03.31.09
Posted in Uncategorized at 11:13 pm by Administrator
California Department of Public Health and the FDA are now conducting a joint investigation of the Sutton Farms facility
The salmonella has nothing to do with the ongoing outbreak of salmonella poisoning from peanuts. Unlike the peanut outbreak, the pistachio contamination was discovered during routine testing by Kraft Foods — before anyone was known to have been sickened. The FDA has at least two unconfirmed reports of sickness in people who ate pistachios, but those cases have not yet been linked to the types of salmonella found in pistachio nuts.
Recalled Kroger product is called Private Selection Shelled Pistachios. It’s sold in 10-ounce containers with a “sell by” date of DEC-13-09 and DEC-14-09. The packages carry the UPS Code 11110 73615.
The nuts were sold in Kroger Co. stores with 17 different names:
Kroger, Ralphs, Fred Meyer, Fry’s, King Soopers, Smith’s, Dillons, QFC, City Market, Foods Co., Jay C, Scott’s, Owen’s, Baker’s, Gerbes, Hilander, and Pay Less.
Salmonella infection can cause the following symptoms:
fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Most people recover within a week without medicine, but severe and even life-threatening complications can arise; young children, frail or elderly people, and people with weak immune systems are more vulnerable.
Stores affected by the recall are in
Alaska, Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wyoming.
Reference
http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/food-poisoning/news/20090330/kroger-pistachio-recall-salmonella
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Posted in Uncategorized at 11:01 pm by Administrator
California Department of Public Health and the FDA are now conducting a joint investigation of the Sutton Farms facility
The salmonella has nothing to do with the ongoing outbreak of salmonella poisoning from peanuts. Unlike the peanut outbreak, the pistachio contamination was discovered during routine testing by Kraft Foods — before anyone was known to have been sickened. The FDA has at least two unconfirmed reports of sickness in people who ate pistachios, but those cases have not yet been linked to the types of salmonella found in pistachio nuts.
Recalled Kroger product is called Private Selection Shelled Pistachios. It’s sold in 10-ounce containers with a “sell by” date of DEC-13-09 and DEC-14-09. The packages carry the UPS Code 11110 73615.
The nuts were sold in Kroger Co. stores with 17 different names:
Kroger, Ralphs, Fred Meyer, Fry’s, King Soopers, Smith’s, Dillons, QFC, City Market, Foods Co., Jay C, Scott’s, Owen’s, Baker’s, Gerbes, Hilander, and Pay Less.
Salmonella infection can cause the following symptoms:
fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Most people recover within a week without medicine, but severe and even life-threatening complications can arise; young children, frail or elderly people, and people with weak immune systems are more vulnerable.
Stores affected by the recall are in
Alaska, Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wyoming.
Reference
http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/food-poisoning/news/20090330/kroger-pistachio-recall-salmonella
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03.20.09
Posted in Pediatric at 2:43 pm by Administrator
Definition
It occurs when a child is well above the normal weight for his or her age and height. Childhood obesity is particularly troubling because the extra pounds often start kids on the path to health problems that were once confined to adults, such as diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
Causes of Obesity
Genetic = Prader-Willie syndrome
Hormonal = Cushing’s syndrome
Eating too much
Exercising too little
Nutrients
Eating more calories than needed daily activities, growth and metabolism
Risk Factors
Diet = Regular consumption of high-calorie foods, such as fast foods, baked goods and vending machine snacks, contribute to weight gain. High-fat foods are dense in calories. Loading up on soft drinks, candy and desserts also can cause weight gain. Foods and beverages like these are high in sugar and calories.
Lifestyle = Inactive leisure activities, such as watching television or playing video games, contribute to the problem.
Test & Diagnosis
*well-child care, the doctor calculates your child’s body mass index (BMI)
national BMI-for-age growth chart. The BMI indicates if your child is overweight for his or her age
and height.
* growth chart, your doctor determines your child’s percentile, meaning how your child compares with
other children of the same sex and age.
* Cutoff points on these growth charts, established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC), help identify overweight and obese children:
* BMI-for-age between 85th and 94th percentiles — overweight
* BMI-for-age 95th percentile or above — obesity
* Other factors in consideration to BMI= your child’s growth and development into the overall weight
assessment. This helps determine whether your child’s weight is a health concern.
* In addition to BMI and charting weight on the growth charts, the doctor also evaluates:
* Your family’s history of obesity and weight-related health problems, such as diabetes
Your child’s eating habits and calorie intake
* Your child’s activity level
Complication of Childhood obesity
Overweight children are at higher risk of developing:
* Type 2 diabetes
* Metabolic syndrome
* High blood pressure
* Asthma and other respiratory problems
* Sleep disorders
* Liver disease
* Early puberty or menarche
* Eating disorders
* Skin infections
* Social and Emotional Impact
* Low self-esteem and bullying = tease or bully their overweight peers, who suffer a loss of
self-esteem and an increased risk of depression as a result.
* Behavior and learning problems. anxiety and poorer social skills. At one extreme, these
problems may lead to acting out and disrupting the classroom. Social withdrawal.
* Stress and anxiety also interfere with learning.
* School-related anxiety can create a vicious cycle in which ever-growing worry fuels ever-declining
academic performance.
* Depression.
* Social isolation and low self-esteem create overwhelming feelings of hopelessness
lose interest in normal activities, sleep more than usual or cry a lot.
hide their sadness and appear emotionally flat instead.
Prevention
* Schedule yearly well-child visits. at least once a year. BMI checked.
* Set a good example. eat healthy foods and exercise regularly to maintain your weight. Then, invite
your child to join you.
* Avoid food-related power struggles with your child. foods aren’t recommended for behavior
modification in children.
* Emphasize the positive.
– Encourage a healthy lifestyle
– Fun of playing outside
– Variety of vegetables and fresh fruit you can get year-round,
– Emphasize the benefits of exercise apart from helping to manage their
weight, for example, it makes their heart, lungs and other muscles
stronger.
– eat only when hungry — not out of boredom — a healthy weight should
take care of itself.
* Be patient. intense focus on your child’s eating habits and weight can easily backfire, leading a child
to overeat even more, or possibly making him or her more prone to developing an eating disorder.
Prevention via Exercise
*Exercise physical active for at least 60 min/ day (aerobic, weight bearing, stretching)
* Aerobic activities (improve heart & lung) walking, jumping rope, playing tag, riding a bike, jogging &
swimming
* Weight Bearing (maintains bone & muscle) walking
* Balance and stretching (enhance stability & relax) gentle stretching, dancing, yoga, martial arts &
Tai Chi
* Bowel movement 1 to 3 per day
* Television watching 3 hours the max (1-2 hours of educational program)
* Read 20 minutes a day to establish a bond with the child and be able to work on the
weight reduction together
Prevention Via Diet
* Fresh fiber food: fruit 2 cups/d , vegetables, salads
* Cooked fiber vegetables 2 ½ cups/d : potato, sweet potato, squash (esp. butternut), carrot,
bok choy, kale
* Grains 6 oz/day: brown rice, 7-grain cereal, oatmeal, millet, barley, corn, whole grain bread and
pasta, flax powder
Prevention Nutrition
* Protein foods 5 ½ oz/ d : chicken, fish, egg, beans, tofu, nuts and seeds, yogurt, cottage cheese
* Milk 3 cups/ d: milk, yogurt, other milk products or calcium sources such as fortified food &
beverages
* Milk 2 cups/ d for ages 2 to 8
* Oils: safflower, sunflower, olive, unsalted butter
* Fluids: 6-8 glasses / day, pure water, herbal teas, vegetable juices, fruit juice (watered down ½)
* Be moderate about: low-fat milk, cheese, beef, salt, sugars and honey
Resources:
https://www49.mayoclinicembodyhealth.com/go/docID/DS00698
http://www.mypyramid.gov
American Academy of Pediatrics
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03.13.09
Posted in Nutrition at 2:42 pm by Administrator
What is Vitamin D?
- Fat-soluble vitamin, meaning it is stored in your body and can build up
in the amount
- Not an essential nutrient
- It is a hormone
- Modulated bone mineralization and demineralization
- Maintains normal thyroid function
How is it made?
- In the skin, it is activated by the sun’s ultraviolet (UV-B) rays
conversion of
7-dehydroergosterol into Vitamin D3. It is then processed in the liver
to 25-hydroxycholecalciferol. After than in the kidneys it gets
processed to for 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol which is the most
active form of vitamin D. Calcitriol mediated the intestinal absorption of
calciun, phosphorus, magnesium and zinc.
Active forms of Vitamin D:
Vitamin D2 = ergocalciferol derived from yeast
Vitamin D3 = cholecalciferol derived from lanolin from sheep’s wool ,
also available from fish liver oil
On the label if the Vitamin D3 source is not labeled then it is from wool.
If it is from Fish it will say it is fish derived. Please use caution is which type of vitamin D you take. If you are allergic to wool then either take the Vitamin D2 or the D3 that is from Fish (from a reputable manufacturer to not have any mercury). If you are being treated for Candidiasis and other fungal infection then use the vitamin D3 version.
Dosage:
Infants (starting the first 2 month after birth) = 400 IU per day
Children = 400 IU per day
Adolescence = 400 IU
Adults under 70 years old = 400 IU
Adults 70 or over = 600 IU
Sunlight Exposure
Adult with lighter pigmentation = 10-15 minutes
Adults with darker skin pigmentation = 5 to 10 times more
Toxicity:
- avoid doses >1000 IU daily unless instructed by your doctor and is monitored
- Vitamin D levels should be monitored after 4 months
Resources:
- Prevention of Rickets and Vitamin D deficiency in infants, Children, and
Adolescents by Carol L Wagner, MD from American Academy of
Pediatrics
- http://www.webmd.com/osteoporosis/living-with-osteoporosis-
7/answers?page=2
- Natural Therapeutics Pocket Guide 2nd Edition by Daniel L. Krinsky, RPh, MS
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03.03.09
Posted in ADHD, Uncategorized at 5:27 pm by Administrator
Definition:
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a chronic condition and often persists into adulthood. Problems associated with ADHD include inattention and hyperactive, impulsive behavior. While treatment won’t cure ADHD, it can help a great deal with symptoms. Treatment typically involves psychological counseling, medications or both. Treatment can make a big difference, and the majority of children with ADHD grow up to be vibrant, active and successful adults.
Symptoms and Sign:
ADHD has been called attention-deficit disorder (ADD) and hyperactivity. But ADHD is the preferred term because it describes both primary aspects of the condition: inattention and hyperactive-impulsive behavior. Signs and symptoms of ADHD become more apparent during activities that require focused mental effort. Signs and symptoms appear before the age of 7. In some children, signs of ADHD are noticeable as early as infancy.
Signs and symptoms of inattention may include:
q Often fails to pay close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork or
q other activities
q Often has trouble sustaining attention during tasks or play
q Seems not to listen even when spoken to directly
q Has difficulty following through on instructions and often fails to finish schoolwork, chores or
other tasks
q Often has problems organizing tasks or activities
q Avoids or dislikes tasks that require sustained mental effort, such as schoolwork or homework
q Frequently loses needed items, such as books, pencils, toys or tools
q Can be easily distracted
q Often forgetful
Signs and symptoms of hyperactive and impulsive behavior may include:
q Fidgets or squirms frequently
q Often leaves his or her seat in the classroom or in other situations when remaining seated is
expected
q Often runs or climbs excessively when it’s not appropriate or, if an adolescent, might
constantly feel restless
q Frequently has difficulty playing quietly
q Always seems on the go
q Talks excessively
q Blurts out the answers before questions have been completely asked
q Frequently has difficulty waiting for his or her turn
q Often interrupts or intrudes on others’ conversations or games
ADHD behaviors can be different in boys and girls:
q Boys are more likely to be hyperactive, whereas girls tend to be inattentive.
q Girls who have trouble paying attention often daydream, but inattentive boys are more likely
to play or fiddle aimlessly.
q Boys tend to be less compliant with teachers and other adults, so their behavior is often
more conspicuous.
You may suspect your child’s behavior is caused by ADHD if you notice consistently
inattentive or hyperactive, impulsive behavior that:
q Lasts more than six months
q Occurs in more than just one setting (typically at home and at school)
q Regularly disrupts school, play and other daily activities
q Causes problems in relationships with adults and other children
Normal behavior vs. ADHD
Most healthy children are inattentive, hyperactive or impulsive at one time or another. Preschoolers for eexample normally have a short attention span and aren’t able to stick with one activity for long. Even in older children and adolescents, attention span often depends on the level of interest. Most teenagers can listen to music or talk to their friends for hours but may be a lot less focused about homework.
The same is true of hyperactivity. Young children are naturally energetic — they often wear their parents out long before they’re tired. And they may become even more active when they’re tired, hungry, anxious or in a new environment. In addition, some children just naturally have a higher activity level than do others. Children should never be classified as having ADHD just because they’re different from their friends or siblings.
Children who have problems in school but get along well at home or with friends are not considered to have ADHD. The same is true of children who are hyperactive or inattentive only at home but whose schoolwork and friendships aren’t affected by their behavior.
Conventional Medicine treatment
Possible Explanations for increase in ADD/ADHD diagnosis
1. We are better at finding and helping children and adults who really do
have ADHD.
2.There are more children now who actually have ADHD
3.We have loosened the definition so more kids are being diagnosed and
treated.
4.We are actually diagnosing and treating many children who don’t have
ADHD, even by a loosened definition due to inadequate evaluations, schools
demanding treatment, parents unable to provide appropriate parenting because they are
not there.
Treatments and drugs
Standard treatments for ADHD in children include medications and counseling. Other treatments to ease ADHD symptoms include special accommodations in the classroom, and family and community support. Currently prescribed medications for ADD/ADHD are stimulant drugs (psychostimulants) and the nonstimulant medication atomoxetine (Strattera). Stimulant medications for ADHD include Methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta, Daytrana), Dextroamphetamine-amphetamine (Adderall), Dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine).
Alternative Medicine treatment
It is important to see the child in the context of his or her family, friends, school, and community, and not just as someone with a set of symptoms one is trying to fix.
Sometimes a change in the home environment, school or teacher is more important than any medicine or herb.
Naturopathic Integrative approach:
Nutrition – food Sensitivities and elimination diets
Nutritional Supplements
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Homeopathy
Botanical medicine such as Echinacea, Siberian ginseng, Blue-green algae, Ginkgo, Valerian, Lemon balm, Kava, Chamomile, Passion flower, and Hops
Iron
Zinc
Magnesium
Multivitamins
Creative Behavioral Approaches, such as structured scheduled, firm limits and lots of positive reinforcement and Physical exercise walking in the park or in an unfamiliar environment.
Prevention
There’s no way to prevent ADHD from occurring. However, there are a few steps that could help prevent problems caused by ADHD and assure your child is as physically, mentally and emotionally healthy as possible:
q During pregnancy, avoid anything that could harm fetal development. Don’t drink alcohol,
smoke cigarettes or use drugs.
q Protect your child from exposure to pollutants and toxins, including cigarette smoke,
agricultural or industrial chemicals, and lead paint (found in some old buildings).
q Be consistent, set limits and have clear consequences for your child’s behavior.
q Put together a daily routine for your child with clear expectations that include such things as
bedtime, morning time, mealtime, simple chores, and television.
q Avoid multitasking yourself when talking with your child, make eye contact when giving
instructions, and set aside a few minutes every day to praise your child.
q Work with teachers and caregivers to identify problems early. If your child does have ADHD
or another condition that interferes with learning or social interaction, early treatment can
reduce the impact of the condition.
Resources
Naturally Healthy Babies and Children by Aviva Romm, CPM, Herbalist AHG
https://www49.mayoclinicembodyhealth.com
The Integrative Approach to ADHD or Do 4 million children really need Ritalin? By Sanford C. Newmark M.D.
Epocrates
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