Chocolate, Hearts & Baby

Chocolate! Oh Chocolate….
Who knew Valentines Day could be so good for you. Chocolates history dates back to the Mayans who believed not only  in its divine origins but it’s medicinal properties. Cacao has long been used to reduce fever, anemia, poor appetite, mental fatigue, TB, gout, kidney stones, low virility and to help poor breast milk production digestion, constipation and the nervous system. Today we know how cacao reduces stress, and flavanols improve cognitive function.  Cacao has potassium, phosphorus, copper, iron, zinc magnesium, manganese, vitamin C and omega fatty acids that help cardiovascular heart health. In addition cacao help release dopamine and endorphins further reducing PMS symptoms and depression. . .    It’s chromium content helps blood sugar levels. Together chocolates qualities calms and excites your heart in an aphrodisiac way …..
Raw organic chocolate is of course more nutritious than roasted or more processed beans. and choclate should be consumed dark as the minute milk is included, cacao looses its benefits as dairy’s Sodium Casein protein reduces your body’s ability to absorb nutrients.

Knowing all this, just imagine the benefits for mom and baby. Actually, science from Ylae University shows that pregnant moms consuming chocoalte 5 times a week, have 40% less risk of preeclampsia, than women eating choclate less than once a week. The University of Helsinki, Finland, found daily prenatal choclate consumption produced infants less fearful and laughing more at 6 months.  Perhaps we can assume that all this chocolate also helps make babies with healthier hearts, minds and happier through life.

Rhythmic hearts of Mom & Baby.

Speaking of hearts …… moms bond with baby in more ways than thought…researchers at the University of Aberdeen, have found that the heart of mother and fetus beats harmoniously together with the same rhythm. Sweet.

Breast feeding and stronger Muscles.

It seems according to a University of Granada study that on top of all other breast milk benefits, it also creates children with stronger muscles and larger muscles, and kids that perform better athletically. Best results came with the longest nursing time (over 6 months). With the heart being a muscle and necessity for athletic performance, perhaps it is improved  by breast milk as well.

Good and Bad Formulas.

We already know that formula feeding infants causes more weight gain and higher obesity risks  than breastfeeding. But Julie Menella Ph.D of the Monell Center studied different formulas and found that infants fed formula made of Protein hydrolysate rather than cow’s milk gained less weight due to its pre-digested proteins, higher protein, peptide and amino acid content.

Vaginal Delivery Safer for Breech Babies.

New research from the Tel Aviv University is showing that C-sections may not be the best way to deliver breech babies. In fact breech babies are generally at no more risk during vaginal than C-section, but vaginal delivery may be safer for mothers.  C-section is easier for doctors and of course at times necessary , but scientist Marek Glezerman  says many women can medically bu returning to natural deliveries. “We are trying to unite obstetricians and midwives  in the field to revive vaginal delivery for breech presentations, the skilled has disappeared…”
http://www.breechbirth.ca/Research.html

Vitamin A could save millions of Children.

Cochran scientists recently found that vitamin A supplementation could save a million children a year by reducing measles and diarrhea. UNICEF says says 2 million children die annually from diarrhea. and according to Cochran 190 million children are vitamin A deficient globally.

More on Vitamin A:
A fat-soluble vitamin occurring naturally in 2 forms: preformed A and beta-carotene. The richest source of preformed A is found in fish-oil. Beta-carotene in carrots and greens. Preformed A is easier to absorb than carotene which needs to be converted into A for absorption. However, beta carotene is safer as the body will only convert it to as much A as it needs. More than 5000 IU’s of vitamin A during pregnancy can cause birth defects. But certain disorders like diabetes may be unable to absorb carotene. Vitamin A is vital for immune function, all tissue (skin, hair, eyes, organs) growth,repair, and protection, helps fight infections and regenerates cells for proper body functions including fertility and miscarriage prevention. Deficiencies have shown to cause difficult births, fetal death, cleft palate and other congenital birth defects.  Vitamin A also aids in sex hormone and mucus production.Cooking and pureeing vegetables helps absorption. Vitamin A needs zinc and fat for absorption, and works with vitamin E, D, and C. Cold weather hinders absorption and stress calls for more A.

Black Swan star Natalie Portman has reve

Black Swan star Natalie Portman has revealed that she swims every day as part of her pregnancy fitness regime. http://ow.ly/3G4kl

Childhood food intake may affect fertili

Childhood food intake may affect fertility as an adult. http://ow.ly/3sJqZ

Child hood food intake may affect fertil

Child hood food intake may affect fertility as an adult.

Fertility

Vitamin C and Fertility.We all know now that eating healthy and taking supplements with all micro-nutrients are important for proper fertility. However, keeping things in balance is important. Especially with vitamin C for both parents. Some vitamin C in moderate doses can help with fertility as it improves cervical fluid for better sperm transportation and keeps sperm alive longer in the uterus. But too much vitamin C may dry up the cervical fluids so be careful if trying to get pregnant during the winter when many take mega doses of C to prevent colds and flues. Even for men vitamin C matters as it protects the DNA of sperm (hint: better fertility from better sperm count, mobility & having a healthier baby).  DNA damage may cause miscarriage and chromosomal damage to baby. Optimal doses range around 500 and no more than 1,000 mg a day if trying to get pregnant.

A Mans Laptop Usage can Cook his Scrotum.. New research published in the medial journal Fertility and Sterility (Nov 2010) reveals that laptop computers can roast a man’s testicles to the point where sperm production (and quality) starts to drop. As little as 10-15 minutes of keeping a laptop on the lap, can heat up the testicles enough to cause lowered sperm production and motility. See more info at Natural News.

Painkillers lead to male infertility.
Common painkillers such as Aspirin and Ibuprofen (Advil) has been found by scientist in France, Denmark and Finland to disrupt proper hormone function in humans more so than exposure to the 10 top prevalent ones currently known (Phthalates, BPA’s etc…). The Human Reproduction Journal says a pregnant woman who takes only ONE tablet in 2nd trimester double her boys chance of Cryptorchidism (testicles don’t descend to to testosterone deficiency). If she takes more than ONE pill the risk goes up 1,600%! Guardian
“The Modern World seems to be a minefield of assault against the male reproductive system.” – Mike Adams Natural News
No results have been found on possible effects on unborn girls yet. But there is no reason why that wouldn’t be the case. As well men need to think about avoiding painkillers before conceiving a child.