children – Page 2 – Lacto Bacto

Firearms and Elevated Lead Exposure In Children

SimaMarch 8, 2024March 8, 2024Leave a comment

Lead is harmful, especially for children. Lowered IQ, learning disabilities, behavioral problems - all from lead exposure. There are no safe lead levels in individuals, so you want to avoid lead and lead-containing products whenever possible. So it shouldn't be a surprise that a study found that owning guns (firearms) is correlated with elevated lead levels in children.

The cause is the lead ammunition (bullets) and primer used in the firearms. Lead styphnate is commonly used in the primer, which is the explosive that ignites the gunpowder. When a bullet is fired, fumes and fine lead particles are released into the air.

The researchers point out: When lead bullets are used, and the guns are discharged, then lead dust is produced. This lead dust gets everywhere, including on clothes, the body, personal items (e.g., phone, bags, laptop), and in vehicles. The lead dust is brought home, where it further settles on toys, the floor, rugs, and upholstery.

By the way, for hunters bringing home meat they killed with lead bullets - the lead (from tiny fragments or microscopic pieces) gets into the meat far from the bullet. So they are eating meat contaminated with lead. And the more of this meat is eaten, the higher the blood levels in the person.

Bottom line: Use non-lead bullets in firearms.

From Science Daily: Firearm ownership is correlated with elevated lead levels in children, study finds

Childhood lead exposure, primarily from paint and water, is a significant health concern in the United States, but a new study has identified a surprising additional source of lead exposure that may disproportionately harm children: firearms. ...continue reading "Firearms and Elevated Lead Exposure In Children"

Study Found Vitamin D Supplements Do Not Prevent Fractures In Children

SimaDecember 8, 2023Leave a comment

Another disappointing result for Vitamin D supplements. A large study, with school-aged children randomly assigned to either a vitamin D supplement group or no supplement, found that vitamin D supplementation had no effect on the number of fractures that occurred in the children. Vitamin D3 supplementation did not prevent fractures or have an effect on bone strength.

Most children were vitamin D deficient at the beginning of the 3 year study (but none had rickets, for which vitamin D is prescribed). The vitamin D supplement (14,000 IU/week for 3 years) group soon had normal levels while the other group stayed at low levels. And yet there were no differences in the percentage getting fractures (6% in both groups) over time.

From Science Daily: Vitamin D supplements do not prevent bone fractures in children

A major clinical trial led by Queen Mary University of London and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health has found that vitamin D supplements do not increase bone strength or prevent bone fractures in children with vitamin D deficiency. The findings challenge widely held perceptions relating to the effects of vitamin D on bone health. ...continue reading "Study Found Vitamin D Supplements Do Not Prevent Fractures In Children"

ADHD Medications and Increased Risk of Heart Disease

SimaDecember 1, 2023Leave a comment

Many children and adults have been diagnosed with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) and been prescribed medications as a result. Medications that are taken daily for years. The big question is: Are there long-term health effects from ADHD medications?

A large study looking at long-term use of ADHD medications found an increase in cardiovascular disease, particularly hypertension and arterial disease, when compared to persons with ADHD who did not take medications. The longer the medications were taken, the higher the risk for hypertension and arterial disease.

In the 14 year follow-up, the researchers found that each 1 year increase of ADHD medication was associated with a 4% increased risk of heart disease (cardiovascular disease). The risk was higher for stimulant medications (e.g., methylphenidate, lisdexamfetamine) than for non-stimulant medications.

From Medical Xpress: Long-term ADHD medication use associated with increased cardiovascular disease

Research led by the Karolinska Institutet, Sweden, has found an increased risk of cardiovascular disease associated with long-term ADHD ( attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder) medication use. Specific associations with different medications and dosages were connected to hypertension and arterial disease, with a higher risk observed for stimulant medications. ...continue reading "ADHD Medications and Increased Risk of Heart Disease"

Commonly Used Pesticides and the Adolescent Brain

SimaNovember 24, 2023November 23, 2023Leave a comment

Once again a study looked at pesticide exposure in humans and found health problems. This time a study by Univ. Of California researchers looked at exposures to the commonly used pesticides 2,4-D and glyphosate, and found that they are associated with neurobehavioral effects in teenagers.

Neurobehavioral effects means there are effects on the relationship between the brain and nervous system and behavior. The study found that 2,4-D had significant effects on brain function - with lower performance on tests measuring attention and inhibition control, language, memory/learning, and visual-spatial processing, while glyphosate had effects on social perception.

Studies finding harmful health effects from both of these pesticides (e.g., cancer, neurological effects, endocrine disrupting effects) are increasing each year.

By the way, almost all of us have the herbicide glyphosate (found in Roundup) in our bodies. Most of us also have 2,4-D residues in our bodies because of its common use as a weed-killer, especially in Feed and Weed products (used on lawns) and in crops.

We get pesticides into our bodies through the foods we eat and drink, air we breathe, and skin contact. Pesticide exposure to glyphosate and 2,4-D is actually increasing due to the increased use in genetically modified (e.g., Roundup Ready) crops and "preharvest" use in conventional crops.

Bottom line: Try to lower your exposure to pesticides. Eat organic foods as much as possible. (Glyphosate and 2,4-D are not allowed in organic food production.) Avoid using pesticides on your lawn. Use least toxic Integrated Pest Management for control of pests indoors and outdoors. Leave your shoes at the door.

From Medical Xpress: Research suggests commonly-used herbicide is harmful to adolescent brain function

Herbicides are the most used class of pesticides worldwide, with uses in agriculture, homes and industry. Exposures to two of the most popular herbicides were associated with worse brain function among adolescents, according to a study led by researchers at the Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science at University of California San Diego. ...continue reading "Commonly Used Pesticides and the Adolescent Brain"

Health Concerns With Artificial Turf

SimaNovember 15, 2023November 16, 2023Leave a comment

Recently the NFL Players Association called for all 30 NFL stadiums to use natural grass rather than synthetic or artificial turf. The reason given is that artificial turf causes "unnecessary injuries" in football players.

It's true. For years, including the 2022 NFL season, there were significantly more non-contact injuries to the lower extremities (e.g., ACL tears) on synthetic turf than on natural grass. By the way, the FIFA World Cup soccer association always requires a grass playing field.

But there are also other compelling reasons to not use synthetic turf - all the toxic chemicals in it. Carcinogens (e.g., cancer-causing chemicals), endocrine disruptors, "forever chemicals" (e.g., PAHs), neurotoxicants. Study after study shows that these chemicals leach out into the environment, as well as on the people playing on the turf. And yes, it is thought they cause harmful health effects, such as cancer - but the studies have not been done.

Children playing on these synthetic fields are at highest risk - they inhale the chemicals being released from the tur, get it on their skin, and ingest tiny particles. The synthetic turf also heats up excessively in hot sunny weather - from 140 to 170 degrees F. (Grass rarely heats up more than 100 degrees F.)

The following are some good articles on this topic:

Moms Clean Air Force (non-profit group working on air quality issues): Artificial Grass Isn’t Always Greener: Toxic Chemicals in Synthetic Turf

For health information about the chemicals, and tips to reduce risks if you or your child plays on synthetic turf. From The Icahn School of Medicine at Mt. Sinai: Artificial Turf Health Risks

Great (and easy to read) reports on artificial turf from the non-profit research group Environment and Human Health. Main page (scroll down) on artificial turf articles. Good article: Synthetic Turf Report: Industry's Claims Versus the Science (Hint: they explain how the synthetic turf industry lies and distorts)

From Beyond Pesticides: Sports World Rejects Synthetic Turf, Favors Natural Grass as Organic Offers Safe Alternatives

Pediatricians Say to Avoid Giving Toddler Milks to Young Children

SimaNovember 2, 2023November 3, 2023Leave a comment

Something important for parents to know about: Milks marketed to parents as "toddler milks" are unnecessary, are unregulated, don't offer any benefits over regular milk, and are nutritionally lacking . This statement is from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) report, which was issued Oct. 20, 2023.

The "toddler milks" are found everywhere, frequently next to infant formulas on grocery shelves. They generally come in powdered form and are marketed as being for toddlers and children up to the age of 3. They are nutritionally incomplete and also contain too much salt and sugar.

The AAP says that children 1 years and older should be given a balanced diet of solid foods, breast milk (optional), and pasteurized cow's milk. That's it. No need for so-called toddler milks.

By the way, infant formulas have to meet federal guidelines, but NOT these so-called "toddler milks". One researcher pointed out that they are just "gateway sugary drinks", and nutritionally inferior to ordinary milk and a balanced diet.

Bottom line: The manufacturers make unproven claims that are not true. They just want your money. $$$ Ignore them!

From Medical Xpress: So-called toddler milks are unregulated and unnecessary, a major pediatrician group says

Powdered drink mixes that are widely promoted as "toddler milks" for older babies and children up to age 3 are unregulated, unnecessary and "nutritionally incomplete," the American Academy of Pediatrics warned Friday. ...continue reading "Pediatricians Say to Avoid Giving Toddler Milks to Young Children"

Paddling In Schools Still Continues Today

SimaAugust 11, 2023Leave a comment

Wooden spanking paddle Credit: Wikipedia

It is surprising that even now 15 states in the US allow corporal punishment (e.g., "paddling") as a form of discipline in schools. For even such minor offenses as being late or not having homework done. Yikes!

Paddling means hitting a child with a long wooden paddle. Mississippi is the number one state in the frequency of hitting (corporal punishment) children in schools - more than 3800 incidents of corporal punishment were reported in 2022-2023. Boys and black children are hit more than others.

So... these states think that hitting or beating a child by a person in authority is the way to "teach" them how to behave? Violence and aggression as a teaching tool? It's no surprise that studies find all sorts of negative outcomes from corporal punishment of children.

Excerpts from Washington Post: In over 15 states, schools can still paddle students as punishment

More than 15 states, mainly in the South, allow paddling or other physical discipline in schools. Among them, Mississippi has long topped the list, relying on the practice more than any other, according to federal data. Most schools in America — more than 90 percent — do not use corporal punishment.

...continue reading "Paddling In Schools Still Continues Today"

Large Study Finds That Breastfed Babies Less Likely To Die In Their First Year

SimaJuly 28, 2023July 28, 2023Leave a comment

Breastfeeding
Credit: Wikimedia Commons/ Anton Nosik

Breast milk is beneficial a number of ways. For example, it provides some micronutrients to the baby that formula doesn't provide. It also transmits hundreds of microbial species from the mother to the baby - thus important for the baby's microbiome.

Additionally, recent research found that breastfed babies are 33% less likely to die in the first year of life. This is a huge difference! The researchers looked at data for nearly 10 million infants born in 2016 to 2018, and who were then followed for 1 year after birth.

Studies also find that breastfeeding protects against sudden infant death syndrome and necrotizing enterocolitis in preterm infants.

Bottom line: Breastfeeding should be supported and encouraged. As the study researchers point out: "breastfeeding confers a protective benefit during the first year of life".

From Science Daily: Breastfeeding is associated with a 33% reduction in first-year post-perinatal infant mortality

Among nearly 10 million US infants born between 2016 and 2018, breastfed babies were 33% less likely to die during the post-perinatal period (day 7-364) than infants who were not breastfed, reports a new study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, published by Elsevier. The findings build on previous US research with smaller datasets, which documented the association between the initiation of breastfeeding and the reduction of post-perinatal infant mortality by a range of 19% to 26%. ...continue reading "Large Study Finds That Breastfed Babies Less Likely To Die In Their First Year"

Technique May Improve the Microbiome of C-section Babies

SimaJune 22, 2023June 22, 2023Leave a comment

Recent studies suggest that "vaginal seeding " of a newborn is effective and also has beneficial health effects for the baby. Vaginal seeding is transferring some of a mother's vaginal fluids (which contain beneficial microbes) onto newborns delivered via C-section.

The reason for doing this procedure (using gauze pads) is because during a vaginal birth the baby picks up the mother's microbes as it moves through the birth canal (this is good!). Babies delivered by C-section don't pick up all these beneficial microbes - instead they get what is floating around the delivery room.

Rutgers Univ. researchers found that infants that received vaginal seeding hosted a different microbial population in their stool and skin (more like the mother's) than those who didn't in the first month after birth. The vaginal seeding had worked - the mother's microbes had become part of the baby's microbiome.

Maria Gloria Dominguez-Bello has been doing research in the area of vaginal seeding and infant microbiome for a while. (Description of vaginal seeding method she uses.)

By the way, breastfeeding the baby is also a great way to transfer maternal microbes to the baby. There are hundreds of species in the breast milk, and the species in the milk vary over time.

From Medical Xpress: Technique may restore healthy bacterial balance in C-section babies

Newborns delivered by cesarean section who are swabbed with the vaginal fluid of their mothers after birth have beneficial bacteria restored to their skin surface and stools, according to a new study. ...continue reading "Technique May Improve the Microbiome of C-section Babies"

The Bacteria Involved In Tooth Decay

SimaJune 10, 2023June 11, 2023Leave a comment

More clues were revealed in a recent study about the microbes involved in the formation of tooth decay and cavities (dental caries). Scientists and dentists have long known about Streptococcus mutans involvement in cavity formation, but they found that another bacterial species can also be involved.

In the study researchers analyzed tooth plaque of 300 children (aged 3 to 5 years) and discovered that the bacteria Selenomonas sputigena (normally involved in gum disease) can partner with S. mutans to form cavities.

Perhaps in the future microbes or enzymes will be used to fight or suppress harmful bacteria involved in dental caries. We'll see.

From Science Daily: Dentists identify new bacterial species involved in tooth decay

Collaborating researchers from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine and the Adams School of Dentistry and Gillings School of Global Public Health at the University of North Carolina have discovered that a bacterial species called Selenomonas sputigena can have a major role in causing tooth decay. ...continue reading "The Bacteria Involved In Tooth Decay"