Researchers have found that a mother’s nurturing love physically fosters the growth of a region in the child’s brain that is key to learning, memory and responding to stress. In a study funded by the U.S. National Institute of Mental Health, the researchers found that some children had a hippocampus almost 10% larger than theirContinue reading “How a mother’s love changes her child’s brain growth”
Category Archives: Babies/ Children
Pets boost children’s immunity
Studies show that children who have pets at home are more likely to have stronger immune systems and take fewer days off school. Researchers at Warwick University found that antibody levels in pet-owning children were significantly more stable, indicating that they had robust immune systems. These findings apparently support the “dirty hypothesis”, the researchers say.Continue reading “Pets boost children’s immunity”
You, your developing baby and environmental toxins to avoid
Preconception and prenatal exposure to environmental toxins can have a detrimental impact on fetal development and lead to potentially long-lasting health effects. Though the evidence is mounting, the majority of reproductive health professionals have little training on how to effectively counsel patients in this regard. Seattle Children’s Research Institute’s Sheela Sathyanarayana, MD, MPH, and herContinue reading “You, your developing baby and environmental toxins to avoid”
Study: Vitamin D in pre-teen girls protects from bone injuries
A new study reveals that girls and young women who get lots of vitamin D through their diet and supplements are half as likely to suffer a stress fracture as those who don’t. Stress fractures are small cracks in the bone that typically results from high-impact exercise, including running or gymnastics. Bone strength in teenageContinue reading “Study: Vitamin D in pre-teen girls protects from bone injuries”
Arsenic found in baby food (again)
A sweetener used in many organic foods may be a hidden source of arsenic, new research suggests. The sweetener, organic brown rice syrup, is found in some infant formulas. Of the 17 infant milk formulas tested, 2 had listed organic brown rice syrup as the primary ingredient. These two formulas, one dairy-based and one soy-based,Continue reading “Arsenic found in baby food (again)”
Fish oil supplementation during pregnancy: what’s best?
Eating fish during pregnancy is a controversial topic. We all know fish are very nutritious and packed with B vitamins, lean protein, and omega-3 fats which are beneficial for the baby’s brain and cognitive development, visual development, prevention of hypertension during pregnancy as well as prevention of postpartum depression. But unfortunately, fish can also haveContinue reading “Fish oil supplementation during pregnancy: what’s best?”
Study: IVF- miscarriage linked to age and embryo type
A recent study reveals that a woman’s age and the type of embryo(s) used affect the outcome of IVF procedures. The retrospective analysis of 52,874 pregnancies recorded on the Australian and New Zealand Assisted Reproduction Database (ANZARD) showed that women younger than 35 years old are almost 3 times less likely to miscarry compared withContinue reading “Study: IVF- miscarriage linked to age and embryo type”
Do happy children become happy adults?
Happiness may actually start in childhood. British researchers from the University of Cambridge (UK) report an association between a positive childhood and well-being in adulthood. In the study, a “positive” childhood was based on teacher evaluations of students’ levels of happiness, friendship and energy at ages 13 and 15. The researchers then linked these ratings to the individuals’ mentalContinue reading “Do happy children become happy adults?”
Eating fish before age of nine months = decreased risk of wheezing and eczema
A recent study shows that feeding babies fish before nine months of age may cut their risk of pre-school wheezing. According to a Swedish study published in the December issue of Acta Paediatrica, eating fish before the age of nine months almost halved the likelihood of suffering recurrent wheezing at 4.5 years of age. TheContinue reading “Eating fish before age of nine months = decreased risk of wheezing and eczema”
Miscarriage and low levels of copper and zinc
A new study from the University of Granada has confirmed that low blood levels of copper and zinc in pregnant women may be a factor associated with miscarriage (spontaneous abortion). Dr. Jesús Joaquín Hijona Elósegui, one of the researchers in the study, points out that “despite the significant progress made in reproductive medicine, spontaneous abortion isContinue reading “Miscarriage and low levels of copper and zinc”
Dr. Ardyce Yik ND 