STOMACH AND BOWEL DISORDERS AMONG INFANTS
Disorder of the stomach and bowels is one of the most fruitful sources of the diseases of infancy. Only prevent their derangement, and, all things being equal, the infant will be healthy and flourish, and need not the aid of physic or physicians.
There are many causes which may give rise to these affections; many of them appertain to the mother’s system, some to that of the infant. All are capable, to a great extent, of being prevented or remedied. It is, therefore, most important that a mother should not be ignorant or misinformed upon this subject. It is the prevention of these affections, however, that will be principally dwelt upon here; for let the mother ever bear in mind, and act upon the principle, that the prevention of disease alone belongs to her; the cure to the physician. For the sake of clearness and reference, these disorders will be spoken of as they occur:
To the infant at the breast.
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The infant’s stomach and bowels may become deranged from the breast-milk becoming unwholesome. This may arise from the parent getting out of health, a circumstance which will be so manifest to herself, and to those more immediately interested in her welfare, that it is only necessary just to allude to it here. Suffice it to say, that there are many causes of a general kind to which it may owe its origin; but that the most frequent is undue lactation, and the effects both upon mother and child fully dwelt upon.
Anxiety of mind in the mother will cause her milk to be unhealthy in its character, and deficient in quantity, giving rise to flatulence, griping, and sometimes even convulsions in the infant. A fit of passion in the nurse will frequently be followed by a fit of bowel complain in the child. These causes of course are temporary, and when removed the milk becomes a healthy and sufficient for the child as before.
Sudden and great mental disturbance, however, will occasionally drive away the milk altogether, and in a few hours. A Mrs. S., aet. 29, a fine healthy woman, of a blonde complexion, was confined of a boy. She had a good time, and a plentiful supply of milk for the child, which she continued to suckle till the following January, a period of three months, when her milk suddenly disappeared. This circumstance puzzled the medical attendant, for he could not trace it to any physical ailment; but the milk never returned, and a wet-nurse became necessary. In the following spring the husband of this lady failed, an adversity which had been impending since the date when the breast-milk disappeared, upon which day the deranged state of the husband’s affairs was made known to the wife, a fact which at once explained the mysterious disappearance of the milk.
Unwholesome articles of diet will affect the mother’s milk, and derange the infant’s bowels. Once, I was called to see an infant at the breast with diarrhoea. The remedial measures had but little effect so long as the infant was allowed the breast-milk; but this being discontinued, and arrow-root made with water only allowed, the complaint was quickly put a stop to. Believing that the mother’s milk was impaired from some accidental cause which might now be passed, the infant was again allowed the breast. In less than four-and-twenty hours, however, the diarrhoea returned. The mother being a very healthy woman, it was suspected that some unwholesome article in her diet might be the cause. The regimen was accordingly carefully inquired into, when it appeared that porter from a neighbouring publican’s had been substituted for their own for some little time past. This proved to be bad, throwing down, when left to stand a few hours, a considerable sediment; it was discontinued; good sound ale taken instead; the infant again put to the breast, upon the milk of which it flourished, and never had another attack.
In the same way aperient medicine, taken by the mother, will act on the child’s bowels, through the effect which it produces upon her milk. This, however, is not the case with all kinds of purgative medicine, nor does the same purgative produce a like effect upon all children. It is well, therefore, for a parent to notice what aperient acts thus through her system upon that of her child, and what does not, and when an aperient becomes necessary for herself, unless she desire that the infant’s bowels be moved, to avoid the latter; if otherwise, she may take the former with good effect.
Again; the return of the monthly periods whilst the mother is a nurse always affects the properties of the milk, more or less, deranging the stomach and bowels of the infant. It will thus frequently happen, that a few days before the mother is going to be unwell, the infant will become fretful and uneasy; its stomach will throw up the milk, and its motions will be frequent, watery, and greenish. And then, when the period is fully over, the milk will cease to purge. It is principally in the early months, however, that the infant seems to be affected by this circumstance; for it will be generally found that although the milk is certainly impaired by it, being less abundant and nutritious, still, after the third or fourth month it ceases to affect the infant. Is then a mother, because her monthly periods return after her delivery, to give up nursing? Certainly not, unless the infant’s health is seriously affected by it; for she will generally find that, as the periods come round, by keeping the infant pretty much from the breast, during its continuance, and feeding him upon artificial food, she will prevent disorder of the child’s health, and be able in the intervals to nurse her infant with advantage. It must be added, however, that a wet- nurse is to be resorted to rather than any risk incurred of injuring the child’s health; and that, in every case, partial feeding will be necessary at a much earlier period than when a mother is not thus affected.
The milk may also be rendered less nutritive, and diminished in quantity, by the mother again becoming pregnant. In this case, however, the parent’s health will chiefly suffer, if she persevere in nursing; this, however, will again act prejudicially to the child. It will be wise, therefore, if pregnancy should occur, and the milk disagree with the infant, to resign the duties of a nurse, and to put the child upon a suitable artificial diet.
The infant that is constantly at the breast will always be suffering, more or less, from flatulence, griping, looseness of the bowels, and vomiting. This is caused by a sufficient interval not being allowed between the meals for digestion. The milk, therefore, passes on from the stomach into the bowels undigested, and the effects just alluded to follow. Time must not only be given for the proper digestion of the milk, but the stomach itself must be allowed a season of repose. This evil, then, must be avoided most carefully by the mother strictly adhering to those rules for nursing.
The bowels of the infant at the breast, as well as after it is weaned, are generally affected by teething. And it is fortunate that this is the case, for it prevents more serious affections. Indeed, the diarrhoea that occurs during dentition, except it be violent, must not be subdued; if, however, this is the case, attention must be paid to it. It will generally be found to be accompanied by a swollen gum; the freely lancing of which will sometimes alone put a stop to the looseness: further medical aid may, however, be necessary.
At the period of weaning.
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There is great susceptibility to derangements of the stomach and bowels of the child at the period when weaning ordinarily takes place, so that great care and judgment must be exercised in effecting this object. Usually, however, the bowels are deranged during this process from one of these causes; from weaning too early, from effecting it too suddenly and abruptly, or from over-feeding and the use of improper and unsuitable food. There is another cause which also may give rise to diarrhoea at this time, independently of weaning, viz. the irritation of difficult teething.
The substitution of artificial food for the breast-milk of the mother, at a period when the digestive organs of the infant are too delicate for this change, is a frequent source of the affections now under consideration.
The attempt to wean a delicate child, for instance, when only six months old, will inevitably be followed by disorder of the stomach and bowels. Unless, therefore, a mother is obliged to resort to this measure, from becoming pregnant, or any other unavoidable cause, if she consult the welfare of her child, she will not give up nursing at this early period.
Depriving the child at once of the breast, and substituting artificial food, however proper under due regulations such food may be, will invariably cause bowel complaints. Certain rules and regulations must be adopted to effect weaning safely, the details of which are given elsewhere.
If too large a quantity of food is given at each meal, or the meals are too frequently repeated, in both instances the stomach will become oppressed, wearied, and deranged; part of the food, perhaps, thrown up by vomiting, whilst the remainder, not having undergone the digestive process, will pass on into the bowels, irritate its delicate lining membrane, and produce flatulence, with griping, purging, and perhaps convulsions.
Then, again, improper and unsuitable food will be followed by precisely the same effects; and unless a judicious alteration be quickly made, remedies will not only have no influence over the disease, but the cause being continued, the disease will become most seriously aggravated.
It is, therefore, of the first importance to the well-doing of the child, that at this period, when the mother is about to substitute an artificial food for that of her own breast, she should first ascertain what kind of food suits the child best, and then the precise quantity which nature demands. Many cases might be cited, where children have never had a prescription written for them, simply because, these points having been attended to, their diet has been managed with judgment and care; whilst, on the other hand, others might be referred to, whose life has been hazarded, and all but lost, simply from injudicious dietetic management. Over-feeding, and improper articles of food, are more frequently productive, in their result, of anxious hours and distressing scenes to the parent, and of danger and loss of life to the child, than almost any other causes.
The irritation caused by difficult teething may give rise to diarrhoea at the period when the infant is weaned, independently of the weaning itself. Such disorder of the bowels, if it manifestly occur from this cause, is a favourable circumstance, and should not be interfered with, unless indeed the attack be severe and aggravated, when medical aid becomes necessary. Slight diarrhoea then, during weaning, when it is fairly traceable to the cutting of a tooth (the heated and inflamed state of the gum will at once point to this as the source of the derangement), is of no consequence, but it must not be mistaken for disorder arising from other causes. Lancing the gum will at once, then, remove the cause, and generally cure the bowel complaint.
MOTHERS’ ROLE IN COMBATING DISEASES OF CHILDREN
The especial province of the mother is the prevention of disease, not its cure. When disease attacks the child, the mother has then a part to perform, which it is especially important during the epochs of infancy and childhood should be done well. I refer to those duties which constitute the maternal part of the management of disease.
Medical treatment, for its successful issue, is greatly dependent upon a careful, pains-taking, and judicious maternal superintendence. No medical treatment can avail at any time, if directions be only partially carried out, or be negligently attended to; and will most assuredly fail altogether, if counteracted by the erroneous prejudices of ignorant attendants. But to the affections of infancy and childhood, this remark applies with great force; since, at this period, disease is generally so sudden in its assaults, and rapid in its progress, that unless the measures prescribed are rigidly and promptly administered, their exhibition is soon rendered altogether fruitless.
The amount of suffering, too, may be greatly lessened by the thoughtful and discerning attentions of the mother. The wants and necessities of the young child must be anticipated; the fretfulness produced by disease, soothed by kind and affectionate persuasion; and the possibility of the sick and sensitive child being exposed to harsh and ungentle conduct, carefully provided against.
Again, not only is a firm and strict compliance with medical directions in the administration of remedies, of regimen, and general measures, necessary, but an unbiased, faithful, and full report of symptoms to the physician, when he visits his little patient, is of the first importance. An ignorant servant or nurse, unless great caution be exercised by the medical attendant, may, by an unintentional but erroneous report of symptoms, produce a very wrong impression upon his mind, as to the actual state of the disease. His judgment may, as a consequence, be biased in a wrong direction, and the result prove seriously injurious to the welldoing of the patient. The medical man cannot sit hour after hour watching symptoms; hence the great importance of their being faithfully reported. This can alone be done by the mother, or some person equally competent.
There are other weighty considerations which might be adduced here, proving how much depends upon efficient maternal management in the time of sickness; but they will be severally dwelt upon, when the diseases with which they are more particularly connected are spoken of.
Choosing The Right Vitamin Supplement
Millions of people take daily vitamin supplements to encourage good health. With all the different kinds of vitamins, minerals and herbs flooding the market these days, it’s sometimes difficult to know what to choose.
The first thing you need to know is that vitamin supplements are not a replacement for eating healthy, vitamin rich whole foods. Food contains the nutrients your body needs in their very purest form, and interact with each other and your body in a way supplements cannot. However, taking vitamin supplements in addition to eating a vitamin-rich diet can be a great way to stay healthy and protect against damage from harmful free radicals.
When shopping for vitamin supplements, there are a few things you should keep in mind:
Always read the label
Reading labels is a wise practice you should do every time you shop for supplements. Labels can tell you more about dosages, ingredients, safety precautions, and other important information.
Choose a reputable manufacturer
Always choose products with “USP” on the label. “USP” is the abbreviation for the U.S. Pharmacopeia and the inclusion on the label means the product has been tested and checked for quality and safety.
Check the Date
Expired vitamins can lose their potency. Always make sure there is an expiration date printed on the bottle, and never purchase or use expired supplements.
Avoid Giant Doses
Do not choose supplements that offer extremely high doses of a particular vitamin or vitamins. Too much of anything can be harmful, sometimes even fatal.
Store Safely
Always keep your vitamins out of the reach of children. Store in a cool, dark, dry place as heat and humidity can affect the integrity of the vitamins.
Always Do Your Homework
Research is always a good idea before deciding to take vitamin supplements. Consult with your doctor. Perform some Internet searches or visit your local library. There is a wealth of resources available for you on the topic of vitamin supplements and the benefits they offer.
CELLFOOD–Vital Cellular Nutrition
I was introduced to the CELLFOOD family at an Health food show in Toronto Canada four years ago.Since then I have been taking three of their products- the original Cellfood, DNA/RNA/Cellfood and the Multi Vitamin/Cellfood.The previous winter, before being introduced to CELLFOOD ,was my first winter in Canada, and I was sick for the entire winter although it was considered to be a very mild one.Since then I have been on the Cellfood family and I have not been sick at all. If I do get exposed to a germ or virus,and I do get infected I would not be knocked flat like others around me.It would have me slightly uncomfortable for a day or two, with maybe a slight sore throat or runny nose for a few hours ..How I wish that everyone I knew would be on this wonderful anti aging product, Cellfood, for instinctively I knew that CELLFOOD was an amazing anti aging product to reverse and prevent the signs of aging.After reading about it ,however, I became convinced that CELLFOOD was a treasure ,yet to be discovered by the bulk of humanity.
Formulated in the mid 50’s by Everett L. Storey, CELLFOOD is a proprietary blend of 129 elements.It is an anti aging supplement that he claimed could be the answer to disease on Earth. Everett Storey is credited for the development of the water -splitting technology among other great inventions. During the second world war ,he witnessed his inventions being used to build the hydrogen bomb and being a humanitarian, he so wanted to do something good for humanity so he produced CELLFOOD.
The same water splitting technology that he invented ,that was being used in the H-bomb’s fusion trigger was incorporated into the CELLFOOD technology. He thus created an oxygen therapy based on the deuterium ions to self-sustain a catalytic type reaction in which our internal body water is split into oxygen and hydrogen.
CELLFOOD , the result of 42 years of research, is made from the finest plant substances, capable of holding its powerful elements in full solution, delivering them to every cell in the human body. This miraculous formula supports and enhances nutritional biochemical activities and brings to our diet what modern living and technology have stripped away. It contains 78 trace minerals,34 enzymes,17amino acids, electrolytes, and nascent (newly created) oxygen and hydrogen as by products–all naturally occurring substances and essential to the body’s many bio-chemical function,in a form that is easily absorbed by the cellls of the body.
Dr. Otto Warburg renowned bio-chemist and 1931 nobel prize laureate has shown that cancer cells cannot grow in a high oxygen environment. Of all the elements that support life ,oxygen is the most abundant. All functions of our body are regulated by oxygen. Oxygen energises cells so they can regenerate. Our bodies use oxygen to metabolize food and to eliminate toxins and waste through oxidation. Our brain needs oxygen each second to process information .Our organs need oxygen to function efficiently. In short oxygen gives life and energy to every living cell. Toxic stress, emotional stress, physical trauma and infections all draw upon and deplete the body’s oxygen supply, and a lack of oxygen results in sickness, poor vitality, poor stamina, fatigue and a general weak disposition.
We can look at oxygen deficiency as the single greatest cause of disease. In 1997 CELLFOOD was unanimously voted by the Inventors Club of America to receive the 1997 Advanced Technology Award presented by the International Hall of Fame in Atlanta GA. CELLFOOD received this award because(1) it’s unique ability to produce both nascent oxygen and hydrogenised the body, resulting in simultaneous cleansing and building of body cells and tissues and (2) its unique ability to maintain 78 minerals in liquid colloidal suspension. CELLFOOD is a highly concentrated super energised proprietary formulation containing 78 ionic colloidal trace elements and minerals(34 from fossilized plants taken from virgin earth and 44 from the clean southern seas surrounding New Zealand, unrefined and still containing trace elements!) combined with 34 enzymes,17 amino acids, dissolved oxygen all suspended in a solution of Deuterium Sulfate.
The nutrients in CELLFOOD are both ionic and colloidal in form. Colloidal particles are minute(4-7 nanometres in diameter)and they take on a negative (ionic) charge and remain suspended in a liquid. Because most body fluids are colloidal and negatively charged the body perceives CELLFOOD as normal healthy body fluid ,and allows the nutrients in CELLFOOD to pass immediately through the sensitive membranes of the mouth throat and oesophagus directly into the blood stream.
Electrolytes support the healthy electrical integrity of the body’s natural colloidal systems including the blood itself. They import a negative charge to the red blood cells separating them to restore their maximum functioning..
CELLFOOD works at the physical level by providing the body with essential minerals, it works at the electrical and electro magnetic levels by increasing the vibrational frequencies of all the body’s organs boosting the immune system, and enabling the nervous system to function more effectively. It works at the biological level by enhancing natural biological processes ,for example digestive and metabolic processes in the body. And it works on the chemical level by supplying amino acids to the body for building protein. And CELLFOOD ‘s ability to supply oxygen and nutrients to the brain supports emotional and psychological wellbeing!!
Celedrin - The Natural way to be Free from Pain
When most people think of Celadrin, what comes to mind is usually basic information that’s not particularly interesting or beneficial. But there’s a lot more to Celadrin than just the basics.
Celadrin – or cetyl myristoleate - is one of a number of supplements taken by arthritis sufferers, but it really came into its own recently when the government withdrew popular painkillers like Vioxx from the market due to health concerns. This left many arthritis suffers with no option but to consider an operation to relieve their pain. An operation – or a supplement like Celadrin? Many decided to try the less invasive option first.
Traditionally, doctors have not been keen to offer supplements to their patients, but many are increasingly coming to see that products like Celadrin may be a suitable alternative for those people who for some reason cannot - or choose not to - have an operation.
A scientist who was trying to understand why he couldn’t induce arthritis into mice discovered Celadrin about a decade ago. It contains a blend of eight stable fatty acids that can easily penetrate cell membranes and by providing lubrication to the cell membranes and decreasing inflammation it supports joint health. In fact, research has shown that it definitely improves not only the range of motion in a joint affected by arthritis, but balance, strength and endurance were also improved.
Placebo-controlled studies in 2002 showed that the subjects were able to perform several day-to-day functions like climbing stairs and even simply walking that had been painfully difficult before. Some subjects were even able to return to jogging, an exercise that had been impossible for some time due to the pain and stiffness experienced from arthritis.
Is everything making sense so far? If not, I’m sure that with just a little more reading, all the facts will fall into place.
University bio-chemist Dr. Daniel Gallaher PhD, prescribes Celadrin for many of his patients and has had no side-effects reported. The pills may need be taken for at least two months before improvement is noticed, though in some cases this time is considerably shorter. Some patients have noted a dramatic improvement within a few days of applying the lotion.
Daniel Hoeffal MD, advises his patients to take the product scientifically. That is, no more than one supplement at a time and stick to the instructions on the bottle. If several supplements are taken at once, there is no way of determining which was the one responsible for giving relief.
Celadrin comes in pill form and topical lotion and is quite affordable compared to some other supplements, with the pills costing about $12.00 a bottle and the lotion half that. It is available as a stand-alone product, or combined with other products such as Glucosamine
Always consult your health care professional before taking supplements, as some can interfere with the absorption of other medications, while others may change how internal organs function, cause blood pressure or clotting
This article’s coverage of the information is as complete as it can be today. But you should always leave open the possibility that future research could uncover new facts.
Cancer: Are You a Believer?
First, we must settle one of two issues before you continue reading this article. The first issue is straight forward, a “direct-punch-to-the-nose” kind of a question:
Do you believe cancer is “beatable?”
I don’t mean, “Sometime in the future…”
I think everyone believes “some day”, “somewhere”, “someone” will discover the cure.
Nor do I mean anything like, “Is cancer treatable where people temporarily overcome the disease through the burning of radiation, the surgeon’s knife or the necessarily toxic effects of chemotherapy?”
That we all know is possible….
No, my question is far more specific:
In your opinion, is Cancer… Curable…Stoppable …Conquerable… Whatever synonym you supply, the question remains…Is it or isn’t it defeatable?
Yes or no. Can we whip this thing?
…Because if, in your heart of hearts, you believe Cancer is NOT ‘defeatable’… there’s no sense in continuing this letter.
However, if you’re like me, you believe it’s certainly defeatable. Now the only question that remains:
Is Cancer NOW facing REAL defeat?
Since we all have a healthy fear of being “sold” the next bottle of snake oil, we need to establish that the claims being made are credible and reliable. Incidentally, I am NOT selling you anything in this letter. I believe you should consider a product or two…but not here.
So, let’s deal with cancer:
“ According to the American Cancer Society, “cancer is a group of diseases characterized by uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells. If the spread is not controlled, it can result in death.”
“ Cancers tend to metastasize (spread) over time, causing destruction of healthy tissue and damage to bodily functions…
“ If left unchecked, cancers can cause death. However, even the treatments for cancer can be destructive to healthy tissues and can do severe damage to bodily functions (side effects)…
“ Over the past 100 years, cancers have grown into epidemic proportions without any scientific explanation for the sudden surge in their appearance. Remember, cancer was once comparatively RARE.
“ BUT, scientists have now concluded cancer is fundamentally a breakdown of the immune system. As the immune system goes, so goes the cancer. That fact is the new approach …and it has a whole world of scientific evidence behind it.
Consider carefully:
Changing Cancer Cells’ Surface Sugars Can Inhibit Tumor Growth
“According to the research of scientists, as published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, altering the sugar coats of cancer cells can control cancer.”
( published in the Scientific American, Jan. 22, 2002)
In other words, “sugar” is a BIG issue in the medical, alternative, and complementary health world. The words “Glycomics” and “Glyconutrition” have sprung up in the vocabulary of health authorities around the world. (Glyco is the Greek word for “sugar.”). These sciences refer to the study of biological sugars. What makes these “sugars” so important is among the over 200 known sugars around the world, there are 8 sugars which medical research has isolated as VITAL to human immune system functioning.
The 1999 Nobel Prize for Medicine was awarded to Dr. Gunter Blobel for his work in the science of Glycobiology. Out of the last eight Nobel Prizes awarded in medicine, four Nobel Prizes have been awarded for discoveries made in ONE field…Glycobiology. This is the field that affects CANCER directly. Why? Because, 8 sugars have been isolated that strengthen the immune system and cell communication. Human life cannot be supported without them.
The field is glyconutrition. Glyconutrients are NOT vitamins, amino acids or minerals. Scientifically, glyconutrients are a class all by themselves. The field is revolutionizing the medical world. For the first time in a long time, many authorities in both the conventional medical world and those of the alternative world are in agreement. Powerful glyconutrients have already been included in the Physicians Desk Reference (post 2002), the “Bible” of physicians everywhere throughout the country.
Why? Consider…
Four Ways Glyconutrients Fight Cancers*
1. Macrophage and Immune killer cells are stimulated by glyconutritional supplementation to destroy malignancies.
2. Glyconutrional research shows that glyconutrients increase the production of substances in the body that target cancer cells for destruction, such as interferon.
3. Glyconutrients activate T-cells to recognize and destroy invasive and abnormal cells.
4. Glyconutrients help regulate the process of apoptosis- the natural “dying off” process in cellular systems.
If these processes are restrained - due to a variety of factors such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, poor glyconutritional dietary habits, etc., the body will fail to prevent the onset of cancer.
(Cited in Miracle Sugars, Rita Elkins, M.H., Woodland Publishing, p. 29)
Note How the Scientific World is Successfully Combating Cancer with the New Discoveries in Glycoscience
The revolutionary “glyconutrition” discoveries found over the past decade have stunned the scientific world. If that sounds “more hype than hope” you might want to take just a few moments to consider just a few developments:
In 1985, an issue of Cancer Research reported the formation of cancer cells in the colon and in the stomach was directly and UNMISTAKENLY related to the absence of glyconutrition or the presence of deformed sugar molecules. Since then, scientists at the University of South Florida believe confirmation of the glyconutritional linkage to cancer inhibition and its spread is profound. For example, according to the 1997 issue of Anticancer Research science periodical, glyconutrition decreases the number of liver tumors.
In addition,
“Dr. Ronald Klatz reported in the now incredibly famous medical research study nicknamed “Norman’s Rats”, 40% of the animals that had no defense whatsoever against cancer and were injected with just ONE of the eight essential glyconutritionals, showed “tumor regression and complete recovery.”
- Advances in Anti-Aging Medicine, Vol. 1, 1996 by Dr. Ronald Klatz.
Obviously, YOU and I must find out about Glyconutrition…for the sake of our health and for those we love.
It is for that reason, and that reason alone, I have written this open letter…
Calcium helps the heart, nerves, muscles, and other body systems work properly.
Common Forms: calcium citrate, calcium carbonate, calcium gluconate, calcium lactate, calcium chloride, calcium malate, calcium aspartate, calcium ascorbate
Overview
Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body. It is essential for the development and maintenance of strong bones and teeth; roughly 99% of calcium in the body is deposited in these two places. Calcium also helps the heart, nerves, muscles, and other body systems work properly. To function correctly, calcium must be accompanied by several other nutrients including magnesium, phosphorous, and vitamins A, C, D, and K.
The best sources of calcium are foods (see Dietary Sources), but supplements may be necessary for those who cannot meet their calcium needs through diet alone. In fact, according to the National Institutes of Health, many Americans consume less than half the amount of calcium recommended to build and maintain healthy bones. Heavy use of caffeine can diminish calcium levels; therefore, higher amounts of calcium may be needed if you drink a lot of coffee. Also, a diet high in protein can increase loss of calcium through the urine. Excessive intake of sodium, phosphates (from carbonated beverages) and alcohol, as well as the use of aluminum-containing antacids also contribute to increased excretion of calcium.
Calcium deficiency can be found in people with malabsorption problems, such as Crohn’s disease, celiac disease, and surgical intestinal resection. Prolonged bed rest causes loss of calcium from the bones and the elderly are less able to absorb calcium.
Symptoms of calcium deficiency include muscle spasm or cramping, typically in hands or feet; hair loss (alopecia); dry skin and nails which may also become misshapen; numbness, tingling, or burning sensation around the mouth and fingers; nausea and vomiting; headaches; yeast infections (candidiasis); anxiety; convulsions/seizures; and poor tooth and bone development.
Uses
Obtaining adequate calcium can help prevent and/or treat the following conditions:
Osteoporosis
An inadequate supply of calcium over the lifetime is thought to play a significant role in contributing to the development of osteoporosis. Calcium is necessary to help build and maintain healthy bones and strong teeth. Studies have shown that calcium, particularly in combination with vitamin D, can help prevent bone loss associated with menopause, as well as the bone loss experienced by elderly men. If adequate amounts of calcium are not being obtained through the diet, calcium supplements are necessary.
Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
Calcium levels often measure lower the week prior to one’s menstrual period compared to the week after. Studies suggest that calcium supplementation helps relieve mood swings, food cravings, pain or tenderness, and bloating associated with premenstrual syndrome.
High Cholesterol
Preliminary studies in animals and people suggest that calcium supplements, in the range of 1,500 to 2,000 mg per day, may help to lower cholesterol. The information available thus far suggests that keeping cholesterol levels normal or even low by using calcium supplements (along with many other measures such as changing your diet and exercising) is likely to be more beneficial than trying to treat it by adding calcium once you already have elevated cholesterol. More research in this area is needed.
Stroke
In a population based study (one in which large groups of people are followed over time), women who take in more calcium, both through the diet and with added supplements, were less likely to have a stroke over a 14 year time course. More research is needed to fully assess the strength of the connection between calcium and risk of stroke.
Colon Cancer
Although some studies are conflicting, mounting evidence suggests that people who consume high amounts of calcium, vitamin D, and milk in their diets are significantly less likely to develop colorectal cancer than those who consume low amounts of the same substances. Although it is best to obtain calcium from the diet, the suggested amounts for the prevention and treatment of colorectal cancer (namely, 800 IU/day of vitamin D and 1,800 mg/day of calcium) will most likely require supplementation.
Obesity
Both animal and human studies have found that dietary calcium intake (from low-fat dairy products) may be associated with a decrease in body weight. These effects cannot necessarily be attributed to calcium alone since dairy sources of calcium contain other nutrients (including magnesium and potassium) that may be involved in the weight loss. A review of all studies up to the year 2000 did conclude, however, that supplementation of 1,000 mg of calcium can facilitate as much as 8 kilograms (17.6 pounds) of weight loss and 5 kilogram (11 pound) loss of fat.
Dietary Sources
The richest dietary sources of calcium include cheeses (such as parmesan, romano, gruyere, cheddar, American, mozzarella, and feta), wheat-soy flour, and blackstrap molasses. Some other good sources of calcium include almonds, brewer’s yeast, bok choy, Brazil nuts, broccoli, cabbage, dried figs, kelp, dark leafy greens (dandelion, turnip, collard, mustard, kale, Swiss chard), hazelnuts, ice cream, milk, oysters, sardines, canned salmon soybean flour, tahini, and yogurt.
Foods that are fortified with calcium, such as juices, soy milk, rice milk, tofu and cereals, are also good sources of this mineral.
Calcium may also be obtained from a variety of herbs, spices, and seaweeds. Examples include basil, chervil, cinnamon, dill weed, fennel, fenugreek, ginseng, kelp, marjoram, oregano, parsley, poppy seed, sage, and savory.
New Life Health Centers has no means of independently evaluating the safety or functionality of the products offered by their suppliers and affiliates and thus can neither endorse nor recommend products. Information presented is of a general nature for educational and informational purposes only. Statements about products and health conditions have not been evaluated by the US Food and Drug Administration. Products and information presented herein are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. If you have any concerns about your own health, you should always consult with a physician or other healthcare professional.
Buying Discount Vitamins
There are a number of ways that you can find discount vitamins. The most common is to wait until your favorite vitamin store has a sale but this can be a rather difficult way to get a discount vitamin. The problem is mainly due to the discount time. Most discount vitamin offers only have a limited amount of stock available and it is a case of first-come, first-served. The other issue with trying to get these discount vitamin offers is that they are strictly time limited and again, you may miss out unless you find out about the sale in advance.
A large number of stores produce coupons that offer discount vitamin purchases. These coupons are often distributed in newspapers and magazines - the Sunday newspapers are so full of coupons that it may be time-consuming looking for the discount vitamin offers but it is worth the effort. You may find that some of these coupons do not give an instant discount vitamin purchase but you can claim the appropriate money back through a rebate system. Beware that some of these rebated discount vitamin offers require you to purchase additional equipment or accessories to qualify for them.
One extremely good source for discount vitamin offers is look for bulk purchases. This is an extremely underestimated resource, as many people do not actually understand what a bulk purchase discount vitamin really is. In all honesty, you are likely to get a better discount vitamin offer if you opt for a bulk purchase from your local outlet. This is because the bulk purchases offer the best discount vitamin prices possible. This is especially the case for vitamins that you may want to take on an ongoing basis. Vitamin C, for example, is a great choice to buy in bulk and obtain a discount vitamin price.
It is extremely important, however, to ensure that the bulk discount vitamin purchases do not include vitamins that may have an expiration date that could be exceeded before they are all consumed. Do not be tempted to purchase bulk amounts of vitamins simply to obtain a discount vitamin price unless you are sure that you can consume all of the vitamins within the expiration dates given. One of the major mistakes that people make when looking for a discount vitamin is to overlook the expiration date. There may not be any danger if the discount vitamins are a few days past their sell by date but it is not worth the risk just to save a few pennies.
Building Blocks For Bone Health Registered Dietitian Shares Her Top Bone Health Essentials
On average, the human body is made up of 206 bones and cartilage that support and shape the body. Living bone is fragile, and when it’s not cared for, osteoporosis can develop and cause increased susceptibility to fractures. According to the Surgeon General, half of all Americans over 50 are expected to suffer or be at risk for osteoporosis.
Fortunately, there are proactive measures people can take to strengthen bones and help prevent osteoporosis. “Calcium along with diet and exercise are the building blocks for strong, healthy bones, but they’re not enough,” said Los Angeles-based registered dietitian, Carroll Reider. “It’s also important to go beyond calcium alone and incorporate other key nutrients into the diet.”
Reider’s top five bone-building nutrients are:
• Calcium helps build and maintain good bone health. And, as part of a healthy diet, adequate calcium intake helps reduce the risk of osteoporosis.
• Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that helps the body absorb calcium. Vitamin D is essential for the normal development and maintenance of healthy teeth and bones.
• Vitamin K plays an essential role within two important proteins found in all bones.
• Phosphorous is found naturally in the body, with approximately 85 percent being in the bones. Like calcium, phosphorus is an important mineral for bone health.
• B vitamins are important to bone health as they help regulate homocysteine levels. Some studies have shown that high homocysteine levels have a negative effect on bone health.
Other nutrients Reider highlights as bone helpers include vitamin E, magnesium, zinc, copper, manganese, boron and vitamin C. “It’s best to try to get these nutrients from your diet alone, but that’s not always the easiest thing to do,” said Reider.
To ensure you’re getting all your bone health essentials, Reider recommends incorporating a specialty bone strengthener, such as Nature Made OsteoRenew Ultra into your daily routine. A comparison of bone health supplements at drugstores found OsteoRenew Ultra to be the complete nonprescription bone strengthener. With more bone-fortifying nutrients than any other leading brand, the ingredients in OsteoRenew Ultra’s unique formula have been proven to support bone health in more than 30 clinical studies.
Bone Up on Your Calcium And Fiber Knowledge
For many Americans, getting the recommended daily amount of nutrients can be challenging - particularly when it comes to dietary fiber and calcium.
The National Academy of Sciences and the National Osteoporosis Foundation report that adult men and women require a daily calcium intake of 1,000 milligrams to 1,200 milligrams a day, the equivalent of four 8-ounce glasses of milk, to ensure good bone health.
However, according to the National Institutes of Health, a large percentage of Americans fail to meet the recommended guidelines for optimal calcium intake - putting them at increased risk for osteoporosis, a significant health threat for both women and men and the major underlying cause of bone fractures in postmenopausal women and the elderly.
Americans also face a troubling national “fiber deficit.” According to Columbia University, typical consumption of fiber averages 10 grams to 15 grams daily - less than half the recommended allowance. Leading health experts and members of the National Fiber Council, whose Web site is www.national fibercouncil.org, encourage Americans to consume at least 32 grams of dietary fiber per day.
Fiber keeps the digestive system running smoothly and may help prevent many diseases. In fact, “soluble” fiber has been shown to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease by lowering cholesterol and some research indicates fiber may help prevent Type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure.
Here are some tips from Pat Baird, member of the National Fiber Council and registered dietitian, on adding fiber and calcium to the diet:
* Start off the day by combining fiber and calcium-rich foods, such as a bowl of whole-grain cereal with milk, yogurt sprinkled with fresh berries or calcium-fortified orange juice.
* Choose healthful snacks such as string cheese, nuts, air-popped popcorn or cottage cheese
* Calcium can be found in foods such as broccoli, dry roasted almonds and dried figs - all of which also are sources of dietary fiber.
* Supplements, such as Metamucil Capsules Plus Calcium, which provides 3 grams of psyllium fiber and 300 milligrams of elemental calcium per serving, are a viable option for those unable to meet their daily calcium and fiber requirements through food and drink intake alone.
