Do you know that blood pressure (BP) tracks throughout life? That high BP at childhood is most likely to mean hypertension in adulthood? It is therefore important that children`s BP be kept low.
A recent UK study, the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children, shows that physical activity, now more than ever, is very important for your child`s current health and his/her future health as an adult because it lowers BP. The study is not talking about intense activities and organized athletics training like tennis camp or football clubs. It`s more the normal daily activities like romping with the dog, walking to school, or climbing that tree in the backyard. The important thing is that kids should be mobile and not spend the whole day in front of the TV or the game boy console.

The results of the study are based on BP measurements of 5505 children aged 11 to 12 years old.
Cardiovascular disorders associated with hypertension are the number one cause of mortality in the developed world. But these are preventable and prevention should start at childhood. So – get moving!!!

Source:

Heartwire, 10 Dec 2007

The holiday season presents a nutritional challenge for everybody, for all kids from 1 to 92. For parents, it is even more difficult because they have to manage their own diet as well as those of their children.

Living in Switzerland, we were simply inundated with special Christmas chocolate goodies in all forms and shapes. The chocolate makers Lindt and Cailler brought out special chocolate holiday editions that will tempt anybody? much to the chagrin of those with hypertension, diabetes, or health-conscious mommies.

Chocolates need not be the enemies and moms need not be torn between their children?s health and holiday joy. Good news, chocolates can actually be healthy!

Several studies this year showed that chocolate ? dark chocolate ? is actually beneficial to your health!

Study # 1: German researchers showed that regular intake of dark chocolate could lower the blood pressure of people with mild to moderate hypertension ? in just 18 weeks.1

Study # 2: Swiss researchers studied the effect of dark chocolate in 22 heart transplant patients. And guess what they found? An intake of 40g of dark chocolate (70% cacao) can actually open up constricted cardiac arteries ? within hours!2

What makes chocolate unhealthy is the full-cream milk and sugar in it. White chocolate is also very unhealthy because it?s actually mainly cacao butter ? the fatty part of cacao. Dark chocolate, on the other hand, is actually a good mixture of protein, fat, and strong antioxidants. By giving your kids (and yourself) chocolates with less milk and sugar, you are actually eating healthy food!

1Taubert D, Roesen R, Lehmann C, et al. Effects of low habitual cocoa intake on blood pressure and bioactive nitric oxide. A randomized controlled trial. JAMA 2007; 298:49-60

2 Flammer A, Hermann F, Sudano I, et al. Dark chocolate improves coronary vasomotion and reduces platelet reactivity. Circulation. 2007;116:2376-2382.

I could no longer put off the much dreaded grocery store trip (I say dreaded because with a family of 7, it’s a huge event) and so I packed up the baby and off we went for our almost weekly shopping excursion.
Since he still has the lingering effects of a cold, I decided to check out the medicine aisle and hopefully save myself a trip to the drug store. I was checking out the saline drops etc and I was surprised to find that Lil’ Noses brand medicine still has the infant decongestant on the shelves. Well, what was left of it anyway.

So, it begs the question why Pediacare pulled their infant drops a few months ago. I found some info here. I checked out the Lil’ Noses website as well.

It appears that the Lil’ Noses brand does not contain pseudoephrine like the Pediacare. Perhaps that is why? In our state, even adults can’t buy pseudoephrine products without going to the pharmacy, showing a license and having the amount you purchase recorded. That’s a little funny.

When I was pregnant, I used that stuff a lot, until my blood pressure skyrocketed from toxemia. It made me a little worried you know, how much is too much and would the feds come after me? (don’t I have an overactive imagination)

Imagine, them breaking the door down and there I’d be, very pregnant in the kitchen with a bunch of kids taking my decongestant tabs every 4 hours to help relieve some of the nasal stuffiness I hated so much.

I almost bought the Lil’ Noses brand. Almost. And then I thought of the recall and I erred on the side of caution and bought the saline drops and Tylenol instead.

Am I wise, or letting fear rule me? I’m not really sure. My grandmother tells me that saline drops worked just fine for generations and I’m need to get over myself. Well, for once I’ll just accept grandma’s advice and not question.