'Inner-Pass' Acupuncture Point Improves Health By Reducing Stress

(NaturalNews by: Lindsay Chimileski) Pericardium 6 or Inner Pass (PC6, Neiguan) is one of the most well-known, highly researched and often utilized Acupuncture points. It is indicated to calm the spirit and regulate the heart, making it useful for conditions like heart pain, palpitations, hypertension, insomnia, fear, mania, nausea and menstrual irregularities to name a few. How can one little point benefit so many vastly different conditions? Because it works to treat the underlying cause and common denominator of most illnesses: stress.

Recent studies are proving that PC6 stimulation has powerful effects in the body - acting to relieve stress, as well as to repair the damage stress has already caused. It is also a well-known acupressure point for nausea. This action has been utilized by the development of wristbands that stimulate the point to treat motion sickness.

PC6 is located on the inner forearm, 2 cun distal from the crease of the wrist. Cun are the measurements used by acupuncturists to locate points on the body. Its measure is unique to each individual's anatomical structure, to compensate for differences in body types. 1 cun is approximately the width of the individual's thumb.

New Research on Inner Pass

One recent study by Kim et al. looked at both the detrimental effects of stress and the subsequent relief and restoration of health PC6 can provide. Rats exposed to chronic mild stress exhibited decreased memory and retention as well as significantly lowered Acetylcholine esterase (AchE). In the study, PC6 was then stimulated while biochemical and behavioral changes were monitored. The study found that, AchE, or Acetylcholinesterase, brain activity was increased by PC6 stimulation and that the rats who received acupuncture at PC6 were able to restore AchE activity faster than those in the control group.

AchE, which is found primarily in the cholinergic nervous system and neuromuscular junctions, plays a vital role in synapse transmission. It is responsible for neurotransmitter conversion and the breakdown of acetylcholine to choline and acetate. It is responsible for the termination of synaptic transmission, which allows relaxation to occur.

AchE levels are directly related to Acetylcholine levels. Without AchE, Acetylcholine is allowed to build up. Depending on the degree of excess, high Acetylcholine can cause a spectrum of symptoms, including aggression, depression, neuromuscular paralysis and even asphyxiation. Low levels can be detrimental as well, causing impaired memory function. This proves the importance of having balanced Acetylcholine levels. Acupuncture's ability to balance AchE is beneficial because it works to balance Acetylcholine levels, resulting in both improved memory and relaxation.

This study also looked at behavioral changes of the rats using passive avoidance tests: the rat would be trained not to step into a hole and then repeatedly tested every day for 6 days to monitor retention. The group exposed to chronic mild stress exhibited impaired memory, but again, the group that then received treatment at PC6 had much better retention, improved memory, and learned skills than the control. The study concluded that PC6 could be used to improve memory, increase AchE hippocampus reactivity and repair stress-induced damage to learning and memory.

Keep in mind, TCM is a highly complex medical system that functions within a paradigm all its own. There at least 360 standard acupuncture points on the classical meridians and over 100 extra points. Most importantly, treatments are tailored to the individual, so any study using standardized treatments are not utilizing the medicine completely. These studies are helpful to show some of the many potential changes acupuncture induces within the body, but its healing powers may simply go beyond the parameters we can currently measure.

Sources for this article include
Brett, J. Point Location I & II. University of Bridgeport Acupuncture Institute. Bridgeport, CT. 2011.

Deadman P, Al-Khafaji M, Baker K. A Manual of Acupuncture. 2001. Journal of Chinese Medicine Publications. England

H.Y. Kim, H.J. Park, S.M. Han, D.H. Hahm, H.J. Lee, K.S. Kim, I. Shim, The effects
of acupuncture stimulation at PC6 (Neiguan) on chronic mild stress-induced
memory loss, Neurosci. Lett. 488 (2011) 225-228.

H.Y. Kim, H.J. Park, S.M. Han, D.H. Hahm, H.J. Lee, K.S. Kim, I. Shim, The effects
of acupuncture stimulation at PC6 (Neiguan) on chronic mild stress-induced
biochemical and behavioral responses, Neurosci. Lett. 460 (2009) 56-60.



About the author:
Lindsay Chimileski: I am a graduate medical student currently pursuing dual degrees in Naturopathic Medicine and Acupuncture, expecting to graduate in 2013. I have a passion for health education, patient empowerment and the restoration of balance, both on the individual and communal level. I believe all can learn how to live happily, in harmony with nature and in ways that support the body's innate ability to heal itself.

Please note: I am not a doctor and not giving any medical advice, just spreading the word of natural living, and the pressing health revolution.

http://blossomingconsciousness.com/

Learn more:http://www.naturalnews.com/034467_acupuncture_inner-pass_stress_reduction.html#ixzz1hNwbEOEu

Low Vitamin D In Children Behind Current Explosion Of New Diabetes Cases

(NaturalNews by John Phillip) Researchers publishing inThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolismhave found that children with low vitamin D levels, especially when overweight and obese, are at much higher risk for developing insulin resistance that progresses to full-blown diabetes by early adulthood. Based on cellular saturation of the vitamin/prohormone, children and adults require higher amounts of vitamin D as body weight increases. The vast majority of children are vitamin D deficient, a problem exacerbated further by additional fat stores. In addition to a healthy lifestyle including plenty of physical activity and proper diet, parents will want to ensure their children reach proper blood levels of this critical vitamin through exposure to the sun or adequate supplementation.

Past research studies have concluded that high rates of vitamin D insufficiency are found most prominently in overweight and obese populations and are linked to dramatically increased risk of heart disease and diabetes. These studies have not explained the mechanism by which excess fat stores and low vitamin D saturation result in chronic disease development and progression.

Low Vitamin D Levels Lead to Insulin Resistance and Diabetes in Overweight Children

Dr. Micah Olson and his team from The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center examined the association between vitamin D levels and dietary habits in 498 obese and non-obese children. The researchers checked for levels of abnormal glucose metabolism and blood pressure in the participants. Additionally, the scientists measured vitamin D levels, blood sugar levels, serum insulin and BMI. Study participants were also asked to provide dietary information including daily intake of soda, juice and milk, average daily fruit and vegetable intake, and whether or not they routinely skipped breakfast.

The study authors determined that 92% of the obese children tested had a vitamin D saturation (using the standard 25(OH)D test) below the 'adequate' level of 30 ng/mL. 50% of the participants were classified as 'deficient' with a level below 20 ng/mL. Dr. Olson commented:"Poor dietary habits such as skipping breakfast and increased soda and juice intake were associated with the lower vitamin D levels seen in obese children."The study concluded that obese children with low serum blood levels of vitamin D had higher degrees of insulin resistance that played a significant role in the development of Type II diabetes.

New cases of diabetes and prediabetes are now found in young adults and even children at an alarming and increasing rate. This research highlights the connection between low vitamin D levels, excess body weight and diabetes risk, and it underscores the importance of vitamin D blood testing for all children and adults. Alternative health practitioners recommend maintaining a vitamin D level between 50 and 70 ng/mL using the 25(OH)D blood test.

Sources for this article include:
http://jcem.endojournals.org/content/early/2011/11/03/jc.2011-1507.abstract
www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2011-12/tes-lvd113011.php
www.nutraingredients.com/Research/Low-vitamin-D-status-may-be-associated-with-diabetes-development/

About the author:
John Phillip is a Health Researcher and Author who writes regularly on the cutting edge use of diet, lifestyle modifications and targeted supplementation to enhance and improve the quality and length of life. John is the author of 'Your Healthy Weight Loss Plan', a comprehensive EBook explaining how to use Diet, Exercise, Mind and Targeted Supplementation to achieve your weight loss goal. Visit My Optimal Health Resource to continue reading the latest health news updates, and to download your Free 48 page copy of 'Your Healthy Weight Loss Plan'.

Learn more: www.naturalnews.com

DHA Used In Infant Formula Products Comes From Genetically Modified Algae

(NaturalNews by: Selena Keegan) One of the most vulnerable segments of the population -- infants -- are being affected as chemical giant Martek Biosciences uses cronyism to have its patented GMO products classified as organic. The National Organic Program is trying to correct this, but in the meantime the "organic" infant formula or baby food parents feed their children could contain industrial Frankenfood.

History of Irresponsibility

The story of how this state of affairs came about reveals much on how politics and profit can undermine food safety. Here's a timeline on how the word "organic" is being undermined, creating a health threat for babies who are fed with formula.

2002: Food manufacturers begin supplementing infant formula and baby food with synthetic forms of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (ARA). These polyunsaturated omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, naturally present in breast milk, are important components of the human brain and eyes. Although the form of DHA/ARA used in infant formulas is structurally incompatible with the form found in human milk, food manufacturers market their products with the claim that their formulas will make babies more intelligent.

2006: In spite of the fact that its synthetic DHA/ARA is from laboratory-grown fermented algae and fungus through the use of hexane, a petroleum by-product and EPA-identified neurotoxin, Martek applies for organic status for its products. The USDA's National Organic Program (NOP) tells Martek its synthetic DHA and ARA does not quality as organic. Martek attorney J. Friedman ignores the decision of NOP staff and contacts NOP director Barbara Robinson to have the decision reversed.

2009: A front page Washington Post article, "Integrity of Federal 'Organic' Label Questioned" uncovers the Martek story. The article quotes Martek's lawyer saying "I called Robinson up, I wrote an e-mail. It was a simple matter."

2002-2010: Parents and medical professionals observe reactions in babies fed with products containing Life's DHA, the product name Martek gives its patented GMO version of naturally occurring fatty acids. The range of infant health problems includes difficulties breathing and gastrointestinal disorders. When affected babies are no longer fed the formula, the ailments disappear. Although Freedom of Information Act requests reveal hundreds of FDA adverse event reports, the FDA is slow to react.

2011: FDA announces it will investigate claims that DHA/ARA infant formulas support brain and eye development. The National Organic Program is now trying to remedy its 2006 decision by asking Martek to formally ask permission of the NOP's National Organic Standards Board to use its DHA and AHA in organic products.

Products Containing this GMO

In the meantime, Life's DHA is being sold in many so-called organic brands which many consumers trust. Paying higher prices for products labeled as organic does not necessarily mean your family's food does not include this particular Frankenfood. From Martek's own website, here is a list of infant formulas containing their product which is both genetically modified and typically manufactured using a known toxin:

Earth's Best Organic Soy with DHA & ARA (Hain Celestial Group)

Enfamil LIPIL (Mead Johnson Nutritionals)

Enfamil Next Step (Mead Johnson)

Isomil 2 Advance (Abbott Laboratories)

Nestle Good Start Supreme with DHA & ARA (Nestle USA)

Parent's Choice Organic (Wal-Mart)

Similac Advance (Abbott Nutrition)

Ultra Bright Beginnings Lipids (PBM Products, LLC)

There is also a long list of pre-natal supplements as well as vitamins and dietary supplements for infants, children and adults containing this product. A surprisingly wide range of foods and beverages use this GMO substance including Apple Bran Muffins sold at Starbucks; Farm Pride Omega-3 Eggs; Horizon Organic Milk; Kroger Active Lifestyle Premium Light OJ Beverage; Minute Maid Enhanced Pomegranate Blueberry Juice; Pediasure Children's Beverage; Pompeian OlivExtra Plus and Silk Soymilk. The list of products containing this GMO is multinational, with products in many countries across the globe. If you want to check whether a supplement, food, or beverage you use contains Life's DHA, the full list is here:
www.lifesdha.com

Sources:

http://current.com/green/93562887_gmos-being-used-in-organic-baby-food.htm

www.cornucopia.org/DHA/DHA_FullReport.pdf

www.naturalnews.com/027437_DHA_baby_formula_Martek.html

www.organicconsumers.org/documents/MartekStatmentfororganiccustomers.pdf

Study Finds Connection Between Prenatal Exposure To BPA And Aggression During Toddler Years

(NaturalNews by Jonathan Benson, staff writer) Researchers from the Harvard University School of Public Health have made a disturbing new discovery about the plastics chemical bisphenol-A (BPA). It turns out that prenatal BPA exposure can spur aggressive and undesirable behaviors in girls after they are born and reach their toddler years.

Published in the journalPediatrics, the study analyzed a group of 244 mothers and their three-year-old daughters living in the Cincinnati, Oh., area. The study team gathered and studied gestational and childhood BPA exposures using urine samples from the mothers, and compared various exposure levels among the children to their respective behavioral profiles.

The team discovered that for each ten-fold increase in gestational BPA exposure levels, young girls exhibited significantly more indicators of anxiety and depression than their less- or non-exposed counterparts. Young girls exposed to high BPA levels were also more emotionally disturbed than the others and had a more difficult time controlling their inhibitions.

The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) jointly funded the study as part of an investigation into the safety of BPA.

"Parents should be concerned about these findings," says study author Joe Braun. "As the mothers concentration of BPA rose, the girls born to those mothers had higher scores on these behavior problem indices. If pregnant women or parents are concerned about exposure to BPA, they can try to reduce it by limiting their exposure to canned foods and packaged foods."

Although these particular findings were limited strictly to females, previous studies have found a similar connection between prenatal BPA exposure and poor behavior in both sexes. Back in 2009, a study published in the journalEnvironmental Health Perspectivesfound that BPA's endocrine-disrupting effects can harm both girls and boys.

Besides impairing proper neurological development, which is likely the reason for behavior problems later in life, prenatal BPA exposure was found to "masculinize" unborn females, and "feminize" unborn males. It appears, based on that study, that BPA actually blocks the proper growth and development of human sex hormones (http://www.sciencenews.org/view/gen...).

Both the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the American Chemistry Council (ACC), however, continue to insist that BPA is safe, despite the plethora of scientific data showing that the chemical is harmful.

www.naturalnews.com

New Research – IVF Fertility Success with Electro-Acupuncture

(September 28, 2011)

A randomized placebo-controlled study of 309 women concludes that electro-acupuncture “significantly improved the clinical outcome of ET (embryo transfer).”¹ IVF (in vitro fertilization) live birth rates jumped from 21.2 percent for women who did not use acupuncture to a 42 percent success rate for women who received acupuncture twice. The women received acupuncture 24 hours before the IVF procedure and 30 minutes after IVF. In another control group, women who only received acupuncture once, 30 minutes after IVF, had an increased success rate of 37.3 percent.

IVF is a treatment for infertility. This involves controlling a woman’s ovulatory process with medications, removing the ova (eggs) from the body, fertilizing the ova with sperm outside of the human body and then implanting the fertilized ova (zygote) into the uterus. Acupuncture for the treatment of infertility has received a great deal of press because singers Mariah Carey and Celine Dion used acupuncture with success. Mariah Carey used acupuncture to balance her body after a miscarriage in 2008. Carey said she did not use IVF but used acupuncture for stress relief and hormone therapy to boost her fertility. Celine Dion used acupuncture to achieve success with her 6th attempt at IVF. Both singers gave birth to healthy twins.

References:
Fertility and Sterility. Volume 96, Issue 4, October 2011, Pages 912-916. Increase of success rate for women undergoing embryo transfer by transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation: a prospective randomized placebo-controlled study. Rong Zhang Ph.D., Xiao-Jun Feng B.S., Qun Guan B.S., Wei Cui M.S., Ying Zheng M.S., Wei Sun B.S., Ji-Sheng Han M.D.
Research Centers:
Neuroscience Research Institute and Department of Neurobiology, Peking University Health Science Center, Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, The Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Public Health, Beijing, People's Republic of China.
Reproductive medical center, The second hospital affiliated to Shandong University of traditional Chinese medicine, Jinan, People's Republic of China.

www.healthcmi.com/index.php/acupuncturist-news-online

Why MSG Is Unhealthy

(NaturalNews by: Shona Botes) Monosodium Glutamate, or MSG as it is most commonly known as, is found in almost all convenience foods, fast foods and processed foods. It is used as a flavour enhancer in cheap, processed foods to make their taste more appealing. While making bland foods taste more appealing, this chemically structured ingredient is shown to cause neurotransmitter damage and is also linked to the skyrocketing cases of obesity we see today.

MSG was discovered in 1908 by Kikunae Ikeda, a Japanese scientist at the Tokyo Imperial University. He managed to isolate the flavour from a seaweed broth, and with the help of Ajinomoto Corporation of Japan, he patented it in 1909. It was then that it became available commercially for the first time. It is used in most restaurant cooking, especially in vegetarian dishes and low-protein foods.

MSG masquerades on food ingredient labels under many names: including glutamic acid, glutamate, autolyzed yeast, autolyzed yeast protein, yeast extract, textured protein, monopotassium glutamate, sodium caseinate, natrium glutamate, flavours, so-called `natural` flavours, hydrolyzed corn, yeast food and ultra-pasteurized and any enzyme-modified ingredients. Many manufacturers of medications use MSG as a filler ingredient in tablets and other medications.

Even personal care products like shampoos, soaps and cosmetics are not exempt from containing MSG. Look for ingredients that include the words `hydrolyzed,` `protein` and `amino acids.`

MSG has been known to cause an extreme rise or drop in blood pressure, arrhythmias (irregular heartbeat), depression, dizziness, anxiety or panic attacks, migraines, mental confusion, stiffness, muscular swelling, lethargy, seizures, joint pain, flu-like body aches, chest pains, loss of balance, slurred speech, diarrhoea, stomach cramps, sneezing, nausea, vomiting, skin rashes, hives, blurred vision and difficulty in concentrating.

MSG is a glutamic acid which stimulates brain cell activity. This is why it is also known as an excitotoxin. Glutamates are responsible for the signaling of nerve impulses in certain neurons. Tests done in the 1950s showed that when rats were given a single dose of MSG, it destroyed the neurons in the inner layer of their retinas. The hypothalamus of the brain was also severely damaged in the process. It has been shown that humans are up to six times more sensitive to the effects of MSG than rats.

Evidence has shown that MSG disrupts the endocrine system and reduces the thermogenicity of brown fat while also suppressing the intake of food. In other words, even if you were to significantly reduce your caloric intake in order to lose weight, consuming any food which contains MSG or any of its derivatives would actually cause you to gain weight instead.

MSG is definitely a food additive which should be avoided as much as possible, especially where children are concerned.

For further reading:

www.advancedhealthplan.com/msgstudy.html

http://nikas-culinaria.com...

www.resourcesforlife.com/docs/item1225

www.ourlittleplace.com/article13.html

www.ehow.com/about_5432119_health-risks-monosodium-glutamate.html

www.msgtruth.org/avoid.htm

www.naturalmedicine.com/news/hot-topic/what-food-products-have-msg/

Learn more:http://www.naturalnews.com/034031_MSG_health_effects.html#ixzz1d06CWbw9

Folic Acid Supplements During Pregnancy Help Prevent Language Delay In Children

Taking folic acid during pregnancy results in decreased risk of giving birth to a child with a serious language delay, a Norwegian study found.

"Maternal use of supplements containing folic acid within the period from four weeks before, to eight weeks after conception was associated with a substantially reduced risk of severe language delay in children at age 3 years," said researcher Christine Roth, a Ph.D. student in mental health at the Norwegian Institute of Public Health in Oslo.

The data came from the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort study of nearly 39,000 children, conducted from 1999 through 2008, in which mothers assessed their child's language skills using a scale. Of the children, 204 had a severe language delay, and 0.9 percent of those whose mothers took no supplements had severe language delays. But just 0.4 percent of children whose mothers took folic acid supplements alone or in combination with other supplements had severe language delays.

Folic acid is already recommended during pregnancy due to its proven ability to prevent neural tube defects by helping nerve cells restore themselves. Roch said she suspects the nutrient acts in a similar way to prevent language delays, but that more research is needed.

"This is an interesting study showing an association with severe language delays, but I don't know that there's enough here to show causality," Dr. Deborah Campbell, the director of the division of neonatology at the Children's Hospital at Montefiore Medical Center in New York, told HealthDay.

The study appeared in the Oct. 12 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

BPA Alters Development Of In Vitro Ova And Could Increase Risk Of Down Syndrome

Bisphenol A is omnipresent in the plastic of common products such as beverage bottles, cans or baby bottles

By Montserrat Garcia Caldes
Montserrat.garcia.caldes@uab.cat

Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, in collaboration with the Vall d'Hebron Hospital Fetal Tissue Bank, the Department of Gynaecology and the Research Unit of Paediatric Endocrinology, analysed the effects of Bisphenol A (BPA), a polymer widely used to manufacture plastics, in an in vitro culture of ovaries. The research demonstrated that exposure to this substance gravely altered the development of oocytes and future ova, possibly diminishing the fertility of a woman's offspring and at the same time increasing the risk of Down Syndrome in following generations.

The research, published in Human Reproduction, was carried out with a culture of 21,570 in vitro oocytes. Results demonstrated that exposure to Bisphenol A in concentration levels permitted by health authorities is harmful to the fetus. BPA reduces the number of oocytes (cells which develop into ova) and therefore can affect negatively a woman's fertility and double the risk of chromosome exchange during the cell division process. Specific observations of chromosome 21 in the development of 90 oocytes revealed that exposure to BPA could increase the risk of Down Syndrome in the future offspring of the fetus.

The research provides conclusive data for the debate on how BPA affects the health of individuals. Previous studies on mice and worms demonstrated that reproduction is affected and that exposure to BPA during gestation affects the viability and quality of the cells which later become ova developing in the fetus.

For the first time, human cells were used in a research to analyse the process of cell division of the oocytes - meiosis - in which chromosomes join and exchange material, i.e. meiotic recombination. Oocytes were cultured for 7, 14 or 21 days in different environments, with the presence of BPA and in control cultures without the substance. Data obtained in vitro with human cells was practically identical to that obtained with in vivo animal models, while the effects on meiotic recombination, which could lead to the appearance of Down Syndrome, in humans are even greater than those observed in mice.

"According to our results, BPA does not directly affect the fertility of pregnant women, but that of their daughters and granddaughters. It is a multigenerational effect", explains UAB professor Montserrat Garcia Caldés, director of the research. She goes on to say that "the increase in oocyte mortality in the fetus could diminish ovarian reserve numbers and the quality of the future mother's ova. At the same time, alterations in the recombination of chromosomes in the process of cell division increase the possibility of numerical alterations, such as monosomy (only copy of a chromosome in embryo cells) or trisomy (three copies)."

Concentration levels applied in the experiments were within the safety limits marked by European (EFSA) and US (EPA) authorities. The research therefore suggests that staying within legal limits does not imply that exposure to the substance is innocuous.

"We are exposed to BPA on a daily basis, mainly through oral exposure, since we can find it in lunch boxes,beverage bottles and food storage containers", Miguel Àngel Brieño-Enríquez reminds us. First author of the article, Brieño-Enríquez, from the University of San Luis Potosí, Mexico, is now researcher at the UAB Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology. According to him, "although we generally metabolise the substance, pregnant women retain more fluids and the fetus could be affected by high concentration levels."

http://www.foodconsumer.org/newsite/Non-food/Environment/bpa_alters_development_of_in_vitro_ova_0922110715.html

Bad For Baby - Hazardous Hidden Chemicals Lurk In The Personal Care Products of Children

(NaturalNews by: Melissa Melton) Many parents these days are aware that spotlighting nutrition early in a baby's life can set the stage for lifelong health. A wide array of jarred baby foods at stores now come in organic options, and the word "natural" has been added to the packaging on many child products to stifle parental suspicions that what we buy for our little ones could be unhealthy for them. While nutrition becomes a prime focus for many parents, we rarely hear about what is lurking in the products used daily on their skin. Human skin is our largest organ and entrance to our bodies. Walk down the store aisle of any baby needs section, and there are tons of skin-related products -- baby bath, baby shampoo, baby wipes, baby lotion, diaper rash ointment, infant sunscreen -- and that is just for starters. These products are applied to our baby's skin multiple times every single day. So what is in them?

Mystery ingredient one:fragrance. Sounds harmless enough or even pleasant, right? Unfortunately, personal care companies use the word "fragrance" to describe a chemical cocktail of undisclosed dispersants such as diethyl phthalate (DEP). In high-dose exposures, DEP has presented as a mucous membrane irritant that can depress the immune system. In one study, liver tumors appeared in mice that had direct DEP skin contact daily for two years. Earlier this month, the Australian Department of Health and Ageing called for a consultation process regarding the health risks of DEP.

Mystery ingredient two:DMDM hydantoin. This chemical is known by at least 15 other label synonyms such as dimethylol and hydroxymethyl. According to the Environmental Working Group, DMDM hydantoin is an antimicrobial formaldehyde releaser and immune system intoxicant. Formaldehyde, a widely used gas most often recognized as an embalming agent, is a known carcinogen.

Mystery ingredient three: retinyl palmitate, otherwise known as vitamin A retinol and palmitic acid. Anything with "vitamin" in the name must be healthy by default, right? Wrong. When this concoction is exposed to UV rays, it breaks down, causing a toxic release of free radicals in the body which can damage DNA and lead to cancer. The Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances has published over 25 studies confirming retinyl palmitate's hazardous effects. A recent 2010 study by the National Toxicology Program found an increase in the development of skin tumors and lesions when retinyl palmitate is applied in the presence of sunlight. Ironically, this ingredient is commonly found in most commercially available sunscreens.

Mystery ingredient four: methylparaben. Studies have shown this low-cost preservative and commonly used food additive mimics estrogen in the body, negatively impacting reproductive glands.Reproductive Toxicologyreported a link between methylparaben and decreased sperm production in January 2009. In addition, a 2006 study showed that when methylparaben was applied to skin cells that were later exposed to sunlight, these cells died.

This short list shows just four of the ingredients commonly found in baby skin care products including wipes, soaps, diaper rash ointments, and sunscreens. The prevalence of known harmful ingredients in products used on the tiniest members of our race is mind-blowing. The human skin is an organ that allows easy access to the body just like the mouth, nose, and eyes. While parents are more aware of digestible nutrition via food, we also need to be aware of chemicals ingested through skin care products and their scientifically proven impact on the growing body.

[Editor`s Note: NaturalNews is strongly against the use of all forms of animal testing. We fully support implementation of humane medical experimentation that promotes the health and wellbeing of all living creatures.]

Sources

www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaqs/tf.asp?id=602&tid=112

www.environmentwriter.org/resources/backissues/chemicals/diethyl_phthalate.htm

www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredient/702196/DMDM_HYDANTOIN/#

www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredient/705545/RETINYL_PALMITATE_%28VITAMIN_A_PALMITATE%29/#

www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0890623808002682

http://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/ntp/about_ntp/trpanel/2011/january/drafttr568.pdf

www.naturalnews.com/032996_sunscreen_cancer_risk.html

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/.......

Learn more:http://www.naturalnews.com/033775_toxic_chemicals_children.html#ixzz1aUSQlHSf

Typical North American Diet Is Deficient In Omega-3 Fatty Acids

ScienceDaily (Mar. 11, 2008) — New research from the Child & Family Research Institute shows the typical North American diet of eating lots of meat and not much fish is deficient in omega-3 fatty acids and this may pose a risk to infant neurological development. Omega-3 fatty acids are unsaturated fats found in some fish such as salmon and herring and in smaller amounts in eggs and chicken. This discovery is an important step towards developing dietary fat guidelines for pregnant and breastfeeding women. Current dietary recommendations evolved from the 1950's emphasis on reducing saturated fat intake to lower the risk of cardiovascular disease.

"Omega 3 fatty acids are important for the baby's developing eyes and brain," says Dr. Sheila Innis, the study's principal investigator, head of the nutrition and metabolism program at the Child & Family Research Institute at BC Children's Hospital, and professor, department of pediatrics, University of British Columbia.

"During pregnancy and breastfeeding, fat consumed by the mum is transferred to the developing baby and breastfed infant, and this fat is important for the baby's developing organs. Our next task is to find out why the typical North American diet puts mothers at risk. Then we can develop dietary recommendations to help women consume a nutritious diet that promotes optimal health for mums and babies."

The researchers found that the women who ate lots of meat and little fish were deficient in omega-3 fatty acids, and their babies didn't do as well on eye tests as babies from mothers who weren't deficient. The results were noticeable as early as two months of age. The study is ongoing as the researchers intend to follow the children's development until four years of age.

For the study, the researchers recruited 135 pregnant women and randomly assigned them to either a group that took an omega-3 fatty acid supplement or one that took a placebo. All the women continued eating their regular diets. The supplement added the equivalent of two fatty fish meals per week, an amount that the researchers estimated would prevent deficiency. The researchers tested the women's blood samples at 16 and 36 weeks of pregnancy and measured the amount of DHA (docasohexaenoic acid), a type of omega-3 fatty acids that's known to be important for brain and eye function.

After the babies were born, the researchers did vision tests to evaluate the infants' ability to distinguish lines of different widths. It's an innovative way of evaluating neurological maturity in babies who are unable to talk. Since the eyes are connected to the brain, they reflect the brains development.

The aim of this study was to contribute to a growing body of knowledge that focuses on the dietary needs of pregnant and breastfeeding women. More research is needed to identify recommended daily amounts of omega-3 fatty acids.

"For better health, it's important for pregnant and nursing mums -- and all of us -- to eat a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, eggs, and fish while minimizing consumption of processed and prepared foods." says Dr. Innis.

The study is published March 7th, 2008 in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

The study was funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. Martek Biosciences Corp. provided the supplements.

Story Source:

The above story is reprinted (with editorial adaptations by ScienceDaily staff) from materials provided by Child & Family Research Institute, Via EurekAlert!, a service of AAAS

Reduce Stress Through Correct Diet

(NaturalNews by: Fleur Hupston) Stress is activated by various factors. Too much stress paves the way for a variety of illnesses, diseases and emotional problems. Since we all react in different ways to stressful situations and it is something impossible to avoid completely, recognizing and addressing the symptoms of stress induced imbalances can help the body cope.

Of course, not all stress is bad for you. For example, getting married or winning a sports event are stressful situations in themselves, but they have happy results. However, many people subject their bodies to relentless stress on a continual basis, the effects of which are cumulative.

Dr. Selye, author of the book Stress Without Distress, defines stress as "the non-specific response of the body to any demands made upon it". In other words, the stress response is the human body's reaction to anything that throws the body off balance - injury, infection, fear, exercise or pain. The body reacts with an alarm phase, then a resistance phase during which it tries to remedy the imbalance; thereafter there is an exhaustion phase.

While most people realize that, for example, over-work and sleeping too little place stress on the body, few pause to consider the subtle but persistent effects of stress due to factors such as an incorrect diet or noise pollution. As far as the latter is concerned, it has been found that people living near noisy, high-traffic highways or near airports tend to have more illnesses, especially cardiovascular illness. This is because noise is a form of stress.

Stress and Diet

The hard-working liver is the organ that has to detoxify practically every chemical that we ingest. Each time an individual drinks too much, takes antibiotics, consumes excess fats or inhales chemicals, the liver has less energy to take care of 'alarm' hormones, and these hormones then stay in the blood stream longer than they should. Refined, processed foods, preservatives and additives are sources of continuous biochemical stress on the human body.

To avoid placing the body under this kind of subtle stress, follow some simple tips:

A vegetarian diet is generally considered to be a healthy diet. However, certain individuals are affected by natural compounds found in fruits and vegetables called salicylates, which means their diet may be severely restricted. A nutritionist would be able to arrange for a test to assess the suitability of a diet and advise accordingly.

Eliminate certain grains, dairy products or meats from the diet if there is sensitivity or intolerance to these types of foods.

Everyone should avoid eating large amounts of refined and processed foods. If one must eat foods that fall into these categories from time to time, eat simple, fresh foods in order to allow the body to heal. Go on a juice fast or liver detox diet regularly to give the hard-working liver a break.

Supplement your diet with appropriate vitamins and minerals to help the body withstand stress.

Sources for this article include:

Foods for Moods by William Vayda, 2007 edition, Published by Geddes & Grosset, pages 114 - 121

http://www.biologyreference.com/Se-...

http://www.bodydetoxdietplans.com/r...

http://salicylatesensitivity.com/info1/

About the author

Fleur Hupston is a professional freelance writer. She is passionate about natural, healthy living and is currently studying to be a naturopath. She divides her time between writing for Natural News and various other sites, home schooling her children and studying part time.

Learn more:http://www.naturalnews.com/033732_diet_stress_reduction.html#ixzz1ZpAY2uHo

Supplement Could Be Key To Pregnancy For Older Women

Co-enzyme Q10 results in healthier eggs, delays onset of menopause during experiments on mice

By Sharon Kirkey. Canadian scientists are working on a way to make older human eggs young again - and maybe even slow menopause - experiments that could make it easier for women in their 40s and perhaps beyond to have babies.

The answer may lie in a single vitamin.

Toronto fertility doctors say their experiments in mice show that co-enzyme Q10 makes older mice produce more and healthier eggs. The doctors are now preparing to test the supplement on women aged 35 and older undergoing fertility treatments.

The work comes as women are pushing back motherhood ever later in life.

Across Canada, pregnancies in women over 35 are increasing, and fertility clinics are seeing more women over 40.

"Our mean age for patients first coming to see us is now 37," said Dr. Robert Casper, medical director of the Toronto Centre for Advanced Reproductive Technology.

Five years ago, it was 33.

Not only do older women find it more difficult to get pregnant, they run an elevated risk of miscarrying or of conceiving embryos with chromosomal abnormalities that cause conditions such as Down syndrome.

A woman is born with all the eggs she will ever have, and by the time she reaches her late 30s, the quality of those eggs begins an irreversible slide. They have less chance of leading to a normal live birth.

Eggs have 46 chromosomes to begin with, but they undergo a change when a woman ovulates. Each egg discards 23 of its own chromosomes and, if it's fertilized, takes in 23 from the sperm cell to replace them. But this takes a lot of energy.

The energy in eggs, and essentially in all human cells, is produced by mitochondria, little power packs inside all our cells. But these weaken with age so that they don't produce as much energy, resulting in a steady decline in tissue and organ function.

"Somebody who is 20 will have eggs with 20-year-old mitochondria in them, and somebody who's 40 will have 40-year-old mitochondria that will produce less energy," said Casper, professor in the division of reproductive sciences at the University of Toronto and a senior scientist at the Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute at Toronto's Mount Sinai Hospital.

If there isn't enough energy to separate the chromosomes properly, some get left behind.

"They don't get pulled out," Casper explains.

Extra chromosomes can lead to aneuploidy, an abnormal number of chromosomes, the string-like structures that carry our genetic material.

"That's why Down syndrome increases with age - it's all an energy issue," Casper said.

"It's not that there is anything wrong with the eggs, it's just that the batteries have run down."

Casper's team has been studying mitochondria for years, trying to understand whether it's possible to boost energy production in human eggs.

Together with Dr. Andrea Jurisicova, an associate professor in the department of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Toronto, the researchers originally tried injecting young mitochondria into old mouse eggs, using a preparation made from cordblood stem cells, which are fetal cells, so that the old eggs would have young, healthy mitochondria.

The technique worked - it improved the quality of the eggs and the embryos. The problem was, the embryos had two different mitochondrial DNA - essentially, two different mothers. When Canada's Assisted Human Reproduction Act outlawed mitochondrial gene replacement in 2004, Casper's team abandoned that avenue of research.

Now they're taking a different tack, using co-enzyme Q10.

Mitochondria need co-enzyme Q10 to make energy.

The vitamin is also a powerful anti-oxidant that may prevent mitochondrial DNA damage, Casper said. Co-enzyme Q10's production by the body also decreases as we get older, starting around age 25.

"One of the theories about why we get old and die in the first place is that our cells just run out of energy - the mitochondria stop working properly and there's just not enough energy for cellular function so organs start to fail," Casper said. "A simple explanation could be that there's not enough fuel from the co-Q10 around."

In a pilot study using 52-week-old mice - mid-life for a mouse, and the equivalent of 40 to 50 for a human - Casper's team gave half the group co-enzyme Q10, and the other half a placebo. Next they compared eggs retrieved from both groups of mice with eggs from 10-week-old mice.

"What we found was that just treating the mice with co-Q10 we got more eggs than when we gave them fertility drugs," Casper said. The nuclear spindles that pull the chromosomes apart were more like those in young eggs. The litter size was bigger, and the eggs from the vitamin-treated mice had improved mitochondrial function.

Even more surprising, when the researchers examined the mouse ovaries, there were significantly more egg follicles in the old mice treated with the co-Q10 - suggesting, Casper said, "that we actually were able to delay the onset of the equivalent of menopause in the mice."

The glitch is that the mice were pre-treated for 18 weeks - the equivalent of 10 years or so relative to a human lifespan.

"We might be able to delay menopause, but it might take a decade of pre-treatment," Casper said. The more immediate application might be in improving an older woman's fertility by improving her egg quality. When word got out about his early research on the Internet, women undergoing fertility treatments began taking co-enzyme Q10.

Casper is now trying to recruit women over 35 for a study testing whether taking 600 mg daily of the supplement can lead to a higher number of chromosomally normal eggs.

The rub is that, as soon as the researchers explain the mouse results, none of the women want to be randomized to the placebo group, "especially if they're 40."

The Toronto researchers need 50 women for their study; they're up to 25 so far, after a year-and-a-half of trying.

If the mice experiments hold up in the clinical trials, the implications would be significant, Casper said. "Women could get pregnant easier when they're older."

It also could buoy calls for more single-embryo transfers. For years, fertility clinics have been putting three, four or more embryos back into women over 40 in the hope that at least one would implant and a baby would result.

"If we could improve the percentage of normal eggs, you wouldn't have to put back so many embryos."

The other hope is that, "if we can increase the energy for chromosome separation, then we could eliminate Down syndrome and other chromosomal abnormalities," said Casper.

© Copyright (c) The Vancouver Sun

Read more: http://www.vancouversun.com/health/Supplement+could+pregnancy+older+women/5440917/story.html#ixzz1ZOeEd3Eo

Acupuncture and Pain Relief - Discover How It Really Works

(NaturalNews by: James Schreiber) Let's be real here: Attending frequently with chronic low back pain can be distressing for both patient and doctor. Because conventional treatment options tend to be ineffective and limited, many sufferers now seek help from licensed acupuncturists, who have repeatedly provided the safest, quickest, and most effective treatment available. The secret to its effectiveness, however, lies in our brain.

It's common knowledge that acupuncture relieves pain and treats migraines, but until recently, we didn't know why - the mechanisms of acupuncture responsible for pain reduction were unclear. Dr. Aziz Asghar and his colleagues at the University of York and the Hull York Medical School discovered that it may be because of acupuncture's ability to deactivate areas in the brain associated with the processing of pain.

Their 2010 study, published inBrain Research, revealed that patients receiving acupuncture treatment experience a sensation known as "deqi", which triggers changes in certain neural structures, leading to the aforementioned brain deactivations. "The results are fascinating," says Asghar, who believes that the new research will help raise awareness of acupuncture as a widely accepted treatment option for patients with various ailments. "Whether such brain deactivations constitute a mechanism which underlies or contributes to the therapeutic effect of acupuncture is an intriguing possibility which requires further research," he adds.

Coping with Pain through Acupuncture

Another study, presented at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America, confirmed the beneficial impact of acupuncture on reducing pain. Researchers in Germany utilized functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to compare 18 individuals, who agreed to take part in the study, to determine how the brain processes pain with and without acupuncture.

During the fMRI sessions, scientists captured pictures of the brain while patients were exposed to an external pain stimulus. The interesting part? The obtained data revealed that significantly reduced was not only the pain perception, but the patient's expectation of pain, too.

"Activation of brain areas involved in pain perception was significantly reduced or modulated under acupuncture," explained Dr. Nina Theysohn, who led the research at University Hospital in Essen. "Our findings support that both these nonspecific and specific mechanisms exist, suggesting that acupuncture can help relieve pain."

Sources used:
University of York. "Study maps effects of acupuncture on the brain." ScienceDaily, 5 Feb. 2010. Web. 25 Aug. 2011.

Radiological Society of North America. "Acupuncture changes brain's perception and processing of pain, researchers find." ScienceDaily, 30 Nov. 2010. Web. 25 Aug. 2011.

JAMA and Archives Journals. "Real And Simulated Acupuncture Appear More Effective Than Usual Care For Back Pain." ScienceDaily, 15 May 2009. Web. 25 Aug. 2011.

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/033574_acupuncture_pain_relief.html#ixzz1YqjKZAdn

Pesticide Exposure in Expectant Mothers Causes Lower IQ in Newborns

(NaturalNews by: PF Louis) Three separate studies recently published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives indicate prenatal pesticide exposure to fetuses negatively impact a child's learning ability. Their IQs tend to be lower. The greater the umbilical cord pesticide blood levels, the lower the child's IQ.

Research Focus

These toxins originated mostly from conventional agriculture's heavily sprayed foods. But farmers and farm workers were studied the least.

The three studies focused mostly on urban dwellers who consume those sprayed foods. One was done in UC Berkley, CA, another by Columbia University in NYC, and the other by Mt. Sinai Hospital researchers, also in NYC. It doesn't get much more urban than that.

What's Bad About Pesticides

Most effective pesticides contain different types of organophosphates. As of the turn of our current century, many nations had banned chlorpyrifos and diazinon, from domestic use. Those two pesticides were so heavily loaded with organophosphates that just having bug and ant poisons stored in one's domicile caused health problems to occupants.

Organophosphates (OPs) are spinoffs from biochemical warfare research to create nerve gases for killing humans. Scientists soon discovered that the OPs killed bugs too. Of course, the usual toxicology index that protects the industry is based on the notion that if you don't drop dead soon after exposure to any chemical agent, it's safe!

But eventually, long term neurological deterioration was detected among OP users, even if they hardly used them. The link was made to these organophosphate nerve gas components in chlorpyrifos and diazinon.They were disallowed for home use, but not for agricultural use.

Back on the Farm

Since workers on farms using these pesticides are often subject to skin exposure and inhalation of organophophates, the CDC issued a paper categorizing symptoms of poisoning from biochemical nerve agents and pesticide toxicity.The symptoms described were the same for both.(CDC source below)

If you're having thoughts about Monsanto's Roundup, it is actually an herbicide for killing weeds.Roundup kills all plants.That's why Roundup Ready GM seeds are necessary. They enable using the herbicide while the GMO seed plants supposedly thrive.

Roundup's active ingredient is glyophosate, which is a type of organophosphate that isn't as nasty to the nervous system as other organophosphates. Over 30 organophosphate pesticides used in non-organic commercial farming are USDA approved.

So what if we eat daily while other environmental toxins overload our immune systems. Remember, if it doesn't do great harm immediately, it's safe.

If you have to go with conventionally grown produce occasionally, find out the most and least sprayed from the Environmental Working Group's dirty dozen and clean fifteen list here:http://www.ewg.org/foodnews/summary/

Sources for more information include:

Three new studies reveal children are dumbed down by pesticide exposure in womb http://www.naturalnews.com/032158_pesticide_exposure_intelligence.html#ixzz1Y3DUmP4O
Guide to pesticides in produce http://www.naturalnews.com/033163_pesticides_fresh_produce.html

CDC nerve toxin paper http://www.bt.cdc.gov/agent/nerve/tsd.asp

Explaining organophosphates http://www.panna.org/resources/specific-pesticides/organophosphates

Explaining Glycophosate in Roundup http://archive.greenpeace.org/geneng/reports/gmo/gmo009.htm

Main stream media article reporting the three pesticide studies http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1379245/Pesticide-exposure-womb-linked-lower-IQ-children.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

Pregnancy Stress & Anxiety - Acupuncture During Pregnancy, relief right to the point

By Phyllis Edgerly Ring

In most medical treatment, the words "needle" and "relaxing" don't generally go together.

One Harvard University study estimates that Americans visit acupuncturists more than five million times a year. The National Institutes of Health reports ever increasing use of acupuncture by thousands of doctors, dentists and other practitioners to treat or prevent many illnesses.

But when Holly Buchanan of Newmarket, N.H., turned to acupuncture to induce labor at 42 weeks, she experienced "a wave of warmth and realization that gave me a moment to reflect on my body, instead of having my head filled with worry over my first baby being overdue."

As more women seek drug-free treatment for the conditions of pregnancy, this ancient Chinese healing art has much to offer, says acupuncturist and midwife Valerie Hobbs, director of the Boulder, Colo., campus of Southwest Acupuncture College. With no contraindications, it can treat many conditions for which there is rarely another lasting or effective remedy.

Chinese medicine identifies more than 2,000 acupuncture points connected with pathways called meridians that conduct vital energy or qi (pronounced "chee") throughout the body. Illness or symptoms are associated with an imbalance of this vital energy. Acupuncture uses hair-thin, disposable needles to stimulate specific areas associated with organ functions in order to restore balance and help the body maintain its own health.

Pointing the Way to Healthy Pregnancy

Acupuncture treatment during pregnancy benefits both Baby and Mother, Hobbs says. "Certain [infant] organ systems develop at certain points in the pregnancy. Babies may be influenced by what is termed 'maternal toxins,' resulting in a childhood tendency for higher fevers when sick, more frequent childhood illness and a tendency for skin problems such as diaper rash and eczema. Regular balancing treatments throughout pregnancy enhance the health of the mother, prevent complications and influence the development of the baby."

Treatments are normally given once a month until the last month, when weekly sessions help prepare for labor, she says. An average session lasts 45 minutes, and women usually only feel a mild sensation such as a feeling of slight heaviness at the site of needle insertion.

Among the many benefits of acupuncture during pregnancy, a recent study has shown its particular effectiveness in relieving morning sickness or the potentially more dangerous hyperemesis gravidarum (severe vomiting during pregnancy). The Australian study published in the journal Birth reportes that of 593 women less than 14 weeks pregnant who participated, those who received traditional acupuncture reported having less frequent and shorter periods of nausea than the women who received no acupuncture. These improvements were felt immediately and lasted throughout the study's four-week duration. In the first trimester, acupuncture can also relieve fatigue, migraines and bleeding.

While some treatments may cause a slight increase in fetal movements, no treatment, unless intended to start labor, should significantly increase uterine activity, Hobbs cautions. In most states except California, acupuncturists must be nationally certified as a diplomate of acupuncture. An additional national certification is available in Chinese herbology, says Hobbs, who holds both certifications.

Third-trimester treatment can bring much-needed relief from sciatica, backache, pubic and joint pain and even carpal tunnel syndrome, and benefits are sometimes immediate, notes Hobbs. This is also the time when special attention is given to proper positioning of the baby. "By 32 to 34 weeks, the acupuncturist should begin to encourage a head-down position," she says. "In the last four to six weeks, the mother will receive treatments to normalize and optimize labor."

As it helps maintain balance during the second trimester, acupuncture can alleviate heartburn, hemorrhoids and stress. While acupuncture can also be used to treat edema, elevated blood pressure or excessive weight gain, the root cause of these may be deeper complications, says Hobbs. "Acupuncturists with adequate training in the care of pregnant women would recognize the potentially serious nature of these symptoms and only offer care concurrent with adequate Western medical care."

Birth and Beyond

Research reported in a November 1998 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association finds that an aspect of acupuncture called moxabustion, when applied to 130 pregnant women with breech presentations, significantly increased the number of head-first births. Used for centuries in China to turn breech babies, moxabustion employs long sticks of the herb moxa to produce a gentle, smoldering heat and a smoke that are held close to an acupuncture point in the little toe. The treatment, most effective at 32 to 36 weeks, should only be used in healthy pregnancies.

Acupuncture is used during labor itself mainly to facilitate pain relief and boost energy. But if needed, it can also help stimulate contractions without the use of drugs, says Hobbs. "This is best accomplished over two to three successive days of one-hour treatments, so early referral is essential."

Buchanan first sought acupuncture for relief from a prolonged asthma attack. Successful treatment made her more confident about acupuncture as a means to induce labor. "It has less impact on an unborn baby than the drugs that are used," she says. Although she didn't receive acupuncture during labor itself, Buchanan did receive acupressure during labor with her second child. "It helped tremendously with low back pain, as my babies have big heads and were posterior [deliveries]," says Buchanan.

Acupuncture can provide other benefits post-delivery, too. "Right after her baby was born, a friend of mine started to bleed very heavily," Buchanan says, remembering. "My acupuncturist got out her needles and poked my friend's toe, and it was like a faucet had been immediately turned off."

Postpartum is one of the most critical times for a woman to receive regular preventative care from a Chinese medical practitioner, says Hobbs. Acupuncturists can often offset years of "suboptimal" lifestyle and stress in the first few weeks postpartum, as well as intercept abnormalities in lochial flow to rectify years of menstrual irregularities and prevent them from occurring. "We theoretically prevent serious postpartum depression from occurring by addressing the normal recuperative cycle in the woman," she says.

In addition to restoring a mother's energy levels after the stress of birth and alleviating depression and anxiety, acupuncture can be used postpartum to relieve backache, perineal or other kinds of pain. Isabel Viana of Durango, Colo., has appreciated acupuncture's effectiveness ever since it relieved a 30-year-old pain in her lower back related to undiagnosed food allergies. Two years ago, she sought acupuncture again to help with healing after the Cesarean section that delivered her daughter.

"I recovered rather fast and completely," Viana says. "I had two treatments, once a week, starting about a week after I gave birth. Two weeks after surgery, my abdomen was pain free. I've heard from other moms who still feel pain in their scar years after surgery. My doctor, who had a C-section herself, said that seven years later, she still felt a numbing in the area."

Acupuncture can provide serious help, but Buchanan notes that it can have its light moments, too. During the induction of her labor, "my practitioner applied electrical stimulation to some of the needles, and the machine, for some reason, kept on playing 'Happy Birthday' over and over!" she says. "She couldn't get it to shut off, and it made us all laugh since we were trying to stimulate labor. I took it as a good sign."

www.pregnancytoday.com

Antioxidants May Improve Chances of Conceiving in Male Subfertility

ScienceDaily (Jan. 19, 2011)Antioxidant supplements may benefit couples who have difficulty conceiving naturally, according to a new systematic review published January 18 2011 in The Cochrane Library. The review provides evidence from a small number of trials that suggest the partners of men who take antioxidants are more likely to become pregnant.

Male subfertility affects one in 20 men. Chemicals called reactive oxygen species (ROS) are said to cause damage to cells, and in particular sperm cells, which may result in lowered sperm counts and interfere with their ability to fertilise eggs. Antioxidants include natural and synthetic chemicals, including certain vitamins and minerals, which help to reduce the damage caused by ROS.

The review focused on 34 trials involving 2,876 couples undergoing assisted reproductive techniques such as in vitro fertilisation and sperm injections. Most men in the trials had low sperm counts or low sperm motility. The trials explored the use of many different types of oral antioxidants, including vitamin E, L-carnitine, zinc and magnesium.

Compared to controls, a couple was more likely to have a pregnancy or live birth if the man took antioxidants. However, these results are based on just 964 of the couples in the review for pregnancies and 214 couples for live births. Other trials tested the effects of antioxidants on sperm motility and concentration and showed mostly positive effects, although study group sizes were small.

"When trying to conceive as part of an assisted reproductive program, it may be advisable to encourage men to take oral antioxidant supplements to improve their partners' chances of becoming pregnant," said lead researcher Marian Showell, who works in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Auckland in Auckland, New Zealand. "However, these conclusions are currently based on limited evidence."

There were not enough data comparing different antioxidants to reach any conclusions about the relative effectiveness of supplements. "We need more head-to-comparisons to understand whether any one antioxidant is performing better than any other," said Showell.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/01/110118200813.htm