An interesting study was released this week that made headlines stating Vitamin D can help prevent breast cancer. But reading the study what it really stated is that girls with the highest intake of Vitamin D during puberty/adolescents had the lowest incidence of breast cancer. Those with the highest amount of sun exposure had the lowest rates of breast cancer. This is very similar to my meta-analysis paper on soy phytoestrogen and breast cancer protection. (more…)

A recent study showed that women who took the Pill for at least 6 months had significantly lower concentrations of CoQ10 and Vitamin E than women who were not on the Pill. CoQ10 and vitamin E, fat soluble anti-oxidants support energy production and protects against free radical damage. CoQ10 is produced by the human body and is necessary for mitochondrial energy production as well as antioxidant protection. Although the researchers did not discuss it in their article it is interesting that the lower concentrations of Vitamin E can be because of a CoQ10 reduction, as CoQ10 helps ‘recycle’ Vitamin E. (more…)

In 2004 I wrote an unpublished meta-analysis paper investigating the potential protective mechanism of soy phytoestrogens and breast cancer. The conclusion was that “…the consumption of properly prepared fermented soy foods (miso, natto, tempeh) during adolescence appears to provide a chemoprotective effect later in life. (more…)

Our American diet is devoid of traditionally fermented foods. Even the saurekraut we purchase in the supermarket has been destroyed of its beneficial bacteria because of pasteurization. Many of us get a bit of friendly bacteria from yogurt and kefir, however even these has been pasteurized causing destruction of beneficial enzymes. After the pasteurization the the cultures we are familiar with are added to create a fermented product.
Numerous studies have shown that we can benefit from taking probiotic supplements. Recently they’ve shown to reduce sinus infections which is interesting from an Oriental Medicine perspective since the large intestine where the majority of friendly bacteria live is directly connected to the lungs and nose. However another study showed that infants with colic can benefit from bacteria. Well of course if there is an overgrowth of bad bacteria in the gut it would make anyone want to cry!
Read research abstract on probiotics and colicky babies

The product I like to use for infants is HLC Neonate or Entrin Children’s . (Both of these are available at discount through Emerson Ecologics if you setup a patient account with me.)

These probiotics are especially important for mothers that are not exclusively breastfeeding!

A research article released last week concluded the importance of a healthy maternal diet, at least during the last 4 weeks of pregnancy. It concluded that mothers who ate a diet high in omega-6 fatty acids, deep fried foods, citrus fruits and sweet raw peppers during the last 4 weeks had youngsters with a much higher allergy rate. Food allergies, inhalants, and eczema were the significant health issues. Interestingly a high intake of fish was inversely associated with eczema. I question the current scare about mercury consumption during pregnancy because it is stopping mothers from eating a very healthy food. At least mothers should be taking fish oils as obviously the anti-inflammatory effects reduced inflammation(eczema) in the offspring.

Where do the omega-6 oils come from? Usually the cheap vegetable oils and margarine. However the research only looked at omega-6 intake - perhaps the real culprit is the now thankfully maligned trans-fatty acids that go along with the cheap hydrogenated vegetable oils. Certainly if one is eating deep-fried foods they are most likely getting a good dose of omega-6 oils and trans-fatty acids. (Back at the turn of the last century lard from grass fed animals was a much better choice than the polyunsaturated oils of today!)

We already know that mothers low in folic acid at conception will cause neural tube defects. It seems that more and more kids have some sort of allergy/inflammatory issue. Perhaps it is the devitalized processed foods that permeate our culture!

Here is additional research published this week as to the importance of folic acid supplementation for pre-menopausal sexually active women. If you don’t have enough folic acid and get pregnant it may be too late to prevent a cleft lip or spina bifida. Recommendations are for 400mcg/day for pre-menopausal women and 600-1000mcg/day for pregnant women.

The dietary sources of folic acid are…well think foliage (hence the name). Lettuces, Kale, Collards, Broccoli, Nutritional yeast. The legumes lentil and chickpeas are also good sources.

See Folate, pregnancy & facial clefts

George Mandler
Licensed Acupuncturist & Nutritionist Dietitian
Acupuncture, Chinese Medicine, & Nutrition
Boston, Jamaica Plain, Brookline, Massachusetts