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You have probably heard about Antioxidants. You can find them in the health section of your local supermarket and they are frequently advertised in the media. Most of the Antioxidant supplements that are available in your local supermarket or health food store contain a mixture of vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E and usually also some minerals such as zinc and/or selenium; some may also include herbs such as ginkgo grape seed, and milk thistle.

These substances have all been scientifically documented to have significant antioxidant actions. However, for the reasons discussed below, these products generally fall far short of supplying what the body really needs in order to be truly effective.

Free Radicals

In order to understand what Antioxidants can do for us we need to understand what ‘free radicals’ are, how they are produced in the body, and what sort of damage they can cause.

Put simply, free radicals are a group of  chemical substances that are produced in quite small quantities in the body all of the time. Certain circumstances such as  exposure to environmental pollutants, ‘bad’  dietary fats, physical over exertion, emotional stress, and cigarette smoke cause an increase in free radicals.

There are many different types of free radicals. However the one thing that they all have in common is an unstable oxygen atom, which, much like a strong acid, causes them to literally ‘eat a hole’ in the delicate structures of the body’s basic unit of life: the cell.

If it were not for the natural antioxidant defense systems that are produced by the body, we would all  keel over and die after taking our first few breaths! However, our own natural defenses, plus the antioxidants in fruits and vegetables, have kept humanity alive and well over the long course of our development.

Since the late 1950’s, scientists have come to recognize the fact that the damage caused by free radicals is the leading cause behind the increased prevalence of such degenerative diseases as cancer, heart disease, stroke, Alzheimer's disease, arthritis and diabetes.

Alarming facts

The alarming fact that has only recently come to light is that the damage leading up to these diseases BEGINS IN CHILDHOOD AND ADOLESCENCE.

Since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, over a century ago, our bodies have been subject to an ever increasing number of stresses that have dramatically increased the levels of free radicals that are formed in our bodies. The introduction of thousands of man-made chemicals into the environment, many of which end up in our food and water and air; the processing of foods; and the increasing levels of stress—to name a few.

At the same time, modern agricultural and food storage practices have resulted in reduced levels of essential vitamins and minerals in our foods. Therefore  we are less able to prevent and repair the damage to cells that is caused by free radicals.

Facts to consider

Before you race down to the health section of your local supermarket to buy the latest antioxidant supplement, there are a few things that you will need to look out for:

1. The requirements of adults and children are very different, so be sure that the formulation is specific for the age of the person.

2. Because free radicals come in many different varieties, you will need an antioxidant mixture with as wide a variety as possible of different antioxidant ingredients. There is a danger in using one antioxidant alone, or even a formula with 2, 3 or 4 different ones: they can actually cause an increase in free radical activity.

3. The formula should also contain a balanced mixture of essential vitamins and minerals to support the action of the specific antioxidants.

We now know that the increased incidence of degenerative diseases such as cancer, heart disease, stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, arthritis and diabetes, is due to the cumulative damage caused by free radicals, and that this damage begins in childhood and adolescence.

Supplements

In order to gain adequate protection from free radicals in our increasingly polluted environment we need to take daily supplements that include:

1. A wide variety of specific antioxidants to deal with the various different types of free radicals.

2. The necessary vitamins, minerals and other co-factors to support the action of  the antioxidant supplements.

3. A complete and balanced mixture of essential vitamins and minerals to promote optimal body function and repair.

You should bear in mind that a mixture of many different antioxidants should be taken because the neutralisation of free radicals involves several steps.

Caution

At each step the antioxidant is converted into a free radical which is then neutralised by another antioxidant, and so on until the end step which produces harmless carbon dioxide and water. Unless there are enough different antioxidants to fill all of the steps, you may end up with more free radicals being produced. So simply increasing the intake of one or two antioxidants may lead to more harm than good. You need to take a balanced mixture of them.

The important antioxidants include:

1. Vitamin & mineral antioxidants: Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Vitamin A (or Beta Carotene which is converted to Vitamin A in the body), Zinc, Iron, Selenium, Copper, Manganese.

2. Substances that are both produced by the body as well as obtained from food: Coenzyme Q10, alpha lipoic acid.

3. Flavonoids: Citrus (bioflavinoids), grape seed (procyanidins), green tea (catechins), ginkgo leaf, tomato (lycopene), lutein, bilberry (anthocyanins), milk thistle (sylimarin), soy (isoflavones).  (Article written by Tony Reid. DTCM, DAc, CCP, MAACMA)

Tips:   Childrens food supplements are available and are recommended by may diatitians and natropaths.

Remember:  Our food is depleated of many nutriants due to intence farming methods and poor soil quality.  

If you would like more information on this and other similar topics our E-books are packed full of practical parenting tips.  Down load an E-Book specifically related to your child's age group through Publications at Our Shop.

How Cradle 2 Kindy Can Help

Cradle 2 Kindy can help you with advice on solids and dietary ideas for all ages.   We can also help with suggested recommended food supplements for children and adults.

To make a booking call Cradle 2 Kindy on 1300 786 101

Also see: What happens at a Coaching session?

More Articles on Food and Nutrition

Disclaimer: Article on our website are for education purposes only.  Please consult with your doctor to make sure this information is right for your child.

All articles on this website have a copyright. The use of any material must have permission from Cradle 2 Kindy Parenting Solutions.

Childhood and adolescence is a period of rapid growth and development, especially for the brain and nervous system, the digestive system and the immune system.

During this time, it is vital that a child receives high quality raw materials in the form of proteins, vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids. Furthermore, it is essential that the complete spectrum of nutrients are supplied in the right amounts in order to ensure normal growth and repair. 

After the age of two, a child’s nutritional needs are much the same as those of an adult, and a balanced diet should be carefully chosen according to the ‘Revised Food Pyramid’ (RFP) recommendations (details covered in the next issue).

Food Group Servings

Each day, the number of servings for each food group should be approximately:

Vegetables: 5-7; Fruits: 2-3; Whole grain (cereal, bread, pasta) 3-5; Proteins (fish, chicken, lean meat, legumes) 2-3; Good oils and oil rich foods(nuts, seeds, olive oil, flax oil) 4; Dairy (low fat) 1-2. 

Junk foods, including refined carbohydrates, deep fried foods and those foods containing hydrogenated oils should be avoided.  Like many things in life, this is an ideal to strive towards, though not  always easily achieved.

Food Supplements

A simple and effective way to ensure that your child’s daily nutritional needs are met is with a high quality nutritional supplement, containing a balanced blend of the required vitamins, minerals and antioxidants necessary for optimal health.

Most of us are familiar with the concept of the ‘Basic Four Food Groups’ and the ‘Eating Right Food Pyramid’.  However we may not be aware that the scientific research over the past thirty years has shown that these concepts are out of date and may even have been contributing to the enormous increase in diabetes and heart disease.

These degenerative diseases are now occurring much more frequently in children and adolescents (particularly diabetes), as is also attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder  (ADHD). Nutritionists the world over agree that diet plays a major part in the development of these conditions.

How are we to nourish our children, as well as ourselves, correctly so as to reduce the risk of these diseases, and promote good health?  The answer lies in the newly developed ‘Optimal Health Food Pyramid’, recently devised by Dr Michael Murray and Dr Michael Lyon. It is  based on the scientific research from the last thirty years, also taking into account our ancestry, the quality of foods currently available, modern environmental conditions and our current lifestyle.

Optimal Health Food Pyramid

The ‘Optimal Health Food Pyramid’, also provides additional recommendations for basic supplement and lifestyle components.

The bottom, largest, section of the pyramid, contains vegetables, 5-7 servings. and 4 servings of oil rich foods (nuts, seeds, and salad oils such as olive, flax, macadamia and canola). On the next level are whole grains, 3-5 servings, and legumes (i.e. beans and peanuts), 2-3 servings (or 4-5 for vegetarians). Closer to the top we have fruits, 2-3 servings and high quality protein (lean chicken or turkey, fish, eggs), 2-3 servings. At the top are dairy foods (low fat), 1-2 servings, which may be substituted by a calcium supplement. Below the Pyramid are the basic lifestyle and supplement recommendations: daily exercise (stretching, strengthening and aerobics), pure water (8-12 glasses), and basic nutritional supplements (high potency multivitamin and multimineral, fish oils and a greens drink). (Article written by Tony Reid. DTCM, DAc, CCP, MAACMA)

Tips:  Introduce fruit and vegetables as snack foods for morning and afternoon tea. 

Remember:  Good eating habits start young.

If you would like more information on this and other similar topics our E-books are packed full of practical parenting tips.  Down load an E-Book specifically related to your child's age group through Publications at Our Shop. 

How Cradle 2 Kindy Can Help

Cradle 2 Kindy can assist you with professional advice on nutrition for your whole family and provide you with suggestions or your child's diet.  We can also help with suggested recommended food supplements for children and adults.   

Call Cradle 2 Kindy and make a booking for your personal coach to visit and talk about your child’s needs on 1300 786 101 

Also see: What happens at a Coaching session?

More Articles on Food and Nutrition

Disclaimer: Article on our website are for education purposes only.  Please consult with your doctor to make sure this information is right for your child.

All articles on this website have a copyright. The use of any material must have permission from Cradle 2 Kindy Parenting Solutions.

The Importance of Pharmaceutical-Grade Fish Oils

The omega-3 essential dietary fats have been receiving a lot of publicity recently. Every health-food shop and most chemists are displaying large bottles containing up to 200 clear capsules of fish oil -rich in omega-3 ‘essential fatty acids’. With free information brochures outlining their many benefits.

How important are these oils?....Do we really need to include a supplement in our diet? …. Do children need them too?

Essential ‘fatty acids’ 

(or ‘fats’) are just that: they are essential ingredients of our daily diet. Your body cannot make them for itself. They are required every day to perform many different functions in your and your child’s body. There are two types of essential fats: omega-3 and omega-6. The ideal ratio in your diet should be 2-3 to 1 omega-3 to omega-6 fats.

Unfortunately, most of us are getting way too much omega-6 fats in our diet. These are found in vegetable oils, cooking oils, meats, margarine, etc.  Whereas rich sources of omega-3 fats are limited to cold-water fish, flax  and pumpkin seeds. This imbalance has two results. First, there are usually not enough of the omega-3 fats to perform their important functions, and, secondly, the excessive amounts of omega-6 actually reverses the beneficial effects of the omega-3.

What exactly are these beneficial effects?

First and foremost, your brain is made up of mostly DHA, the omega-3 fat that is found in fish oil. A shortage of DHA causes inevitable brain degeneration, which may lead to Alzheimer's disease in adults and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children.

Omega-3 fats also act in the body to produce chemical messengers called ‘prostaglandins’, which protect us from developing breast cancer, lung cancer, and prostate cancer.

The benefits continue with prevention of cardiovascular disease, adult-onset diabetes, some skin diseases and rheumatoid arthritis.

It is vital that you and your child include omega-3 fats in your diet every day. This will ensure normal, healthy growth and development, as well as protection against degenerative diseases later in life.

Dietary supplements

As dietary sources of omega-3 fats are limited, a good policy is to take a daily supplement. Fish oils are the best choice. These oils are extracted from large cold-water fish (such as salmon, mackerel, herring or halibut), which are high up on the food chain. This means that they are bound to be contaminated with heavy metals (e.g. mercury), pesticides and other environmental contaminants.

The only way to deal with this is for the oil to be purified by a process called ‘molecular distillation’. This will remove all of the contaminants, including mercury, to produce a PHARMACEUTICAL GRADE fish oil supplement.

This process, while necessary, also adds to the cost. Therefore you should look for a supplement that states on the label that it is pharmaceutical grade, guaranteed pure, without any contamination.  (Article writen by Tony Reid. DTCM, DAc, CCP, MAACMA)

Tips:  Omega-3 has been noted for its ability to assist with unruly behaviour in children.

Remember:  It is advisable to take a regular dose of Omega-3 throughout our lives to inhance our health and the health of our children.  

If you would like more information on this and other similar topics our E-books are packed full of practical parenting tips.  Down load an E-Book specifically related to your child's age group through Publications at Our Shop.

How Cradle 2 Kindy Can Help

Our professional parenting coaches will provide you with assistance and advice on children’s diet and supplementary needs. 

Call Cradle 2 Kindy to book your personal coach on 1300 786 101

Also see: What happens at a Coaching session?

More Articles on Food and Nutrition

Disclaimer: Article on our website are for education purposes only.  Please consult with your doctor to make sure this information is right for your child.

All articles on this website have a copyright. The use of any material must have permission from Cradle 2 Kindy Parenting Solutions.