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DHA is a long-chained polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acid that is essential for normal infant brain and eye development. DHA is naturally found in abundance in cold water fish, fish oil, organ meats and omega-3 enriched eggs. Normally, DHA accumulates in the infant’s nervous system during the third trimester of pregnancy, so pre-term babies are at the highest risk for deficiency. Pregnant and lactating mothers should eat foods high in DHA (fatty fish, omega-3 enriched eggs) or its precursors (flaxseed, hemp, chia seed). DHA can also be taken as a fish-oil derived supplement or as a vegan source made from wild marine algae oil. Look for a supplement designed for use during pregnancy and lactation. Until recently, infant formula did not contain DHA. Today, many infant formulas are fortified with DHA made from wild marine algae oil. While this may seem to be a good idea, infant formula containing marine-oil based DHA has been known to cause side effects such as diarrhea and projectile vomiting in some infants. This may be due to the slightly different chemical composition of marine oil DHA than DHA produced by animals. The American Academy of Pediatrics does not have an official position on DHA supplementation and is in the process of evaluation. The issue of adding marine oil DHA to infant formula remains controversial due to the lack of long-term infant feeding studies. DHA taken in supplemental form by nursing mothers has no known negative effects.
Quercetin is a flavonoid that is found in many fruits and vegetables such as onions, garlic, citrus fruits, berries and apples. It is one of the most abundant and best studied of all flavanoids. Quercetin sold as a dietary supplement is derived primarily from citrus fruits, although it is available from other sources for those with an allergy to citrus. As a supplement, it is a yellow-colored powder that is available in capsules, tablets and liquids. Often, quercetin is found in combination with other bio flavonoids and vitamin C. One of the main uses of quercetin is as a supplement for allergies, asthma, arthritis and other inflammatory conditions. Quercetin helps to prevent the release of histamine from mast cells, thus slowing down symptoms of allergy such as itching, sneezing, watery eyes, etc. Quercetin can be found combined with nettles for hayfever. Quercetin is an important anti-oxidant with great potential as an anti-cancer agent. It also has known positive effects on the cardiovascular system, including treatment of hypertension. A high dose of quercetin reduced blood pressure in stage 1 hypertensive patients in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study. There is also some preliminary evidence that quercetin is helpful for relieving symptoms of interstitial cystitis and chronic prostatits. Quercetin may also be helpful for those who have COPD.
Undoubtedly the most important nutrient of our decade, vitamin D is really not a vitamin but a pro-hormone. In fact it is so important for our health that we make it in our skin out of cholesterol in the presence of sunlight. It has been known for years that adequate intakes of vitamin D can help to prevent rickets and osteoporosis. However, what is not well-known is that vitamin D can prevent a number of diseases unrelated to bone health, including: cancers of breast, colon, ovary and Non-Hodgkins lymphoma; type I diabetes; multiple sclerosis; heart attacks (in men) and possibly heart disease, autism, asthma and much more. There is strong evidence that having adequate intakes of vitamin D decreases your risk of dying from ALL CAUSES of disease. Researchers are actively engaged in determining all of the benefits of vitamin D sufficiency. For more information about how you can participate in a study and get your vitamin D level tested very inexpensively through a home finger-stick blood test, contact the Vitamin D-Action-Group, a non-profit public health promotion organization at www.grassrootshealth.net BACK to main page |
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