Billions could be saved with nutritional intervention!

Dietary supplement regimens may reduce the number of disease-associated medical events, representing the potential for hundreds of millions of dollars – and in some cases billions – of savings. On the back of my last post about the futility and waste involved in certain medical procedures and drug regimens, this report commissioned by the Centre for Responsible Nutrition Foundation suggests massive savings with switch from medical treatment of chronic disease, which currently accounts for 75 percent of the healthcare budget, to prevention which currently accounts for a miserable 3 percent!

The specific nutritional factors that were singled out for use in prevention strategies include calcium, magnesium and vitamin D for osteoporosis, lutein and zeaxanthin for age-related eye diseases along with a number of nutrients for prevention of coronary heart disease. These include omega-3s, B vitamins (folic acid, B6, B12), psyllium, phytosterols and finally chromium picolinate for diabetes-attributed CHD.

I could add a few more to that list and also suggest that the best nutritional prevention strategies start with both prospective parents before conception, but at least this study’s "game-changing" recommendations are headed in the right direction. Authors, Frost and Sullivan, do however suggest that “This will be a marathon and not a sprint”, pointing out that everyone in Washington wants to save money! That’s for sure - particularly given current healthcare costs and the fights over Obamacare, just wondering if they’ve factored the insidious, negative influence of Big Pharma into the race ... ?

Useless pharamaceuticals, uselss medical procedures?

Yes, at least 40 percent of them are useless, have never worked and should be stopped, according to a recent comprehensive survey!

This is a scary statistic, but one that is particularly meaningful, coming as it does from a doctor who is well-entrenched in the orthodox medical system. Dr. Vinay Prasad is a chief fellow of America’s National Cancer Institute. In reviewing 363 studies on established medical practices, Dr Prasad found that just 38 per cent were proven to be beneficial; 22 per cent were inconclusive and 40 per cent were not helping the patient. The study was reported in The Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 2013; 88.

One of the commonly prescribed drugs that was found to be useless was Hormone Replacement Therapy prescribed for post-menopausal women to prevent heart disease. Since heart disease is a real cause for concern after menopause , you might like to know that there is an alternative to HRT. Femmenessence is a scientifically proven, natural product which does in fact confer heart protective effects, at the same time it protects your bones and your cognitive function. It very effectively reduces the hot flushes and other symptoms of menopause  as well!

Are vested interests keeping us fat?

Powerful and influential food industry lobbies in Australia and New Zealand have set the two countries to fail in stemming their obesity epidemics, according to a new study, led by Professor Boyd Swinburn, professor of population nutrition and global health at the University of Auckland. This story actually appeared in an Asian publication but hardly surprises me. I’ve now been putting my eager, “Healthy Parents, Healthy Baby = fundamental preventive healthcare” toes through the doors of The Pharmacy Guild of Australia, various nation-wide Pharmacy chains, State Health, Federal Health and Shadow Health Departments for over a decade. The net result of all that activity is initial excitement, perception of the value and of the potential, but at the end of the day, a complete lack of resolve and finally, inaction. My approaches to various university research departments have been equally unproductive.

You might think I'd be tempted to chuck it all in and go back to slapping labels on bottles behind the dispensary counter. But I persist! I truly don’t believe this rejection is anything to do with me or my material, which has the potential to improve every aspect of reproductive, infant and adult health! Rather, I believe that lack of widespread take-up is because I have no collateral clout. First of all, my educational content doesn’t align comfortably with the current sickness model that pervades our healthcare system, I’m not able to pay to have my services or products on pharmacy shelves, and of course I don’t have the resources that would allow donations to politicians or political parties. 

All of that said, I remain the eternal optimist. The dark side of inappropriate lobby groups and vested interests are now being exposed on a regular basis and I reckon that the posse of good guys, the true health and wellbeing advocates and educators, are all set to ride into town! Giddyup!!

Baby-making? First get lean and clean!

Well no surprises here! An obese mother is at risk of having a baby that in adulthood is more likely to die prematurely from coronary heart disease. And we shouldn’t expect the sperm of an obese father to deliver an optimal healthy package to his partner’s egg either. I’m sure these studies actually prove elegant and long-held theories, but I get very frustrated when the experiential evidence is already so clear, unequivocal and of such long-standing!

The healthiest babies come from the healthiest parents and the healthiest parents are also of normal weight. I don’t buy “fat people can be healthy!” Let’s face it, the obese are beset by a range of inflammatory processes, hormonal imbalances, skewed lipid profiles, compromised circulatory and cardiovascular performance to name just a few issues. That’s an unfortunate environment for eggs and sperm, a very compromised beginning for the uterus where an embryo will develop and grow. So if you’re overweight and thinking about pregnancy - get your weight within normal range first! 

While we’re on the subject of maternal diets and lifestyles, this report linking consumption of food and drink containing toxins to harm to the developing baby, makes me wonder where these particular researchers have been hiding. When Foresight’s work along exactly these lines dates back more than 35 years, when I’ve personally been singing this song for 30 years, it’s no wonder I get frustrated. Last but definitely not least, Australian scientists from Deakin University in collaboration with Norwegian researchers have confirmed that pregnant women whose diet is high in cereals and sugar-laden drinks are more likely to have children with behavioural problems. Children's symptoms of depression, anxiety, conduct and attention deficit disorders were directly linked to nutrient-poor, high-sugar, maternal diets! 

Convinced that you and your partner need to take action? It's never too soon to get started and here's all you need to know for the healthiest possible baby-making!

Bigger, better breakfasts

This study had clearly got wind of the saying “eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a pauper.” What’s more it showed that the individuals who went along with that old wisdom enjoyed significant health benefits in the form of weight loss that was more than twice that of the small breakfast/large dinner group. In addition, the kingly breakfasters had lower cholesterol levels and improved blood lipid profiles. The members of the big breakfasting group were also much more likely to stick with the overall dietary recommendations and to complete the full term of the study. And their dinner contained just a mere 200 calories!

Food for thought ... and for breakfast! Want great recipes for a whole bunch of kingly breakfasts?They’re suited to the whole family, whether you’re planning a baby or encouraging your kids in healthy eating habits and involvement in the kitchen.

More thoughts on violent behaviour

Dr.Mercola puts it so simply ... the majority of the population consume a diet that is completely devoid of nutrition, which means that their brains are literally starving. Anyone eating a diet that is refined, processed, additive-laden and therefore completely dead, will be missing a host of key nutrients for optimal mental and emotional health. Those critical nutritional elements include:  

• Fat-soluble vitamins, such as vitamins A, D3 and K2
• Water-soluble vitamins like B1, B6 and B12
• Minerals such as iodine, potassium, iron, magnesium, zinc, chromium, manganese
• Specific brain nutrients like choline, ARA and DHA

To ensure optimal mental function and emotional balance you also need the factors required to feed your second brain, which is the one in your gut. Neurotransmitters that are identical to those manufactured in your brain are made in the gut and the correct balance of brain chemicals depends on the correct balance of healthy gut bacteria! So whole, unrefined, in-season, all the colours of the rainbow supported by a high-potency probiotic if you want to be cool, calm and collected. High-sugar, high-fat, coloured and salted with nary a living product in sight will favour unpredictable, volatile and ill-considered!

Big Pharma rides roughshod ...

Interesting perspective emerges around the last in a very long and scary list of mass shootings in the US. After every one there is renewed enthusiasm, at least amongst part of the population, for changes to gun laws. Sadly the chance of such meaningful changes ever being implemented is remote, Americans having a weird sense of entitlement, seeing their “right to bear arms” as sacrosanct.

But as many have stated so succinctly, “the problem is not the guns but the people who own them." This news item makes it clear that some of those people are undoubtedly violent and mentally deranged courtesy of a pharmaceutical cocktail, prescribed for mental health issues such as PTSD. This very pertinent aspect of the mass killer profile fails to make the news. After all Big Pharma contributes millions to print and other media - it would never do to bite the hand that feeds.

Just how insidious the reach (e.g. right up to the United Nations) and influence of Big Pharma and associates (e.g. Monsanto) is made crystal clear by Dr. Joseph Mercola in this recent illuminating article.  Quite a read but worth the effort! If you’re inspired to get the inside story on vaccination, look no further than “The Vaccination Bible” from What Doctors Don’t Tell You. 

Having just forwarded the link to a very savvy young couple, determined to make the right decision on vaccination for their soon-to-be-born child, they assure me that it's very worthwhile and enlightening reading! 

Breastfeeding benefits? They continue into old age!

Fewer than one in five World Health Organisation (WHO) Member States have passed legislation reflecting the recommendations of the International Code of Marketing for Breast-milk Substitutes (MAIF) – the guidelines that support restrictions on the marketing of infant nutrition products. At the same time as this report is released, the issue of formula vs bottle raises its head in Australia, with a morning ABC news broadcaster referring to “breastfeeding Nazis!”

Then Australia’s Infant Nutrition Council, which represents the manufacturers of infant formula, debates how to respond to the paediatrician who dared to suggest that toddler or the warm and fuzzily titled “growing-up” formula, really had no place in the diet of a child who was now eating solid food. 

It seems to me that far too may women are seduced by whatever opinion suits their particular scenario, and I’ve heard a few opinions that need to be firmly put to bed. 

Most frustrating are the voices that constantly and loudly state that not all women can breastfeed, and that women must be free to choose their particular baby’s poison. The reality is, almost every woman can breastfeed given the right advice, environment and support. Dr. Christina Smillie US Paediatrician whose clinic is dedicated solely to working with mother-infant couples tells us that there are no mentions in the historical literature of breastfeeding problems, but reference only to ‘the baby taking the breast’ or ‘the mother giving the breast’.

Second complete myth is that most women (particularly those in the developing world) are nutrient deficient, but when they use formula they can be assured of total nutritional adequacy. Reality? Breastmilk is always superior to formula which brings me to another key point. "Breastfeeding" as the name for the activity means many women labour under the misapprehension that their milk is just about food and drink. Reality is so much more complex, involves comfort, security, bonding and self-esteem, but also includes oral and facial development, fine motor coordination and stimulation of proprioreceptors and heaps more - and that’s just for the baby! Equally, goodies are bestowed on the mum, latest research suggesting that breastfeeding protects against Alzheimer's.

Nutrition for brain health

Our brain is only about 2 per cent of our total body weight, but it accounts for at least 25 per cent of our metabolic demands! Now that statistic is definitely worth thinking about! A quarter of our metabolic demands are made by our brain, no wonder we’ve got an epidemic of mental health issues sitting alongside the physical issues that are a legacy of over-supply, under-nutrition, toxic overload, deranged gut microbiota and vitamin D deficiency to name just a few key issues. 

Restoring mental (and emotional health) could potentially have a massive impact, not only  on levels of depression which are set to be the biggest cause of disability by 2020, but on learning ability in schools and other institutions, on violence in society, on dependence on social poisons such as cigarettes and alcohol and on the incidence of recreational and hard-core drug-taking.

Where to begin for a healthier brain? This infographic does a great job of giving you all the details which can be summed up as, clean, green, wholefood diet, improved gut health, plenty of purified water, no cigarettes, reduced alcohol and caffeine, regular exercise and exposure to sunlight and restful sleep free from electromagnetic pollution (e.g.mobile phones). Sounds just like my prescription for couples planning a pregnancy...  

Call the midwife - quickly!

When we have men in the obstetric profession issuing forth with this sort of nonsense, what hope do women have of a normal, birth without medical intervention?

Hannah Dahlen, Professor of Midwifery at University of Western Sydney states it very clearly. 

Dr Dietz's statement that ''human childbirth is a fundamental biomechanical mismatch, the opening is way too small and the passenger is way too big,'' provides a real insight into why the caesarean section rate may be so high in this country.

Would you entrust your labour and birth experience to an obstetrician who believes such a thing? Would you engage him or any of his acolytes if you want to have the birth that nature intended? I sincerely hope not! 

Want to ensure your birth centre birth or birth at home (or even your birth in a conventional labour ward) goes according to nature’s plan? Ideally your preparation will start before conception! All you need to know right here ...

From the front line in the fight against depression and anxiety

You may have heard of serotonin, a neurotransmitter produced by the body, and maybe you’re familiar with the mode of action of a whole class of anti-depressant drugs. These selectively inhibit the uptake of serotonin, increasing its extracellular concentration, but despite widespread prescribing of these Selective Serotonin Re-uptake Inhibitors (SSRIs), mental health issues such as depression and anxiety are not at all well controlled. Simply put, SSRIs don’t work very well, but if your were also aware that there are more serotonin receptors in your gut than in your brain, the fact that they're less than truly effective starts to make more sense.

Now the evidence is mounting and it’s pointing to the seat of a host of mental and emotional health issues - in the health of your gut! So whether you're worried about your mental health, your digestive health, your immune response, your hormone balance or whether you already feel and plan to stay truly well in all of those departments, a regular dose of a high potency probiotic is the product you need. And better still, with regular probiotic intake, all your other health-promotion measures and your supplement program will be enhanced!

Folic acid for neural tube defects? But then maybe not ...

The European Food Safety Authority, Europe’s head science agency has joined other international authorities in backing B vitamin folate’s ability to reduce neural tube defects (NTDs) like spina bifida and hydrocephalus in early-stage foetuses.

Where the hell has EFSA been hiding? When Francesca Naish and I wrote The Natural Way to Better Babies - Preconception Healthcare for Prospective Parents, the studies linking folic acid to NTDs had already spanned 8 years and numbered in the hundreds. Better Babies, was first published in 1996 and is now officially an “evergreen” publication, the manuscript which led to its publication was several years prior to that in its creation, which puts those early folic acid studies into the veteran category. 

So how long will it be before EFSA catches up with the latest folate and methylation research. With the MTHFR polymorphism reaching epidemic proportions thanks to epigenetic changes now spanning several generations, we need to look at more specific folate (notably L-methylfolate + folinic acid) supplementation depending on the individual’s ability to metabolise and utilise the old faithful, folic acid. And please, when are practitioners of whatever persuasion going to pay attention to the best recommendations, which mean that isolated nutritional factors (e.g. folic acid) should never be given, but that comprehensive, robust supplementation is the way to go before conception and during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Omega-3 supplements for school children?

While the key time for ensuring a child's optimal brain formation and function is during pregnancy and the early post-natal period, this new study of under-achieving British primary school children brings hope to all those kids who might have missed that particular developmental boat. 

Researchers stated that the DHA supplementation given to those with the lowest circulating levels of DHA and EPA was effective even though it was given outside of the recognised critical period of development. The scientists also stated that the initial levels of omega-3s were so “frighteningly low” that it was no wonder the children were under-performing, adding that the levels were in the area that signified significant cardiovascular risk, boding ill for their future health as adults. 

Fortunately however, supplementation was able to positively impact poor readers, those with short working memory and those children with higher oppositional behaviour and emotional lability. One can only hope that these kids become lifelong takers of supplements and that their parents start feeding them the cold-water fish that are the best source of these essential fatty acids.

And an even more recent research paper from Oxford University suggests that omega-3 supplements can improve sleep quality in children. Find recipes for fabulous high omega-3, fish dinners that kids can help prepare and will enjoy in Healthy Parents, Healthy Toddler

And as an end note to this post, researchers now say that the negative effects of omega-3 deficiency become incrementally worse through consecutive generations. Make sure your grandchildren and great grandchildren can't blame you for being poor readers and lousy sleepers!

Can the diet sodas!

It’s official - “zero-calorie”, “no-calorie”, “low-calorie”, “no-sugar”, “low-sugar”, in fact all those heavily-promoted products that make you believe you can have your sweet cake without worry about weight gain, create exactly the same metabolic effects as their sugar-laden counterparts! In fact, those individuals consuming “diet-sodas” experienced identical metabolic changes to those folk consuming the regular sugar-heavy variety of soda, exhibiting excessive weight gain, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and stroke! How can that possibly be you ask?

Apparently it’s simple - consuming foods which are artificially sweetened perpetuates your craving for sweet things generally and your overall sugar intake is not reduced! What’s worse, the artificial sweetener sucralose (Splenda) is now tagged as requiring “caution” with its use, while the longest running study on another artificial sweetener, aspartame, links its use to development of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and leukemia.

And sodas don’t even quench your thirst! While we're on the topic, fruit juices are now in the spot light,with Harvard researchers suggesting they are equally as problematic as sodas in their contribution to diabetes. No doubt about it, purified water is the best thirst-quenching drink, best cell-hydrater, best detoxification-support-act and the best water purifier is Wellness Filter! And while you're at it, those same Harvard researchers say that eating the whole fruit can reduce your diabetes risk!

Call the midwife!

Caesareans are now the most commonly performed surgical procedure in the United States. Hardly a statistic to encourage prospective or pregnant mums, and the rate of a surgical delivery in Australia is only a fraction below that of the US, where it has now reached 1 in 3 births. Yet World Health Organisation recommendations say the C-sec rate should never be amore than 10 -15 percent in any area or for any reason, so clearly something is very wrong.

The fear with which many women approach the unknown “pain” of labour is driven by media stories and by obstetricians, many of whom have private patients insured for all eventualities. The rate of surgical delivery among privately insured women is notoriously higher than for those in the public system, which says a lot about the spurious reasons for surgery! Only when obstetricians and hospitals are somehow rewarded for keeping surgical deliveries to within WHO guidelines, might we see a change. I have a friend who is a long-time practising obstetrician and visiting specialist at three maternity hospitals in NSW Australia. The intervention rates at this doctor’s hospitals are well within the WHO-recommended range, yet when he presents to his professional colleagues on how they might emulate his approach, his words are dismissed. His peers make it plain that lowering their C-sec rates is not on their agenda and that such rates should not be viewed as a competition.

Damn shame! But if the doctors have vested interests in continuing high surgical rates, what hope is there for the women in their care? Time to “call the midwife” if you ask me! All you need to know about avoiding a surgical delivery ...

Connect the dots ...

Couple of studies that at first glance appear unrelated, but then again, maybe not ...

The evidence that autistic children have reduced gut biodiversity is interesting from two perspectives. Firstly, improving the range of gut bacteria must begin before conception as anyone who follows this blog will already know. The greater the biodiversity the better it seems, with other health conditions such as obesity and gut-related issues like Crohn’s exhibiting both reduced and deranged bacterial species in the gut. Secondly, the question I ask relating to autism is whether the absence of those three very distinct bacterial species is a side-effect of vaccination? If so, the much-maligned Dr. Wakefield may yet have his day in the sun!

The age of girls starting puberty is also interesting. Professor George Patten of Murdoch Children’s Hospital says "In the course of the 130 years, between 1830 and 1960, we saw a drop in the age of onset of periods from about 17 years down to about 12-and-a-half, 13 years." Numerous causative factors including improved nutrition, childhood obesity and exposure to exogenous hormones and environmental chemicals have been implicated. However this particular study shows a clear link to early puberty and childhood stress levels, with children who exhibit problems with social and emotional development, those who have an inability to deal with stress at age four or earlier, also those who undergo extremely early puberty. 

My theory goes like this ... if these kids with social and emotional problems can be considered somewhere “on the spectrum” with autism at one end, is their inappropriate and early hormonal development also linked to deranged gut bacterial populations? 

My strong feeling is that the issues are closely related and have their foundation in that 1.5Kg of bacteria that contain 10 times more cells and 100 times more DNA than we do. Even if that’s drawing a very long bow, everyone of us is a victim of the issues that compromise gut health, but restoring it is a really simple matter.