Let's understand about what is probiotic??
Probiotic: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Probiotic
Do you agree that we are living together with bacteria, being good one or bad one?
Majority of the bacteria in our body are good bacteria. Different bacteria have different functions.
E.g. Intestinal bacteria - help to digest food in our intestine.
For those who swallowing the food instead of chewing it before swallow, they miss the chance of letting the good bacteria within our mouth to digest it on first level.
Probiotic is the microorganisms similar to those found in the human digestive system. It's man-made.
In the market, there are only about 3-4 types of probiotics supplements - common one are Lactobacillus or acidophilus bacteria. It's claimed to have the similar function as those good bacteria in our intestine.
Is there an issue by taking the probiotic then?
In fact, our intestine are occupied by 500-1000 types of bacteria. However, if we supplement it with probiotic (which is only 3-4 types). Yes, those 3-4 types of good bacteria (with large amount) will be occupying the space in our intestine, and pushing the other types of good bacteria that's natural produced in the intestine away, since we only have so much space to go!
Thus, we lose the chance of letting other types of good bacteria to perform the digestion works that they suppose to perform.
Any risk of taking Probiotic?
Definitely there's limitation when it's coming to probiotic supplements:
1. Pancreas inflammation people can't take probiotics
2. children may develop allergy if consuming probiotic in long run
3. Those who are on corticosteroid, chemotheraphy, organ transplant, AIDS - do take note. Probiotic is not for you!
4. People with weak immune system are not suitable to use probiotics. It creates dependency in long run.
Relationship between intestinal bacteria and heart diseases:
Good intestinal bacteria is also very much related to cardiovascular diseases. Why?
Our intestinal bacteria (based on meat-rich diet) will produce TMAO compound which can cause cardiovascular diseases. Even a person with low cholesterol will get cardiovascular diseases if the TMAO compound is high in his body. However, if we are taking fruits and vegetables more, our intestinal bacteria will not produce TMAO.
Hence, in this context, it proves again that changing your diet to more fruits and vegetables will help a person to prevent cardiovascular diseases.
What is TMAO - called trimethylamine-N-oxide? Click below to understand more. http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/news/20130424/gut-reaction-may-predict-cardiovascular-risk
Note that the probiotics used in many probiotics drinks in the market - require milk /dairy products as a medium to grow. They will produce TMAO in our body when they are in our body. Relationship between intestinal bacteria and obesity: Obesity is related to the bacteria in our intestine also. Some intestinal bacteria can secrete certain compound to better absorb fat, therefore speed up putting on weight, and leads to obesity.
If not taking Probiotic then how?
Based on different diet and lifestyle, each of use do need different types of good bacteria to digest the food that we are taking. E.g Sichuan people's diet (spicy food mainly) is definitely different from an American (more protein). So do you think the good bacteria generated in their intestine are the same? If we are supplying all just with probiotic, it may not works!
Best way is to change our diet to more fruits and vegetables, in order to let our body to start growing our own good bacteria!
Check out why I take Nutritional Immunology food, as a convenient organic freeze dried food that allow my body to generate my own good bacteria!
Especially Oxyginberry, which is my favorite! Personally I can prepare it by myself, but with the busy schedule, I would prefer a convenient!
Read up
How I stay young and stay healthy
Cheers
Siew Choon
90263064
Showing posts with label breastfeeding. Show all posts
Showing posts with label breastfeeding. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 22, 2014
Tuesday, April 15, 2014
Attention to Parents: How (and Why) to Introduce Allergens to Your Infant
In the last decade, prevailing beliefs about timing the introduction of highly allergenic foods to babies have undergone a sea change.
For decades, parents were advised to delay introducing allergenic foods until 12 months (cow's milk dairy), 24 months (eggs) or even 36 months of age (fish, tree nuts, peanuts). Then, in 2008, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) retracted its previous guidelines on the matter, acknowledging that there was insufficient evidence to support delayed introduction of allergens as a strategy to reduce the risk of food allergy. But beyond that, the organization did not offer specifics as to whether there was an ideal window during infancy to introduce these foods, nor did it comment on whether delaying introduction of foods might actually increase risk of developing food allergies.
[
As a result, pediatricians and parents have been in limbo since 2008, lacking clear guidelines as to whether early or delayed food introduction could help prevent babies from developing food allergies. As more observational research on solid food introduction and risk of food allergy became available, the body of evidence began to point in a relatively consistent direction: Early introduction of common food allergens seemed associated with a lower risk of developing food allergies compared to delayed introduction. Some pediatricians found these studies compelling enough to start advising parents to stop delaying the introduction of allergens past 12 months. But lacking sufficient evidence that met the "gold standard" of scientific research—randomized, controlled trials—other pediatricians continued to feel it was prudent to follow the delayed introduction approach until better evidence was available or official guidelines were issued.
This past January, however, the American Academy of Asthma, Allergy and Immunology (AAAAI) released a new set of recommendations on infant feeding practices to help prevent food allergy. The recommendations are based on the available observational research to date, and are the first guidelines to state that delaying introduction of foods like wheat, cow's milk dairy, eggs, fish and nuts may actually result in an increased risk of food allergy or eczema.
The AAAAI recommendations state that once an infant over 4 months old has tolerated a few non-allergenic solid foods (think common early solids like rice cereal, oatmeal, sweet potatoes, carrots, bananas, apples or pears), parents can proceed with introducing other more allergenic foods without delay, ideally at home rather than in day care or a restaurant. As with introducing all new solids, only one new food should be introduced every three to five days to help isolate triggers of any allergic reaction.
Importantly, the guidelines also note that exclusive breast-feeding for at least four months may be protective against cow's milk allergy in infants. Lastly, they found no significant protective benefit against food allergy when mothers avoided allergenic foods like dairy, egg and peanuts during pregnancy or lactation.
Ultimately, how to introduce allergens is a personal decision you'll make in consultation with your pediatrician. If your infant already has eczema or signs of a food allergy—or if a sibling has a peanut allergy—your pediatrician may refer you to a pediatric allergist for testing and individualized guidance.
If you do decide to introduce allergens to your infant between the ages of about 5 to 12 months, I offer some texture-appropriate ideas for doing so—many of which I road-tested on my own two kids:
Check out following articles to learn more:
http://health.usnews.com/health-news/blogs/eat-run/2013/03/19/how-and-why-to-introduce-allergens-to-your-infant
Being a wise consumer is important!
I have learnt about this information also from Live with Dr Chen session. Photo from latest session on 13th April!
Siew Choon
90263064
teysiewchoon@gmail.com
For decades, parents were advised to delay introducing allergenic foods until 12 months (cow's milk dairy), 24 months (eggs) or even 36 months of age (fish, tree nuts, peanuts). Then, in 2008, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) retracted its previous guidelines on the matter, acknowledging that there was insufficient evidence to support delayed introduction of allergens as a strategy to reduce the risk of food allergy. But beyond that, the organization did not offer specifics as to whether there was an ideal window during infancy to introduce these foods, nor did it comment on whether delaying introduction of foods might actually increase risk of developing food allergies.
[
As a result, pediatricians and parents have been in limbo since 2008, lacking clear guidelines as to whether early or delayed food introduction could help prevent babies from developing food allergies. As more observational research on solid food introduction and risk of food allergy became available, the body of evidence began to point in a relatively consistent direction: Early introduction of common food allergens seemed associated with a lower risk of developing food allergies compared to delayed introduction. Some pediatricians found these studies compelling enough to start advising parents to stop delaying the introduction of allergens past 12 months. But lacking sufficient evidence that met the "gold standard" of scientific research—randomized, controlled trials—other pediatricians continued to feel it was prudent to follow the delayed introduction approach until better evidence was available or official guidelines were issued.
This past January, however, the American Academy of Asthma, Allergy and Immunology (AAAAI) released a new set of recommendations on infant feeding practices to help prevent food allergy. The recommendations are based on the available observational research to date, and are the first guidelines to state that delaying introduction of foods like wheat, cow's milk dairy, eggs, fish and nuts may actually result in an increased risk of food allergy or eczema.
The AAAAI recommendations state that once an infant over 4 months old has tolerated a few non-allergenic solid foods (think common early solids like rice cereal, oatmeal, sweet potatoes, carrots, bananas, apples or pears), parents can proceed with introducing other more allergenic foods without delay, ideally at home rather than in day care or a restaurant. As with introducing all new solids, only one new food should be introduced every three to five days to help isolate triggers of any allergic reaction.
Importantly, the guidelines also note that exclusive breast-feeding for at least four months may be protective against cow's milk allergy in infants. Lastly, they found no significant protective benefit against food allergy when mothers avoided allergenic foods like dairy, egg and peanuts during pregnancy or lactation.
Ultimately, how to introduce allergens is a personal decision you'll make in consultation with your pediatrician. If your infant already has eczema or signs of a food allergy—or if a sibling has a peanut allergy—your pediatrician may refer you to a pediatric allergist for testing and individualized guidance.
If you do decide to introduce allergens to your infant between the ages of about 5 to 12 months, I offer some texture-appropriate ideas for doing so—many of which I road-tested on my own two kids:
Check out following articles to learn more:
http://health.usnews.com/health-news/blogs/eat-run/2013/03/19/how-and-why-to-introduce-allergens-to-your-infant
Being a wise consumer is important!
I have learnt about this information also from Live with Dr Chen session. Photo from latest session on 13th April!
Siew Choon
90263064
teysiewchoon@gmail.com
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
Breastfeeding Mum, are you taking fish oil as the source of Omega 3 during breastfeeding?
Omega 3 is one of the important nutrients for breastfeeding mum, in order to get the EPA and DHA which is good for the heart and the brain for baby, a lot of mother may turns to fish oil
Do you know the risk of obtaining Omega 3 from fish oil??
1. Contamination
Due to water pollution, some species of fish are contaminated by high levels of mercury, pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and other pollutants. The US Food and Drug Administration advices children and expectant mothers to avoid eating fish that may contaminated by high levels of mercury.
2. Unsuitable for Consumption
Can you imagine eating the oil from fish liver? In particularly cod liver oil, has excessive vitamin A and vitamin D content. Due to the fact that Liver's main function is to filter and detox, fish liver is more likely to contain toxic contaminants.
3. Depletes Vitamin E
Fish oil can reduce vitamin E levels, either by preventing vitamin E from being absorbed or by causing the body to use up vitamin E more quickly
4. Side effects
diarrhea, heartburn, indigestion, abdominal bloating, nausea, loose stools, rash and nosebleeds.
5. Interference with Medication
Fish oil increase total blood cholesterol and prevent blood clotting, through interaction with medications, such as blood thinners, aspirin and high blood pressure drugs.
6. High calorie
Animal fats such as fish oil are high in calories. One tablespoon of code liver oil, or example, contains 122 calories
7. Dangers of overdose
Overdose increase risk of stroke and cancer. Studies show that consuming too much can reduce immune system activities, making the body more susceptible to infection. Especially increase the risk of having prostate cancer.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2359466/Taking-omega-3-fish-oil-supplements-increase-risk-aggressive-prostate-cancer-70.html
Instead of taking fish oil, most of the circle within my friends, including mothers and kids or even infant are taking plant based Omega 3 (kiwi seed and chia seed)
It's definitely healthier given that the omega 3 components is called ALA, instead of EPA and DHA
http://www.eexcelasia.com/EN/Product/SV/JNNS/product38.aspx
If we are able to consume 2 kiwi a day, it's equivalent to the amount of Omega 3 that we needed, otherwise Oseed is a very good convenient for babies, especially breastfeeding mum!
Siew Choon
90263-64
teysiewchoon@gmail.com
Do you know the risk of obtaining Omega 3 from fish oil??
1. Contamination
Due to water pollution, some species of fish are contaminated by high levels of mercury, pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and other pollutants. The US Food and Drug Administration advices children and expectant mothers to avoid eating fish that may contaminated by high levels of mercury.
2. Unsuitable for Consumption
Can you imagine eating the oil from fish liver? In particularly cod liver oil, has excessive vitamin A and vitamin D content. Due to the fact that Liver's main function is to filter and detox, fish liver is more likely to contain toxic contaminants.
3. Depletes Vitamin E
Fish oil can reduce vitamin E levels, either by preventing vitamin E from being absorbed or by causing the body to use up vitamin E more quickly
4. Side effects
diarrhea, heartburn, indigestion, abdominal bloating, nausea, loose stools, rash and nosebleeds.
5. Interference with Medication
Fish oil increase total blood cholesterol and prevent blood clotting, through interaction with medications, such as blood thinners, aspirin and high blood pressure drugs.
6. High calorie
Animal fats such as fish oil are high in calories. One tablespoon of code liver oil, or example, contains 122 calories
7. Dangers of overdose
Overdose increase risk of stroke and cancer. Studies show that consuming too much can reduce immune system activities, making the body more susceptible to infection. Especially increase the risk of having prostate cancer.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2359466/Taking-omega-3-fish-oil-supplements-increase-risk-aggressive-prostate-cancer-70.html
Instead of taking fish oil, most of the circle within my friends, including mothers and kids or even infant are taking plant based Omega 3 (kiwi seed and chia seed)
It's definitely healthier given that the omega 3 components is called ALA, instead of EPA and DHA
http://www.eexcelasia.com/EN/Product/SV/JNNS/product38.aspx
If we are able to consume 2 kiwi a day, it's equivalent to the amount of Omega 3 that we needed, otherwise Oseed is a very good convenient for babies, especially breastfeeding mum!
Siew Choon
90263-64
teysiewchoon
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