In all, over a six month period, I tried every formula I could find, including: Nutramigen,
Alimentum, ProSobee--and all included DHA/ARA. As a last resort, I gave him Neocate, also with DHA, but it
produced the same results as all of the other formulas. It was not until I accidentally bought a non-DHA
formula that all of the symptoms stopped at approximately 6.5 months of age. The symptoms stopped approximately 24
hours after using the non-DHA formula, if not sooner. – Holly Schneider,
Taylor, Michigan (The Cornucopia Institute has more than 100 similar adverse reaction reports on file.)
Algal DHA and fungal ARA oils are hexane-extracted ingredients
that are added to some organic foods, in- cluding organic infant formula and Horizon Organic milk
with DHA. DHA is a long-chain, polyunsaturat- ed omega-3 fatty acid that is naturally found in fatty fish
such as salmon and sardines. Martek Biosciences Corporation produces a vegetarian and not quite identical DHA
additive called Life’sDHATM for foods, used in products such as Silk soymilk with DHA, Rachel’s® yogurt,
and nearly all infant formula on the market. Martek’s Life’s DHA is produced by immersing fermented
algae in hexane to extract the oil. The company’s Kentucky plant, where Life’s DHA is produced, emitted
nearly 200,000 pounds of hexane into the environment in 2006. According to the USDA organic
regulations, Martek’s Life’s DHA should be prohibited in organic foods because it is a synthetic
additive that is not listed as an approved substance on the National List of Approved and Prohibited Substances.
Moreover, it should not be added to organic foods because it is hexane extracted. The Cornucopia Institute has
filed legal complaints against the manufacturers that we allege are illegally adding these hexane-extracted oils. The
Cornucopia Institute is especially concerned that these oils, when added to infant formula, are making babies very
sick. These findings are detailed in The Cornucopia Institute’s report Replacing Mother—Imitating Human Breast
Milk in the Laboratory, which presents disturbing research indicating that these hexane-extracted algal and fungal
oils lead to virulent diarrhea, vomiting, and other gastrointestinal problems in some babies. In some cases this has
led to significant health complications, failure to thrive, and hospitalizations. The report is available for free download
at www.cornucopia.org. The report also outlines how formula manufacturers profit tremendously from adding DHA and ARA
(another fatty acid, which Martek extracts from fungi by means of hexane) to formula. It allows them to misleadingly advertise
their formula as being “as close as ever to breast milk,” and “supporting brain and eye development.” The
vastmajority of scientific studies show no meaningful benefits from adding DHA and ARA to infant formula.
Meanwhile, some infants continue to get sick from these oils, while infant formula companies refuse to
acknowledge the serious problems andside effects associated with their lucrative additives. There is no information
about possible side effects listed on the packaging or on the manufacturers’ web sites. Parents and health care
providers have been left on their own to discover the possible correlation between sick babies and these novel nutritional
additives. There is one conventional manufacturer that supplies infant formula without Martek’s
DHA/ARA supplementation (Nestlé®) and one organic supplier that does not use these novel oils (Baby’s Only®).
Hexane and Infant Formula
The
ideal food for human infants is human milk, and breastfeeding is by far the healthiest option. There is irrefutable scientific evidence
that no formula can provide the same benefits as breastfeeding—formula is deficient in the antibodies thatprotect against
disease, special enzymes that aid digestion, fatty acids that aid development, and so forth. But despite these insurmountable shortcomings
of formula, manufacturers have a responsibility to make formula as close to human milkas possible, and
as safe and pure as possible. Using only organic ingredients is a logical move for formula makers. Unfortunately, infant
formula manufacturers seek to cut costs by using the cheapest ingredients, which is why conventional formula
contains mostly genetically engineered and hexane-extracted ingredients. None of the major companies making infant formula, such as Mead Johnson
(Enfamil®) and Abbott Nutrition (Similac), offer an organic soy-based formula (Similac does offer
a dairy-based organic version). Nonorganic soy-based formulas’ major ingredients are hexane extracted
from genetically engineered corn and soybeans. For many infants, soy-based formula is the only food they
consume for the first months of their life—food whose major ingredient was processed by immersion in a
highly explosive, neurotoxic petrochemical. Nonorganic infant formulas are also not guaranteed to be free of genetically
engineered ingredients (many with limited, if any, testing related to human health impacts). Mead Johnson
(Enfamil) customer representatives tell consumers that it would be too difficult to source non-GEO ingredients, since
most soybeans and corn in the United States are genetically engineered. When asked if they have an organic formula available, Mead Johnson
(Enfamil) representatives respond that “our ingredients are safe so it has not been necessary for Enfamil
to develop an organic version.” But perhaps it is more likely that Mead Johnson is unwilling to source
ingredients that are guaranteed GEO-free, produced without synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, and processed without
hexane because these ingredients are slightly more expensive. As a publicly traded corporation, Mead Johnson
has
a legal obligation first and foremost to return profits to its shareholders. The safety of its ingredients—and
the well-being of the babies consuming their formula—is of concern only in relation to the company’s ability
to make a profit and contraints of regulatory law. If your infant experienced adverse reactions from hexane-extracted algal and fungal oils, please
file an adverse reaction with the FDA’s Medwatch program (https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/med-
watch/medwatch-online.htm) and send a copy of your report to the Cornucopia institute (cultivate@
cornucopia.org). Be
sure to explain in the report why you believe that DHA and ara are to blame. Most often, parents try several
different formulas (cow milk-based, soy-based, hypoallergenic, lactose-free) with no success until they try
a formula without DHA/ARA, and symptoms disappear, often within 24 hours. Other times, parents switch
to a similar formula without DHA/ARA, such as Baby’s only, and symptoms disappear.
When you file your adverse reaction report
with the FDA, please specify why you believe that DHA/ARA caused your baby’s symptoms. if your baby’s
symptoms were not due to common feeding problems such as lactose intolerance or allergic reactions
to dairy or soy protein, but due to the DHA/ARA specifically, it is important for the FDA
to understand this.
Mead
Johnson currently charges more for its nonorganic soy-based formula than two of the three organic soy- based formula
brands on the market. Formula makers such as Mead Johnson and Abbott Nutrition could use only the cleanest
and safest ingredients—using soy protein isolate that has not been bathed in hexane should be a given.
Parents who buy formula should demand that these companies stop using hexane-extracted soy protein isolates
and oils. Meanwhile, they can purchase organic formula for nearly the same price. Currently, only three
organic soy-based formulas are available on market shelves: PBM Nutritionals’ Vermont Organics®,
The Hain Celestial Group’s Earth’s Best®, and Nature’s One’s Baby’s Only. All three
brands do not use hexane to extract soy protein from soybeans, or to process their vegetable oils.
Hain
Celestial (Earth’s Best) and PBM Nutritionals (Vermont Organics) do not go the extra mile of using
only
the purest, organic ingredients. Both formulas contain the same ingredients. Although certified organic,
both
contain conventional, hexane-extracted soy lecithin. They also contain the additives DHA and ARA from Martek
Biosciences. As stated above, these oils are extracted with the use of hexane from fermented algae and
fungus. An earlier investigation by The Cornucopia Institute reported that a subset of infants appear unable
to tolerate these novel oils, and experience severe gastrointestinal distress when consuming formula with Martek’s
DHA and ARA. For more information about adverse effects to Martek’s DHA and ARA, see www.cornucopia.org/replacing-mother-infant-formula report.
Nature’s One’s Baby’s Only
Organic is marketed as a “toddler formula,” but it is formulated to meet the nutritional requirements
mandated by law for infant formulas. It is the only organic baby formula on the market that does not contain Martek’s hexane-extracted
algal DHA and fungal ARA oils. Nature’s One also opts to source only organic ingredients when available, therefore the
soy lecithin is organic and processed without the use of hexane. Martek’s life’s DHA, which is added to foods
as a source of omega-3 fatty acids, is produced by immersing fermented algae in hexane to extract the
oil. The Cornucopia Institute is especially concerned that these oils, when added to
infant formula, are making some babies very sick.
After dozens of deaths, drop-side
cribs outlawed
WASHINGTON – It's the end of the traditional crib that has cradled millions of babies for generations. The government outlawed drop-side
cribs on Wednesday after the deaths of more than 30 infants and toddlers in the past decade and millions of recalls. It
was a unanimous vote by the Consumer Product Safety Commission to ban the manufacture, sale and resale of the cribs, which
have a side rail that moves up and down, allowing parents to more easily lift their child from the crib. The new standard requiring
cribs to have fixed sides would take effect in June. The move by CPSC would also prohibit hotels and childcare centers from
using drop-sides, though those facilities would have two years to purchase new cribs. CPSC Chairman Inez Tenenbaum hailed the new standard for cribs as one of the strongest in the world. "I believe these new standards will markedly
reduce crib-related hazards and help to ensure that young children sleep more safely in their cribs," Tenenbaum said
after the vote. Around for decades, drop-side cribs have come under scrutiny in recent years because of malfunctioning hardware,
sometimes cheaper plastics, or assembly problems that can lead to the drop-side rail partially detaching from the crib. When
that happens, it can create a dangerous "V"-like gap between the mattress and side rail where a baby can get caught
and suffocate or strangle. In all, drop-side cribs have been blamed in the deaths of at least 32 infants and toddlers since 2000 and
are suspected in another 14 infant fatalities. In the past five years, more than 9 million drop-side cribs have been recalled,
including cribs from big-name companies such as Evenflo, Delta Enterprise Corp., and Pottery BarnKids. Michele
Witte of Merrick, N.Y., lost her 10-month-old son, Tyler, in 1997 when the drop-side rail on his crib came loose, partially
detached and then trapped his neck between the rail and the headboard. "It's been a long 13 years," said Witte.
"I feel like it's a celebratory time because things are finally being done about the issue." Witte appeared at a news
conference on Capitol Hill with Democratic Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand of New York, Rep. Jan Schakowsky, D-Ill., and Rep. Joe Crowley, D-N.Y., all of whom have pushed for stronger crib safety rules. The new standard mandates tougher safety testing for cribs, tests
that more closely mimic a child in a crib. As children get older, they can apply more force to the crib —
shaking on it, running around in it, jumping up and down. The new tests aim to make sure the cribs can take that kind of pressure. Better
labeling on crib pieces will also be required — a measure that aims to cut down on the misassembly problems that some
parents have encountered, problems that can lead to the death of a child. Parents who lost their children in drop-side cribs
say Wednesday's ban couldn't come soon enough. Chad Johns, whose 9-month-old son, Liam, died in a drop-side crib in 2005, said he was a little relieved. "Yes, it's a long time coming," said Johns from Roseville, Calif. "But
the fact that it is happening — that's what is important." Crib makers were already phasing out drop-side cribs over the last
couple years, amid increasing problems with them. And last year, the organization that sets voluntary industry standards —
ASTM International — approved a drop-side ban. Many parents, however, still have drop-sides in their homes. They can also
be found at secondhand stores. Parents who are using drop-side cribs are advised to check the hardware on the cribs to be
certain it's working properly and to make sure their crib has not been recalled. The Juvenile Products ManufacturersAssociation, which represents over 90 percent of the crib industry, says properly assembled drop-sides that haven't been recalled can
be safely used. U.S. researchers find new clue to infant deathsCHICAGO (Reuters) - Babies who die from sudden infant death syndrome make low amounts of the message-carrying brain chemical serotonin needed to regulate sleep, breathing and heart rate, U.S. researchers said on Tuesday. The finding,
published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, may help identify babies at risk for SIDS, which each year kills more than 2,300 babies before their first birthday. They said abnormal levels of serotonin may hamper an infant's breathing, especially in challenging
situations, such as breathing in too much exhaledcarbon dioxide while sleeping
face down. "We have known for many years that placing infants
to sleep on their backs is the single most effective way to reduce the risk of SIDS," Dr. Alan Guttmacher, director of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, which funded the study. "The current
findings provide important clues to the biological basis of SIDS and may ultimately lead to ways to identify infants most
at risk as well as additional strategies for reducing the risk of SIDS for all infants," Guttmacher said in a statement. In the study, Dr. Hannah Kinney of Harvard Medical School and Children's Hospital Boston and colleagues examined brain tissue from babies who died from
SIDS and from other causes. The tissue came from the medulla, a
region at the base of the brain that regulates basic functions such as body temperature, breathing, blood pressureand heart rate. Kinney's team found that serotonin
levels were 26 percent lower in tissue from babies who died of SIDS than those who died from other causes, and they also found
low levels of the enzyme tryptophan hydroxylase, which is needed to make serotonin. VULNERABLE BABIES The findings suggest that some babies
have an underlying vulnerability to SIDS, which can become fatal when combined with an external stress such as sleeping face
down, especially when it occurs within the first year of life. "Our
research suggests that sleep unmasks the brain defect," Kinney said in a statement. "When the infant is breathing in the face-down position, he or she may not get enough oxygen.
An infant with a normal brain stem would turn his or her head and
wake up in response. But a baby with an intrinsic abnormality is unable to respond to the stressor." The team hopes the study will lead to a test that measures a baby's serotonin levels, making it possible
to identify children at highest risk for SIDS. Rates of sudden infant death syndrome, also known as cot death or crib death, have plummeted in countries where
health workers have counseled parents and caregivers to put infants on their backs to sleep, to avoid keeping rooms too warm
and to keep loose blankets and pillows away from infants. (Reporting
by Julie Steenhuysen; Editing by Doina Chiacu)
Parents Don't Seem to Understand - Drug
Alert Tuesday, June 9, 2009 Nearly
two years after the Food and Drug Administration issued a formal advisory urging parents not to give over-the-counter cough
and cold medicines to infants younger than 2 years old without a doctor's advice, a study says many parents are still willing
to give them to children as young as 13 months. A major reason: misleading labels
that use the word "infant" and display graphics of teddy bears, small children and similar symbols. "It's
a wake-up call to those of us who work daily to provide health care to children, and to the public-health and pharmacy communities,"
said Lee Sanders, an associate professor of pediatrics at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. He co-authored
the study with researchers from University of Wisconsin, Vanderbilt University and others. The researchers interviewed
182 parents and other caregivers of children 1 and younger. They asked them about their use of four common over-the-counter
cough and cold medications whose labels warn not to use them in children younger than 2 without a doctor's advice. They
found that 86 percent of the time, the caregivers misunderstood the labels and thought the products were okay to use in children
younger than 2. More than half the caregivers said they would give the medicines to a 13-month-old child. The study
does not name the manufacturers of the drugs reviewed by the caregivers, Sanders said, because the medicines no longer are
on drugstore shelves. But he urged the FDA, the Federal Trade Commission and other government agencies to pass new restrictions
on such labels. "This is true across the industry," he said. "We would like to see the rules standardized." He
also urged parents to be more careful in reading labels on over-the-counter medicines. -- Fred Tasker, McClatchy Newspapers
John Hopkins Update
AFTER YEARS OF TELLING PEOPLE CHEMOTHERAPY
IS THE ONLY WAY TO TRY ('TRY', BEING THE KEY WORD) TO ELIMINATE CANCER, JOHNS HOPKINS
IS FINALLY STARTING TO TELL YOU THERE IS AN ALTERNATIVE
WAY...
Cancer Update from Johns Hopkins :
1. Every person has cancer cells in the body. These cancer cells do not show up in the standard tests until they have
multiplied to a few billion. When doctors tell cancer patients that there are no more cancer cells in their bodies
after treatment, it just means the tests are unable to detect the cancer cells because they have not reached the detectable
size.
2. Cancer cells occur between 6 to more
than 10 times in a person's lifetime.
3 When the person's immune system is strong
the cancer cells will be destroyed and prevented from multiplying and forming tumors.
4. When a person has cancer it indicates the person has multiple nutritional
deficiencies. These could be due to genetic, environmental, food and lifestyle factors.
5. To overcome the multiple nutritional
deficiencies, changing diet and including supplements will strengthen the immune system.
6. Chemotherapy involves poisoning the rapidly-growing cancer cells and also destroys rapidly-growing healthy cells in the bone
marrow, gastrointestinal tract etc, and can cause organ damage, like liver, kidneys, heart, lungs etc.
7. Radiation while destroying cancer cells also burns, scars and damages healthy cells, tissues and organs.
8. Initial treatment with chemotherapy and radiation will often reduce tumor size. However prolonged
use of chemotherapy and radiation do not result in more tumor destruction.
9. When the body has too much toxic burden from chemotherapy and radiation the immune system is
either compromised or destroyed, hence the person can succumb to various kinds of infections and complications.
10. Chemotherapy and radiation can cause cancer cells to mutate and become resistant and difficult
to destroy. Surgery can also cause cancer cells to spread to other sites.
11. An effective way to battle cancer
is to starve the cancer cells by not feeding it with the foods it needs to multiply..
*CANCER CELLS FEED ON:
a. Sugar is a cancer-feeder. By cutting off sugar it cuts off one important food supply to the cancer
cells. Sugar substitutes like NutraSweet, Equal, Spoonful, etc are
made with Aspartame and it is harmful. A better natural
substitute would be Manuka honey or molasses, but only in very small amounts. Table salt has a chemical added to make it white in color. Better alternative is Bragg's aminos or sea salt.
b. Milk causes the body to produce mucus, especially in the gastro-intestinal tract. Cancer feeds on mucus. By cutting off milk and
substituting with unsweetened soy milk cancer cells are being starved.
c. Cancer cells thrive in an acid environment. A meat-based
diet is acidic and it is best to eat fish, and a little chicken rather than beef or pork. Meat also contains livestock antibiotics, growth
hormones and parasites, which are all harmful, especially to people with cancer.
d. A diet made of 80% fresh vegetables and juice, whole grains, seeds, nuts and a little fruits help put the
body into an alkali ne environment. About 20% can be from cooked food including beans. Fresh vegetable juices provide live enzymes that are
easily absorbed and reach down to cellular levels within 15 minutes to nourish and enhance growth of healthy cells. To obtain
live enzymes for building healthy cells try and drink fresh vegetable juice (most vegetables including bean sprouts)
and eat some raw vegetables 2 or 3 times a day. Enzymes are destroyed at temperatures of 104 degrees F (40 degrees C).
e. Avoid coffee, tea, and chocolate, which have high caffeine. Green tea is a better alternative and has cancer fighting properties. Water-best to drink purified water,
or filtered, to avoid known toxins and heavy metals in tap water. Distilled water is acidic, avoid it.
12.. Meat protein is difficult
to digest and requires a lot of digestive enzymes. Undigested meat remaining in the intestines becomes putrefied and
leads to more toxic buildup.
13. Cancer cell walls have
a tough protein covering. By refraining from or eating less meat it frees more enzymes to attack the protein walls of cancer
cells and allows the body's killer cells to destroy the cancer cells.
14. Some supplements build up the immune system (IP6, Flor-ssence, Essiac, anti-oxidants, vitamins, minerals, EFAs
etc.) to enable the bodies own killer cells to destroy cancer cells.. Other supplementslike vitamin E are known to cause apoptosis, or programmed cell death,
the body's normal method of disposing of damaged, unwanted, or unneeded cells.
15. Cancer is a disease of the mind, body, and spirit.. A proactive and positive spirit will help the cancer warrior be a survivor. Anger, un-forgiveness and bitterness put the body into a stressful and acidic environment. Learn to have a loving and forgiving spirit. Learn to
relax and enjoy life.
16. Cancer cells cannot thrive in an
oxygenated environment. Exercising daily, and deep breathing help to get more oxygen down to the cellular level. Oxygen therapy is another means employed
to destroy cancer cells.
1. No plastic containers in micro.
2. No water bottles in freezer.
3. No plastic wrap in microwave.
Johns Hopkins has recently sent this out in its newsletters. This information is being circulated
at Walter Reed Army Medical Center as well. Dioxin chemicals cause cancer, especially breast cancer. Dioxins are highly poisonous to the
cells of our bodies. Don't freeze your plastic bottles with water in them as this releases dioxins from the plastic.
Recently, Dr. Edward Fujimoto, Wellness Program Manager at Cast le Hospital, was on a TV program to explain this health
hazard. He talked about dioxins and how bad they are for us. He said that we should not be heating our food in the microwave
using plastic containers. This especially applies to foods that contain fat. He said that the combination of fat, high heat,
and plastics releases dioxin into the food and ultimately into the cells of the body. Instead, he recommends using glass,
such as Corning Ware, Pyrex or
ceramic containers for heating food You get the same results, only without the dioxin. So such things as TV dinners,
instant ramen and soups, etc., should be removed from the container and heated in something else. Paper isn't bad but you
don't know what is in the paper. It's just safer to use tempered glass, Corning Ware, etc. He reminded us that a while ago
some of the fast food restaurants moved away from the foam containers to paper. The dioxin problem is one of the
reasons.
Also, he pointed out that plastic wrap, such as Saran, is just as dangerous when placed over foods to be cooked in the microwave. As the food is nuked,
the high heat causes poisonous toxins to actually melt out of the plastic wrap and drip into the food. Cover food with a paper
towel instead.
IMPORTANT
INFORMATION ON PLASTIC CONTAINERS All plastics, when subjected to heat over extended periods of time, can
leach into the liquids they contain. By reading the codes imprinted on the plastics, you can determine the ones to be most
concerned about. The following tend to be the most stable:
1: PETE (polyethylene teraphthalate)
2: HDPE (high-density
polyethylene)
That said, "Phthalates" have been banned from children's
toys and other children's products as you probably know. Most bottled water is stored in #1 PETE bottles. Don't
use them after leaving them in your car (where they get warmed). Don't microwave anything in any plastic.
The next
few are somewhat stable, but not quite as safe as the top two:
4: LDPE (low-density
polyethylene)
5: PP (polypropylene) (but this is now under scrutiny as it has been found to leech into experiments from test
tubes.
The last three should be avoided at all costs:
3: PVC (polyvinyl chloride) - can leach
phthalates
6: PS (polystyrene) - can leach styrene, a neuerotoxin
7: This final number consists of both safe and
dangerous plastics. It is better overall to avoid plastics bearing this code as they may contain polycarbonate, which will
leach bisphenol A (BPA) into liquids, which is a xeno-estrogen.
Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood
Reclaiming Childhood from
Corporate Marketers www.commercialfreechildhood.org The media and marketing
industries’ assault on infants and toddlers begins “by training babies to depend on screens
for entertainment and the things they sell for amusement and comfort. Before they can even ask for it, we decorate
their cribs, clothing, toys and diapers with media characters and place them in front of screens at every opportunity.”1
Branding Babies
•
By six months, babies are forming mental images of corporate logos and mascots. According to market research, babies
are requesting brands as soon as they can speak. • Baby paraphernalia is
routinely festooned with licensed characters—these same icons will sell them media, food, toys, and other
products throughout childhood. • In their quest for “cradle
to grave brand loyalty,” companies that manufacture products for adults also target babies. Examples include
the “John Deere Little Princess Romper” and a Harley Davidson line of onesies. Screen Saturated Infants and Toddlers:
• By the age of three months, 40% of infants are watching screen media regularly.
By the time children are two, the number jumps to 90%. • 19% of babies one year and under have a TV in their bedroom. • 14% of children under two spend more than
2 hours a day with screen media. • Marketers urge parents
to soothe fussy babies with cell phone videos. The Baby Media Scam:
• Baby media companies routinely make unfounded
educational claims to sell parents on their products. Brand names such as Brainy Baby, Baby Einstein, and Baby Genius are powerful—and deceptive—marketing tools.
• 56% of parents of young children believe that baby videos are good for child development.
• The most common reason parents give for putting babies and toddlers in front of screens is
that they are beneficial to children’s brain development.
•
Disney’s Baby Einstein has sold more than 20 million videos.
Screen Time is Not Educational for Babies and Toddlers:
•
While television can be an effective teaching tool for older children, there is no credible evidence that babies and
toddlers learn anything useful from screens. • Screen media is not
an effective means of teaching babies and toddlers the meaning of new words.
•
Unlike reading to babies, viewing Disney’s Baby Wordsworth regularly does not promote language development.
•
What babies do learn from screen media is to recognize, and become attached to, commercialized media characters.
Research Suggests Screen time for Babies May Even Be Harmful:
• Television, for babies, is associated negatively with cognitive development and regular sleep patterns.
It can also be habituating. • The more time babies
spend viewing television, the less time they spend interacting with parents or engaging in creative play—two activities
known to promote learning. • For babies 8 to 16 months,
watching baby videos is associated with slower language development.
In 2006, CCFC filed a Federal Trade Commission complaint against Baby Einstein, Brainy Baby, and Baby FirstTV for false and deceptive marketing. As a result, the marketing for Baby Einstein and Brainy Baby was substantially altered—eliminating many of the educational claims cited in CCFC’s
complaint. However, the FTC did not require the companies to acknowledge their deception or to compensate the parents
they deceived.
BabyFirstTV continues to market itself as an educational tool for infants and toddlers.
Setting The Pattern: How Young Children Process Information - Dissertation excerpt by
Kirsten Olsen Our bodies receive signals about life and our environment from
our brain. Recent scientific studies have shown that the cells of the body receive and respond to environmental signals which then
dictate which action the cell will take. These environmental signals comefrom our perceptions of life, which are then filtered through the brain and translated into chemical
responses. The cells then respond to the chemicals they are given with either
of two responses. Dr. Bruce Lipton asserts that our cells can either be in survival and protection mode, which includes our alarm modes
like fight or flight, or they can be in healing and growth mode, which allows for optimal cell function and exchange of nutrients
needed for growth and development, but they cannot be in both stages at the same time. This is very important in understanding
just exactly how trauma affects the atmosphere in which our cells live and the long term effects of fear on the body. He says this: “My research at Stanford showed that these growth/protection behaviors are also essential for the survival of
multicellular organisms such as humans. But there is a catch to these opposing survival mechanisms that have evolved over billions of years. It turns out that
the mechanisms that support growth and protection cannot operate optimally at the same time. In other words, cells cannot simultaneously
move forward and backward.” The
Biology Of Belief (2005) When cells are in protection mode, certain
cell functions are shut down so that more energy is available for the survival mechanisms within the cell. The cell is not concerned with exchanging nutrients
or healthy reproduction at this time. This is why we need to make sure our bodies do not stay in the alarm response, keeping the cells in
survival mode for long periods of time. I think it is doubly important for children as they grow and develop. If a child is ‘programmed’
with the wrong message, then their cells are also receiving the wrong messages. Dr. Lipton talks about childhood development in The Biology Of Belief (2005): “The responsiveness of individuals to the environmental
conditions perceived by their mothers before birth allows them to optimize their genetic and physiologic development as they
adapt to
the environmental forecast. The same life enhancing epigenic plasticity of human development can go awry and lead to an array of chronic diseases
in older age if an individual experiences adverse nutritional and environmental circumstances during fetal and neonatal periods
of development. {Bateson,
et al, 2004} The same epigenic influences also continue after the child is born because parents continue to influence their child’s
environment.” Here we can see that an unhealthy environment for cellular growth in childhood,
particularly infancy and young childhood, is directly related to chronic conditions that arise as the child becomes an adult. The cause of this
is the atmosphere or environment into which it is born. When a child does not have a nurturing environment or has been
traumatized, the lasting effects on the child act as if the child has been hypnotized or ‘programmed’ from the
beginning, not for healing and growth but for protection, thus shutting down optimal cellular functioning and creating a weakened
system where disease or illness can develop. Part of this is the type of learning or brain waves that a young child displays. This is important for optimal and very
quick learning. Young children display the same brainwaves that we do during episodes of lucid dreaming and deep sleep, where our minds
are very open to the powers of suggestion. Dr Lipton further states: “This gives us an important clue as to how
children, whose brains are mostly operating at these same frequencies (i.e. Delta and Theta) between birth and six years of
age, can download the incredible volume of information they need to thrive in their environment. Young children carefully observe their environment and download the worldly wisdom offered by parents
directly into their subconscious memory. As a result, their parents’ behavior and beliefs become their own.” The Biology Of Belief (2005) These are the same types of brain waves that are accessed in
hypnosis. That is how easily our children can be influenced on a foundational level by things that are very ordinary to our adult
minds. And if they should perceive that life is dangerous or that they do not deserve love, they are influenced
for life at a very deep level. If a family is fragmented, or a parent is abusive in any way when the child
is young, these events ‘program’ the child to believe that it is not safe to be alive, essentially causing the
cells to perpetually operate and reproduce from the standpoint of protection and survival. Dr Lipton says: “When unthinking or uncaring parents
pass on those (abusive) messages to their young children, they are no doubt oblivious to the fact that such comments are downloaded
into the subconscious memory as absolute facts just as surely as bits and bytes are downloaded into the hard drive of your
desktop computer. During early development, the child’s consciousness has not evolved enough to critically assess that those parental
pronouncements were only verbal barbs and not necessarily true characterizations of “self.” Once programmed into the subconscious
mind, however, these verbal abuses become defined as “truths” that unconsciously shape the behavior and potential
of the child through life.” The Biology Of Belief(2005) On top of that, when children are that little
they perceive that ‘the world revolves around them’. It is the only way they can relate to their reality. So that if something good happens,
it is because of them. Similarly, if something bad happens it is also their ‘fault’. Even if you tell them otherwise, it is the only way they know to understand
their limited reality. Imagine if your life had been influenced like this from trauma experienced at a very young age
either by parents or people in your immediate life, how your physical existence could be altered on a cellular level where you are not even
aware of it. This is why I am so passionate about this subject. The implications of unresolved trauma on both the body and the mind are huge. These quotes show in essence how important
it is to shelter and nurture our children as they grow. As Dr. Lipton says in The Biology Of
Belief (2005), “In humans, the fundamental behaviors,
beliefs and attitudes we observe in our parents become “hard-wired” as synaptic pathways in our subconscious minds. Once programmed into
the subconscious mind, they control our biology for the rest of our lives… unless we can figure out a way to reprogram
them.” Many times this is further complicated by the fact that children get their perception of God directly from their parents. If daddy is cruel
and exacting, it is not uncommon for a child to grow up believing this about God and they will often seek out a religion consistent
with this belief. If daddy is absent or has abandoned the family, the child will subconsciously expect God to abandon them at any moment
also. All of these things
can have lasting effects on a child’s life and their health. When the body is in protection mode energy is diverted from the
immune system, which is part of the health and growth mode, to make resources available for survival. Obviously staying in this protective
condition for long periods of time will create illness because of the suppressed immune system. Energy psychology
techniques are an effective means to change our body responses to trauma. These revolutionary energy therapies, such as EFT and TFT, its ancestor as
well as other emerging modalities, are based on acupressure. “In a nutshell: energy psychology is a contemporary application of methods that are at least 4500 years old. Specific points on
the skin can be stimulated for distinct neurological effects and this principle can be used for helping to overcome a range
of psychological problems.” The Promise Of Energy Psychology(2005) How much better it
would be if we could get to the source of psychological and physiological problems when children are young. This may very well avert adult chronic
illnesses by eliminating the environment that causes the cells to be compromised over time. By giving children the gift of tools
to help them process trauma through life, we are saving them from trouble and potential health problems later on. Author Dawson Church
says: “Energy medicine is not only the place to start treatment of a presenting condition; it is the place to start
before there is a presenting condition. A person, whose energy systems have been optimized and are functioning well, has established a base
line that makes it much harder for disease to take root.” The Genie In Your Genes (2007)
What a fantastic thing to give the gift of health to someone, by showing them these techniques to optimize their health. It is surprisingly
easy to resolve even the worst traumas with energy techniques. They are generally painless, compared to rehashing the events in conventional talk
therapy. Dawson Church says, in reference to energy psychology techniques, in The Genie In Your Genes (2007): “As (James)
Oshman explains, ‘stored trauma can be resolved as quickly as it was set in place. The body is continuously poised to resolve these afflictions and all of the
physiological and emotional imbalances they create. This process goes to the deep energetic level that organizes or incarnates or underlies conscious
experience itself. When this happens, the patient may suddenly know that the issue or discomfort will not bother them again.’ ”This changes the environment
of the brain, which sends different messages through the Amygdalae, small organs within the brain that regulate instinctual
responses, to the body with hormones and neurotransmitters by way of the hypothalamus and pituitary glands. These chemicals then influence the
cells to return to growth mode. Gary Craig, et al, The Promise Of Energy Psychology (2005) say this: “stimulating specific electromagnetically sensitive points on the skin
while bringing the psychological problem or goal to mind can help a person overcome that problem or reach that goal by changing
the chemistry in the amygdala and other areas of the brain.”
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