More on trans-generational effects

When will we finally connect the dots? The trans-generational effects of modern diets, lifestyles and environments (include current vaccination schedules in this last category) are clear for anyone with half a brain to see. They’re all around is in the epidemic of chronic degenerative conditions, but also in the plethora of metabolic, immune, digestive and neurological disturbances that are affecting our children. A recent edition of The Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry tells us that 6.4 million US children aged between four and seventeen have been diagnosed with ADHD (attention-deficit, hyperactivity disorder). What’s even more concerning is the fact that more than 70 percent of those children are taking Ritalin - a powerful stimulant whose long-term effects on mental and emotional function are really unknown. 

I will accept that a lot of these diagnoses are probably little more than busy, preoccupied parents wanting a label on a particularly exuberant or boisterous child, one who might need nothing more than plenty of time running free in fresh air and sunshine rather than being cooped up in a classroom or in front of a computer screen. But even if half of those diagnoses are for real, the prognoses for those to successfully complete education and career training and then to enjoy gainful employment and relationships, not to mention true health and wellbeing are far from ideal.

Reversing this dismal picture will take generations, even if everyone who might ever become a Mum or a Dad were to get with the Healthy Parents, Healthy Baby program right now. But I firmly believe in that it is better to light a candle than curse the darkness! You can help by lighting your own candle. Starts here...

        

Across generations - thank your great grandmother

Deficiencies in folic acid that go back as many as five generations could have an impact on developmental risk factors and later risk of disease, according to new research in mice. Just as healthy gut bacteria have a vital in our overall well-being, so healthy parents, make healthy baby, healthy grand-baby and healthy great-grand-baby (and great-great ...)! Epigenetic effects across five generations have now been demonstrated in animal studies, but should come as no surprise to those of you who follow my blog. 

The researchers from The University of Cambridge state in their conclusion “It surprised us to find that the great, great grandchildren of a parent who has had a folic acid deficiency could have health problems as a result. More importantly our research shows that disease in general can be inherited through epigenetic means rather than genetic means, which has huge implications for human health. Environmental factors that influence epigenetic patterns e.g. diet, epigenetic disruptors in the environment such as chemicals etc. may also have long term, multigenerational effects”.

Once again, the fact that adverse trans-generational effects of nutritional insufficiencies were observed at first hand by Dr. Weston Price in the 1930s makes these recent studies and their “surprising” conclusion very frustrating. It also makes the widespread embrace of the Healthy Parents, Healthy Baby program a vital and immediately-necessary step if we are ever to reverse the epidemic of metabolic, immune, neurological and digestive disorders in children and reduce the widespread incidence of chronic degenerative disease in adults.

Fifty years down the track

Only occasionally do I turn from the latest, newsiest news in the world of wellbeing to something more personal, but this was an event worth recording. Sunday November 17 2013 saw the “Class of 63” gather to celebrate fifty years since graduating from Narrabeen Girls High School. I’m still basking in the glow of catching up with long lost friends and of making some wonderful new ones. The afternoon and the many amazing conversations were an affirmation of how strong the relationships formed during those teenage years remain, of how quickly the intervening years seem to have passed, but also of how rich and diverse our various lives and loves. So many extraordinary journeys, so many memories and all so different! And at a very practical level, it was a reminder that I have been especially blessed to walk my particular, life-affirming and health-promoting path! I still feel as energetic and optimistic as the 16 year old teenager I was back then (back row, third from right).

To family food ...

This UK study makes it pretty clear. Few, if any of the pre-prepared baby foods available in the market today are adequate in terms of providing optimal nutritional content and variety of taste and texture. 

My strong belief is that once your child is ready for food other than breast milk, the signs will be very plain - he will reach for food from your plate! The solution is pretty plain too - let him share whatever your family is eating - whole, unrefined, fresh and in season. Let him manage what he fancies in his fingers, let him taste it, play with it, mouth it and spit or swallow. These early adventures with solid food are just that, an exploration of taste and texture, but the whole experience is also about eating with the family, so the good examples that you, your partner and other children set, are paramount.

No need for pureeing, mashing, blending or spooning. If your baby moves to family meals at his own pace and if you give him an assortment of healthy foods to choose from, if you continue to breastfeed for as long as he wants, he won’t become addicted to the high-sugar, high-fat, high-salt offerings that masquerade as real food. More on avoiding food trauma and making a stress-free transition from mother's milk to meals ... 

One third of the world's population needs more sunshine!

New data from a systematic review of almost 200 population-based studies shows that more than a third of populations worldwide may suffer from low levels of vitamin D. Gee, and to think that this particular vitamin is manufactured in the skin by sunlight, it depends on no particular type of food intake and also comes free of charge! 

Yet, researchers from Mannheim Institute of Public Health, Heidelberg University, Germany publishing their findings in the British Journal of Nutrition, stated that of 168,000 people, in 195 studies conducted in 44 countries, 37.3% of the studies reported mean serum vitamin D levels of less than 50nmol/litre. This is a level considered to be inadequate by health authorities. If you’ve missed my vitamin D blog posts in the past, here’s a recap on the recommendations for ensuring vitamin D adequacy.

As a public health measure, universally restoring vitamin D status would not only have a massively beneficial impact on the health status of entire populations, but could be implemented quickly, safely and cheaply. So let the sun shine on - every day. For a continuing appropriate relationship between your skin and the sun...

• Ensure it’s a clear day without pollution
• Minimize UVA while allowing UVB
• 10-15 minutes exposure/day between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm
• Expose 40 percent of skin area
• If this isn’t possible, use oral supplements of D3 to achieve 40-60ng/ml (100-150nMols/L)

RULE OF THUMB: For every 100IU ingested, there is increase of 1ng/ml

PREGNANCY DOSE: 4,000IU/day

BREASTFEEDING DOSE: 6,000IU/day