When Debbie Reynolds went into her local McDonald?s in Bournemouth she expected to be allowed to feed her ten week old daughter Sophie. However the manager came over and asked her to stop. She said that she wouldn?t and he asked her to leave. She stood her ground and carried on feeding the little girl until he left. However, she very upset about the situation and was determined to do something about it.

So she returned later with five of her friends from her ante natal class and they sat down at a table by the counter and all started to feed their babies at the same time. She says that none of the staff looked at them and the manager decided that there was nothing he could do.

The spokesperson for McDonald’s said that they were disappointed in the incident and the manager had been told that he had made a mistake and he would not do it again.

However, according to a survey by the National Childbirth Trust (NCT), this behavior is quite common in branches of McDonald?s across the UK. The NCT state that McDonald?s is considered to be the worst public place for breast feeding. Ikea was found to be the best shop to breast feed.

Since McDonald?s is very much aimed towards children, this does not support their efforts to encourage more families into the restaurants.

This comes after the fact that the Equality Bill is due to be released which will make it a legal requirement to be able to nurse babies in public places. Currently Britain has the lowest rate of breast feeding in Europe and the Department of Health are trying to increase this level.

It is important that mothers do not feel embarrassed to feed their children when required, since this is one of the main factors that causes women to cease feeding their babies sooner than they would have liked. Fortunately women are becoming increasingly militant on this issue and I wouldn?t be surprised if we have more of these sorts of incidents. It is also important to remember that actually very few people notice if a mother is nursing or just cuddling a baby, and even few have any problems with it anyway.

Further Information

McDonald’s apologises after group of mothers staged sit-in over breast-feeding ban

Mothers rate McDonald’s as the worst place for breastfeeding

Fructose is the sugar that naturally occurs in fruit. Because of this it is often thought to be healthier than other sugars and is used as a sweetener in many foods. It doesn?t raise the blood sugar levels as much as table sugar (sucrose) and so it was recommended to those with diabetes and blood sugar problems. Many people are aware of the problems of having too much sucrose in their diet but think that fructose is better for them because it comes from fruit and we are lead to believe that fruit is good for us. Fruit is good for us in reasonably quantities, but concentrated use of fructose is not.

However, recent research has indicated that it is not as healthy as people thought. It is estimated that 10% – 20% of our diets these days comes from fructose and this is just too much for our bodies to process. Fructose is processed by the liver rather than controlled by insulin which glucose is. It seems that those given fructose are more likely to put on weight around the stomach than those given glucose. It may lead to water retention, gas in the intestines and gout as well as fatigue, dizziness and behavioral changes. There are also possible links to diabetes and heart disease. In addition they had higher levels of cholesterol. There are also suggestions of links between fructose and hyperactivity and tooth decay in children.

Fructose is the sweetest of all the naturally occurring carbohydrates and is 1.73 times as sweet as sucrose. It has no nutrients in itself and can remove the levels of micronutrients in the body. The fruits with the highest levels of fructose are dates, grapes, pears and apples, it is also found in corn syrup, which is a synthetically produced sweetener, because it is very cheap to produce its use is now very wide spread. Sucrose is half glucose and half fructose.

There is no problem in consuming fructose in its natural form in fruit, fruit juice, jam and the like since it is relatively small quantities and there are enzymes in the fruit that help it to be processed naturally.

Further Information

Can Fruit Make You Fat

Fructose: Sweet, But Dangerous

Sugar?s Many Disguises

Fructose

Fructose is No Answer for a Sweetener

]]> http://blogs.babiesonline.com/nutrition/is-fructose-the-healthy-sugar/feed/ 0 http://blogs.babiesonline.com/baby/women-in-uk-will-be-able-to-nurse-in-public/ http://blogs.babiesonline.com/baby/women-in-uk-will-be-able-to-nurse-in-public/#comments Sun, 22 Jun 2008 21:30:26 +0000 Carolinecollard http://blogs.babiesonline.com/?p=3143

The Equality Bill will be released in England and Wales later this year. One aspect of this is that it will be illegal to stop a woman from breast feeding a baby under six months in a public place. Currently, if women feed their babies they can potentially be charged under public order or indecency legislation. Obviously this can make life very awkward for mothers with young children.

At the moment, 75% of women breast feed their newborns, but it drops to one quarter by the age of 6 months. Most of these mothers do not feed for any longer than two weeks. The UK currently has the lowest breast feeding rate in Europe, and it is hoped that this change in law will help to increase this.

For recent years the Department of Health has run a Breast is Best campaign to try to encourage new mothers to breast feed. However, there has only been a slight increase during this time. One of the issues involved is that mothers feel uncomfortable feeding their children in public and feel forced to feed them in public toilets and other private places.

However, in Scotland, which has a different set of laws, a law was passed four years ago which gave permission to nurse children of any age in public. Obviously it would be better if the rest of the UK followed this rule and were allowed to feed up to any age, but at least it is an improvement on the existing laws.
The law will also affect other aspects of life. Private member?s clubs, working men?s clubs and golf clubs, many of whom treat women as second class citizens, will now have to treat women as equal to men. The law also aims to reduce bias towards employing white males when women or ethnic minorities are equally or better qualified for the jobs.

Also, the Department of Health has recently made available ?150,000 a year, for three years to fund their National Breastfeeding Helpline across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. This line is operated by the Association of Breast Feeding Mothers and the Breastfeeding Network. Many women are keen to breast feed but run into various problems and do not know what to do about them and therefore stop feeding. The aim of this phone line is to help eliminate these problems and therefore increase the length of time for which the baby is nursed.

Zinc is a mineral that is involved in the functioning of over 300 enzymes and takes part in a great many biological functions. This means that inadequate intake can lead to a range of problems. It was first discovered to be an essential element in 1934. It is the mineral that is most commonly deficient, it is estimated that one fifth of people across the world are deficiency in zinc.

Food processing reduces the quantity of zinc in the food. When food is boiled, the zinc is leeched out into the water. There is a increased need for zinc for people who are under stress, suffering from infections and pre menstrual syndrome, who are on the contraceptive pill, who have excess copper, who have frequent alcohol consumption, who have unstable blood sugar levels and those who have a genetic increased need for zinc.

Symptoms of a zinc deficiency include a blank mind, confusion and lack of concentration, depression, loss of appetite, lack of motivation. It also seems that a deficiency in B6 and magnesium leads to poor dream recall.

Zinc supplementation is recommended in a whole range of conditions, which can be sorted into various categories.

Digestive problems such as food allergies, diarrhea and gastric ulcers. Zinc is essential for digesting food proteins and the production of hydrochloric acid in the stomach.

Skin problems such as acne, stretch marks, eczema and psoriasis. Zinc is important for collagen production, elastin synthesis and DNA repair.

Neurological conditions such as ADHD, autism, anorexia, schizophrenia and post natal depression.

Immune system conditions such as general immune system weakness, gingivitis and herpes. Zinc is important for many immune functions, such as protein synthesis.

Hormonal conditions such as pre menstrual syndrome, menopausal problems and fertility. Zinc is important in o estrogen production.

Other conditions such sickle cell anemia, Down Syndrome, high cholesterol, burns, hormonal imbalances, fertility and growth.

Good food sources include oysters, herrings, wheat, oats, meat, eggs, seafood, nuts, seeds, black eyed beans and tofu. Alternatively a supplement can be taken. A dose of 15mg is recommended for a standard long term dosage, with larger quantities to be taken under professional advice.

Zinc (Zn) – Easy Way to Natural Beauty

International Zinc Association ? Zinc and Human Health

Zinc ? Contributing to Better Health

Zinc Health Article

This information is not meant to constitute medical advice, please speak to your doctor before changing your diet.

Unfortunately, clinical depression is becoming increasingly common, in children as well as adults. It is considered to be the second most common psychiatric ailment in western society, with anxiety being the first.

There are many changes to lifestyle which can help ease the problem, whether not medication is taken as well.

A good, healthy diet is vital. This should include fresh fruit and vegetables, whole grains rather than white flour, oily fish or plenty of sesame, sunflower and linseeds (these have high levels of the fatty acids essential to good mental health).

There are also many foods that should be avoided. First of all is refined sugar. The consumption of excess quantities of sugar can lead to unstable blood sugar levels which can then lead to anxiety, depression and related symptoms.

Many of the additives in processed foods can have negative effects on moods. The artificial sweetener, aspartame, has been linked to depression. Alcohol is a brain depressant and also affects various body functions including sleep cycles. Products containing caffeine are also not recommended because they use up the body?s stores of B vitamins which are vital for mental health and also can give you a boost which is often followed by a low.

It is also important to consider any food intolerances or allergies. These can affect mood quite considerably. We tend to be intolerant to items that we get cravings for, so try eliminating these and see how you feel.

I consider a good, all round, multinutrient is vital for everybody, especially those with any sort of health problems. It is very hard these days to get enough nutrients in the diet, and by the time we are feeling ill we are already usually deficient in something. Many nutrients such as vitamin B, zinc, omega fatty acids and amino acids are vital to mental health.

Exercise is something else that is very important. It has many useful functions in keeping the body healthy. It produces endorphins which make us feel better. Going out in the park or, even better, in the countryside is also important, many people feel noticeably better after a brief time in nature.

It is also important to talk and to cry if you feel the need, but also to realise that you can feel better and to look at all the positive things in your life. There are many books available now on this subject. Find one that suits you.

A couple of years ago I went through a phase where I went to the dentist with toothache, he removed the tooth and then a week or two later I had another toothache and the process repeated itself. In the end I had 11 teeth removed in the space of a year. I went back to taking my calcium tablets and the problem cleared up, whether this was coincidence or not I don’t know, but now after a couple of years I have had no problems at all. Having asked around, I found that actually this is quite common for women in their forties to go through a phase like this.

We all know that diet affects our teeth, but I don’t think we all know how important it is. A healthy diet is essential for all parts of the mind and body. These days everybody has a reasonable idea of what they should be eating, even if they don’t follow those guidelines. We all know that we should be cutting back on sugar and salt increasing our intake of fruits and vegetables. On top of that I consider a good multinutrient to be essential, it gives a good foundation of everything that is required in a health diet and I shall cover here the most relevant nutrients.

Calcium is one thing that is very important, this is particularly the case with women who have had children, since pregnancy and breast feeding can deplete your calcium levels. Milk is often recommended as a good source of calcium, but, unfortunately, it is not very well absorbed. Green vegetables are also a good source of calcium or you can take a supplement and this can protect against osteoporosis as well. Calcium is best absorbed if take in conjunction with magnesium and boron. Vitamin D also helps the absorption of calcium.

As well as the teeth it is also important to look after the gums. If your gums are bad you can lose perfectly good teeth. Vitamin C is very good for the gums it reduces the chance of infection and helps the blood circulation, this is found mainly in fresh fruit and vegetables. A B vitamin deficiency can lead to bleeding gums and other mouth problems. CoEnzyme Q10 is highly recommended for many gum conditions, this has to be taken as a supplement.

Aloe vera is very popular for mouth disorders. It is recommended for the whole of the digestive system. It can be drunk or taken in capsules form and is particularly good for mouth ulcers and bleeding gums. It is also possible to get aloe vera toothpaste, which many people find helps various mouth conditions.

Further Information

Nutrition For Your Teeth

Nutrition and Gingivitis

Yogurt has been recommended by Ayurvedic practitioners for over 5000 years. Prior to the 1900s it used to be an important part in many diets across the world. Live yogurt is created by the bacterial fermentation of milk and it contains quantities of the healthy bacteria in our bodies, including lactobacillus bulgaricus, streptococcus thermophilus, lactobacillus acidophilus and other unpronouncable ones. They help to control the bad bacteria in our digestive system that cause Candida and many other complaints and help the absorption of food and nutrients and removal of waste. The better the digestive system works, the healthier we are. It is also packed with calcium, protein, riboflavin, phosphorus and vitamin B12.

There has been plenty of research on live yogurt in relation to many health conditions. There are indications that it boosts the immune system, prevents intestinal infections, reduces bad breath, helps protect against superbugs, protects against cancer, reduces the side effects of antibiotics, treats infant diarrhea, lowers cholesterol and that it reduces vaginal yeast infections. In addition, often those who have a dairy intolerance can manage yogurt even though they cannot tolerate other dairy products. In these cases a regular intake of yogurt can actually help the dairy intolerance as well. Research is also taking place looking at the relationship between yogurt and many other conditions including bowel cancer, autism and eczema.

There are many different types of yogurt and yogurt based foods across the world, including strained yogurts such as Greek Yogurt, Dahi and Bulgarian Yogurt, Dadiah, Labneh, Rahmjogurt, Caspian Sea Yogurt, Jameed, Ayran, Lassi, Mattha, Tak, Chaas, Yop and Kefir .

It is important to remember that your yogurt should always be live yogurt. Other yogurts will not be so effective. It is also important to look at the various additives to the yogurt. Sugar will reduce the effectiveness as may other products. Also, many items in the shops today give the impression that they are yogurt when they are not.

Yogurt can be bought readily in most supermarkets and health shops. Alternatively if you are a keen consumer you can make your own which will keep the price down. There are many yogurt makers around or you can just make your own by taking some yogurt, adding some milk, heating it up and then leaving it for while. A link to a website with complete details on making your own is listed below.

Yogurt Power

Wikipedia on Yogurt

Health Benefits of Yogurt and Instructions for Making it

]]> http://blogs.babiesonline.com/nutrition/the-wonders-of-yogurt/feed/ 0 http://blogs.babiesonline.com/nutrition/sourdough-bread/ http://blogs.babiesonline.com/nutrition/sourdough-bread/#comments Wed, 09 Apr 2008 21:30:43 +0000 Carolinecollard http://blogs.babiesonline.com/2008/04/09/sourdough-bread/

As the next step on my health campaign, I decided to start making sourdough bread. Sourdough is an alternative to the standard baker’s yeast that most bread is made from now. It is made from a wild yeast, rather than a cultured yeast and was traditionally used to make bread. This wild yeast contains lactobacillus, which is one of the active ingredients in yogurt.

It is thought that sourdough began with the ancient Egyptians in about 1500 BC. During the Middle Ages it was replaced by barm which is used in brewing and later by standard baker’s yeast. Sourdough is often used throughout Europe for their rye bread. It was popular in North California during the gold rush there and also in Alaska and Canada during the Klondike Gold Rush.

In order to start making sourdough bread you need a starter culture. I bought one on eBay for a couple of pounds which came complete with instructions. Once this is set up you just take some of the starter culture and mix it with the usual bread making ingredients, sugar, salt, water, margarine and flour and make your loaves. I find the whole thing incredibly easy and the children like the bread (I didn’t tell them the name until after they had tasted it in case that put them off).

Overall the bread takes much longer to make than normal yeasted bread. As a result of this it is more digestible and since many of us now have candida or yeast infections, it will help. Most anti-candida diets allow sourdough bread (except for the strictest) so it is a good replacement. For a long time now I have been making my own bread in a bread machine. However, I find this much easier because the timings are more flexible and therefore I don’t have to be there when the machine beeps. Also, I can do it in larger quantities. These days as the prices of bread and flour are increasing it also gives another option and enables us to be sure of exactly what goes into the bread. I use spelt flour with my bread which has a lower gluten level than standard wheat and therefore is less likely to cause an intolerance or allergic reaction. I also add linseeds or sesame seeds which the children eat quite happily in the bread, but would refuse if I gave them to them to eat on their own. Sourdough can be more effective than normal yeast when using flour with a lower gluten level. In addition the glycemic index is much lower and there are more nutrients.

Further Information

Sourdough and Health

Making a Sourdough Starter

Sourdough Recipes

Some time ago I borrowed a book entitled A Complaint Free World from my local library. Basically the book was saying that if we stopped complaining we would be much happier. On the strength of this I looked at their website and ordered some of their wristbands. The principle behind the wristbands is that each time you catch yourself gossiping or complaining, you swap the band to the other wrist. In the end you will stop gossiping and complaining and your life will be much better for it. The target is 21 days without complaining, because the theory is that it takes 21 days to break a habit and complaining is only a habit.I didn?t consider myself to be someone who moans a lot, so I was very surprised when I realized how much I do complain. I must admit that I am a long way off 21 days but I keep trying and I will get there in the end!!

The concept behind the bracelets is the fact that we create our world through the way we talk and think. This is becoming more and more understood and appreciated. When we are negative about life we attract increasing amounts of negative things into it. When we are positive we attract increasing amounts of positive things into it. You will find that as you complain less, the people around you will complain less too, you only really follow each other.

This was all started by the author of the book, Will Bowen, who is the lead minister at Christ Church Unity in Kansas City, MO. One day he handed out purple bracelets and suggested that his congregation used them to minimize their complaining. This idea went from strength to strength and now there are over 5 million bracelets out there, worn by people in over 80 countries who are doing their best to be positive.

The website sells the bracelets very cheaply since they are out to spread the word rather than to make a lot of money. There is a Complaint Free Kids curriculum that can be downloaded free of charge which will be of interest to teachers and those home schooling. As well as being in schools, the bracelets are to be found in hospitals, prisons, drug rehab centers, Girl Scout troops, Boy Scout troops, and other not-for-profits around the world.

Research published in the medical journal, Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology, and which was undertaken in the University Hospital of Lille and Broussais in France on 9636 French people aged over 65 indicates that women who drink at least three cups of tea a day are less likely to have heart attacks and strokes. However, no such improvement was shown in men. A similar study was done on younger men and women, and no link between tea and heart disease and strokes was found. There also seemed to be no improvement in those who drank one or two cups of tea.

The aim of the research was to see whether there was a link between tea drinking and various other variables. It showed that as well as being linked with heart attacks and strokes, those women who drank more tea were less likely to have high blood pressure, diabetes and a high body mass index. (BMI), they were also less likely to smoke. In men, those who drank tea were less likely to drink much alcohol or coffee and also less likely to eat meat. Both men and women who drank tea were more likely to eat fish, fruit and vegetables and to have a higher level of education.

Those women who had more than three cups of tea a day were found to have fewer plaques on the carotid arteries than those who did not. These plaques are a build up of cholesterol and fat and are linked to an increase in heart attacks and strokes. Apparently 34% of those who drank three or more cups of tea a day had plaques, compared to 44% of those who drank no tea all. Other factors such as weight and diet were also taken into account.

However, whilst the results tested for the plaques, due to the short length of the study, the actual incidence of hearts attacks or strokes was not measured. Also, the quantity of tea drunk was reported by the individual and not measured scientifically. In addition the type of tea drunk was not reported, whether it was black tea, green tea or something else.

However, keep drinking that tea!!

Further Information

Tea Good for Women?s Hearts

Tea Consumption Is Inversely Associated With Carotid Plaques in Women

Drinking Tea ? Is it Good or Bad?

This information is not meant to constitute medical advice, please speak to your doctor before changing your diet.

Epilepsy can be a very distressing condition and the medication from the doctor is not always as effective as we would like. However, the correct diet can help the condition. First of all it is necessary to follow the guidelines recommended for general health such as plenty of water, plenty of fruit and vegetables and not too much salt and sugar. A good quality multinutrient is also important to ensure that we have adequate vitamins, minerals, enzymes and other nutrients. Seizures may be caused by various nutritional problems, including low blood sugar levels, nutritional imbalances and excess alcohol.Many nutrients can help epilepsy, one of the more common ones is a vitamin B complex. More B vitamins are required when you are under stress, and seizures can cause and lead to stress. Because B vitamins are water based, it is difficult to have to much of them, because any excess will be washed out the body.

Vitamin E has been indicated in research to reduce the quantity of seizures. The contraceptive pill can lead to a deficiency in vitamin E.

Chromium can help blood sugar levels, which can be an important factor in epilepsy. In those women where seizures occur premenstrually, it is particularly likely that there is a blood sugar issue.

A deficiency in magnesium is known to be a factor in seizure frequency, and if a supplement is taken, this should also include calcium as it helps the absorption of magnesium. Calcium has a sedative effect and a deficiency can lead to depression and allergies.

The quantity of zinc in the body can be reduced by taking anticonvulsants or the contraceptive pill. Zinc is very important in the correct functioning of the nervous system and is used to treat mild mental conditions and schizophrenia.

Dimethyl-Glycine (DMG) is an amino acid that has been used to treat epilepsy. It helps the oxygen flow to the brain. Another useful amino acid is taurine, an increase in which can lead to improved brain function.

Essential Fatty Acids are also very important with any neurological condition.

Things to be avoided are MSG (monosodium glutamate, E621) which is a flavor enhancer and used in many foods particularly crisps and Chinese takeout. Aspartame is an artificial sweetener which has been linked to seizures. Alcohol and coffee can have a negative effect. St John?s Wort and Evening Primrose Oil may also lead to an increase in seizures.

Further information

Epilepsy and Nutrition

Low Blood Sugar – Hypoglycemia

Epilepsy and Hormones

This information is not meant to constitute medical advice, please speak to your doctor before changing your diet.

A recent survey of 3500 breastfeeding mothers in the United Kingdom has shown that most breastfeeding mothers have had problems feeding their babies in public, due to the reactions of others. Over one third of mothers prefer to feed their babies in public toilets and a fifth will leave the baby crying rather than stop to feed him in public. Over half of the mothers have experienced unwanted attention and 12% have been asked to stop feeding. In fact, 14% have had an argument with someone who wanted them to stop. One third of the mothers feel that they have to bottlefeed their child (often with expressed milk), rather than feed in public.

In an environment where we are supposedly encouraged to breastfeed this is absolutely ridiculous and quite worrying. In new mothers, where they are still struggling to get to grips with breastfeeding any way, this is enough to change their minds completely. Presumably complaints against breastfeeding are greater as the child gets older. It can be very hard to tell whether a baby is being fed or just cuddled, but feeding a two year old may be both harder to hide and more disapproved of. Whilst there are various techniques for hiding the fact that you are breastfeeding, it shouldn?t be necessary. I suspect that many of us often walk past nursing mothers without even realizing.

When I first read this article, I assumed that it was due to us Brits being somewhat reserved, I was quite surprised to find that the problems are the same in America and Australia.

In America there is a national goal that 75% of babies are breastfed by the year 2010, which isn?t very long now. If this is to happen it is essential that it is acceptable to feed in public.

In Australia, breastfeeding mothers can claim under anti-discrimination laws. However, there is still a lot of prejudice even here and mothers are still asked to leave or to stop feeding when they are in public places.

Hopefully, this is another one of those issues, that if everybody does their little bit it will slowly become more acceptable and recognized as the norm and it is essential to remember that as mothers our prime responsibility is to our children, not to some passer by who doesn?t like what we are doing.

Further Information

New mums across Britain are terrified at the thought of breastfeeding in public, according to a new survey

Breastfeeding Out and About

Breastfeeding in Whose Public?

Nurse Here Now

It is thought that about one third of women suffer from stress incontinence. It is the most common form of incontinence. The symptoms are accidental leaks of wee when you laugh, cough, sneeze, lift or exercise. Stress incontinence regularly occurs during pregnancy, due to the hormone relaxin, which softens the muscles, but often goes after the birth. However it is also particularly common in the five years after childbirth as this can weaken the muscles and it is also more likely as we age.

Stress incontinence is caused by a muscle at the bottom of the bladder, which doesn?t stay closed when it should and therefore leads to leakage. Also, premenstrually, the hormones can affect the pelvic floor muscles and make the symptoms worse. Obesity and constipation can put added pressure on the muscles and increase the chances of stress incontinence. The menopause often weakens the pelvic floor and therefore increases the possibility of such problems. Smoking and health conditions that make you cough can also make stress incontinence worse, since the coughing can weaken the muscles. Giving up smoking is recommended for those with stress incontinence.

One solution to this problem is pelvic floor exercises. These involve tightening and releasing the muscles around the anus and then around the vagina on a regular basis. I do this when waiting for a bus or in a queue at the shop, at least it feels like I am doing something useful with my time!!

This exercising can also be done by the use of vaginal cones which are inserted in the vagina and are held there by the pelvic floor muscles. You tense the muscles up to hold the cone in place initially for one minute. There are varying size cones to be used as the muscles get stronger and the period of time can also be lengthened. I have never tried this so I do not know what it is like. If necessary there is also medication and surgery that can be used to help the problem, but for most people it is just a bit of a nuisance and nothing more serious.

Stress incontinence can occur in men, but it is uncommon and often the result of either an accident or surgery.

This article is not meant to constitute medical advice, please contact your doctor if you have any concerns.

For further information

What is Stress Urinary Incontinence

Stress Incontinence

Pelvic Floor Exercises

Vaginal Cones

The campaigning group, Consensus Action on Salt and Health, have recently released research which says that some processed food contains the entire recommended daily intake for a six year old in just one portion. There are indications that salt can not only increase heart attacks and strokes but can also have a negative effect on stomach cancer, osteoporosis, asthma and other conditions.

According to World Action on Salt and Health the following shows the maximum amount of salt that children should have in their diet.

On the positive side, research by Consensus Action on Salt and Health has shown that salt content in ready meals has dropped by nearly half in the last four years. However, this is still considered not nearly enough. Most processed food contains some salt, even some of those products that advertise themselves as healthy can have well above a healthy amount. Apparently many ready made sandwiches have over 2 grams of salt.

I have just had a quick trip down to the local supermarket. An average slice of bread contains half a gram of salt and a tin of soup contains 2 grams. It doesn?t take much to go over the recommended level, especially if you have one of those teenagers who never seem to stop eating. It seems that the only reliable way of keeping below the limits is to make your food from scratch.

Apparently Rochdale Council, in north west England have recently given salt shakers to the local chip shops, which have fewer holes, to reduce the quantity of salt customers add to their food.

On the strength of reading about this yesterday, I decided to take a stand and tell my children that there would be no more salt on the table. I was expecting a big fuss, but there was none. I told them that after a couple of days they would get used to the change in the taste of their food and they ate all their dinner without any more fuss than usual.

This article is not meant to provide any medical advice. Please consult your doctor for further information.

Further Information

World Action on Salt and Health

Consensus Action on Salt and Health

Sandwiches Rival Crisps on Salt

It is not uncommon for the first symptoms of the perimenopause to show themselves when we are in our mid thirties. Sometimes these symptoms are put down to stress, overwork, not enough sleep etc, but they can persist. As we get older our body can struggle to keep the natural cycle of hormones going as it was before. It is now possible to get a test from your doctor which can show whether the changes have started, however it is not completely reliable because your hormones can change from day to day.

Many people do not want to go to the doctor with these sort of problems because they don’t feel that there is much that he can do other than put them on HRT. Others want to start with the natural alternatives first and only use conventional methods if necessary, still others feel that the problems aren’t severe enough to warrant medication, but would still like to feel better.

The first thing to do here is to look at diet and lifestyle. We all know the basics of leading a healthy lifestyle – daily exercise, plenty of fruit and vegetables and so on – however many of us do not follow this advice as well as we should.

When we start into the perimenopause some people believe it is possible to help stabilize the hormones with the use of something called the HRT cake. This is a cake made with many natural phytoestrogens and it is recommended that you eat a slice a day. It is a pleasant enough cake and you can either make it yourself or there are places that sell it.

A good multinutrient is also recommended, it is difficult to get all the nutrients that we need from our diet, especially as we get older and this can show itself in a whole range of symptoms.

If you have given all of these things a trial for a while, and the symptoms still haven’t eased then it may be worth looking into some of the herbs that have been used with the menopausal symptoms. These include agnus castus, black cohosh, wild yam. Personally I would recommend trying the simple lifestyle changes and then, if necessary, seeing a nutritionist or a herbalist to give specific advice on your situation.

Further Information

The Menopause

Natural Menopause

Natural Menopause

Complementary Medicine for Menopause

HRT Cakes on the Menu

HRT Cake

This article is not meant to constitute medical advice. Please consult your doctor before making changes to your diet or lifestyle.

My sister and her family recently came to visit, leaving the Australian summer for the Welsh winter. Needless to say, they all went down with coughs and colds. Lizzie, the good Australian mother that she is, wanted eucalyptus oil. She laughed when I produced the 10 ml bottle that I keep in my first aid kit. Over there they get it in 500 ml bottles and use it for the laundry as well due to its natural cleansing capabilities.

As far as coughs and colds are concerned, eucalyptus is a natural antiseptic and inhaling it can help fight all sorts of respiratory conditions. I put it on the children’s pillows at night when they have colds, as well as on my husband’s pillow if he keeps snoring!! If a child is coughing in the night a few drops seems to stop the coughing, if they are blocked up it will make their nose run. Admittedly they don’t all like the smell, but I do. If you put a small amount in an essential oil burner it can spread throughout the house and hopefully stop the rest of the family going down with the bug as well.

Apparently eucalyptus can be used as an insect repellent, for lice, muscular aches and pain, poor circulation, cystitis, chicken pox, headaches and more.

The Aborigines have used eucalyptus for hundreds of years for treating conditions such as fever, wounds, coughs and asthma. In the 19th century, doctors used it for treating a range of conditions as well as sterilizing their instruments. Eucalyptus oil has long been used in many over the counter treatments for colds, however, it must never be taken internally and should not be put directly on the skin. Check with your doctor if you suffer from high blood pressure or epilepsy before using eucalyptus oil. Also, it is believed that it reduces the effectiveness of homeopathic remedies.

There are over 500 species of eucalyptus tree, and many of these can be grown across Europe and North America, not just in its native Australia. However, if you are thinking of growing your own, be careful, it is a very fast growing plant. This feature, used in the correct circumstances, however, makes it a very sustainable, and therefore environmentally friendly plant.

For further information:

Answers.Com

University of Maryland Medical Center

This article is not meant to provide any medical advice. Please consult your doctor for further information.

Intestinal worms is probably one of the most embarrassing conditions that your child may suffer from. There are many different types of worm, of which the most common is thread worm or pin worm. These worms just look like a small piece of white thread and are usually completely harmless, although they can cause considerable anal itching. Other fairly common worms are tape worms, round worms and hook worms. These can have more serious effects and should be dealt with with some urgency.

It is possible to get something from the doctor to treat worms, but having known a couple of people who had bad reactions to this, I decided to take the natural route. The first thing that I started my daughter and myself on was garlic capsules. For the first day or two there was an increase in the itching, but after that it settled down and we have not had any itching since (this was about 6 weeks ago). I was certainly expelling quite a lot of worms. When things had settled down I added one drop of black walnut tincture a day to my water and again I expelled more worms. Because Emily has been unwell I decided just to keep her on the garlic for a while as I didn?t want to do anything that would shock her system too much. The advantage of garlic is that it also seems to boost the immune system and therefore, helps to ward of the various bugs at the same time. We are both feeling better generally but, of course, it is difficult to know when you have got rid of all the worms.

Cleanliness is important when getting rid of worms. If you scratch your bottom and then put your fingers in your mouth, the eggs are then transported back into the digestive system. Obviously we would not do this on purpose, but you may well scratch in your sleep. The best method of dealing with this is to wear knickers in bed, and if necessary also cotton gloves, and in the morning wash under your nails with a nail brush. Salt kills the worms, so put a bit of cheap salt in your bath and also, when you have a poo, wash you bottom with salt water.

Dietary changes can help, try cutting down on white flour and sugar and increasing the intake of garlic, raw carrots, brown rice and pumpkin seeds.

There are many other natural treatments that may help worms of which the most popular are sage, wormwood and the homeopathic remedy cina 6.

Also, remember that worms are very common and you are not the only one suffering from them and it is nothing to be embarrassed about.

Some time ago I bought a homeopathic first aid kit on Ebay. Mine was produced by Ainsworths, but there are a few other companies that also produce them.

It is in a handy box with a handle and contains 42 small phials of the tablets and an instruction book. It is not very big and easy to pack into your suitcase when going away. All the remedies are of 30 potency which is what is usually needed for first aid purposes. I find that the kit is one of those things that when you have it you don’t understand how you managed without it. The remedies are suitable for both people and animals. It is helpful for all those problems that occur in a family, the remedies help health problems and emotional problems.

The book lists many health problems such as anxiety, back pain, diarrhea, headaches and sleep problems, the different remedies that can be used to treat the condition and the criteria for deciding which one to use. Because homeopathy works on different principles and concepts to conventional medicine the method of selecting is different.

For instance, under colds it says:

Aconite – Sudden onset and early stage of a cold

Allium Cepa – A streaming cold with much sneezing and watery eyes

Arsen Alb – A streaming cold with burning discharge from eyes and nose

Calc Carb – Stuffy colds with offensive smell in the nose and unpleasant smelling yellow mucus.

and so on.

Each of the remedies will work for a range of conditions, for instance phosphorus is used for anxiety, nosebleeds, coughs, colds, laryngitis, fright, haemorrhage and backache.

I have other more detailed books as well for other conditions or, of course, you can also look on the internet. Because the kit includes the most popular remedies for first aid purposes, there is usually something in there that will help the condition.

Homeopathic remedies can work very quickly and when the healing properties wear off you can simply take another one. They include such a small amount of a substance that there are no side effects and there is no problem if you take the wrong one, because it just won’t do anything. The only caution is not to keep taking a remedy that does not seem to work.

Homeopathy work on the basis of like cures like and the tablets include an infinitesimal amount of a remedy but they can be incredibly effective and are steadily increasing in popularity.

Wikipedia on Homeopathy

Very few of us can honestly say that we have few negative emotions and many of us suffer from stress on a regular basis, especially if we have a few children. The children also have their own negative emotions to deal with, this is part of growing up. A certain amount of worry, stress and so on is normal and we deal with it appropriately and move on. At other times these feelings get on top of us and we feel unable to cope or that they are holding us back. If this is the case then we should do something about it. One method is the use of flower remedies.

Flower and gem remedies are based on homeopathic principles and use a very small amount of a flower or gem diluted an enormous amount of times. This is normally put in brandy because it keeps better that way, but you can also buy alcohol free versions.

Many people these days have heard of the Rescue Remedy, this is generally given in extreme nervous or panic type situations. My daughter recently had to have a medical which I thought would involve a blood test. Since she has a big problem with needles I put a couple of drops of Rescue Remedy in her drink, hoping to take the edge off the fear. I also had some myself, but as it happened there was no blood test so it didn?t matter. Rescue Remedy is also often used if you have a shock or something like that.

There are numerous other flower remedies, as an example, my first aid kit includes the following:

• Agrimony ? for people who keep their troubles hidden under a mask of pleasure and happiness
• Avocado ? for memory
• Chrysocolla-gem-silica ? afraid to speak, unsettled, scared
• Crowea ? unsettled and agitated, worrying and not knowing why
• Happy Wanderer ? encourages standing on one?s own feet
• Heather ? people who are obsessed with themselves but who do not like to be alone
• Hybrid Pink Fairy Orchid ? for those who go up and down with the praise of others
• Isis ? Sick, tired, unbalanced
• Mallow ? socially insecure
• Olive ? exhausted in body and mind after long people of stress
• Scleranthus ? inability to choose between alternatives
• Star of Bethlehem ? after effects of shock, even shock received many years ago
• Travel Essence ? for travel related fears
• Two ? useful when thinking the same thought over and over again
• Vine ? dominance and inflexibility
• Walnut ? protect against outside influences
• Water Violet ? pride and aloofness
• White Chestnut ? unwanted thoughts and mental arguments

No doubt, this list says something about my personality!

These remedies have been used with pregnant women, babies and animals. If in doubt, check with your doctor before use.

Further information

Energetic Healing Association, Australia

British Flower and Vibrational Essences Association

Flower Essence Society

Cystitis is an unpleasant condition, but seldom very serious. Most women experience at least one episode of it during their lifetime. It is much less common in men and children, although if they do develop cystitis they should see a doctor. Cystitis is usually caused by a urine infection which then leads to inflammation in the bladder. The symptoms are an increased frequency to urinate and a burning pain when you do. Often you can also feel generally unwell and sometimes have a fever too. Women going through the menopause are more likely to experience cystitis due to various changes that are going on in the body.

The standard treatment is to drink lots of water, some people also suggest putting some bicarbonate of soda in the water, this helps to alkalize the infection. Recent studies show that often the infection will go away on its own after about three days without any treatment at all. Research has also shown that cranberry juice has a positive effect.

Antibiotics can also help, if the symptoms do not clear up after a few days, or there is blood in the urine, you should see your doctor. If cystitis is allowed to carry on for some time it can develop into a kidney infection which is much more serious.

If you have regular episodes of cystitis this is known as recurrent cystitis and may need some lifestyle changes. In these circumstances, it is essential to wear cotton underwear and avoid tights and other tight clothes that can make you sweaty. Cleanliness is important and avoid deodorants, bubble baths and other products that may alter the acid/alkaline balance in the vagina. Also you need to drink plenty of water on a regular basis and either drink cranberry juice or take cranberry capsules. If you are prone to other sorts of infections as well you probably need to boost your immune system by taking a good multinutrient and eating plenty of fruit and vegetables.

According to Louise Hay, who links all physical conditions with certain emotions, cystitis is caused by being ?pissed off? usually with members of the opposite sex, and certainly my daughter only ever gets it when she visits her father! But, of course, that could be coincidence!

The standard homeopathic remedy which is recommended is Cantharis 30. I have tried it with my daughter and the symptoms certainly improved, but in her case it never quite got rid of the condition, but she had very stubborn cystitis, I think due to a weakened immune system.

As always, if you are at all concerned visit your doctor.