Keeping abreast with current research there was a recent study showing that organic meat and dairy foods led to higher levels of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). It is known that grass-fed animals have higher levels of this important fatty acid than do conventional meats of animals stuck in a farm lot. Read the rest of this entry

A recent study looked at other potential markers of neural tube defects (NTD) besides folic acid. Of course by now we hope that any woman who may possibly conceive should be taking Folic Acid supplementation. It has been a well accepted fact that low levels of folate increases the risk of NTDs. And if a woman doesn’t begin taking folate until after she discovers she is pregnant it is already too late. Read the rest of this entry

According to an article published in the Journal of Nutrition black and white pregnant women and neonates residing in the northern US are at high risk of vitamin D insufficiency, even when mothers are compliant with prenatal vitamins. Read the rest of this entry

A recent study concluded that “…consumption of apples and fish during pregnancy may have a protective effect against the development of childhood asthma and allergic disease.” Now I wouldn’t eat them together, Read the rest of this entry

In yet another study showing the importance of healthy gut bacteria it is shown that probiotics during pregnancy and early in life reduce the incidence of IgE associated eczema. (think of IgE as the sort lived, quick onset reaction from foods, molds, animals etc.) This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involved 188 families with a history of allergic disease. Lactobacillus reuteri was given orally Read the rest of this entry

In yet another study showing the importance of the vitamin of the year, Vitamin D, lower maternal intake is linked to an increase in wheezing among 5 year olds. The study was done here in New England (in Boston at the Brigham and Beth Israel) where the prevalence of asthma is the highest in the nation. Read the rest of this entry

Our American diet is devoid of traditionally fermented foods. Even the saurekraut we purchase in the supermarket has been destroyed of its beneficial bacteria because of pasteurization. Many of us get a bit of friendly bacteria from yogurt and kefir, however even these has been pasteurized causing destruction of beneficial enzymes. After the pasteurization the the cultures we are familiar with are added to create a fermented product.
Numerous studies have shown that we can benefit from taking probiotic supplements. Recently they’ve shown to reduce sinus infections which is interesting from an Oriental Medicine perspective since the large intestine where the majority of friendly bacteria live is directly connected to the lungs and nose. However another study showed that infants with colic can benefit from bacteria. Well of course if there is an overgrowth of bad bacteria in the gut it would make anyone want to cry!
Read research abstract on probiotics and colicky babies

The product I like to use for infants is HLC Neonate or Entrin Children’s . (Both of these are available at discount through Emerson Ecologics if you setup a patient account with me.)

These probiotics are especially important for mothers that are not exclusively breastfeeding!

A research article released last week concluded the importance of a healthy maternal diet, at least during the last 4 weeks of pregnancy. It concluded that mothers who ate a diet high in omega-6 fatty acids, deep fried foods, citrus fruits and sweet raw peppers during the last 4 weeks had youngsters with a much higher allergy rate. Food allergies, inhalants, and eczema were the significant health issues. Interestingly a high intake of fish was inversely associated with eczema. I question the current scare about mercury consumption during pregnancy because it is stopping mothers from eating a very healthy food. At least mothers should be taking fish oils as obviously the anti-inflammatory effects reduced inflammation(eczema) in the offspring.

Where do the omega-6 oils come from? Usually the cheap vegetable oils and margarine. However the research only looked at omega-6 intake – perhaps the real culprit is the now thankfully maligned trans-fatty acids that go along with the cheap hydrogenated vegetable oils. Certainly if one is eating deep-fried foods they are most likely getting a good dose of omega-6 oils and trans-fatty acids. (Back at the turn of the last century lard from grass fed animals was a much better choice than the polyunsaturated oils of today!)

We already know that mothers low in folic acid at conception will cause neural tube defects. It seems that more and more kids have some sort of allergy/inflammatory issue. Perhaps it is the devitalized processed foods that permeate our culture!

Here is additional research published this week as to the importance of folic acid supplementation for pre-menopausal sexually active women. If you don’t have enough folic acid and get pregnant it may be too late to prevent a cleft lip or spina bifida. Recommendations are for 400mcg/day for pre-menopausal women and 600-1000mcg/day for pregnant women.

The dietary sources of folic acid are…well think foliage (hence the name). Lettuces, Kale, Collards, Broccoli, Nutritional yeast. The legumes lentil and chickpeas are also good sources.

See Folate, pregnancy & facial clefts

George Mandler
Licensed Acupuncturist & Nutritionist Dietitian
Acupuncture, Chinese Medicine, & Nutrition
Boston, Jamaica Plain, Brookline, Massachusetts