The Very Good Things For Babies
Regarding the things that should be eaten:
Choline (Do NOT confuse this with chlorine)
- “Maternal choline levels are critical for fetal brain development, indicated a University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill study in a supplement to the October Journal of the American College of Nutrition. Rat pups that received choline supplements in utero exhibited lifelong memory enhancement. This improvement in memory function may reflect improved hippocampal development. Translating the results to humans, the author suggested that eating one or two eggs a day could help pregnant women maintain the appropriate choline levels for fetal development.”
Neurology Reviews
Non-animal, and therefore much healthier, sources of choline (which is one of the B vitamins) include: cauliflower, soybeans, grape juice, and cabbage.
Folic Acid
- “One study presented to the court showed that pregnant women who were given 800 mcg. of folic acid in multivitamin supplements experienced a 100% reduction in neural tube defects, compared with a 40% to 80% reduction resulting from a 400 mcg. dosage. According to a recent survey, only 30% of women of childbearing age know that folic acid reduces birth defects. By censoring this information about folic acid, the FDA was condemning tens of thousands of babies to crippling and irreversible birth defects… The FDA recently lost the case. An estimated 350,000 birth defects occurred in America during the time the folic acid lawsuit was in progress.” (See Pilgrims Rest link below)
The March of Dimes, which pretends to be experts in preventing birth defects, still recommends 400 mcg.
While all neonatal multi-vitamins contain folic acid, a pregnant woman should get half or more of her folic acid from natural sources. Natural sources include: eggs, yeast & brewer’s yeast, mushrooms, oranges, orange juice, other citrus fruits and juices, leafy green vegetables, beans, peanuts, legumes, broccoli, asparagus, peas, split peas, lentils, barley, bran, brown rice, cheese, chicken, dates, lamb, liver, milk, mushrooms, pork, root vegetables, salmon, tuna, wheat germ, wheat and whole-grain products.
Eggs, yeast, and especially brewer’s yeast, should be avoided. Thus, the focus should be on the plant sources.
Omega-3: EFA and DHA
Another nutrient critical for fetal brain development is omega-3. The very long chain omega-3s can be obtained by eating fish, especially salmon. Sea algae is another source of the DHA. But perhaps the easiest way to get EFA and DHA is to take a teaspoon or more of very high quality cod liver oil which is high in EFA and DHA. Carlson’s is such a brand and is available at most health food stores. See this book:
The DHA Story, by Robert Abel, Jr., M.D.
The less critical forms of omega-3 can be obtained from flaxseed (e.g. flaxseed oil) and walnuts. As long as you are at it, also make sure you MIX the liquid, refrigerated flaxseed oil with cottage cheese or yogurt, prior to eating. By mixing liquid flaxseed oil with one of these dairy products the omega-3 will become water soluble and much more usable by the body.
- “Recently it has been discovered that the Omega-3 fats are necessary for the complete development of the human brain during pregnancy and the first two years of life. The Omega-3 fat and its derivative, DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), is so essential to a child’s development that if a mother and infant are deficient in it, the child’s nervous system and immune system may never fully develop, and it can cause a lifetime of unexplained emotional, learning, and immune system disorders.”
John Finnegan at http://www.mercola.com/beef/omega3.htm
See this cancer article on how to create water-soluable omega-3, which is the best kind of omega-3:
Johanna Budwig Diet (omega-3)
MSM
It is impossible to underestimate the importance of methyl molecules to a new fetus. They are critical to cell development, the immune system, the nervous system and a host of other chemical reactions in the developing fetus.
How to Make MSM Water
Iodine
Another critical substance for pregnant women is iodine. While a woman might think to get iodine from iodized table salt (which is refined salt and is bad for a person), it would be far better to get it from natural sea salt. Seasilver ™, Coral Calcium ™, supplements for trace minerals, and nutrients with kelp added, may also be good sources – check the ingredients. Other critical nutrients in these products are natural salts and trace minerals.
Also, there is an excellent product called Transfer Point Beta Glucan THAT I STRONGLY ENCOURAGE READERS TO TAKE!
Natural Vitamin E
Virtually all neonatal multi-vitamins include Vitamin E. However, virtually all of them include synthetic Vitamin E. If this is what you are taking, you should go to a health food store and buy some natural Vitamin E and add this to what you are taking.
- “A new landmark study suggests that pregnant women should ask their physicians for a prenatal supplement that contains natural vitamin E for optimal health insurance. According to this new research, the human placenta can deliver natural vitamin E to the fetus in much greater concentration (3.5 to one) than the synthetic supplement.Natural and synthetic vitamin E are not the same. Previous research has shown natural vitamin E is better retained and more biologically active than synthetic. To identify the kind of vitamin E in a supplement, it is necessary to read the ingredients listed on the label. Natural vitamin E begins with “d,” as in “d-alpha-tocopherol.” The synthetic version begins with “dl.”
…
Premature babies are usually low in vitamin E. Neonatologists often put these babies on lung machines and respirators to help them breathe. Sometimes, too much oxygen can cause oxidative stress, which is why oxygen is sometimes referred to as a dangerous friend. Oxygen can produce free radical damage when it’s administered through respirators. Studies have shown that vitamin E helps premature babies fight off oxidative stress damage to the heart, lungs and eyes and defend against destruction of red blood cells that can lead to anemia.”We know that vitamin E can help red blood cells survive in premature infants,” Dr. Acuff said. “So if we know that the natural type of vitamin E is best absorbed by the mother and transported to the fetus, then we should try to provide as much protection as possible if we have even an inkling that it might be what is best for the fetus.“If I were in neonatology, I’d be very concerned about putting premature babies in respirators or an oxygen tent without antioxidant protection.””
http://www.pslgroup.com/dg/63882.htm
Sunlight (i.e. Vitamin D)
- “The journal New Scientist reported Feb. 8 that growing evidence indicates mothers-to-be who are not exposed to enough sunlight can develop a vitamin D deficiency that may alter their baby’s brain in the womb, potentially laying the groundwork for schizophrenia in the child.”
USA Today
The lack of sunlight may also cause a baby to eventually develop Type 1 (i.e. Type I) diabetes. See this interview:
http://www.newstarget.com/003205.html
Alpha Lipoic Acid (e.g. Lipoic Acid)
Alpha Lipoic Acid is one of the major antioxidants. But it is one of the few antioxidants that gets past the blood-brain barrier. This makes it ideal for both the mother’s brain and the baby’s brain.
However, that is not why I mention ALA. I mention it because it is one of the prime chelation nutrinets of mercury (i.e. it helps remove mercury from the body). So even though it would be ideal for a woman to have her dental amalgam removed, in reality most women will not do that, even though it will help them avoid Alzheimer’s and dementia as they grow old.
ALA and raw apples (it is the fiber in the apples) are two of the many things that will help remove mercury from the body. But having it removed is by far the best choice. (Note: See my article on Alzheimer’s to learn more about mercury and other heavy metals.)
Check with your doctor before taking any unusual supplements or unusually high dosages of normal supplements!!
| Websites | The Good Things To Take |
|---|---|
| CSPI | Good and bad food additives – good general article |
| Why Breastfeed | 101 Reasons to Breastfeed |
| CureZone | Omega-3 critical (i.e. GOOD) for baby’s brain development |
| Prevention News | Two important nutrients for fetus brain development |
| David Lin | Superb article on DHA (a type of omega 3), includes Trans-Fatty Acids |
| Pregnancy Today | A good general site on pregnancy |
| Thyroid Manager | Iodine Deficiency Disorders (IDD) |
| Colorado State U. | Thyroid Hormones (related to Iodine – IDD) |