Here are five things you should know about your kids and milk

Here are five things you should know about your kids and milk:

1. They need to drink more. Milk contains nine essential nutrients and vitamins, including protein, vitamins A, D, and B12, calcium, potassium, phosphorus, riboflavin, niacin, zinc, and magnesium. Children who drink milk tend to have "superior" overall nutrient intakes compared with children who don't drink milk, according to a study released last year by researchers at Environ International Corp., the University of Vermont, and the National Dairy Council. Yet only a third to a half of American children and adolescent boys consume the government-recommended number of dairy servings, and fewer than one in five adolescent girls meets the recommendation. Adolescents should drink three 8-ounce glasses of reduced-fat or skim milk (or equivalent products, such as yogurt) daily.


2. Many parents don't know whether their kids to drink whole milk, 2 percent, 1 percent, or fat-free. The American Academy of Pediatrics has long recommended whole milk, usually 3.5 percent to 4 percent fat, for children up to age 2 because saturated fats are needed for brain development. "Eighty percent of brain development occurs in the first two years of life, so you want the fat at that point," says Frank R. Greer, a professor of pediatrics at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health and chairman of the AAP's nutrition committee.

For kids over the age of 2, it's best to serve reduced-fat milk (either 1 or 2 percent). "That's primarily because kids get lots of fat in their diets. And milk, though it has lots of nice nutrients in it, you don't need as a source of fat," Greer says.

3. Not all toddlers should drink whole milk. Because obesity is a risk factor for heart disease and often is accompanied by cholesterol problems, the pediatrics academy now recommends low-fat milk (no more than 2 percent fat) for 1-year-olds for whom weight or obesity is a concern, Greer says. That new advice is aimed at 1-year-olds who are already overweight, have overweight parents, or have a family history of heart problems. Very young children are increasingly getting fats from sources other than milk.

Obesity is a serious health concern for children and adolescents, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The level of obesity among children aged 6 to 11 more than doubled in the past 20 years, going from 6.5 percent in 1980 to 17 percent in 2006. The rate among 12- to 19-year-olds more than tripled, increasing from 5 percent to 17 percent; for children aged 2 to 5 years, it increased from 5 percent to 12.4 percent.

4. Drinking flavored milk isn't all bad. Limiting children and teens' access to flavored milk may only lead to the undesirable effect of cutting nutrient intake. Flavored milk is better than none at all, even though it has more sugar and slightly higher calorie content than unflavored milk. It's a nutrient-rich package providing the same nine essential nutrients as plain milk. Each 8-ounce serving of milk—plain or flavored—provides 300 mg of calcium, which is a fourth of the daily calcium requirement for children. While flavored milk contains both natural and added sugars (nearly half of the sugar in flavored milk is naturally present in the milk), it contains less added sugar than other beverages that kids drink, such as carbonated soft drinks. On average, according to the CDC, an 8-ounce low-fat (or 1 percent) flavored milk contains 158 calories, while low-fat plain milk contains 105. A 12-ounce servicing of apple juice, by comparison, contains 192 calories, and 12 ounces of lemon-lime soda contains 148 calories, without the nutrients in milk.

5. Even lactose-intolerant kids may be able to stomach some milk or dairy products. The AAP advises parents to not give up on feeding dairy products to lactose-intolerant children and teens. The reason: The calcium in these foods is important for bone health, and dairy products also contain other nutrients important for growth.

Roughly 20 percent of U.S. children have some degree of intolerance to lactose, the sugar naturally found in milk. Yet lactose intolerance is often mild enough that affected kids can consume at least some milk and dairy products. Also, yogurt and cheese contain less lactose per serving than milk. "If your child is going to have a lactose-intolerance problem, it's usually identified as a problem in the first five years," Greer says. Certain ethnic and racial groups are more likely to suffer from the condition, including blacks, Hispanics and some Asians, he adds.

Read more : http://health.usnews.com/health-news/family-health/childrens-health/articles/2009/03/20/5-nutrition-facts-about-milk-and-healthy-kids

Human growth hormone supplement given to children who suffer with abnormally slow bone growth

Human Growth Hormone (HGH)

Growth is a very complex process, and requires the coordinated action of several hormones. Human growth hormone (HGH) is a protein hormone of about 190 amino acids that is synthesized and secreted by cells called somatotrophs in the anterior pituitary that promotes growth during childhood and adolescence. It is a major participant in control of several complex physiologic processes, including growth and metabolism.

Physiologic Effects of Human Growth Hormone (HGH)

A critical concept in understanding human growth hormone (HGH) activity is that it has two distinct types of effects:

- Direct effects are the result of growth hormone binding its receptor on target cells.

- Indirect effects are mediated primarily by a insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), a hormone that is secreted from the liver and other tissues in response to growth hormone.

Symptoms of Human Growth Hormone (HGH) Deficiency

It is estimated that 10,000 to 15,000 children in the United States have growth failure due to human growth hormone (HGH) deficiency. Symptoms of human growth hormone (HGH) reduction include increased body fat, increased anxiety, social isolation, poor general health, and lack of positive well being. HGH has been the supplement of choice for many professional athletes over the years.

Causes of Human Growth Hormone (HGH) Deficiency

Human growth hormone (HGH)is a protein that is produced by the pituitary gland and is vital for normal growth. Human growth hormone (HGH) deficiency exists when this hormone is absent or produced in inadequate amounts. If other pituitary hormones are lacking, the condition is called hypopituitarism. When all the pituitary hormones are missing, the child has panhypopituitarism.

Sometimes no cause for hypopituitarism can be identified, or if a cause is suspected, it may be difficult to prove. Researchers are trying to learn more about the causes of human growth hormone deficiency and hypopituitadsm.

Treatment of Human Growth Hormone (HGH) Deficiency

Human growth hormone (HGH) deficiency is treated with injections of growth hormone. Some children receive three of four injections a week, while other receive daily injections. The treatment of human growth hormone (HGH) deficiency usually is carried out over several years, until the child achieves an acceptable adult height or maximum growth potential is reached. It is important to remember that growth is a slow process that is measured over months; children who expect to grow overnight when they start treatment will be disappointed.

If testing disclose other hormone deficiencies, medications are available to replace them; thyroid hormone, cortisol and sex hormones can be administered easily when found to be lacking. It is important that these hormones are taken as directed, because normal growth can occur only when all hormones are present in the proper amounts. Good nutrition and adequate rest are important for normal growth in all children.

Human Growth Hormone (HGH) Supplementation Benefits

Some of the benefits associated with Human growth hormone (HGH) supplementation include the reversal of common diseases associated with aging, improved brain activity and function, it strengthens connective tissue which reduces the probability of injury, incredible weight loss without any loss in lean mass, reduces wrinkles by rejuvenating the skin, it raises energy levels and brightens mood, promotes muscle growth, improves libido, improves functions of the lungs which increases the level of oxygen in the blood stream, provides immune system support and Thymus function, and probably the most impressive characteristic is, its ability to produce more muscle cells, something no steroid can do.

Human growth hormone (HGH) replacement in adults may have a beneficial effect on lipids. In a recent study, it was reported that short courses of Human growth hormone (HGH) reduced LDL (bad) cholesterol while it improved exercise capacity and cardiac function. Human growth hormone supplement given to children who suffer with abnormally slow bone growth to enable them to grow taller.

More Detail About Human Growth Hormone
Author By Rosa parks

Article Source : Human growth hormone supplement given to children who suffer with abnormally slow bone growth

Toys With Too Loud Noise Would Hurt Children Hearing Function

According to the latest research and test on the nineteen kinds of toys in the U.S market, after playing with 15 kinds of toys for about 15 minutes, children’s hearing function would get a little damage. All these toys designed for kids under three years old are with shake equipment or can be shaken.


Researchers from the American Visual Sense and Auditory Sense Association, one non-profit organization, and University of Minnesota, have tested the sound of all kinds of toys in the toys shopping mall. They would do the same thing each year and this year is the twelfth year. On the list of noise toys ranking, Iron Man Mobile Headquarters Vehicle, made by Jada Toys, is on the first position, the noise decibel sent out by it is as higher as 119.5 dB. In other words, it would injure kids’ hearing function in less than eight seconds. Learning Letters Mailbox, made by Fisher Price, are specially designed for kids between six months and 26 months, however, this kind of toys also make too loud noise, which is up to 113.9 dB. What you have to pay more attention is the books with music because it has reached up to 112.1 dB. All these toys on the list have too loud noise and could injure children’s hearing function in less than one minute.

Dr. Chris Hilton, the researcher from ear-nose-throat department in University of Minnesota has tested these toys and said that in a very close distance, playing with these toys for a long time would hurt people’s inner ears. In fact, the noise above 85 dB would have permanent damage to your ears. The louder the noise, the shorter time that resulting in hearing loss. For example, when hearing the sound with 85 dB, your hearing function would be damaged forever in eight hour while the hair cells would begin to get harm if you listen to sound with 100 dB for just 15 minute.

Because the arms of kids are too short so that toys with higher noise have more serious influence on their hearing function. Up to 2004, the U.S government had launched the regulations on toys’ sound. In March 2004, the American Society for Testing and Materials had adopted and amended the phonics standard, which is self-regulation in toys industry and obeyed voluntarily.

Different with asphyxia or other harm, it is difficult to estimate the hearing level on hearing function because it is difficult to determine the direct cause.

Author's Resource Box

Copyright by Tony Eva. EVToys Shop tends to focus on the high quality Kids Toys like Cheap Stuffed Bears, Wooden Toys, Cheap Stuffed Pandas http://www.evtoys.com/stuffed-animals/stuffed-pandas.html and so on. Products like Teddy Bear Couple with first-class service standards and first-class quality can all be found on EVToys.

Article Source : Toys With Too Loud Noise Would Hurt Children Hearing Function

Author : TonyEva

Dyslexia In Children

Dyslexia in children is a learning disability that deters person’s ability to read, write, spell and speak. The severity of dyslexia differs from mild to severe and sooner it is identified the better it is for the child. Children afflicted with dyslexia fail to understand language skills of reading, writing and spelling, despite pursuing conventional classroom experience.

Problems faced by children with Dyslexia

·Commonly, children affected by dyslexia are not able to grasp learning to read and write, even if they are provided with adequate opportunity to learn.

·Generally, dyslexia goes undetected in the early grades of schooling which makes parents and the child clueless about the child’s condition. Due to which child becomes frustrated and other problems therefore arise in that disguise dyslexia.

·All this may land child to high degree of depression and low self-esteem.

·He may become unmotivated and develop a dislike for school. This may further jeopardize child’s success in school.

·All these may cause behavioral problems at school and home, which may become difficult to cope with.

Types of Dyslexia and its causes

Dyslexia may afflict differently to children. One type of dyslexia is ‘visual dyslexia’, which is characterized by letter and number reversals. In such type dyslexia, child faces problem to write symbols in the correct sequence.

Another type is auditory dyslexia, which is child difficulty with sounds of letters especially in groups. To the dyslexic child, these sounds may appear jumbled or confusing.

"Dysgraphia" refers to the child's difficulty in holding and controlling a pencil properly. Due to which child is unable to write correctly and develops very bad handwriting.

As per the specialists, dyslexia is caused due to impairment of brain’s ability to decode the images received from eyes and ears into understandable language. Another reason is, it can be due to mental retardation, brain damage, or a lack of intelligence.

Symptoms

·The most common warning sign is letter and number reversals; this symptom begins to surface in the age of 7 or 8.

·The child in school may face difficulty in copying from the board or a book.

·General and often disorganization of written work.

·The child is unable to memorize or remember content even if it about his favorite storybook or video.

·The dyslexic child may appear to be uncoordinated and may have difficulty with organized sports and games.

·Children with dyslexia can have difficulty moving to the rhythm of the music.

NGO Support

Certain NGOs are working aggressively for certain learning related difficulties. Their main aim is to spread awareness about the topic and train children so that they can be switched from special schools to Mainstream schools. One such NGO is Sparsh which is instrumental in advancing Dyslexia awareness amongst teachers and parents.

Author's Resource Box

Sparsh aims to empower underprivileged with the necessary skills to manage life on their own. Sparsh is currently working on various projects, One of them is Savera Special School, a school not only provides education to underprivileged children but where these children get the right to life with respect and dignity. http://www.thesparsh.org/employment.html

Article Source : Dyslexia In Children

Author : pooja

A Simple Tactic To Stop Nail Biting

A simple solution to your problem is developing a clear mental picture of the nails you intend to achieve if you are successful with your decision to quit nail biting. It is necessary for you to know where you are heading with your plan. If you know the outcome, it will certainly be easier for you to try harder to obtain your goal.

Many nail biters have difficulty visualizing well groomed nails when they have their rough and serrated nails in front of their eyes. You need to take some time to imagine how the white edges will finally go beyond the tips of your fingers and form attractive nails that you will be able to place in front of you on tables confidently without the anxiety of others seeing them. It would be such a relief for you to not waste your energy on hiding your hands from everyone. Imagine how people will comment on your pretty nails and how that will boost up your pride.

If this does not work, simply cut out a picture of beautifully groomed nails from a magazine or search for an appropriate photo on the internet and print it out.

When you have a vivid mental vision of your ideal nails, compare them to your present unappealing nails and your determination to quit nail biting will definitely increase.

Several people are skeptic about this method. They ask how imagining the end result can increase your chances of victory. Actually, the brain cannot differentiate between what you are imagining and what it is actually seeing. This technique cunningly tricks the mind into thinking that you have long nails, and then you will automatically work towards attaining them as quickly as you can. Many successful athletes in the world use this method to win contests and competitions. They are living proof of how effective this way really is.

Keep envisioning the output of your efforts for a few weeks and the key is: don't give up. Soon you will be very close to fulfilling your objective.

This simple tip may sound silly or even unrealistic, but when applied it will make the difference between being successful and not being successful. It's an important part of the equation to keep things in a good, health matter and do the steps outlined that will bring you closer to success and faster than you might have though possible.

Article by : Phil Isenmann

Article Source : A Simple Tactic To Stop Nail Biting

Treating Depression in Children & Teens - Family Therapy

There is a vast difference between depression in children and adults. Most of the time, parents do not notice emotional health in children. Diagnosing depression in children is also more complicated than diagnosing depression in adults. The physician needs to interview the parents to understand whether the condition can be classified as clinical depression or not. As parents are likely to be biased, diagnosis may require interviewing friends, school mates and teachers as well.

Stressed parents, poor upbringing and genetic predisposition are the most commonly known causes of depression in children. Once it is diagnosed, there are various treatment options that can be looked into.
Cognitive Therapy is by far the most commonly used therapy for teen depression help. Cognition is described as the psychological result of learning and reasoning. Depression in children is considered a result of negative self perceptions that manifests as cognitive distortions about self and the environment. The therapist uses his expertise to address the three domains of treatment.

Cognition - Patients are taught to think positively in order to correct negative thinking
Behavior - Social skills and assertiveness
Physiology - Relaxation techniques, meditation and pleasant imagery

Excessive parental criticism, parental depression and family stress can lead to high stress levels among children which can lead to depression at times.

Family therapy is another option for treating depression naturally. Unless there is a genetic disposition towards depression, children often take negative cues from a stressful environment around them. If you have a depressed child at home, it will do you and your offspring a lot of good if you join a family psycho-educational group. You will get to meet parents and children who are facing similar problems. Such programs target different spheres of child depression:

1. How to identify symptoms of depression
2. How to approach and help your depressed child
3. Interpersonal skills
4. Knowledge about mood disorders
5. Medication and its side effects
6. Effects of different stress factors on your child.

Parents are taught to demonstrate positive control over the child and to reduce stress in the family. The focus of family therapy is mainly on improving the quality of parent-child relationships. It also tries to improve competencies within the child and does not lay too much stress on symptoms.

Medication is the last resort for treatment where nothing else works. There is no effective antidepressant that will treat depression in children without the side effects. These drugs can also be addictive. Natural remedies for depression like herbs and homeopathy are safer. It is advisable that all medication, natural or conventional be used under professional guidance.

If the family environment is the cause of child depression, it becomes necessary for the family to help in the treatment. Studies have shown that family intervention and participation in the treatment process are extremely effective tools in treating depression in children.

Article by : Tess Thompson

Article Source : Treating Depression in Children & Teens - Family Therapy

Anti-Bullying Skills and Techniques for Children

Bullying is a big problem in our schools today. However, bullying has always been a problem. The main differences between bullying today from the past are the nature of the bullying and the violence that occurs in the aftermath. Cyberbullying is becoming a popular and more destructive form of bullying than traditional bullying. More children today are bringing guns to school to seek revenge on others. Bullying has been around and will probably remain for years to come.

Not only was I bullied as a child, but I continue to get bullied today as an adult. I do not believe that we have the power to rid the world of bullying. I believe the answer to the issue of bullying rests with all of us, especially the victims of bullying. I am not suggesting that victims of bullying are responsible for bullying. On the contrary, what I am suggesting is that victims of bullying have the power in themselves to think, behave, and react in ways that limits or eradicates bullying. As a society, we spend too much of our energy identifying and punishing the bully that we fail to spend enough time empowering the victims of bullying. We should spend more of our energy on the things that we can control rather than the things we have limited or no control over. We need to teach children about the power that they already possess. Let me elaborate on a few issues that parents should teach their children regarding the issue of bullying.

Let's first talk about the characteristics of bullying. Typically, bullies and their victims share the same characteristic - low self-esteem. It just depends on whether they internalize or externalize their feelings that will determine if they will become a bully or a victim of bullying. Typically, negative situations and events in the child's life can trigger low self-esteem. Externalizing feelings can cause some children to become bullies as they attempt to control their environment to compensate for their lack of control in their family. For instance, if a child's parents are divorcing and the child is very upset about the divorce, he or she might feel powerless in their ability to keep their parents together. As a result, the child might take out his or her rage on others for purposes of seeking control to compensate for his or her lack of control over their parents' impending divorce.

Given the same scenario (parental divorce), some children internalize their feelings by not talking or acting out how they feel. Instead, they become depressed and withdrawn feeling like a failure. Often, they develop a negative image of themselves and their physical appearance. They look at others and the world around them with shaded lens. When a bully validates this child's feelings about themselves, this child often reacts negatively to the validation because he or she feels the bully is correct in their interpretation.

Often times, children with high self-esteem do not respond negatively to bullies because they already know that whatever the bully says negatively about them is untrue and therefore they do not feel the need to defend themselves against the foolishness of others.

As human beings, our behavior, thoughts, and feelings are never dictated or controlled by others, situations, and events unless we allow this to occur. Simply said, others, situations, and events can trigger a reaction based on what we are thinking. In other words, if I really didn't want to go to work today and my car has a flat tire, I might experience happiness because I didn't want to go to work. On the other hand given the same event (flat tire), I might want to go to work today to take care of some undone business. Because the flat tire might delay or eliminate my chances of getting to work, this situation might cause me anger. How could the same event in both situations cause two different feelings? It wasn't the event at all that triggered the feelings. It was what I was thinking about the event that triggered my feelings. Therefore, manipulating the way we think can alter how we feel. We all have the ability to take ownership and control over our thoughts. We however have limited or no control over specific events, situations, and the behavior of others. Sometimes, we attempt to control events, situations, and others but become frustrated when our attempts fail.

Now, how does the paragraph above apply to the issue of bullying? The main goal of bullies is to attempt to get their victims to experience fear, anger, or sadness. Once their victim demonstrates signs of these emotions via the words he or she uses and/or their body language, the bully has complete and total control over them. The bully will continue to bully their victim until the victim no longer verbally and/or physically displays fear, anger, or sadness in response to the bullying. The bullying will end once the victim responds the opposite of what the bully expects.

How do we get children to react the opposite of what the bully expects? This is where role-playing comes in handy. Parents should regularly sit down with their children helping them learn to react the opposite of what bullies expect. Often times, this task is much easier when the parent knows what hurtful words or phrases bullies say that makes their children feel fearful, angry, or sad. Using these hurtful words and/or phrases in role-plays will emotionally prepare children when they are approached by bullies.

It is also important to teach children that they have the power to change or affect the agenda of bullies by the words they use. The worst thing that the child could do is respond by telling the bully that he or she is stupid or make any other negative statement. A negative response will only inflame the situation encouraging further bullying.

In addition, parents should teach and role-play with their children specified forms of body language that reflects a child with high self-esteem from a child with low self-esteem. Body language communicates feelings more so than spoken words. If a child yells at a bully that he or she is not bothered by their behavior, the bully knows that the child is bothered because of the yelling. Lack of eye contact, looking down, slouched posture, lack of hygiene, and low tone of voice can be viewed as symptoms of low self-esteem.

Parents need to teach their children that bullies rarely get angry with them. Bullies are typically angry at themselves and/or events that are or have occurred in their own life for which they have limited or no control. Bullies indirectly take out their anger on the ones they could easily control.

Parents should never teach their children to physically fight back when approached by a bully. The problem with fighting back is that children will get themselves into trouble for engaging in physically assaultive behavior. Think of it this way - bullies rarely ever throw the first punch. They always entice their victim into throwing the first punch. This way, when they are asked who started the fight, the bully could easily and truthfully state that their victim started it. In addition, there are significant legal ramifications that can arise as a result of physically assaultive behavior.

It is important to remember that physical violence typically occurs after a negative verbal interaction. Violence typically is provoked and rarely unprovoked. Therefore to avoid violence, the conflict can and should be defused during the verbal exchange. This is why the words victims say and their body language are so significant and detrimental to the outcome of bullying. Recent school shootings suggest that the shooters were bullied by their classmates. The bullying subsequently provoked the school violence.

Parents should be cautious when teaching their children to ignore bullies. The problem with ignoring is that the bully knows that their behavior is irritating, annoying, and controlling their victim. Therefore, the bullying will continue.

Parents should be cautious when teaching their children to constantly report bullying to an adult. Parents should encourage their children to first attempt to resolve the bullying on their own with the skills taught above. If their children are unsuccessful resolving these issues on their own, they should be encouraged to report the bullying. If their children automatically report the bullying without attempting to defuse the situation on their own, they will be perceived and labeled as a tattle-tale which will encourage more bullying.

Parents need to teach their children the correct definition of the word 'tattling'. Some children feel that reporting misbehavior to adults is considered tattling. Parents need to teach their children that reporting on others just to see them get into trouble is considered tattling. A child that reports to his or her parents that their brother is picking his nose is tattling. Children always need to report to an adult if they were physically, sexually, or verbally harmed by others or if they witnessed others engaging in destructive or illegal behaviors.

It is very easy to feel sorry and sympathy toward victims of bullying. However, it would be more helpful to the victim if we are more empathic to their needs by empowering them to diffuse bullying on their own. As a result, their ability to defuse the bullying would ultimately raise their level of self-esteem and self-worth.

Article by : Mark Lakewood, Relationship Specialist, Author, and Motivational Speaker

Article Source : Anti-Bullying Skills and Techniques for Children

Study Finds Mismatch Between Kids and Vitamins

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Vitamin supplements are meant to fill-in where diet may be lacking, but a new study finds that U.S. kids may not be getting some of the most needed nutrients from their vitamin pills and the kids taking vitamins may not be the ones who need them the most.

Looking at the diets and supplement use of more than 7,000 kids, researchers found that between the ages of nine and 18 many had low levels of certain vitamins and minerals, and few took supplements, while younger kids had adequate levels of most nutrients and were possibly getting too much of some vitamins and minerals.

Most children under eight, for instance, got the nutrition they needed from the food they ate, regardless of whether or not they took supplements, the study found.

Even with the use of supplements, however, more than a third of children failed to get sufficient calcium and vitamin D. And users sometimes overloaded on essential nutrients such as iron and vitamin A. Zinc and folate were consumed to excess across all age groups.

"We don't know if these excessive amounts cause any harm," said Regan Bailey, a nutritional epidemiologist at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland, who led the study. But, Bailey and her coauthors note in The Journal of Pediatrics, their findings suggest that makers of children's vitamins should consider reformulating their products to better match kids' needs and modern diets.

Bailey's team used dietary surveys to assess mineral and vitamin intake among children between the ages of two and 18 who took part in a major government health survey between 2003 and 2006. About 40 percent of children between ages two and eight take a supplement, the study found. Supplement usage was lower among older kids - 29 percent of kids between nine and 13 years old took them and 26 percent of teenagers did.

White children were more likely than their black or Hispanic counterparts to take a supplement, commonly a multivitamin/mineral. Overall, supplement users and nonusers got roughly similar levels of 15 different vitamins and minerals from food sources alone. But users were also more likely to get recommended doses of calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, vitamin A and vitamin C from food than nonusers.

When supplement use was considered, researchers found users had much better nutrient levels than nonusers. Across all age groups, taking supplements improved intake of calcium and vitamins A, C, D and E. Calcium and vitamin D consumption often fell below recommended levels, however, even among kids who took supplements.

More than a third of kids using supplements did not get enough calcium. The recommended amount is between 200 and 1,000 milligrams a day for children up to age eight, and 1,300 mg per day for kids age nine and up and teens. Most children between ages two and eight who didn't take supplements failed to get adequate levels of calcium and vitamins D and E.

"This is unfortunate," Bailey said. "Calcium and vitamin D are critical during this age for bone growth and development." Teens fell short on several other essential nutrients as well, including magnesium, phosphorus and vitamins A, C and E.

Vitamin E is involved in immune function, vitamin A in vision and bone growth and magnesium promotes nerve function and cellular energy production. At the same time, supplement users were more likely to boost consumption of certain nutrients - such as zinc, folate, iron and vitamin A - above recommended upper limits.

The long-term effects of high doses of these micronutrients in children are unknown, the report noted. The bottom line, Bailey explained, was that for some kids who would have been deficient in some vitamins and minerals, supplements were a help.

"For older children, taking supplements added nutrients for which intake would have been inadequate from food alone," she told Reuters Health. Bailey added that the problem of overloading affected children under age eight the most. The findings highlight the gap between supplement formulations for children and their needs as identified in national research data, Bailey explained.

"Manufacturers should tailor levels of nutrients in their products to help consumers meet, but not exceed, nutrient recommendations," she said, adding: "This is particularly salient for calcium and vitamin D."

Bailey, who works for the federal Office of Dietary Supplements, declined to elaborate on what specific changes could be made by supplement makers or parents.

"The ODS is here to help consumers; we do not make recommendations on supplement use," she said.

Whooping Cough Vaccine

Whooping Cough

Pertussis commonly known as whooping cough is a very deadly disease in infants that can cause permanent disability or in the most severe cases death. In the 20th century the disease was the cause of many infant and children dying but with the introduction of the vaccine in the mid- 1970s the number of deaths greatly declined.

Since then recent studies have showed the disease reappearing in adolescents and adults whose vaccinations have worn off and have not received proper vaccination in the ages of 11 to 64 years old. The respiratory tract infection starts as the common cold but over time progresses into a hacking cough that can turn deadly if untreated, but by knowing the symptoms and knowing some prevention this epidemic can fade away.

The whooping cough starts as the common cold with symptoms like runny nose, nasal congestion, sneezing, red and watery eyes, a mild fever, and a dry cough. By the symptoms resembling those of the common cold some people do not seek treatment immediately before it turns worse.

Within the first 12 days the individual becomes hard of breathing, coughing and vomiting simultaneously, sometimes loss of consciousness, and coughing ends with high pitched "whooping" sound. With infants the symptoms are ear infections, pneumonia, slowed or stopped breathing, dehydration, seizures, and brain damage.

The infants become so sickly that they need constant monitoring and hospitalization. Even though, these symptoms would definitely alert someone to the seriousness of their condition some adolescents and adults do not show symptoms.

The disease disburses very easily with the bacteria being able to spread with something as simple as a cough being sprayed through the air with thousands of germs going into the air. Once someone has the bacteria attaches to their airways and makes the individual cough uncontrollably.

Way to prevent the virus from spreading is to get immunization immediately.

Article by : Jocelyn Owens, Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jocelyn_Owens

Do We Give Our Children Too Many Vaccines?

The Problem with multiple vaccines
There is growing concern among parents regarding the number of vaccines that children now receive. Children are required by government schools to have completed the required vaccines prior to enrolling in school. The list of required vaccines continues rising, along with the costs. The number of vaccines raises concerns about safety and reasons for the large numbers of vaccines.

To put the situation in perspective consider that about one hundred years ago, children received a single vaccine for smallpox. Over time, the number of vaccines increased to five, which was about forty five years ago. These five vaccines were for diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), tetanus, polio, and smallpox. In the past forty years the number doubles to where today's children receive 11 routine vaccines. Many of the vaccines are in the form of multiple shots.

Increasing costs of vaccines
In the early 1980's the cost to immunize a child with the required vaccines was $75 to $100. Not only has the number of vaccines doubled, the cost has more than doubled. Presently the cost of obtaining the recommended vaccines is about $1,250. Even accounting for inflation, the increase in cost is dramatic. The cost is about to become more for teenage girls. The vaccination that reportedly protects against cervical cancer costs about $360 for a three dose series, which raises the total for the vaccines to about $1600. Although the number of shots has been reduced, the combination shots make it difficult to trace down which shot children are experiencing a reaction to when there are side effects.

Number of Antigens Children are exposed to
Part of the reason for the increased costs is that many of these vaccinations are for multiple antigens. (An antigen is a compound which when introduced into your body stimulates your immune system to produce chemical substances called 'anti-bodies'. These antibodies are instructed to either kill or neutralize any substance they consider a 'threat'.)

The combination shots increase the cost of the vaccines. One of the reasons for the combo shots is an effort to reduce the number of physical injections the child receives. In terms of the number of chemicals injected into the developing bodies of children is amazing.. When a girl receives all doses of all the recommended vaccines, the number of antigens received is 156 in the form of 45 shots. Boys, on the other hand receive 144 vaccine antigens in about 42 injections.

Think about that for a moment. When you follow the vaccine schedule, you are introducing 144-156 alien chemicals into your child's developing body. Since they are vaccines, these chemicals are injected into the body and bypass the natural defenses of the body. You might consider it foolish to take your infant through 150 different chemical plants so that they could be exposed to those substances, yet when you follow the schedule, you are taking similar action. If your child is sensitive or allergic to many foreign chemicals, the introduction of this many chemicals in so short a time span is asking for trouble.

The government recommends many vaccinations. The required vaccinations include: hepatitis A and B; inactivated poliovirus (IPV); rotavirus; haemophilus influenzae Type B (Hib); measles, mumps, rubella (MMR); pneumococcal conjugate (PCV); varicella (chickenpox); influenza; and diphtheria, tetanus and acellular pertussis (DTaP). In addition, there is Tdap - tetanus diphtheria and acellular pertussis vaccine and meningitis vaccine (MCV4) for those entering high school.

Vaccine Reactions
Researches have documented reactions to the pertussis and chicken pox vaccines. The danger with the chicken pox is that many of those vaccinated develop shingles within 10 years of the vaccination.

Vaccination has been cited as one of the ten greatest public health achievements of the 20th century. However, it doesn't require an advanced degree in science to grasp that the public health accolades, celebrating high vaccination rates and low infection rates, have lead to serious health consequences across the globe. Among those consequences are biological reactions to vaccine ingredients. Vaccine ingredients seem to be playing a substantial role in some of today's health problems.

Sometimes it is the additives to the vaccines that create problems rather than the vaccines themselves. Gelatin, one of many ingredients often used has been documented to cause allergies and asthma. Vaccines known to contain gelatin include chickenpox, MMR, Boostrix (a pertussis booster for teens), Tripedia (DTaP) and Zostrix which is the vaccine used for adult shingles.

Formaldehyde is another dangerous additive. It is used to inactivate some of the bacteria in the vaccines. It has also been found to interrupt the normal function of the immune system. Although the CDC site downplays the exposure and danger of formaldehyde, the National Cancer Institute identifies it as 'known human carcinogen'. Formaldehyde, besides being a preservative for lab specimens, can cause watery eyes, burning sensations in the eyes and throat, nausea, difficulty in breathing and asthma attacks. The chemical is categorized as a hazardous chemical on eight federal regulatory lists. With the current vaccine children receive more than ten times the recommended safe amounts. Vaccines containing formaldehyde include DTaP, polio, and influenza.

MSG is another common additive. MSG is added to 'stabilize' the vaccines. MSG is often used as a flavor enhancer, yet in some populations, the substance agitates the neural system. MSG is considered by many to be an excitotoxin due to the way it agitates or ' 'excites' the nervous system.

Egg proteins are also contained in some vaccines. Although government sites downplay the potential reaction, people who are allergic to egg proteins may react to these substances.

Another type of additive in many vaccines are adjuvats. These are chemical substances used to enhance the potency of the vaccine chemicals. The adjuvats amplify the effects of the vaccine. There are many types of chemicals used to increase the potency of vaccines. Variations of aluminum salts are often used in human based vaccines. At times, oil based adjuvats are included in vaccines. One of the controversial ones is squalene. Squalene triggers a strong auto-immune response to antibodies. Squalene is controversial in many circles. According to the CDC, no vaccines produced in the US contain squalene.

"There is no squalene in any FDA-approved vaccine in the US. There is no squalene in any kind of seasonal flu vaccine or in the H1N1 vaccine."-Patricia El-Hinnawy

This is in contradiction to the statements of vaccine manufacturers. One spokesmen at GlaxoSmithKline, claims that its vaccines do have squalene.

"A novel feature of the two H1N1 vaccines being developed by companies Novartis and GlaxoSmithKline is the addition of squalene-containing adjuvants to boost immunogenicity and dramatically reduce the amount of viral antigen needed. This translates to much faster production of desired vaccine quantities."-Meryl Nass, MD

With all the controversy, it behooves parents to consider the old Latin phrase, "Let the buyer beware". You will need to investigate matters yourself and find medical information you trust.

Follow the Money
The sales figures for preventative vaccines in 2007 amounted to $16.3 billion. This is an increase from the $11.7 billion generated in 2006. Since many vaccines are mandated by governments, the likelihood of the sales declining is low. The portion of these numbers that were for pediatric vaccines was $8 billion.

Jeff Murrah, LPC, LMFT, LCDC is a counselor with over 30+ years of experience in dealing with addictions and mental health issues, including reactions vaccine reactions. His experience has led to the writing of this and other articles on similar issues. He can be reached at http://www.RestoreTheFamily.com

Article by : Jeffrey Murrah, Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeffrey_Murrah

How Parents Cope With Diabetic Children

More often than not, children suffering from diabetes experience type 1 diabetes which is related to the functioning of the immune system. However, during the last few years, a greater and alarming number of children have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, which was only been frequent in adults. This phenomenon has pushed many medical practitioners, researchers and even parents to study the conditions that lead to type 2 diabetes in children and how to address this issue.

Children at risk of diabetes are those who are overweight or obese especially those belonging to a family with a history of diabetes. Diabetic children are often diagnosed during the puberty stage when major changes in the body and hormones occur. Ethnicity also plays a role in diabetic children especially if they are American, Hispanic or Asian among others. It is important for parents to be conscious if their children are experiencing high blood pressure and high fat level at an early stage so they could get them tested immediately.

In order to tackle the stress of type 2 diabetes in children, learning about this medical condition is highly necessary especially for children who wouldn't understand what they are experiencing right away. They might feel scared and intimidated by the disease, which is why parents must get the help of doctors and educators in this field of disease. They could explain the causes of diabetes, how to monitor blood sugar, what the long-term risks are, and the possible treatments. By arming your child with the right information, you can better face the challenging times ahead.

The next step is by planning the proper diet of the child as well as a regular exercise regimen to keep the body healthy. Getting the help of respected dietitians and exercise advisers is vital to prepare a specific plan for your child. Of course, oral medications and insulin injections must be prescribed by the doctor in order to keep the glucose level down. These types of treatments must be studied and understood by parents since they will be the one to guide the child in dealing with this demanding illness.

As parents, knowing who could be predisposed to being a diabetic is crucial to identifying if their child is indeed one of them. They will be responsible in handling the stress brought by diabetes to their child and help them overcome the pain and trauma. Thus, identifying at an early stage whether their kid is diabetic is important to address it as soon as possible. Complications could also occur for children with type 2 diabetes, that is why parents need to test the blood sugar level of their child daily and have their eyes checked by the doctor regularly. Parents must also have the hemoglobin of their child tested every three months in order to check that the glucose level there is safe.

While children undergo immense stress during this time, parents also face the same amount of pressure and anxiety. Parents must remember to keep a healthy lifestyle as well and maintain a positive attitude in order for their child to be motivated, hopeful and strong during this ordeal.

Dwayne is the author of "Your Guide to Dealing with Diabetes." The Revolutionary "Lazy" way to reverse Type 2 Diabetes. http://dealingwithdiabetesguide.com.

Article by : Dwayne S Tomkewich, Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dwayne_S_Tomkewich

'Nourishing our children' documentary blows away illusions about processed food vs. traditional diets

'Nourishing our children' documentary blows away illusions about processed food vs. traditional diets

A new two-hour video available on Premium NaturalNews TV blows away any remaining illusions about "healthy," processed food.

"Nourishing Our Children" advocates traditional diets, and is radical in that it turns the food pyramid upside down. For example, it shows how unhealthy processed cereals are, despite decades of "food pyramids" having conditioned us into believing cereals and cooked grains were a foundation of good health.

Watch the preview at: http://premium.naturalnews.tv/Nourishing_Our_Children.htm

If you were outraged by our investigation last year that uncovered how cereal companies only mimic blueberries through artificial chemicals in their "blueberry" products like cereals, wait until you see what is said in "Nourishing Our Children."

"Nourishing Our Children" is based on the work of Weston A. Price, a dentist who kept notes during his worldwide travels that correlated traditional diets with more robust and healthy people, from a young age onward. The genius of "Nourishing Our Children" is that it puts Dr. Price's work into very understandable sections, and orients it for the modern parent and child.

One review of "Nourishing Our Children" by Amy Love says:

"A well-organized and thorough examination of the incredible work and life-changing teachings of Dr. Weston A. Price, 'Nourishing Our Children' is a most helpful resource for anyone looking for true guidance in the realm of nutrition. As a nutritional therapist, I see day in and day out how necessary education is, and 'Nourishing Our Children' is an invaluable resource in my practice."

It is notable that there are several testimonials of parents who say their nine-year-old children viewed the film with them, and the kids were fascinated by how different the diet that Dr. Price recommends is from the government recommendations today. It is refreshing to know that a video on nutrition that takes them away from candy, processed foods, and confusing, industry-influenced, ever-waffling government recommendations can make sense, even to children.

Sections of "Nourishing Our Children" include:

• "What's Really in the Cereal Bowl"
• "The Ploy of Soy"
• "What You Don't Know About Your Protein Bar"
• "The Skinny on Fat"
• "Got Real Milk? Chances Are You Don't"
• "Diet for Motherhood," and more

Plus there are sections that deal with fluoride in the water, traditional fats and oils, and healthy meal preparation for the whole family.

If you are a parent imagining a child:

• Raised according to the nutritional wisdom of our ancestors
• Growing up free of the common ailments and diseases that we currently take for granted
• Whose strong, white teeth grow in straight - and free of tooth decay
• Who is attentive and engaged, and can learn easily and readily because of optimal brain development
• Who is energetic by day and sleeps soundly at night
• Who has a strong immune system, does not experience childhood illnesses or allergies, and has a stable, cheerful and optimistic disposition

And you'd like to learn "how to nourish, rather than merely feed, your family," as the filmmaker says, then click now to "Nourishing Our Children:"

http://premium.naturalnews.tv/Nourishing_Our_Children.htm

The maker of this video, Sandrine Hahn, was inspired by hearing a wake-up call that nutrient-dense foods are key for childhood development into healthy adults. She transformed 107 PowerPoint slides into 1,500 animated frames that run like a movie. The narration is accompanied by a musical score and sound effects that create a dynamic, inspirational, educational experience!

To view this informative and visually beautiful program and learn one of the most important things in our lives - to nourish our children, click here:

http://premium.naturalnews.tv/Nourishing_Our_Children.htm