When buying a mattress, it’s vital to protect your family by choosing an organic mattress that is made only with non-toxic materials. You may assume that if it’s an organic mattress it must also be non-toxic, but that’s not always the case. Organic mattresses can contain fire retardant chemicals and other unsafe materials so it is important to avoid spending a lot of money on a mattress that is called “organic” without learning about the toxicity of materials involved.

Why is it important to buy an organic mattress?

A typical mattress is made with polyurethane foam as the filling material. Polyurethane foam is made from petroleum with added toxic chemicals. Possible health effects can include cardiac arrhythmias, breathlessness, chest discomfort, irritation of mucous membranes, coughing, asthma-like reactions, blurred vision, headaches, dizziness, weakness, and fatigue. Memory foam can even be worse since it contains even more potentially harmful chemicals.

What are the best organic mattress materials?

An organic mattress contains natural materials as the filling -usually organic cotton. Or you may find a natural latex or wool mattress. These are all great natural materials, but there are some factors to consider when looking for an organic mattress that is truly non-toxic.

An organic mattress with cotton filling is a good choice. Cotton is a breathable and firm mattress material, but make sure the cotton is 100% certified organic. Cotton is a crop that is grown with a lot of pesticides and these chemical residues can remain in the cotton. So for health and environmental reasons, it’s important to find an organic mattress that contains cotton that is certified organic.

Natural latex can be safe, depending on how it’s manufactured. You really need to check fully into what chemicals are used in the latex manufacturing process. Many manufacturers use a blend of latex and chemicals and still call it natural latex. Natural latex can be allergenic, a concern especially for children. (the FDA won’t allow a latex product to be called hypoallergenic). Wool is used in many organic mattresses and is a great bedding material, but can also be allergenic.

How can you tell if a mattress is truly organic and non-toxic?

Find a mattress manufacturer that is Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certified. GOTS is the recognized organic textile processing standard for mattresses. A GOTS certification means that the mattress meets stringent organic and non-toxic standards. It’s also a good sign if the mattress has passed GREENGUARD standards. But you may have to do some additional checking with some of the GREENGUARD approved mattress manufacturers. There are very small amounts of certain chemical off-gassing allowed by GREENGUARD. Find a manufacturer that passes with zero emissions for formaldehyde, aldehydes, and phthalates.

Beware of labels saying the mattress is green, eco-friendly, bio foam, or soy foam. Most of these mattress manufacturers simply replace a small portion of polyurethane foam with plant-based components. Therefore the mattresses remain predominantly polyurethane foam.

It is illegal for mattress manufacturers or retailers to sell a mattress in the U.S. unless it passes flame retardant standards. Organic mattress manufacturers are not exempt from these requirements. They may add fire retardant chemicals such as PBDEs, boric acid, or other chemicals that may be toxic. It’s important to thoroughly check into what is used to pass the fire standards.

No mattress may be sold in the U.S. without being flame retardant unless the customer presents a doctor’s prescription for a
chemical-free mattress. So if you are not being asked for a doctor’s prescription when buying your organic mattress, it contains some sort of flame retardant material.

You can find an organic mattress with natural, non-toxic and safe alternatives to chemical fire retardants that will pass the standards. Pure wool has natural fire retardant properties. If you find a mattress manufacturer that uses wool, make sure that the wool is organic and there are no additional chemical treatments to boost its fire resistance.

Another non-toxic fire retardant material is a combination of baking soda and hydrated silica. This natural fire prevention compound was designed by an environmental scientist. It is completely safe and passes all state and federal fire laws.

Fortunately you can find an organic mattress that is non-toxic and chemical-free. You simply have to know what to look for and what to avoid. An organic mattress is a good investment in your health as long as you find one with truly safe and non-toxic materials.

See Healthy Child’s Organic Mattress recommendations:

The post Organic Mattress Facts – How to Know If It Is Truly Non-Toxic appeared first on HealthyChild..

Our Healthy Kids Blog has moved, click here to go to our new blog.

The post Visit Our New Healthy Kids Blog appeared first on HealthyChild..

10 Ways to Dramatically Increase Your Child’s Health

Treat Your Children’s Colds and Flu with Safe, Natural Holistic Medicine

The post Free Reports appeared first on HealthyChild..

by Jane Sheppard

To help your children reach their greatest potential, you must first create a strong bond with them before, during, and after birth and continue to nurture and strengthen this connection throughout the various stages of their childhood. Children who grow up with plenty of loving physical contact and a healthy, emotional bond with at least one parent know at a deep, core level that they are genuinely loved and valued. With a healthy sense of their own worth, children can more easily tap into their natural state of happiness and develop to their full potential. By being present – by tending to their emotional needs as they develop — you teach your children to love and value themselves.

How Parents Can Create Connection:

1) Develop and nurture a strong parent-child bond;
2) Learn to listen to your own intuition;
3) Allow your children to discover and trust their own internal wisdom.

The Alliance for Transforming the Lives of Children (“aTLC”) has invested thousands of hours developing a proclamation and blueprint of evidence-linked principles and actions that combines scientific research with deep-rooted wisdom on optimal human development. One of the main principles they set forth is, “Every child needs to be securely bonded with at least one other person-optimally the mother.”

Creating a Healthy Parent-Child Bond

Provide your children with as much close physical and emotional contact as possible, making this a consistent element of their reality. Actions that promote bonding with babies include breastfeeding, cuddling, massaging, rocking, and keeping them in close proximity to your body as much as possible (e.g. baby-wearing and co-sleeping). Parents’ natural tendency to “mirror” babies’ facial expressions, actions and sounds are another way of acknowledging babies and demonstrating they are valuable and loved.

When you respond immediately to your babies’ needs, they feel wanted and worthy of your attention; they come to view the world as a safe and benevolent place to explore and grow. When children become demanding and clingy, it most likely means their bonding and attachment needs have not been met consistently.

This way of parenting, sometimes termed “attachment parenting” or “connection parenting”, provides babies and young children with what they need for optimal development of the brain, immune and nervous systems and overall well-being. It is not a fad or a new style of parenting. It has been the norm in much of the world throughout history. Unfortunately, it seems our society as a whole is becoming more detached from our babies and children. It’s become common in modern Western society for babies to sleep alone in cribs in separate rooms and carried everywhere in plastic car seat carriers, away from the warmth, scent, and soothing heartbeat of their mothers.

In a fast-paced society such as ours, where there are a lot of distractions competing for a parent’s attention, forming a strong connection with your children is more necessary than ever. Fortunately, in addition to the enormous benefits to babies, connection parenting can be a blessing for busy parents, making parenting easier, calmer, more fulfilling, and fun.

Sleeping right next to your baby enables you to breastfeed more easily during nighttime awakenings without getting out of bed. Hearing and feeling the breath and slight movements of your sleeping baby confirms he or she is safe and can give you peace of mind during the night. In addition to being the only complete nutrition and immune-building food available for your baby, breast milk is easier, less expensive and far more rewarding than formula, and eliminates the need for bottles and all that comes with preparing and cleaning them. Carrying your baby in a sling allows you to meet his or her need for touch, while freeing your hands for other tasks. You can go about your day, holding your baby close, breastfeeding discreetly right there in the sling. Your contented baby then is able to see and experience more of the world from this vantage point, increasing his or her learning from life.

The positive effects of connection parenting extend both ways. Babies carried in slings are happier, calmer, and cry less, and parents who wear their babies are also calmer and more confident as parents. Becoming more in tune with the natural rhythm and energy of your baby allows you to be more deeply in tune with your own innate sense of well-being. When you deeply connect with your children, you more easily connect with your own sense of joy and experience greater health and awareness. Nature intends for you to form a strong, intimate bond with your children. When you do, you thrive right along with them.

Creating Connection with Older Children

It is never too late to create a stronger connection with your children. If your kids are older and you realize you could have done more to bond with them as babies, you can let go of any useless guilt that arises and celebrate that you do the best you can at any given moment, within your present situation, available resources, and life circumstances. You can always begin right now to turn around your relationship with your children – at any age.

To create a healthy bond with older children, give them one-on-one connection time with your undivided attention on a regular basis. Talk to them with respect, engage with them in their self-directed play and activities in non-controlling ways, actively listen to them, and allow them to fully express their feelings. Older children also need plenty of physical affection. Build a bond of trust and respect with your children without interruption, judgment or defensiveness.

Specific ways to create a stronger connection with older children can include:

• Ask them for their opinion
• Create one-on-one time with your children with all your attention on them
• Look them in the eyes when they are speaking
• Let them complete their sentences without interruption
• Don’t judge what they say; instead listen carefully and let them know you’ve heard them and respect their input.
• Give plenty of hugs and affection

In her book, Connection Parenting: Parenting through Connection instead of Coercion, Pam Leo provides tools and helpful guidance in creating and maintaining a bond with older children.

Nurture a Connection with Our Own Inner Wisdom

Parenting can be challenging when you have many different opinions coming in to your mental awareness from friends, relatives, doctors, books, etc. Well-intended advice on strict regimens and “baby training” methods can be the biggest interference in creating a bond with your children. When you can loosen the grip of these outside voices and tap in to your own inner guidance to parent from your heart, you will naturally know what to do to meet your children’s needs. Go with what feels right, what your natural instincts are telling you.

Parenting is an “in the moment” endeavor. Since no two babies are the same, and their individual needs can change from moment to moment, there can’t possibly be a set of guidelines better than a mother’s own intuition. In fact, nature has helped this along by providing mothers with powerful maternal hormones – prolactin and oxytocin – that are stimulated by holding and breastfeeding, and are the chemical basis for a mother’s intuition. By forming a deep bond with your baby and continually checking in with your own internal wisdom, you have everything you need in order to fully meet his or her needs.

Dr. Sears, who first came up with the term “attachment parenting” 30 years ago refers to it as “a style of baby care that parents would naturally practice if they followed their own intuition rather than listening to the advice of others”. Even though most books and advocates of attachment parenting refer to specific practices that are most likely to foster attachment and bonding, there are no rigid rules. You can choose what is right for you and ignore what is not. As long as you have the intention of creating a bond with your children and are in tune with your own intuition, you will know what’s right for them.

Allow Your Children to Follow Their Own Inner Guidance

If it is your goal to have happy, healthy children who live to their full potential, you must help them to maintain their connection with their internal guidance, and not derail it with your own disconnection and need for control. You don’t want to “raise” your children to become what society deems successful and acceptable. You want to nurture, assist, and allow your children to grow to be the happiest they can be – truly tapped in to their inner voice. Try to give up control and “attachment” to how you think your children should be, and allow your children to explore their world, express their creativity, and create their own path and dreams. This is easier said than done in this society where trusting oneself above all others is not genuinely encouraged.

Children have a passion to explore life and are thrilled and amazed at the simplest things. They live fully in the moment. They have a natural, positive expectation that things should go well for them. They know that life is supposed to be fun and joyful. Over time, due to parental, educational, and societal conditioning, they learn to ignore this natural joy and may even forget it was ever there.

Most adults have lost touch with this, too, since we learned at a young age to ignore our natural impulses. This disconnection has caused us to constantly search outside of ourselves for things that we think will make us happy, including drugs, relationships, religion, shopping/consumerism, television, food, alcohol and all things that we assume are the solution to our dissatisfaction. But the only true source of happiness is within us. Let’s not take this away from our children; let’s encourage them to trust their natural inclinations and feelings.

You can teach self-discipline without breaking the connection you have with your children and without disrupting their inner connection that is so important to their healthy development. Instead of viewing negative behavior as a challenge to your authority, you can listen to what your children need in the moment. Pam Leo explains in Connection Parenting, “Once we understand that uncooperative behavior is a communication of a child’s unmet need, a hurt, or the response to an adult’s unrealistic expectation, we do not have to take the behavior so personally.” She also states, “The level of cooperation parents get from their children is usually equal to the level of connection children feel with their parents.” You do not have to compete with your children to get your needs met. You can find ways to meet both their needs and yours with dignity and respect, not coercion and control.

It’s important to note that healthy parenting is not about perfection. All parents make mistakes and feel regret, but you can view those as opportunities for growth, allowing you to be easier on yourself and your children. Your children can be your wisest teachers. You can view parenting as a journey that you take with your children to become the best and happiest you can be. This happens most easily when you trust your children and yourself.

There is a lot of information available on the many aspects of parent-child bonding and attachment. See our recommended best parenting books. Creating connection with your children will be the most rewarding, delightful journey you will ever experience. By parenting with connection, you can help create a different world in which people love, honor, and respect themselves and each other. A world where people fully connected to their inner potential, gifts, and wisdom are contributing to a world of true health, harmony and peace.

The post Creating Connection for Happy Healthy Children appeared first on HealthyChild..

by Dr. Melissa Patterson, ND
© Copyright 2011 Dr. Melissa Patterson, ND, all rights reserved

(edited with the help of Suzie Gruber, MA, SEP, herbalist)
3/15/11

Dear Patients, Friends and Colleagues,

Over the last few days I have heard great concern over the potential of radioactive fallout from the nuclear power plant explosions in Japan. It is hard to tell definitively what is going to happen, but from the research that I have done it looks like there is a great chance that the Pacific Coast will feel some nuclear fallout from the ongoing nuclear catastrophe that is occurring in Japan. Therefore, I have made a list of different supplements, herbs and foods that can help eliminate side effects of radiation.

Please feel free to send it far and wide. Please read it carefully before you decide to take any supplements. These supplements have been well-researched and can be taken by most people. However, if you have a serious illness, are on medication or are pregnant/breastfeeding please contact your healthcare provider to make sure that these supplements/herbs are okay for you. Also, only the adult dosages are given if you would like to give the supplements/herbs to a child please do research to find the appropriate dose for your child and find out if it is okay for them to take.

I begin with information on radioactive fallout and the jet stream. Then, I offer my recommendations in three sections: inexpensive supplements that you should start taking now and continue taking if you are exposed to radiation, supplements that are more expensive and hard to find, and additional supplements that are helpful and not as critical.

Radioactive Fallout

Radioactive fallout is defined as radioactive material that is carried by winds until it settles to earth. Under some circumstances you may see the fallout; under others you may not. The radioactivity it gives off cannot be seen. You can’t feel it. You can’t smell it, but fallout doesn’t come out of the sky like a gas and seep into everything. It can best be described as a fine to coarse sand carried by the winds.

Supplements to Start Taking Now

The following are supplements that I recommend that you start taking now to help your body prepare preemptively for radiation. They are relatively inexpensive and can be found at natural food stores.

Herbal Remedies

Here is a list of medicinal herbs that I recommend you take for radiation exposure. You can take them as a tea, a tincture or as individual encapsulated herbs.

Burdock Root (Arctium lappa) – removes radioactive isotopes from the body.
Recommended Dose – 1-4 ounces/300-120 grams of cooked fresh root, up to a pint of infusion daily, or several large spoonfuls of vinegar but only if made with fresh roots. Tincture – 15-20 drops 3 times a day
Contraindications – do not use Burdock during the first trimester of pregnancy

Cilantro Leaf (Coriandum sativum) – natural heavy metal chelator (i.e. plutonium and cesium are heavy metals.) Therefore, it helps to eliminate them out of the body
Recommended Dose – Take 1-3 dropperfuls daily of tincture or eat large amounts of fresh cilantro

Eleuthero/Siberian Ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus) – helps protect against the side effects of radiation exposure.
Recommended Dose – 500-3000 mg. in capsule form. Tincture: 15-20 drops three times a day.

Holy Basil/Tulsi Aerial Parts (Ocimum sanctum) – preliminary research shows evidence that Holy Basil protects against radiation-induced peroxidation, thus helping to protect against the detrimental effects of low-level radiation. It also increases glutathione and superoxide dismutase which are important mediators in the liver in helping the body deal with radiation.
Recommended Dose – Tincture: 40-60 drops, three times per day. Tea: add 1 tsp. dried leaf to 8 oz. hot water, steep, covered, 5-10 minutes. Take 4 oz. of tea up to three times per day. Capsules: various forms of capsulated products are available. These include extracts in gelcaps, dried or powdered herb in capsules, and standardized extracts (2 percent ursolic acid) in capsules.
Contraindications – Holy Basil should not be taken while pregnant or nursing or for an extended period of time. Use caution if you have high blood pressure or rheumatic heart disease

Reishi Mushroom Fruiting Bodies (Ganoderma lucidum) – offers protection against ionizing radiation
Preventive Dose – 400 mg. take 2 caps or 1 dropperful of tincture up to 3 times per-day
Dose Upon Radiation Exposure – take the same dose up to 6 times per day
Contraindications – None

Other Supplements

Rutin – a bioflavonoid that can also be found in lower doses in vitamin C supplements containing bioflavonoids. Rutin is glucoside found in buckwheat that can help protect the body from the effects of radiation. It strengthens the capillary walls and reduces hemorrhaging caused by x-rays. In animal studies it was shown to reduce the death rate caused by excessive x-rays by 800 per cent.
Preventive Dose – 100 to 200 mg a day.
Dose Upon Radiation Exposure – 800 mg. or more a day. I
Contraindications – none

Selenium – protects DNA from radiation damage and helps prevent damage to the skin surface, too. Get plenty of selenium by eating a daily dose of 2 cups/500 ml of nettle infusion, one-half ounce/15 g kelp, 2 ounces/60 g cooked burdock root, or 1 cup/250 ml organic yogurt daily. Shellfish, green and black teas, and garlic contain significant amounts of selenium, as do many mushrooms. The best sources however are nettles (2200 mcg per 100 grams), kelp (1700 mcg/100 g), Burdock (1400 mcg/100 g), Catnip (Nepeta cataria), American Ginseng, and Eleuthero which is also known as Siberian Ginseng and Astragalus.

Vitamin A – In 1974, researchers from India found that vitamin A, when taken internally by humans, hastened recovery from radiation. In 1984, Dr. Eli Seifter and a team of researchers for the Albert Einstein College of Medicine reported that vitamin A and beta-carotene counteracted both partial and total body gamma radiation. It also improved the healing of wounds; reduced weight loss, thymic and splenic atrophy, and adrenal enlargement; and prevented gastro-ulceration and an abnormal decrease in red and white blood cell formation. For therapeutic purposes, 25,000 to 35,000 IU is the recommended dose for adults. During emergencies or crisis situations, intensive exposure may warrant higher amounts.
Contraindications – can be toxic if taken too much over a long period of time. Vitamin A can also be toxic to pregnant woman and their babies.

Vitamin B-Complex – many B vitamins, especially pantothenic acid, help to decrease the effects of radiation. One of its many functions is that they normalize the red and white blood cell count because the destruction of white blood cells by radiation can last for extended periods of time. The various B vitamins have different effects and should be taken together.Take the dose recommended on the bottle.

Vitamin C with bioflavonoids – this is a VERY IMPORTANT supplement as it protects against intercellular damage from radiation.
Preventive Dose: 2-5 grams per day
Dose Upon Radiation Exposure – 2-5 gram per day
Contraindications – when you start having diarrhea back off 500 mg until you reach bowel tolerance.

Vitamin E – can provide internal and external protection against Cesium-137 which is a common component of fallout and a reported component in the fallout from Japan. Vitamin E also helps prevent the destruction of vitamin A and fatty acids by massive doses of x-rays. If large doses of C, B and E are taken before exposure, the terrible symptoms of radiation sickness can be reduced or eliminated to a large degree.
Preventive Dose – an adult weighting 155lbs should take 900 IU per day of Vitamin E as d-alpha-tocopherol.
Dose Upon Radiation Exposure – up to 1600 IU per day.

Additional Recommended Supplements That Are More Expensive and/or Difficult To Find

Laminaria Japonica – probably the most important seaweed in helping decrease radiation in our body. This seaweed was the secret weapon of Russian doctors that saved thousands of innocent people from disease after nuclear fallout from Chernobyl. It can be quite hard to find. Try Body Ecology.
Recommended Dose – 1500 mg/day

Seaweeds are not only a great natural source of nutrients, they are very effective at removing radiation from the body as they contain sodium alginate. There are literally thousands of different types of seaweeds but some of the most popular seaweeds are arame, wakame, kombu, hijiki, bladderwrack, rockweed, sea lettuce, and dulse. You can find them in your local health food store and various oriental grocery stores in your neighborhood in their natural form, or in flakes, flat sheets, and powders. They can be mixed in soups and salads, or eaten by themselves. If you don’t like the taste of seaweeds, or you want something more convenient you can find various seaweed supplements in capsules or tablets. One high quality seaweed supplement made with four organic seaweeds in a capsule is Sea Treasure^TM by RegalLife^TM. It also contains organic alfalfa which is also found to be beneficial at removing radiation becomes of its rich chlorophyll content.

The Atomic Energy Commission recommends for maximum protection against radioactive poisoning for humans, taking a minimum of 2 to 3 ounces of sea vegetables a week or 10 grams (two tablespoons) a day of sodium alginate supplements. During or after exposure to radiation, the dose should be increased to two full tablespoons of alginate four times daily to insure that there is a continual supply in the GI or gastrointestinal tract. There may be a rare problem of constipation but this can be avoided if the sodium alginate is made into a fruit gelatin. Agar, derived from sodium alginate in kelp, is a safe, nontoxic substance that can be used as a thickening agent or gelatin. Sea vegetables are also high in natural iodine. However, I recommend sticking to potassium iodide as discussed below.

Beta-1,3 glucan – In a controlled study done at the US Armed Forces Radiobiology Institute, 70% of rats given a lethal dose of radiation were completely protected from radiation effects when given a dose of yeast beta glucan by mouth after the radiation exposure. Beta glucan is a free radical scavenger. It is able to protect blood macrophages from free radical attack during and after the radiation allowing these cells to continue to function in the irradiated body and release factors important to the restoration of normal bone marrow production. This supplement is very expensive, but worth it. Reishi mushroom is high in beta 1,3 glucan if you just want to take that.
Recommended Dose – 500 mg cap/1 time a day

Additional Recommendations Upon Exposure

Here are some additional recommendations if you think you have been exposed to radiation. First and foremost, don’t panic.

Potassium Iodide – take this as soon as you can once you know you have been exposed. This is a very important supplement that helps protect you if you are exposed to Iodine131. It does not help with exposure to any other isotopes. Because it is such an important supplement I recommend IOSAT only FDA approved potassium iodide that is in sealed containers. IOSAT is available online. People are finding it very hard to come by, therefore I recommend unless you know for sure that you have been exposed (which is very hard to tell from fallout) that you stick with either the seaweed Laminaria Japonica or the Atomic Energy Commissions recommendations on taking seaweed.

Potassium Iodide Recommended Dose from the FDA and the CDC:

According to the FDA, the following doses are appropriate to take after internal contamination with (or likely internal contamination with) radioactive iodine:

• Adults should take 130 mg (one 130 mg tablet OR two 65 mg tablets OR two ml of solution).
• Women who are breastfeeding should take the adult dose of 130 mg.
• Children between 3 and 18 years of age should take 65 mg (one 65 mg tablet OR 1 ml of solution).
Children who are adult size (greater than or equal to 150 pounds) should take the full adult dose regardless of their age.
• Infants and children between 1 month and 3 years of age should take 32 mg (½ of a 65 mg tablet or ½ ml of solution). This dose is for both nursing and non-nursing infants and children.
• Newborns from birth to 1 month of age should be given 16 mg (¼ of a 65 mg tablet or ¼ ml of solution). This dose is for both nursing and non-nursing
newborn infants.
Contraindications – do not take if you are not exposed and take as little as possible, i.e. only when you know that you have been exposed.

Oil – ½ cup of any cold pressed oil if you are exposed will help protect the cell membranes. Extra virgin olive oil is preferred.

Bentonite Clay – helps to eradicate toxins radiation/toxins. It is generally advisable to start with 1 tablespoon of bentonite clay daily, mixed with a small amount of juice. Pay attention to the results for a week and then gradually increase the dose to no more than 4 tablespoons daily in divided doses. Make sure you drink plenty of chlorine-free water throughout the day. You can also use other forms of edible clay such as French green clay.

Sea Salt and Baking Soda Baths – add 1 pound of sea salt and 1 pound of baking soda and soak in chlorine-free water for 20 minutes. Then rinse with cool water. You can also 1 pound of betonite, or other clay, to the sea salt and baking soda when soaking which increases the removal of radiation. Some specialists who work with radioactive isotopes use this method to remove radiation from their body. If you have been exposed to an abnormally high level of radiation you can use this method three times a week for one month.

Dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) – good for preventing cell nicking from ionizing radiation.
Recommended dose – 5-10 ml per day

Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum) – helps the liver deal with the effects of toxicity of radiation poisoning.
Recommended dose – 1-3 dropperfuls of tincture per day

Melatonin – helps protect the brain against radiation
Recommended dose – 1-2 mg
Caution – only take Melatonin at night!

Lecithin – helps protect the cell membranes
Recommended dose – 2-3 tbsp. a day

Chlorophyll – a number of studies found that chlorophyll-rich foods can decrease radiation toxicity. Spirulina and chlorella are two micro-algae that are rich in this substance, as are leafy greens, celery, parsley, the sprouts of any grain or bean, the young shoots of any edible grass, such as wheat and barley, and sunflower greens. Chlorophyll is similar in structure to hemoglobin. Guinea pigs on a diet rich in chlorophyll showed increased resistance to lethal X-rays. Organic alfalfa is a good source of natural chlorophyll.

Miso – has been used to treat radiation sickness. It is a traditional Japanese seasoning produced by fermenting rice, barley and/or soybeans, with salt and the fungus kojikin, the most typical miso being made with soy. Miso is widely available in most natural food stores and many grocery stores.

Other Foods that help the body decrease the effects of radiation – garlic, onions, beets, kale, brewer’s yeast/nutritional yeast, green tea/black tea, brussel sprouts, broccoli, cabbage, watercress, apples, guavas, quince, plums, gooseberries, oranges and other citrus fruits pineapple, seaweed (see above).

In the light of the catastrophe at hand I invite us all to stay calm and focused, knowing that this too shall pass one way or another. May we use this opportunity to realize the beauty and fragility of life, as well as, to give thanks for what we have. And, may people finally awaken to the fact that nuclear power does NOT work in any form no matter what the benefits.

Note on taking supplements: The above supplements have been shown through research to be effective in decreasing the detrimental effects of radiation on the body. There is a lot of information here. If you only want to do a few supplements, I recommend sticking with the supplements in the first half of the document, since they have the most scientific evidence supporting their use. The doses given are what is determined as safe for an average adult. If you are breastfeeding, pregnant or want to give the supplements to a child, please do further research to see if they are safe for you or your child and what the specific dose would be. Also, if you are sensitive to medications or supplements, please stick to the lower dose. Lastly, some supplements are recommended in higher doses after exposure. If you choose to do this, please note that some side effects might occur with some of these supplements. Please do further research on what you are taking before you take the maximum dose. If you have any serious illnesses or are on medications please talk to your healthcare provider to get more detailed information to ensure these supplements are safe for you prior to taking them.

References
www.livewellnaturally.com
www.rifeenergymedicine.com
“Fighting Radiation and Chemical Pollutants with Foods, Herbs and Vitamins” by Steven R. Schechter, N.D

Dr. Melissa Patterson has been in privately practice as a naturopathic doctor and medical intuitive for ten years. In 2000, she completed the rfour-year Naturopathic Graduate Program at Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in Tempe, Arizona. She has also completed the Master of Intuition Medicine® program, through the Academy of Intuition Medicine® in 2003. She is a certified hypnotherapist, as well as a certified Reiki master, yoga instructor, and massage therapist. She has studied holistic medicine including mind-body, energetic and intuitive healing for nearly two decades. She has also studied with a myriad of medicine people from diverse tribal backgrounds, including Lakota, Cherokee, Crow, and Dagara (African). You can reach Dr. Patterson by telephone at (707) 829-8137, by e-mail at drmpatterson@gmail.com or through her website at www.drmpatterson.vpweb.com

DISCLAIMER:
This article contains general information about medical conditions and treatments. The information is not advice, and should not be treated as such. Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing paragraph, Dr. Melissa Patterson does not warrant that the medical information in this article is complete, true, accurate, up-to-date, or non-misleading. You must not rely on the information in this article as an alternative to medical advice from your doctor or other professional healthcare provider. If you have any specific questions about any medical matter you should consult your doctor or other professional healthcare provider. The medical information in this article is provided “as is” without any representations or warranties, express or implied. Dr. Melissa Patterson makes no representations or warranties in relation to the medical information in this article.

The post Supplements Shown To Help Prevent Effects of Radiation appeared first on HealthyChild..

Raising Children for Optimal Vitality and Happiness

The future of our planet is in the hands of our children. When they are healthy and vibrant, they can be their greatest potential.

We are now offering the Vibrant Healthy Kids TM Program – a comprehensive, multi-media training program that will encourage you to focus on optimal health and development in your children on all levels – physical, emotional, mental, spiritual, nutritional and environmental. This program will help you to transform your children’s health into a vibrant state that is more resistant to disease, using safe, effective, natural, holistic approaches that are easy, convenient and inexpensive. It will assist you in creating strong, authentic emotional connections with your children to fully meet their needs. This program will also provide you with knowledge and emotional support to reduce your own stress, increase your energy, feel more joy, and become more fully present with your children.

This training is offered as a complete online interactive course with a portal for community support. In this online parenting community, you can establish groups and individual connections to receive the support you need. The training will also be sold online as individual e-books, audio and video recordings that you can purchase separately by the topics of most interest.

There are multiple segments of the training that include:

• Naturally boost children’s immune systems to prevent disease
• Reduce environmental toxins in children’s food, homes, water, schools and playgrounds
• Breastfeeding
• Whole foods nutrition
• Treating minor illnesses at home with safe, effective, natural remedies
• What can safely be treated at home and when to call a doctor
• Modalities that naturally stimulate healing and recover balance – naturopathic medicine, chiropractic, Chinese medicine, herbal medicine, homeopathy, and other holistic health care
• Childhood Vaccinations
• Children’s emotional, mental and spiritual health and well-being
• Parents emotional well-being, reducing stress, increasing energy

To learn more about this program:

Subscribe to Healthy Child Newsletter

or

Contact Us

The post Vibrant Healthy Kids appeared first on HealthyChild..

I would like to offer you the following gifts for children to assist you in raising healthy children. Click on the links below to download these resources. To learn more about our

Vibrant Healthy Kids TM program, click Here. For reliable information to make informed decisions to keep your babies and children safe and healthy, Subscribe to Healthy Child Newsletter.

Be well,

Jane Sheppard

Dr. Neustaedter’s Course:

Prevention Holistic Treatment of Viral Illness

E-Book:

Super Healthy Kids, Strengthening Your Child’s Resistance to Disease

Report:

The Art of Self-Care for Mothers

The post Gifts appeared first on HealthyChild..

Lawrence_Palevsky.mp3

The post Larry – Lawrence Palevsky appeared first on HealthyChild..

If you’re shopping for a kids’ mattress, price and comfort may be your top priorities. But have you thought about the toxicity of a typical mattress? Kids spend a lot of time on a mattress and during that time they are exposed to the chemical off-gassing that most mattresses produce.

Children’s respiratory, neurological, reproductive, and immune systems are in the early stages of development and this makes them more vulnerable to toxic chemicals. When exposed, they cannot easily detoxify and excrete these toxins. Low level chemical exposure during the critical period of brain development can cause more harm than high doses later in life. While sleeping, our children’s bodies need to recover from the stress of the day and regenerate, not breathe and absorb toxic chemicals.

What’s in a Typical Kids Mattress?

Polyurethane foam is the most common mattress filling, made from petroleum with toxic chemical additives. It breaks down into small particles which can become airborne over time. According to manufacturer material safety data sheets, potential health effects can include cardiac arrhythmias, breathlessness, chest discomfort, irritation of mucous membranes, headache, coughing, asthma-like allergic reaction, dizziness, weakness, fatigue, nausea, blurred vision, and reduced pulmonary function. Memory foam mattresses contain even more potentially harmful chemicals.

Since mattress manufacturers are required to meet federal flammability regulations, they add fire retardant chemicals that can be toxic, including PBDEs, brominated or chlorinated fire retardants, antimony, modacrylic, polyacrylonitrile, boric acid and many other chemicals.

Some of these chemicals have recently been banned, but have been replaced with chemicals that can be just as toxic. Since the chemicals never completely dissipate, older mattresses continue to off-gas even though they no longer contain the chemical smell.

Alternatives to Toxic Mattresses

Mattresses made with natural organic materials are now available. Many of these mattresses meet or exceed flammability regulations with safe, non-toxic ingredients. Here are some guidelines in choosing a safe mattress for kids:

1. Choose an Organic Mattress with Non-Toxic Materials

The safest, most non-toxic mattress material is 100% organic cotton. Cotton is firm, breathable and comfortable. Natural latex can also be a safe material, depending on how it’s made. Latex comes from sap of the rubber tree plant. Keep in mind that natural latex/rubber can be allergenic, particularly for children. Many allergists recommend that babies and young children avoid latex. The FDA will not allow a product containing latex (particularly natural latex) to be labeled as “hypoallergenic.” If you are going to use latex, use all natural latex and stay away from chemical/natural latex blends.

Wool is also used in organic mattresses, but it naturally contains lanolin and certain alcohols known to have allergenic properties. So be cautious with wool if your child has allergies.

Mattresses are now being marketed as green, eco-friendly, or plant-based with descriptions such as Eco Foam, Bio Foam, or Soy Foam. Beware of these since the manufacturers replace only a very small percentage of the polyurethane foam with plant-based ingredients. For instance, soy foam is usually polyurethane foam with 10-20% genetically-engineered soybean oil mixed in. These mattresses are mostly polyurethane foam, which is highly flammable, so they also need fire retardant chemicals to comply with the flammability laws. Don’t be fooled by this green-washing. You’re still getting a load of toxic chemicals and off-gassing with many of these so-called eco mattresses.

It’s important to check into all materials used, and it can be difficult to get full disclosure from the retailers or the manufacturer. Look for organic mattress and bedding companies who have been GOTS certified. The Global Organic Textile Standards (GOTS) are the leading organic textile processing standards for mattresses. The standards require that fiber and fabrics used within a mattress, with limited exceptions, must be made from National Organic Program (NOP) certified materials and processed in accordance with the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS). All other components (such as innersprings, fire protection, etc.) must meet strict non-toxic standards.

2. Choose Non-toxic Natural Fire Protection

There are safe, natural alternatives to chemical fire retardants that will pass flammability standards.

Some mattress companies comply by using wool since wool is a fiber with natural fire retardant properties. There are companies that use only pure wool for this purpose. But be aware that some companies use wool with chemical treatments added to boost the wool’s fire resistance.

Baking soda and hydrated silica is a completely non-toxic, natural fire protection mixture that meets and exceeds all Federal and State flammability standards.

Always ask the manufacturer for complete details about what they use to pass fire standards. Unless you have a doctor’s prescription for a chemical-free mattress, they cannot legally sell mattresses without some sort of fire protection.

3. Choose Waterproof and Dust Mite Proof Mattresses for Young Children

Many parents will want a waterproof mattress for a toddler or preschool age child since they can wet the bed and ruin the mattress. Moisture in a mattress will allow mold, mildew and bacteria to grow, making it very unhealthy for kids. In addition, dust mite allergies can be problematic for kids and dust mites love to live in mattresses.

Some mattresses for kids have nylon, damask or polyurethane coverings. Nylon or damask are not really waterproof – just water resistant – and usually contain a polyurethane backing or a coating similar to Teflon®. There are a lot of questionable synthetic chemicals involved in these coverings. They also can contain added fire retardants and antibacterial chemical treatments that can be toxic.

Wool is water resistant, not waterproof, so wool does not waterproof a mattress. Some people buy wool puddle pads to block the wetness, but if there is a lot of wetness, it will go through a wool puddle pad and ruin the mattress.

The only way to fully waterproof a mattress is with plastic. Low density, food grade polyethylene is the safest waterproof and dust mite proof material available. Look for a polyethylene covering and avoid coverings made from vinyl or other plastics.

What does Healthy Child Recommend?

We’ve searched for the safest and healthiest kids mattress and recommend the Naturepedic line of organic mattresses. They specialize in organic mattresses for babies and children and are the only mattress company that uses polyethylene for waterproofing. Naturepedic is a GOTS certified organic mattress and bedding manufacturer that also has GreenGuard independent testing and verification. Naturepedic carries the most awards and endorsements of any children’s mattress company, as well as the best warranty in the industry.

See: Naturepedic Organic Mattresses for Kids

See: Naturepedic’s Organic Cotton Waterproof Mattress Pad

The post Kids Mattress – Organic and Non-Toxic appeared first on HealthyChild..

If you can’t afford to buy an organic mattress, how do you block the toxic off-gassing from a non-organic mattress that contains unsafe materials? We are frequently asked this question and I wish we had a good answer. It’s not an easy fix, but there are possible options that may at least partially solve the problem.

If you aren’t familiar with why this question is even asked, here is a brief explanation:

Typical mattresses contain chemicals that are not healthy for anyone, but particularly not safe for babies and children. Most mattresses contain petroleum based chemicals, toxic foams, synthetic fabrics, and are treated with chemical fire retardants. These chemicals can create toxic off-gassing that can expose your family to dangerous levels of chemicals while they sleep. Even mattresses that are called organic can have materials that have some toxic off-gassing, so it’s important to know what to look for in an organic mattress.

Do Dust Mite Covers, Barrier Cloths, or Organic Mattress Pads Block Chemical Off-Gassing?

People sometimes assume that a dust mite allergy cover, barrier cloth or organic mattress pad will block the off-gassing. There is an organic cotton dust mite barrier cover that we recommend for blocking dust mites and other allergens. It’s a tightly woven, 100% organic cotton fabric that is completely chemical-free. See Organic Cotton Dust Mite Barrier Cover

However, the dust mite barrier cover will not block gases since it is a fabric. Organic cotton, wool, or latex barrier covers or any other type of mattress cover or pad will likely not be enough to protect you or your children from the toxic chemicals or gases coming from the mattress. And many of the synthetic or plastic covers will add more chemical exposure or off-gassing to the situation. Barrier cloths or covers are great for blocking dust mites and other allergens, but not for toxic off-gassing.

Plastic Must Be Correct Thickness and Formulation

Blocking chemical off-gassing is not so simple. Plastic, if it is the right thickness and formulation, will work, but the plastic needs to be thick enough so the gasses won’t penetrate. The type of plastic used is critically important because many types of plastics will create more chemical off-gassing. For instance, you wouldn’t want to use a vinyl-based cover since vinyl will add more chemical exposure.

Polyethylene is considered the safest, most non-toxic plastic available. It has a simple molecular structure that does not require toxic chemical additives like phthalates. BabeSafe mattress covers (made in New Zealand) are made with a specially formulated polyethylene that has been tested and confirmed to block off-gassing and will not off-gas itself. These covers are safe for covering toxic baby and crib mattresses. Unfortunately, BabeSafe will not make the larger sizes in twin through king. I’m sorry to say that there is no one that we can recommend who makes tested mattress wraps for older child or adult beds.

Some people are buying sheets of polyethylene at a home improvement store to wrap their mattresses, but this can be risky since there are different grades of polyethylene and this plastic is not tested. You have to be really careful to get the correct thickness – at least 125 microns, or 5 mil, and it needs to be clear and not colored. And you will want to be sure you are actually getting pure polyethylene and not some other plastic or combination.

Some people have purchased several BabeSafe crib size mattress covers and taped them together to wrap an adult bed. This seems like it may be a good alternative since at least you know you’re getting a safe polyethylene that does indeed block the toxins. You would need to overlap the seams, use a good strong tape.

Please note that I’m NOT recommending any of this as safe sleeping arrangements or SIDS prevention advice – only sharing what others have done.

When you wrap your mattress in a sheet of thick polyethylene, you are sleeping on plastic that can be noisy and annoying – it’s not the most comfortable bedding material and it’s not breathable. An organic cotton mattress pad on top is essential, and a thicker organic topper would be better. Please NOTE that it’s not safe to use a thick organic mattress pad or topper if you will have an infant in your bed. Infants need a firm flat surface. But for an older child or adult bed you could use a topper.

Another possibility is to use a Naturepedic Organic Cotton Waterproof mattress pad. In this waterproof pad, there is a thin film of plastic in the middle between the organic cotton layers. This thin film may partially block some of the off-gassing from the top of the mattress, but there’s no way of knowing how much and it will probably not completely block all the gases since it is not the correct thickness. It really depends on how toxic your mattress is to begin with. So I can’t say this waterproof pad will protect you from off-gassing since I simply don’t know, but I do know for a fact that it is a safe and non-toxic pad that has been tested and confirmed to not off-gas itself. Other plastic waterproof pads may also block some or even all of the gases, depending on how thick the plastic is and how much off-gassing there is in the first place, but I don’t know of any waterproof mattress pads, other than Naturepedic, that are tested for off-gassing.

This brings up another point. We really have no idea to what extent an individual mattress is off-gassing. It really depends on what is in the mattress and this varies greatly between different types of mattresses materials and manufacturers. Sometimes it’s obvious because you can actually smell the chemical odor. But a mattress can still off-gas even when it’s 10 years old and there’s no chemical smell.

What have I done for my family? As soon as I could, I purchased an organic mattress for my daughter – the Naturepedic Quilted Organic Cotton Deluxe Mattress. She’s now 17 and this mattress has worked very well for her for years – she loves it. Naturepedic is the most affordable and high-quality I have found for a completely non-toxic organic mattress.

For myself, I need a very soft sleeping surface – I simply don’t sleep well on a firm innerspring mattress. Since I’ve not yet been able to afford a softer organic latex mattress, I’ve compromised for myself. I bought an organic topper and put that on top of my regular firm innerspring mattress. Then I have another organic wool topper on top of that. It’s very soft and comfortable (pure bliss, actually) and I’m sleeping about 7″ above my old mattress (I assume this old mattress is probably toxic). What I learned is that toxic gases are heavier than air so they can hover only an inch or two above the mattress. I also have a very good air purifier in my room that works well with VOCs. Does this scenario guarantee I’m not being exposed? No, but we do the best we can and we have to let go of the worry. As soon as I can I will replace the toxic mattress.

Please note that my solution is not a solution if you’re co-sleeping with an infant. Babies need a firm flat surface and the toppers that I have make it too soft for a baby.

17 years ago, long before I knew about toxic gases in mattresses, I co-slept with my baby in my bed, not knowing the mattress was an issue. I breastfed her frequently throughout the night and I was in tune with her natural breathing rhythm. At that time in my life, there was no way I could have afforded an organic mattress even if I knew the dangers. And there simply weren’t that many options available 17 years ago. If I had a baby now, I would make it an absolute priority to purchase an organic mattress that I know is also non-toxic.

If you have a family, I’m sure there are many things you need to spend money on and it may seem difficult to justify spending a lot on an organic mattress. But what could be more important than protecting your family from chemical exposure? You can’t protect them from all exposures since chemicals are virtually everywhere, but a mattress is an up-close, long-term ( 8-12 hours a day) exposure of very toxic chemicals. Taking steps to eliminate this exposure goes a long way in assuring good health.

Obviously this is not a black and white issue, nor is it currently an easy one to solve. Since your family spends a lot of time sleeping, it’s important to protect them from toxic mattress exposures. Do the best you can to make safe, non-toxic organic mattresses a priority in your budget. Then let go of the worry. Worry can be very toxic, too.

Read about Safe Co-Sleeping

Just because a mattress is organic does not mean it is non-toxic. This article outlines how to determine whether a mattress is organic and whether it is really non-toxic. This article is mostly about crib mattresses, but most of the information also pertains to child or adult mattresses.
http://www.healthychild.com/toxic-baby-crib-mattress/safe-non-toxic-organic-crib-mattresses/

IMPORTANT:

This information is purely for educational purposes and is NOT meant to be SIDS prevention advice. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Healthy Child does NOT make ANY claims that co-sleeping or using a non-toxic mattress will prevent SIDS since this has not been 100% scientifically proven, and there can be other factors involved in SIDS. None of the information or options presented here are considered to be SIDS prevention advice or medical advice.

The post Prevent Toxic Off-Gassing when You Can’t Afford to Buy an Organic Mattress appeared first on HealthyChild..