Infant allergies found to be influenced by diet of mother

(NaturalNews) A study conducted by scientists at INRA research institute in Rennes, France, and recently published in the Journal of Physiology, has revealed a possible connection between the mother’s diet and her baby’s immune development. The scientists looked at a specific group of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), which can be obtained from raw, vegan sources, such as flaxseed, chia seed and walnut oil, and how it models the baby’s gut. If the mother’s diet is high in such fats, the gut of the baby will develop significantly different from that of a baby whose mother did not consume sufficient amounts of polyunsaturated fatty acids. PUFAs are responsible for training the immune system to adequately respond to the presence of bacteria and other pathogens, successfully reducing the incidence of allergies in infants. Dr Gaelle Boudry, who led the research team for this study, pointed out: “There is intense research interest in maternal diet during pregnancy. In the western diet, the group of polyunsaturated fatty acids that we have shown to help gut function are actually disappearing — our dietary intake of fish and nut oils is being replaced by corn oils which contain a different kind of fatty acid.” Until recently, scientific studies had been able to identify a clear connection between oil consumption in mothers and a reduced risk of allergy in infants, but how these two elements link together was not yet known. Past studies have also revealed that an increased consumption of polyunsaturated fats can, in fact, increase the length of the gestational period, as well as improve the development of the central nervous system of a baby – with effects on performance and intelligence becoming noticeable during childhood. The group of targeted polyunsaturated fats is known as n-3PUFA, and it is responsible for making the baby’s gut lining more permeable to foreign agents, which, upon reaching the bloodstream, trigger an immune response coupled with the production of antibodies to repel the pathogens. These types of acids, also called omega-3 essential fats, have been linked to a multitude of biological functions, ranging from brain development to cellular growth and cardiovascular health. Dr. Boudry further explained that “the end result is that the baby’s immune system may develop and mature faster, leading to better immune function and a reduced likelihood of suffering allergies”. Recent medical statistics have shown that the consumption of omega-3 fatty acids in the general population has decreased steadily over the years and that this correlates to an increased risk of allergies and hypersensitization in children. Although this specific study was conducted on piglets, the French science team plans on furthering their research to see how their findings translate to humans. Piglets were especially selected for this study, as their intestinal tracts are fairly similar to the human gut, and data obtained from them is likely relevant to humans as well. Moreover, Dr. Boudry has expressed interest for the future in studying how an increased omega-3 intake can help fight allergies during adulthood. [Editor's Note: NaturalNews is strongly against the use of all forms of animal testing. We fully support implementation of humane medical experimentation that promotes the health and wellbeing of all living creatures.] Sources for this article include: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/09/110908161444.htm http://www.upi.com/Health_News/2011/09/11/Mothers-diet-may-affect-babys-allergies/UPI-24341315714096/?spt=hs&or=hn http://medicalxpress.com/news/2011-09-mother-diet-baby-allergies-.html

Eating blueberries helps build strong bones, suggests study

(NaturalNews) Move over calcium, there is a new bone builder in town. Research published in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research back in 2010 showed that blueberry compounds helped improve bone development in lab rats, and new research conducted by the same team of scientists is now investigating how the fruit works in humans to boost bone development. Jin-Ran Chen and his colleagues from the Arkansas Children’s Nutrition Center in Little Rock recently received funding from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) to explore bone development in humans during infancy, childhood, and early adulthood. Part of this includes studying how blueberry compounds play a role in bone development. In their first study, Chen and his colleagues observed that blueberry polyphenols, which are the pigments in the fruit that give them their bluish, purple, and red colors, are clearly associated with building strong, healthy bones. Rats fed freeze-dried blueberry powder as ten percent of their diets developed significantly more bone mass than rats not fed the powder, which spurred further research into which blueberry compounds were responsible for this amazing effect. Blood samples taken from the blueberry-fed rats revealed high rates of phenolic acids, the antioxidant compounds believed to help improve bone development. When blood serum taken from the blueberry-fed rats was applied to lab cultures of osteoblasts, the cells responsible for forming bones, researchers noted that osteoblasts formed into mature, functional bone cells much more quickly than they otherwise would apart from exposure to the polyphenol-rich serum. TCF and LEF, two types of human genes, promote the synthesis of beta-catenin, a type of protein. Beta-catenin is responsible for telling osteoblasts to form into fully mature bone cells, and it is blueberry polyphenols’ interaction with these various human components that Chen and his team believe is responsible for improved bone synthesis. Editor’s Note: NaturalNews is strongly against the use of all forms of animal testing. We fully support implementation of humane medical experimentation that promotes the health and well-being of all living creatures. Sources for this story include: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2011-06/usdo-bhl062111.php

Health experts announce 5 ways to protect children from toxic chemicals

(NaturalNews) Imagine parents who would put their children in danger, placing them in situations that could cause serious health problems and distress such as difficulty breathing or a disruption of their male and female hormones — or even shorten their kids’ lives. We must be talking about psychopaths, right? After all, most moms and dads would do anything to protect their offspring. Unfortunately, without realizing it, countless parents who wouldn’t consciously do anything to hurt their youngsters are unwittingly exposing their children to dangerous, toxic chemicals in the home. The result could be health problems now and when the youngsters are grown, too. As NaturalNews has extensively reported, you can’t rely on the government to make sure the products you use in your home are safe for you or your kids, either. In the U.S., for example, the FDA has done little except finally express “concern” over the powerful hormone disrupter bisphenol A (BPA), which is found in a host of household goods, toys and food containers (http://www.naturalnews.com/028567_BPA_oceans.html#ixzz1PMyjbbWy). Instead of feeling helpless in the face of so many household toxins that can threaten the health of children, the Canadian Partnership for Children’s Health and Environment (CPCHE), a coalition of Canadian environmental and health experts, has announced it’s time for parents to get serious about the potentially dangerous chemicals found in too many homes. And the good news is you can take five simple actions to avoid a chemical-laden home and safeguard your children’s health — by keeping dust levels down, avoiding plastics, saying no to mercury containing fish, using only green cleaners, and keeping pregnant women and youngsters away from home renovation areas. “If parents take simple actions in these five areas, they can significantly reduce their children’s exposures to toxins — and even save money,” Erica Phipps, CPCHE Partnership Director, said in a media statement. Dust from lead paint and chemicals including pesticide residue can be brought inside the home on shoes and clothes, get into the air and into the lungs. But frequent wet mopping, vacuuming and dusting with a damp cloth can go a long way to keep toxic substances out of the home. “House dust is a major source of children’s exposures to toxic substances including lead which, even at very low levels, is known to be harmful to the developing brain,” Prof. Bruce Lanphear of Simon Fraser University, a world-leading expert on children’s environmental health who serves as an advisor to CPCHE, said in the media statement. The CPCHE experts also urge parents to go green when you clean. You’ll save money, too, by getting rid of toxic chemical cleaners and switching to simple, non-toxic cleaners including baking soda and vinegar. Also important: avoid the use of air “fresheners” and use fragrance-free laundry detergents. Chemical “scents” used in these products have been linked to the disruption of normal hormone function in youngsters. In addition, the CPCHE panel also advises against the use of antibacterial soaps. Renovating your house? The CPCHE says it is crucial to keep pregnant women and children away from areas being renovated to avoid exposure to contaminant-laden renovation dust and toxic fumes from products like paints, caulking and glues. Another important way to protect health: avoid plastic products, especially when it comes to serving and storing food. In fact, the CPCHE warns against using plastic containers or wrap in the microwave, even though the label reads “microwave safe”, because chemicals in the plastic can migrate into the food or beverage. The group also calls for eating fresh and frozen foods whenever possible. this will reduce exposure to BPA which is used in the lining of most food and drink cans. BPA is associated with a wide range of health problems, including harming the developing brain and disruption of endocrine function. PVC, commonly called just plain vinyl, contains a class of chemical plasticizers known as phthalates that should also be avoided, especially by kids. Even though phthalates are now banned from some children’s toys, many other vinyl products are still on the market in some bibs, shower curtains and children’s raincoats. The safest solution? Throw away older toys and teething rings made of soft plastic. If you serve your youngsters a lot of fish, you may also be serving them mercury, which is toxic to the brain. The CPCHE urges parents to do their homework and only serve varieties of fish that are low in mercury — such as Atlantic mackerel, herring, rainbow trout and wild salmon. For more information: http://www.healthyenvironmentforkids.ca/

Does being exposed to too much estrogen lead to high blood pressure?

(NaturalNews) Contrary to widely-held belief, sustained high levels of estrogen in women via hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is not necessarily a good thing, as the hormone can create excess amounts of superoxide compound in the brain. According to new research out of Michigan State University (MSU), buildup of superoxide leads to blockages in the areas of the brain that regulate blood pressure, which has led researchers to conclude that estrogen may be directly responsible for high blood pressure and resultant heart disease. Published in the American Journal of Physiology – Regulatory, Integrative, and Comparative Physiology , the study, led by P.S. Mohan Kumar and his team, investigated how the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVM) area of the brain stem, which regulates blood pressure, was affected by estrogen. After injecting rats with either estrogen or resveratrol, a beneficial compound known to reduce superoxide levels as well as blood pressure, the team observed that rats given estrogen exhibited heavy buildup of superoxide and increased blood pressure, while resveratrol rats exhibited the opposite effect. “This is an important study on at least two levels,” MohanKumar said. “First, it continues to confirm the negative effect that long-term estrogen exposure has for females. Second, it provides a new rationale for how and why this relationship occurs.” But what the study also shows is that resveratrol, a natural compound found in grape skins, mulberries, and cacao, can help to extend life and maintain overall health during the senior years better than HRT can — and all without raising blood pressure or causing other health problems such as cancer and dementia (http://www.naturalnews.com/HRT_drugs.html). Mounds of research show that resveratrol helps to reverse the aging process and extend lifespan, burn excess fat, prevent dementia and other brain diseases, reduce inflammation and disease, and prevent cancer, among many other things (http://www.naturalnews.com/resveratrol.html). So why take the risk with synthetic HRT drugs when natural resveratrol performs better without any negative side effects? Editor’s Note: NaturalNews is strongly against the use of all forms of animal testing. We fully support implementation of humane medical experimentation that promotes the health and well-being of all living creatures. Sources for this story include: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2011-05/msu-nss052611.php

Treat ulcers with probiotics, not antibiotics

(NaturalNews) Ulcers caused by the Helicobacter pylori bacterial strain may be more effectively treated by beneficial probiotics rather than by conventional antibiotics, according to a new study published in the journal Applied and Environmental Microbiology . Researchers from Spain say that probiotic strains like Bifidobacterium have an incredible success rate in fighting inflammatory bowel diseases like ulcers. The team conducted tests on the effectiveness of several unique strains of bifidobacteria in treating H. pylori and found that one particular strain, Bifidobacterium bifidum CECT 7366, protected against infection roughly 95 percent of the time. ” H. pylori is considered one of the major risk factors underlying the development of gastritis and gastric and duodenal ulcers,” say the authors. “Currently, antibiotic-based treatment for H. pylori infection is neither sufficient nor satisfactory, with the most successful treatments reaching 70 to 90 percent eradication rates. The use of probiotics is a potentially promising tool to prevent H. pylori .” Long-term administration of probiotics in test mice also proved beneficial in preventing the development of ulcers. It helped actually reverse the damage to gastric tissue caused by ulcers, suggesting that healthy individuals can help maintain intestinal health — even when no noticeable disease is present — through probiotic supplementation. “The results presented here confer to strain B. bifidum CECT 7366 the status of a probiotic bacterium with functional activity against H. pylori ,” added the researchers, noting that further trials are needed on humans to verify their findings. A similar study out of the University of Alberta found that supplementation with a probiotic mix containing 3,600 billion bacteria for six weeks helped more than 50 percent of study participants heal their inflammatory bowel disease, and another 24 percent greatly improve their condition (http://www.naturalnews.com/030077_ulcerative_colitis_remedies.html). Editor’s Note: NaturalNews is strongly against the use of all forms of animal testing. We fully support implementation of humane medical experimentation that promotes the health and well-being of all living creatures. Sources for this story include: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2011-02/asfm-pit022411.php

Christian coalition founder Pat Robertson calls for decriminalization of marijuana

(NaturalNews) Sending young people to prison for marijuana possession and use is not a good thing, said 700 Club founder Pat Robertson on a recent segment. Also founder of the Christian Coalition and former Republican candidate for President, Robertson expressed opposition to the current war on drugs, particularly as it pertains to marijuana use, saying that the government needs to reevaluate its position on marijuana and stop sending people to prison for it. “I’m not exactly for the use of drugs, don’t get me wrong, but I just believe that criminalizing marijuana, criminalizing the possession of a few ounces of pot, that kinda thing it’s just, it’s costing us a fortune and it’s ruining young people,” expressed Robertson on his television news program. “Young people go into prisons, they go in as youths and come out as hardened criminals. That’s not a good thing.” Since the segment first aired, Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN) spokesman Chris Roslan told The Raw Story that Robertson “did not call for the decriminalization of marijuana,” but instead was “advocating that our government revisit the severity of the existing laws because mandatory drug sentences do harm to many young people who go to prison and come out as hardened criminals.” Either way, Robertson says that Christian outreach ministries that support drug law reform have it right because their programs help save millions in public tax dollars and reduce the number of prisoners who return to jail for repeat offenses by helping them directly rather than just shipping them off to jail. And the programs could help save even more money and achieve better results if current drug laws were lifted. “[M]andatory sentences needlessly cost our government millions of dollars when there are better approaches available,” added Roslan. “Dr. Robertson’s comments followed a CBN News story about a group of conservatives who have proven that faith-based rehabilitation for criminals has resulted in lower repeat offenders and saved the government millions of dollars. Dr. Robertson unequivocally stated that he is against the use of illegal drugs.” Other conservative-leaning, Christian groups have also expressed uncharacteristic views on marijuana, including the Council of Churches and Church IMPACT, both of which supported California’s failed marijuana legalization initiative Proposition 13. Sources for this story include: http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2010/12/shock-christian-leader-pat-robertson-favors-marijuana-legalization/

RVF vaccine causes liver disease, death

(NaturalNews) Many governments are pushing a new livestock vaccine for Rift Valley Fever (RVF), a serious and deadly virus that infects both humans and animals, and that spread across various regions of Africa earlier this year. But a recent study shows that the vaccine itself causes serious liver problems as well as abortions in pregnant animals, which are the same problems caused by the virus itself. Consequently, researchers are advising many farmers not to use the vaccine in their livestock. The study, which took place at the Animal Health Research Institute in Egypt, evaluated the effects of the RVF vaccine on experimental goats. Since the injection is designed for such animals, researchers expected to observe considerable benefits from the vaccine. But they discovered that it basically causes the same harm as the virus itself, rendering it ineffective. According to the report, RVF is transmitted by mosquitoes to both humans and animals. And it causes liver problems and death, just like the vaccine. But that has not stopped many media outlets from urging farmers to vaccinate their animals anyway, including even their pregnant animals (http://www.eyewitnessnews.co.za/articleprog.aspx?id=52507). Like the H1N1 / swine flu vaccine that was pushed heavily last year, the RVF vaccine contains a “live attenuated” strain of the disease right in the syringe. So injecting it into animals exposes them to the exact same live virus that the vaccine is touted as preventing, which typically causes the same harmful symptoms and side effects. Whether alive or dead, the disease strains formulated in vaccines often do little to actually prevent disease. Drug companies mix these straings with dangerous, immune-destroying chemicals and preservatives as well, which compromise health. Thousands, if not millions, of people are injured every year by vaccines, but the vast majority of them continue to be pushed on populations as supposed safe and effective ways to prevent disease (http://www.naturalnews.com/030025_vaccines_October.html). Editor’s Note: NaturalNews is strongly against the use of all forms of animal testing. We fully support the implementation of humane medical experimentation that promotes the health and well-being of all living creatures. Sources for this story include: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2715389/ http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs207/en/ http://www.eyewitnessnews.co.za/articleprog.aspx?id=52507

Food wrappers leach harmful chemicals into food

(NaturalNews) Man-made chemicals are all over the place in today’s environment, and many of them regularly come into direct contact with the food supply. A new study out of the University of Toronto has found that one of the primary sources of exposure to perfluorinated carboxylic acids (PFCAs), toxic chemical endocrine disruptors (EDs) used in many consumer products, is food wrappers. Fast-food burger and fries paper wraps, potato chip bags, microwave popcorn bags, and many other forms of processed food product packaging contain various non-stick NS grease-resistant chemicals that are known to cause severe health problems. Clothing, bedding, carpet, cookware, and other common consumer products also contain applications of PFCAs like perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), a highly-persistant, toxic chemical that is known to pollute human blood and disrupt hormonal balance. “We suspected that a major source of human PFCA exposure may be the consumption and metabolism of polyfluoroalkyl phosphate esters or PAPs,” explained Jessica D’eon, a graduate student in the University of Toronto’s Department of Chemistry, and co-author of the study. “PAPs are applied as grease-proofing agents to paper food contact packaging such as fast food wrappers and microwave popcorn bags.” The team administered and observed the effects of PAPs and PFCAs in rats over the course of three weeks. They compared their findings to previous findings in human participants, and discovered that PAPs definitely build up in the body and cause long-term damage to health — and people all over the world are exposed to them on a regular basis. Previous studies have linked PFOA chemicals to high cholesterol (http://www.naturalnews.com/029676_PFOA_non-stick_cookware.html), as well as thyroid problems, lowered immune function, and cancer (http://www.naturalnews.com/022645.html). Editor’s Note: NaturalNews is strongly against the use of all forms of animal testing. We fully support the implementation of humane medical experimentation that promotes the health and well-being of all living creatures. Sources for this story include: http://www.artsci.utoronto.ca/main/newsitems/food-wrappers

Protect artery health with blueberries

(NaturalNews) Blueberries are a “superfruit” rich in powerful antioxidants that fight and prevent disease. And a new study funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) adds to the growing list of the blueberry’s known benefits, revealing that the fruit helps stop the lesions and plaques that form in the arteries of people with atherosclerosis. Xianli Wu and a team from the USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Arkansas Children’s Nutrition Center and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences conducted the study, which appears in the Journal of Nutrition . They found that when fed the equivalent of a half cup of blueberries a day for 20 weeks, mice with atherosclerosis lesions experienced a nearly 60 percent reduction in the size of the lesions, compared to mice not fed blueberries. According to researchers, all mice had an apolipoprotein-E deficiency, which means they were already prone to developing hardened arteries. Thus identifying the mechanisms by which blueberries exhibit positive results was simplified, as researchers were able to observe the specific ways in which blueberry antioxidants work to prevent oxidative stress and damage. According to the report, atherosclerosis is the leading cause of heart attacks and strokes. And cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death in the U.S. Based on these two facts, the sutyd findings are of prime importance for both people with heart disease and for those without it, because it provides the public with a nutrition-based option that mitigates heart disease and may even prevent it. The team plans to conduct further research into the effects of regularly consuming blueberries during infancy, childhood and early adulthood. It is believed that doing so may help prevent the onset of heart disease later in life. Editor’s Note: NaturalNews is strongly against the use of all forms of animal testing. We fully support the implementation of humane medical experimentation that promotes the health and well-being of all living creatures. Sources for this story include: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2010-09/usdo-bhf092910.php

Olive oil provides amazing liver protection

(NaturalNews) You may want to drizzle a little extra olive oil on your next salad, according to findings from a new study out of the University of Monastir in Tunisia and King Saud University in Saudi Arabia. Researchers there found that extra virgin olive oil provides powerful antioxidant protection against toxins that cause oxidative stress and damage to the liver. “Olive oil is an integral ingredient in the Mediterranean diet,” explained Mohamed Hammami, author of the study. “There is growing evidence that it may have great health benefits including the reduction in coronary heart disease risk, the prevention of some cancers, and the modification of immune and inflammatory responses.” Hammami and his team tested the effects of olive oil on a group of rats exposed to a toxic herbicide called ’2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid’ that causes severe liver damage. Compared to control group rats who received no olive oil, the rats that consumed extra virgin olive oil in the presence of the herbicide experienced significantly increased antioxidant enzyme activity and a decrease in the biomarkers of liver damage. “The hydrophilic fraction of olive oil seems to be the effective one in reducing toxin-induced oxidative stress, indicating that hydrophilic extract may exert a direct antioxidant effect on hepatic (fat-storing) cells,” added Hammami. Besides providing a powerful antioxidant effect, olive oil is a highly effective anti-cancer food (http://www.naturalnews.com/029307_olive_oil_brst_cancer.html). It is also responsible for regulating gene expression for nearly 100 different genes throughout the body (http://www.naturalnews.com/029294_olive_oil_inflammation.html). Olive is also beneficial for maintaining a healthy weight, lowering bad cholesterol, improving heart health, and prolonging life. To learn more about the many health benefits of olive oil, visit the NaturalNews olive oil page: http://www.naturalnews.com/olive_oil.html Editor’s Note: NaturalNews is strongly against the use of all forms of animal testing. We fully support the implementation of humane medical experimentation that promotes the health and well-being of all living creatures. Sources for this story include: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2010-10/bc-oop102710.php

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