Natural Family News

Did you think we’d gone away forever? Sorry about the lag in posting. I’ve been posting my rear end off about the Olympics and I’m just now coming up for air.

I received an email from a customer today asking me about a list of food additives and their safety. In researching the answer for her, I came across a website that would be useful for most consumers. It is a listing of food additives with their safety ranking, from a green check for “it’s fine” to a big red x for things that no one should consume. Now, I must say, I still think the best rule of thumb is “if you can’t tell what it is, don’t eat it”, I know that the reality is most of us eat processed foods at some point in time, and it’s probably a good idea to be able to figure out just how bad for you a substance is before you buy it for yourself or for your kids.

I’ll be back to publishing articles much more often now that the Olympics are just about over. Oh, and if you like, check out my new vegetarian blog. I try to post a new vegetarian recipe just about every day.

Women who use the Ortho Evra patch are twice as likely as pill users to develop potentially life-threatening blood clots. The patch exposes women to higher levels of estrogen, which increases clot risks. The manufacturer will be updating the labelling on the package to reflect this new information.

Moraga, CA. (PRWEB) February 20, 2006—Amayal Center for Health & Wellness Education announces a vitally important international conference to educate health professionals and the public about the Humanization of Birth. Monterrey, México is the conference site because Monterrey suffers from one of the highest rates of Caesarian birth in the world – up to 80% according to one Newsweek article. This 3-day Humanization of Birth Conference will be held March 20 – 22, 2006.

This conference is very reasonably priced to make it affordable for all people who are seeking a change….seeking more. The scientific evidence and practical knowledge learned will promote the humanization of the birth process in our health practices and in our lives. We welcome health professionals, perinatal educators, journalists, social scientists, students, parents, and the general public.

Continuing education credits are available for health professionals and students. Most presentations will be in English. Spanish presentations will be simultaneously translated into English. Complete information is available at www.amayal.com/congreso2006.

The Humanization of Birth conference will emphasize the profound link that exists between our birth practices and the quality of life that our babies will achieve. Can we reduce violence in our societies by offering less violent births to our children? Contrary to medical evidence, some health professionals promote aggressive surgical interventions as the best, the safest, and the most comfortable birth options. However, science now indicates that there are long-term benefits to baby, mother and society when mothers and babies are able to achieve a loving, natural, drug-free childbirth.

Our speakers are experts in their respective fields. This distinguished group of perinatal pioneers and educators include: Michel Odent, MD, (London, England); Wendy Anne McCarty, Ph D, RN, (California, USA); Ricardo Herbert Jones, MD (Porto Alegre, Brazil); Barbara Harper, R.N. (Oregon, USA); Naoli Vinaver, CPM (Xalapa, Mexico).

Join us to learn about: new, evolving birth practices; what babies are teaching us about birth; prenatal & perinatal psychology’s 30 years of clinical findings, specific steps we can take to humanize our birthing practices and to better support babies in the 21st century; review US hospitals that now provide gentle birth choices; waterbirth being practiced around the world; the Primal Health Research Data Bank – an important new tool providing the criteria necessary to evaluate the practices of obstetrics and midwifery.

Complete information is available here.

The Amayal Center for Health & Wellness Education is a non-profit organization founded out of a caring passion for the value of human life, which has motivated us to become an agent of change. Our aim is to empower people with the knowledge necessary to better control their health and to provide important therapy options that help people avoid the often toxic effects of pharmaceutical drugs and unnecessary medical interventions.

A recent study of WIC participants found that many caregivers (I guess this is the new way of saying parents) were giving their children herbs.

Quotes from the article I, personally, find disturbing:

“Nutrition professionals and WIC educators have hesitated to talk about herbs for children because they feared that it would encourage acceptance and, perhaps, cause people to start using them.”

Well, yes, I can see why WIC educators wouldn’t want to talk about herbs. I mean, why use something that’s been used for thousands of years when there’s that brand new pharmaceutical to be prescribed?

“Although most of the herbs that the participants reported giving to children were those with relatively low risk, the effects of long term use and interactions with prescription and over-the-counter medications are unknown.”

As opposed to the long term effects of those lovely prescriptions and over-the-counter medications— like Tylenol, or Motrin, or antibiotics. Those couldn’t possibly cause any long-term problems. Could they?

The Canadian equivalent of the American Academy of Pediatricians is planning to soften their stance on co-sleeping. Citing the realities that parents will co-sleep whether it’s “allowed” or not, the Canadian Pediatric Society hopes that by softening their stance, they can at least offer advice on co-sleeping safely. It’s a start. Will the AAP follow suit? Don’t hold your breath.

Flowers and chocolates are pretty standard gifts for Valentine’s Day, but many people don’t realize that they are giving gifts tainted by tainted by toxic pesticides, child slavery, and labor exploitation. The Organic Consumers Association has created a Valentine’s Day page to help consumers make wise choices about gifts for their Sweetie.

This is important news for all parents. The First Years has recalled a series of water-filled teething rings. The teething rings may contain bacteria, which could sicken infants if they swallow or absorb it through a cut in the mouth, the FDA said. The risk of illness is greatest for babies with immune systems weakened by cancer, malnutrition or other health problems.

Consumers who bought the recalled teething rings can go the company’s Web site for information on how to return the items.

I just don’t even know what to say. A recent story on a Florida televison station touted the advantages of c-sections. Rarely do I read anything that surprises me, but reading the Moms talk about needing to know when their babies would be born so that they wouldn’t be “in the middle of a project”— honestly, it sickened me. Now, I was born via section, as was my brother, but there was an honest to goodness health reason. If you can’t take out time from your busy life for the “unexpected” nature of birth, then maybe you’re just not ready to have a baby. Perhaps you should just get a fish.

My “favorite” quote was actually from a doctor:

“It’s like you have a choice for plastic surgery, or for a tummy tuck, or have a tooth replaced. I think that since this is their body they should be able to decide how they want to have this baby out,” Dr. Jack Gerkovich said.

Like I said, I just don’t know what to say.

I don’t know that this counts as news exactly – it’s not a recent change – but it was news to me. I was surprised to learn that infant formulas do not have to be approved by the FDA. The FDA asks manufacturers for assurances in regards to the products nutritional value and quality control, and they can object to the marketing of a particular formula if such assurances are not received. However, the manufacturer may still market the product even if the FDA objects. Chalk up another reason to breastfeed!

Breastfeeding for at least six months protects the child against respiratory illness and ear infections, according to a new report in Pediatrics. I’m always somewhat surprised when a new study showing breastfeeding is healthier is published. Is there a reason to keep studying breastfeeding’s health benefits? Can there be any doubt by now that, yes, it’s better than formula? Is anyone out there using formula because they think it’s better for their child than breastfeeding? If they’re not breastfeeding, is there any new data that will change that? And with the massive body of evidence, why are there doctors out there who still act like breastfeeding is no big deal?

Did I tell you about the doctor I visited who actually told me she recommends that none of her patients breastfeed for longer than six months because she says it’s harmful to the baby’s bone health? What a loon. I ought to make a copy of this report and wallpaper her office in it.

If they’re like the typical American child, the answer is no. A recent report in Pediatrics says that a lack of calcium and exercise in children over 8 will likely lead to an epidemic of broken bones later in life. Now, excessive use of the word epidemic aside, this is a report that I feel is pretty accurate. More and more children consume soda. Fewer consume dairy or (and I was pleased the report mentioned this) green vegetables which contain just as much calcium. My own children are guilty of not spending enough time doing activities, such as running and jumping, which help build later bone health. So, give your kids a plate of broccoli and send them out to run around the back yard. Their bones will thank you.

Join the International Labor Rights Fund, Global Exchange, and the Organic Consumers Assocation in telling Nestle, Cargill, and ADM to stop using child labor!
On Monday, February 6th, just a week before Valentine’s Day, the first court hearing is scheduled for a lawsuit filed by the International Labor Rights Fund (ILRF) against Nestle, Cargill, and Archer Daniels-Midland for forced child labor in their West African cocoa farms. The cocoa provided by these companies supplies virtually every major chocolate producer in the United States, including Hershey’s and M&M/Mars.

Global Exchange and the Organic Consumers Association will hold an action outside the courthouse to demand the companies stop using cocoa harvested by forced child labor.

Monday, February 6th
12:30 PM
US District Court #6
312 N. Spring St, Los Angeles, CA

Please bring your children, signs, posters, puppets, drums or anything else to send a message against child labor and in support of Fair Trade!

To learn more about the lawsuit please click here.

For more information or press inquiries contact Carlos Martinez at (415) 260-8566.