Environmental toxins are among the most destructive and dangerous substances for our babies.

During the first year of life, children's cells multiply rapidly while their immune, respiratory and nervous systems are still not fully developed. Because their metabolic systems are not completely mature, children are less able to detoxify and excrete pollutants when exposed to them in large quantities. Pollutants come in the most insidious ways, through clothing, dry cleaning, water, unhealthy air, etc., We can only eliminate those that are under our control, but thankfully there are many sources that we can modify.

Because of the immaturity of the immune system in the first year of life, breast-feeding is definitely the most important of all solutions. The mother, however, has to make sure she does not have a great deal of toxins stored in her on body. Detoxification should always be done prior to pregnancy, during breast-feeding. Fore more information on this read "The Ageless Woman" (available from Global Nutrition, Inc., 1-888-461-0949).

It is important, however, that the mother takes extra antioxidants such as vitamin E, glutathione and lipoic acid to protect herself and her baby. She should also take vitamin C, but in moderate quantities, so as not to cause diarrhea in the infant.

Soy based Formulas:
The Consumer Union found that genetically modified organisms (GMOs) were present in three of the top selling brands of soy formula. GMOs may put the infant at risk for developing new allergies and antibiotic resistance.

Milk based Formulas:
Most cows' milk formulas contain bovine growth hormones, antibiotics and steroids, in addition to refined sugar.

Solution: The best choice is to look for formulas labeled organic, GMO-free formula.

For years I have taught my patients to create their own healthy formula based on the knowledge of what mothers' milk contains. Breast milk is rich in taurine, an amino acid that relaxes the baby and is a good antioxidant that helps metabolize fats and makes the gall bladder content more fluid and better able to emulsify the fat content in the bowel. Very often I recommend to my patients that they add the following to each eight-ounce bottle of goat's milk or GMO-free soymilk:

1. 200-250 mgs of taurine*. (You can easily find a 500 mg. capsule and empty out half of it into the 8 oz. bottle).
   
2. 10 mgs. liquid zinc.
   
3. 1 teaspoonful of flax seed oil (which contains the Omega-3 that children need for cell growth).
   
4. One quarter-teaspoonful of the best probiotic
   

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In 1999 the Environmental Working Group (EWG) found that infants consuming conventional apple juice, apple sauce, pears and peaches were exposed to unsafe levels of organophosphates. These are a class of pesticides that accumulate in the body's tissues and can damage the brain and the nervous system of the child. Pesticides, in general, also interfere with the body's capacity to process essential fatty acids which are an important building block in developing new cells.

Solution: Look for certified organic baby foods.

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Conventional disposal diapers contain toxic chemicals that may contribute to asthma and many other damaging conditions in children. Diapers that are super white also contain traces of dioxin, an industrial bleach that has been linked to cancer, birth defects, liver damage and hormonal disruption.

Solution: Use safer disposal diapers made with cotton instead of wood pulp. These diapers do not contain synthetic dyes, perfumes or conditioners that can also irritate the baby's skin.

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A study by Danish researchers with Udentz University found that parabens contained in many conventional diaper rash ointments can cause hormonal disruption which will have longlasting and dreadful consequences in the child's life.

Solution: Use an herbal ointment, such as chamomile, lavender and calendula. Use natural moisturizers for the baby such as almond oil, aloe vera and chamomile oil. All of these are old, well-proven and safe remedies. Flax seed oil can also be massaged into the child's buttocks to reduce rashes. Some of it will be absorbed into the pool of essential fatty acids, so needed by an infant.

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Talcum powder is a lung irritant. A study done at Brigham and Womens Hospital in Boston, MA has linked it to ovarian cancer.

Solution: To keep the baby's bottom dry use cornstarch or arrowroot powder.

Whenever possible, use 100% organically grown cotton, manufactured without synthetic dry finishes. Synthetic fibers come from non-renewable petroleum sources and reduce the benefits of healthy perspiration and can cause overheating and possible allergic reactions.

This guideline should be followed for children of all ages.

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Homeopathy are remedies that are particularly good for children. They are based on the concept that "like cures like". Homeopathy usually elicits a rapid response, especially in infants and allows the body to learn how to cure itself. You can find many over the counter combinations. Below are three that are easy to find and very useful:

Chamomile can calm the baby, especially during feeding time, or in cases of colic or infection.

Belladonna can be used to reduce a sudden onset fever, sore throat, even colic, frightening dreams and sleep disturbances.

Aconitum can be used during the first 24 hours of a mild infection. It is useful in reducing fevers, coughs, sore throats and any body ache.

These remedies, when used at the first appearance of the condition can abort them, reducing the chances of having to use immune disrupting drugs such as antibiotics or more serious interventions.

Asthma

In the United States, the incidence of asthma in children has increased by 150% in the last twelve years and is becoming a bona fide epidemic, according to statistics from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

The CDC reports that the number of asthma sufferers have doubled in the ten years, going from 6 to 7 million in 1980 to a skyrocketing 17.3 million in 1998. 4.9 million of these sufferers are children. This increase parallels the increase in pollutants that are dumped into our water, air and food.

Be aware and take action for your safety and that of your children.

Reference:
*Lebenthal, Emanuel MD. Textbook of Gastroenterology and Nutrition in Infancy., Vol. 1
Gastrointestinal Development and Perinatal Nutrition. Raven Press, NY.

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The standard medical approach to ear infections in children is antibiotics, analgesics (pain relievers) and/or antihistamines. If the ear infection is unresponsive to drug therapy, surgery is performed. The surgery involves the placement of a tiny plastic tube, known as a myringotomy tube through the eardrum to assist drainage of fluid out of the middle ear into the external auditory canal. This is not a curative process or procedure and children with myringotomy tubes in their ears are, in fact, more likely to have further problems with ear infections.

A number of well-designed studies have demonstrated that there were no significant differences in the clinical course of acute otitis media when conventional treatments were compared with placebo. Specifically, no differences were found between non-antibiotic treatment, ear tubes with antibiotics, and antibiotics alone.

As usual, it is most important to find the causative factor for the childrens' developing ear infection. The primary risk factors for otitis media are food allergies, day care attendance, woodburning stoves, parenteral smoking or exposure to other second hand smoke, and not being breastfed.

Since an ear infection can become quite serious, it is necessary that any individual with symptoms of acute ear infection be seen by a physician.

The following recommendations should be used to prevent future ear infections.

Recurrent ear infections are strongly associated with early bottle feeding, while breastfeeding (for a minimum of 4 months) appears to have a protective effect against ear infections. The major cause of chronic otitis media has been established in the medical literature to be due to FOOD ALLERGIES.  These studies show that 85 to 93% of children with chronic ear infections have allergies to inhalants, foods, or a combination of both.  Common food allergies include:

• Cow's milk

• Wheat

• Eggs

• Peanut

• Soy

• Corn

• Tomato

One way to assess the childrens' sensitivity to these allergens is to do an IgG Food Allergy Test, which requires a prescription from a physician.

An additional treatment option is the use of thymus gland extracts. Thymus gland secretes a family of hormones that act on white cells to insure proper development and function. Studies have shown that thymus gland extract, when given orally, improve immune function and decrease childrens' food allergies, while improving a child's resistance to chronic respiratory infections.

In addition, humidifiers are a popular treatment for ear infections and upper respiratory tract infections in children. Apparently the results of a 1994 study show that low humidity may play a significant role in ear infections.  

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Nutritional Supplements:

• Vitamin A

• Beta Carotene

• Vitamin C

• Bioflavinoids

• Zinc

• Thymus Extract (ProBoost (tm))

• Botanical medicines: Echinacea

Avoid food allergies.

At our Center, we have used, very successfully, what we call the "therapeutic cocktail". This consists of a combination of immune augmenting nutrients that can abort ear and respiratory infections or at least lessen the severity and length of any infection.

For more information on any of the products mentioned in this article, call Global Nutrition, Inc., 1-888-461-0949.