A Second Opinion on Fluoride

Is Fluoride Dangerous?

When fluoride was introduced to water supplies throughout our country, it was touted as a cure for cavities and a great way to promote better dental health.  But is fluoride safe?  Increasingly, the research says “no.”  Read more about what you can do to protect yourself from what some experts are calling the dangers of fluoride . . . 

Important Nutrition Advice for Expectant Moms

It used to be that a new mom could expect a healthy baby with very little effort.  After all, a woman’s body supplies all of the God-given nutrients to grow a well-developed new life, right?  Sadly, such is not the case anymore.  


“A placenta used to be considered adequate protection for a baby, but one study found an average of 200 industrial chemicals and pollutants in the umbilical cord blood of newborn infants,” said Kathi Bratberg, RN, MS Holistic Nutrition at Alternatives http://www.ewg.org/reports/bodyburden2/execsumm.php.
   
“Many newborns are at a detriment at birth with compromised liver and immune systems.  Some are even born with allergies,” she explained.  The explosion of ADHD, autism and learning disabilities also are believed to have a genetic link, according to some experts.  “What’s worse, if the mother had a bad diet, smoked and drank alcohol, those conditions will factor into her newborn as well,” Bratberg said.


The ways in which industrial pollution begins in the womb are chronicled in the compelling YouTube video “10 Americans” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5n4HhQr25Q, produced by the Environmental Working Group http://www.ewg.org/.


That’s why Alternatives is helping expectant moms shore up their first lines of defense by identifying potential nutrition problems and designing nutritious food plans for the health of the mother and baby.  Micronutrient testing – a blood test – is now available at Alternatives. SpectraCell’s micronutrient test measures more than 32 vitamins, minerals and antioxidants in the body and evaluates how they are absorbed and utilized. 


“Expectant moms can prepare ahead of time,” Bratberg said, “by eating clean foods, healthy fats and proper proteins.  If a new mom is healthy, then she’ll be passing on healthy attributes to her new baby.  In fact, if a woman is even thinking of getting pregnant, she should begin to prepare her body through proper nutrition and supplements.”  Alternatives offers many resources and expertise into proper eating plans for expectant moms and children. 


A quarterly movie series will delve into the subject of chemical and toxic pollutants in our food chain and a discussion afterwards will cover the healthy alternatives that parents can consider for their children.  “We will get parents the information they need to make healthy changes in their children’s diets,” Bratberg said.  Cooking can be time-consuming, but it also should be a family affair, Bratberg noted.  “Mom isn’t the only one who has to cook.  Kids can get involved as well and they’re more willing to eat what they prepare,” she added.


“If you can get your kids started on good healthy foods and fats, and keep them away from toxins, sugars and artificial sweeteners, hopefully the genetic predisposition of poor nutrition.”

For additional information about healthy eating, go to the Westin A. Price Foundation at http://www.westonaprice.org/.