Tag: Kitchen

by: Sara Middleton, staff writer | August 5, 2023

(NaturalHealth365)  A new study published in Pediatrics, the journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), reveals some interesting trends in childhood allergies and asthma, including when common childhood allergies are first diagnosed.

And while the study – which was funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Pennsylvania Allergy and Asthma Association, the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), the AAP, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) – conveniently (or perhaps suspiciously) overlooks the potential role of childhood immunizations in the development of allergic conditions, it does seem clear that more and more kids are suffering these days than ever before.

Around 13 percent of kids in the United States could be living with at least two or MORE allergy-related conditions, according to new study

To conduct the study, researchers from CHOP analyzed health record data from more than 200,000 pediatric patients under the age of 18 between the years 1999 through 2020.  Their goal: to describe “clinical and epidemiologic patterns of pediatric allergy.”

Here are a few key findings from the massive study:

• Over 13 percent of children in the sample had two or more allergic conditions, with certain conditions more frequently occurring together (e.g., asthma and allergic rhinitis, aka hay fever)
• On average, childhood eczema tends to be first diagnosed at just 4 months old
• On average, childhood food allergies and asthma tend to be first diagnosed at 13 months old (with allergies to peanuts, eggs, and shellfish being among the most common); another rare food allergy called eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) tends to be diagnosed at around age 35 months
• On average, childhood allergic rhinitis tends to be first diagnosed at 26 months old

Clearly, asthma and allergies are rising among our nation’s kids.  But what could be the cause?

Hypotheses abound, including vitamin D deficiency, obesity, widespread antibiotics and acetaminophen use, and even the “hygiene hypothesis,” which says that kids living in increasingly sterilized and clean environments “aren’t being exposed to germs that train their immune systems to tell the difference between harmless and harmful irritants,” according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.

However, the potential role of aluminum and shots is less talked about.  Talk about the elephant in the room!

Indeed, Children’s Health Defense (CHD) senior director of science and research, Dr. Brian Hooker, was recently quoted by CHD in an article discussing the CHOP study, in which he said that he finds it “incredible that the authors of the Pediatrics paper overlooked vaccines as a potential cause of allergies, given that even the CDC [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] has made the connection between aluminum in vaccines and asthma as well as eczema.”

It makes you wonder: are concerned parents seriously being gaslit into believing that the 70+ doses of vaccines recommended by the CDC for kids before their 18th birthday aren’t impacting children’s immune function?  Is the correlation between increasing chronic disease rates and the hefty childhood vax schedule, not one to be taken seriously and investigated properly?  Whose best interest is really at heart here: our children or the pharmaceutical industry?

Should you talk to your child’s doctor about allergies?  These are the signs and symptoms of childhood allergies to look out for

As a parent, your child’s health is your top priority.  So you shouldn’t hesitate to talk to a doctor if you’re worried about unusual signs and symptoms in your kids.

According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI), these are some of the most common allergy symptoms in kids to be aware of:

• Skin rashes or hives (atopic dermatitis or eczema)
• Difficulty breathing (asthma)
• Sneezing and coughing
• Runny nose
• Itchy eyes
• Ear infections
• Stomach upset

These symptoms are most often triggered by the following substances or allergens:

• Tree pollen, plant pollen, insect bites or stings
• Pet or animal hair or fur
• Dust mites
• Mold
• Cigarette smoke
• Perfume
• Car exhaust
• Foods, including peanuts, eggs, milk and milk products

If you notice any of the above signs or symptoms – or if you suspect any of the triggers mentioned above are irritating your child – connect with a trusted (holistic) healthcare provider near you.  These providers can help you identify the root of your child’s symptoms and teach you how to support their immune function and overall well-being.

Of course, to reduce the risk of allergic reactions, try your best to eat an organic (chemical free) diet; avoid unwanted chemicals in household or personal care products; use an air purification system to keep indoor air clean and purify your drinking water.  All of this will go a long way to improving the health of your family.

Sources for this article include:

ACAAI.org
Childrenshealthdefense.org
AAP.org
AAAI.org

Vitamins are essential

When it comes to vitamins we often forget one simple truth. They’re absolutely essential for our survival. These vital organic compounds are required in small amounts by all living organisms, including humans.

Unlike certain other types of nutrients, vitamins cannot be synthesized by our bodies, so we must obtain them from our diet, either from the foods we eat or through supplementation.

Why should I take vitamin supplements?

A healthy, balanced diet is the ideal way to obtain the vitamins we need in sufficient quantities to support good health. However, this assumes your diet is comprised of nutritious whole foods grown in well-balanced soil. While the majority of us aspire to eat healthy, today’s highly processed and refined foods just don’t provide adequate levels of the vitamins and other nutrients we need on a daily basis.

This is why every day more and more people are incorporating vitamin and multivitamin supplements into their health regimen. While your diet should always be your primary source of nutrition, vitamin supplements and multivitamins can help bridge the gaps in your diet to ensure you’re getting the nutrients you need for optimal health.

The ABCs of vitamins

You may be wondering why vitamins are so important:

• Vitamin A – Like all vitamins, Vitamin A is important for a myriad of bodily functions including normal visual function, immune system health, healthy bones and teeth, and healthy skin.* Our bodies also need Vitamin A to utilize protein, and this vitamin is also an antioxidant that protects against free radical damage.*
• Vitamin B – B vitamins serve as coenzymes, which are biochemical cofactors or participants in a wide range of chemical reactions in the body.* B vitamins in supplemental form are converted to the biologically active coenzyme form in the body. As a whole, B vitamins are extremely important for nervous system and neurological health.*
• Vitamin C – A well-known antioxidant nutrient, Vitamin C supports the immune system and is involved in tissue growth and repair due to its role in the formation of collagen, your body’s main structural protein.* It’s an electron donor for the creation of important enzymes and is a cofactor in the production of numerous essential biochemicals.*
• Vitamin D – Vitamin D enhances the intestinal absorption of the dietary minerals calcium, magnesium, and phosphate, and therefore plays an important role in skeletal health.* Low levels of Vitamin D have been associated with low bone mineral density. This well-known vitamin also supports healthy immune system function, and more recent research suggests Vitamin D may play a role in normal cardiovascular function as well.*
• Vitamin E – Vitamin E is an antioxidant vitamin that prevents the spread of free radical damage that arises when fat in our bodies is oxidized.* This important nutrient is also involved in a wide range of metabolic processes such as cell signaling and gene expression, and plays a role in platelet aggregation, immune system function and neurological function.*
• Vitamin K – While Vitamin K may not be as well-known as other vitamins, it is nonetheless crucial for several important body functions.* It’s necessary for proper coagulation, a critical component of cardiovascular function.* Research has shown that Vitamin K plays a role in the proper disbursement of calcium throughout the body, which in turn supports bone health.* In fact, Vitamin K-2 has been shown to play a pivotal role in vascular elasticity.*
• Multivitamins – As you’ve read, all vitamins are important for our health in some way. But popping tons of pills a day just isn’t feasible or desirable for many of us. This is why multivitamins are a valuable part of many individuals’ health regimen today. With a high quality, comprehensive multivitamin formula you can get the nutrients you need at the dosages recommended by the experts.

The NOW^® Difference

We know you have plenty of choices when it comes to vitamin supplements, so we go to great lengths to ensure we use only the best raw materials, and we test for identity, potency and purity. Just like all NOW^® products, our vitamin and multivitamin supplements are produced with the same industry-leading attention to quality we’re known for.

Multivitamins are a great way to ensure you’re getting balanced nutrition every day, and at NOW we produce all of our vitamins with this goal in mind.

By Natural Factors

History of Apple Cider Vinegar 

Apple cider vinegar has been used in some form since Hippocrates in 420 BC. Like many other popular health foods, it is a fermented product containing healthy bacteria to help support digestion.*

Now that the various health-supporting benefits are more well known, people are once again drinking apple cider vinegar. But is that the best choice?

Why Capsules are Better 

Capsules protect your teeth from acid 

If you’ve ever tried a swig of apple cider vinegar, you know just how acidic it is. This acid is not only hard on your stomach, but can be very hard on dental enamel.

Apple cider vinegar in the stomach, structured to thrive in an acidic environment, is excellent! Apple cider vinegar in the mouth is not so great, as it can erode dental enamel.

An 8-week randomized trial examined the effects of apple cider vinegar on teeth. One group drank red wine vinegar daily, and the other took apple cider vinegar tablets daily. At the end of the study, the group that consumed the apple cider vinegar had 18% more dental enamel erosion than the control group taking the apple cider vinegar tablets. [1]   

Taking apple cider vinegar capsules instead of drinking it could save you a few trips to the dentist.

Capsules protect your esophagus from acid

Unlike the stomach, our esophagus is not structured to thrive in an acidic environment or when regularly touched by acidic things.

With apple cider vinegar capsules, the acidity does not impact the tissue in the esophagus. Instead, the capsule goes straight to the area where it may be helpful – the stomach – before it dissolves.

You don’t have to taste it!

Today, while some of us like the taste of apple cider vinegar, others would prefer to save the tang for salad dressing.

Fortunately, there is a way to get all the benefits of apple cider vinegar without having to taste it by delivering it directly to the stomach in a capsule form, without affecting the tissues along the way.

What is that cloudy stuff on the bottom? 

Maybe you’ve wondered about that cloudy area in apple cider vinegar with “the mother.” If you’re new to using this valuable type of apple cider vinegar, you might even wonder if something is wrong with it.

Not only is it perfectly fine, but that cloud of yeast and bacteria, commonly known as “the mother,” is an amazing mixture of yeast and beneficial probiotic bacteria that contributes to apple cider vinegar’s health benefits.

What are the Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar with “The Mother”?

Nutrient content

Apple cider vinegar contains nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and other beneficial ingredients like probiotics. [2] Apple cider vinegar supports antioxidant activity through its polyphenols and flavonoids.* [3]

Supporting healthy digestion*

Stomach acid decreases as we get older. If the stomach is not at optimal acidity, our digestive enzymes may not work as well, and digestion may be negatively impacted.

Adding apple cider vinegar capsules may help support healthy stomach pH to maintain healthy digestion.*  

As mentioned, apple cider vinegar with “the mother” also contains healthy probiotics, which are beneficial organisms that can help support healthy digestion. [4]

These benefits are only available if fermented with “the mother,” making it all the more important to choose an apple cider vinegar with “the mother.”

Supporting healthy blood sugar levels*

A meta-analysis (a study of multiple studies) determined that apple cider vinegar may help maintain fasting blood glucose levels already within the normal range. [5]

Supporting healthy lipid levels*

The same meta-analysis also found that apple cider vinegar may help maintain total cholesterol and triglyceride levels already within the normal range. [5] 

Supporting healthy body weight*

In a study examining the effects of dietary vinegar intake, apple cider vinegar was found to help maintain body weight and body mass index (BMI) already within the normal range. [6]

In conclusion, apple cider vinegar capsules are a convenient and efficient way to get all the benefits of apple cider vinegar without the risks.