Poor maternal and infant nutrition can cause long-term health consequences regardless of later nutritional intervention

A landmark series of research papers on maternal and child undernutrition published in the leading international medical journal The Lancet early this month shows that children will suffer irreversible damage into their adult life if proper nutrition interventions are not delivered before the age of 24 months, says UrBod Nutritionist Melody Mackeown, who specialises in pre-conceptual care, fertility and pregnancy.

The below summaries a talk given by Professor Caroline Fall, Medical Research Council Epidemiology Resource Centre, University of Southampton, UK.

The following factors can lead to irreversible damage to a child’s health and economic prosperity, even if nutrition is improved at a later stage:
§ An undernourished mother (during pregnancy);
§ Low birth weight baby (classified as less than 5.5lb); and a
§ Undernourished infant

The consequences of the above lead to:
§ Reduced adult height, which in term reduces muscle mass (and therefore reduces the possibility of doing as much physical work or possibly sport)
§ Poorer school achievement by a year or more
- attributed to failure for brain development in very early life and undernutrition
§ Lower school attainment can then lead to lower income in later life and a lower quality of life
§ Poorer life-long health (excluding cancer, but including heart disease, diabetes, lung function, bone health and cognitive function and health)

“All of this has a knock on effect on the next generation with low-birth weight mothers more likely to give birth to low birth weight children”, which perpetuates the cycle say Professor Caroline Fall.

While malnutrition is most widespread in developing countries, according to National Report on Follow-up to the World Summit for Children, 2000, 8% of all children born in the UK have a low birth rate. This equates to around 50,000 live births each year. Consequently, early nutritional intervention in the UK will also have a profound effect on health and quality of life.

To find out more about Nutritional support during or before your pregnancy, contact UrBod Nutritionist Melody Mackeown Dip.ION (mBANT), specialist in pre-conceptual care, fertility and pregnancy care in the city of London, EC2. I have also written a free e-book on how you can improve your diet during your pregnancy, which can be obtained by clicking on my link.

Sources:
http://www.statistics.gov.uk
http://www.thelancet.com/online/focus/undernutrition
http://www.sunherald.com/447/story/304842.html

Consumption of caffeine increases risk of miscarriage

A US study in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology has found that 200mg of caffeine a day - approximately 3 cups of coffee - doubles the risk of miscarriage compared to women who avoid caffeinated products while pregnant. This is in line with other studies which have previously highlighted the risks of caffeine intake.

However, at present the current Food Standards Agency recommendation is an upper limit during pregnancy of 300mg - or four cups of coffee a day.

“As miscarriage is most likely to occur during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy”, says UrBod Nutritionist Melody Mackeown, who specialises in pre-conceptual care, fertility and pregnancy, “I would advise giving up caffeine completely if you are trying to get pregnant or are pregnant. Fortunately, as I know from experience, many women go off the taste of caffeine, so giving up caffeine may not seem as hard as you think. However, as caffeine is present in so many foods and drink sources (see table below), if you have trouble giving up or cutting down on caffeinated products seeing a Nutritionist may help. This is particularly relevant if you have a history of miscarriage.”

According to the Foods Standards Agency, 300mg of caffeine is roughly equivalent to:
Four average cups or three average mugs of instant coffee
Three average cups of brewed coffee
Six average cups of tea
Eight cans of regular cola drinks
Four cans of so-called "energy" drinks
400g (eight standard 50g bars) of normal chocolate
Please note that caffeine content in a cup of tea or coffee varies by different brands and brewing methods

To find out more about Nutritional support during or before your pregnancy, contact UrBod Nutritionist Melody Mackeown Dip.ION (mBANT), specialist in pre-conceptual care, fertility and pregnancy care in the city of London, EC2. I have also written a free e-book on how you can improve your diet during your pregnancy, which can be obtained by clicking on my link.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7195500.stm

Balancing Work and Family: 100 Resources

Having recently had a baby myself, says UrBod Nutritionist Melody Mackeown, who specialists in pre-conceptual care, fertility and pregnancy, it isn't always easy to know where to turn to get information about your rights and options. Consquently, when I was emailed the below link, I thought it might of interest to mums and mums to be.

http://www.businesscreditcards.com/bootstrapper/balancing-work-and-family-100-resources-for-pregnant-career-women

Infertility risks high among cancer patients

A new report by experts from the Royal Colleges of Physicians, Radiologists, and Obstetricians and Gynaecologists state that the NHS does not have a universal policy to maximise fertility among cancer sufferers.

The four main treatments for cancer — surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and hormonal therapy — can all affect fertility and most doctors advise women not to become pregnant until at least two years after chemotherapy because of the likelihood of the cancer coming back.

What many people do not realise is that cancer in many instances can be avoided, says UrBod Nutritionist Melody Mackeown, specialist in pre-conceptual care, fertility and pregnancy. Incredibly, the World Cancer Research Fund has estimated that 30-40% of cancers could be prevented through correct dietary choices.

Making adjustments to your diet can therefore help your body to work properly and to ward off or reverse ill-health. This is especially important if there is a history of cancer in your family, says UrBod Nutritionist Melody Mackeown.

Consequently, seeking professional dietary advice may help considerably to minimise your risk of getting cancer, says UrBod Nutritionist Melody Mackeown.

To find out more, contact Melody Mackeown

Babies at risk if mums do not take Folic Acid

UrBod Nutritionist Melody Mackeown, who specialists in pre-conceptual care, fertility and pregnancy, always recommends 400mcg (micrograms) of folic acid daily. Many women do not know they are pregnant for some weeks so it is essential that folic acid is taken all the time and especially if you know that you are trying to have a baby.

The U. S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have again strongly advised all women, especially those between 18 and 24 years of age, to make sure they get the necessary intake of folic acid says Mackeown.

However, according to a number of surveys conducted into the awareness and knowledge of taking folic acid, a surprisingly high number of mums and mums to be did not know about the health benefits which include a significant reduction in the risk of a child being born with neural tube defects, which give rise to abnormalities of the brain and spine.

While folic acid is widely accepted by health experts worldwide, says UrBod Nutritionist Melody Mackeown, there are a number of other nutrients that would hugely benefit both mums and babies, especially where there is a risk of allergies (such as eczema, asthma and hayfever) in families. Furthermore, nutrients like folic acid work better if taken with other members of the B vitamin family.

Consequently, seeking professional dietary and supplement advice may help considerably avoid this debilitating condition, says UrBod Nutritionist Melody Mackeown.

To find out more, contact Melody Mackeown

Nutritional Intervention helps endometriosis pain control

A research study published in the Fertility and Sterility Journal, December 2007 published on reuters, supports the use of dietary therapy intervention for women suffering from endometriosis.

Endometriosis affects approximately 2 million women in the UK, most of which are diagnosed between the ages of 25 and 40. Endometriosis can occur in several places in the body, most commonly including the fallopian tubes, the ovaries, the bladder, the bowel, the intestines, the vagina, and the rectum. As a result, endometriosis can cause infertility in some women. In addition, many women with the condition are often thought to have lower immunity to other conditions.

The study looked at women who took hormone suppression, dietary therapy or a placebo. The researchers stated that the latter two groups reported less menstrual pain, non-menstrual pelvic pain, and pain during intercourse at 12 months' follow-up than did women who received the placebo. Women in all treatment groups also experienced significant improvements in quality of life measures.

Consequently, seeking professional dietary advice may help considerably with this debilitating condition, says UrBod Nutritionist Melody Mackeown Dip.ION (mBANT), specialist in pre-conceptual care, fertility and pregnancy.

To find out more, contact UrBod Nutritionist Melody Mackeown Dip.ION

SOURCE: Fertility and Sterility, December 2007.
http://www.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUSLAU88369420080108

More Evidence that Breast is Best

More evidence has emerged (Pediatrics, 2008) that breastfeeding for at least 4 months, compared with feeding formula made with intact cow milk protein, prevents or delays the occurrence of atopic dermatitis, cow milk allergy, and wheezing in early childhood.

There are a vast array of other reasons why breast is best for your baby says UrBod Nutritionist Melody Mackeown Dip.ION (mBANT), specialist in pre-conceptual care, fertility and pregnancy, including having a higher IQ, developing fewer colds, ear infections, gastric infections and pneumonia. Breastfeeding is also best for you as it can help you lose weight more easily – breastfeeding uses up 500 calories a day! It also promotes greater bonding between mum and baby.

Sadly, less than a third of mums in the UK are still breastfeeding at 4 months. One of the key reasons appears to be insufficient milk and that new mums find it too exhausting.

However, optimising your diet during your pregnancy and while breastfeeding may help ensure you have the correct nutrients to provide a plentiful supply of milk and give you enough energy to keep going while your breastmilk flow is established and you and your baby learn how best to breastfeed – this takes around 6 weeks!

I have written a free e-book on how you can improve your diet during your pregnancy. To find out more, contact UrBod Nutritionist Melody Mackeown Dip.ION (mBANT), specialist in pre-conceptual care, fertility and pregnancy care in the city of London, EC2.

More evidence that diet and lifestyle can significantly improve fertility

According to Dr Jorge Chavarro, lead author of the study, which was published in November 2007 in the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology, following a "fertility diet" may favourably influence fertility in healthy women and that the majority of infertility cases due to ovulation disorders may be preventable through modifications of diet and lifestyle.

What this means says UrBod Nutritionist Melody Mackeown Dip.ION (mBANT), specialist in pre-conceptual care, fertility and pregnancy is that certain foods and lifestyle factors can significantly affect hormone levels and improve fertility in women with ovulation problems - a common cause of infertility.

A combination of five or more low-risk lifestyle factors, including diet, weight control, and physical activity are important, according to the Harvard based researchers.

The ‘best diet’ appears to be one with more fruit and vegetables, less meat and carbohydrates, more healthy fats and few or no trans fats. The fertility diet may influence ovulation because of the affect it has on insulin levels. Insulin levels, in turn, can affect sex-hormone-binding globulin, which can affect the amount of free androgen in a women's body – and too much can suppress ovulation. “The most surprisingly result was that fat from diary products appeared to increase fertility”, says UrBod Nutritionist Melody Mackeown Dip.ION. “However, this may not appear as counter-intuitive as it seems, as it is important to remember that saturated fats in moderation are essential for your body to operate effectively”.

To find out more, contact UrBod Nutritionist Melody Mackeown Dip.ION (mBANT), specialist in pre-conceptual care, fertility and pregnancy care in the city of London, EC2.

Being overweight reduces your chances of becoming pregnant

It is well known that if you are overweight it affects your fertility and chances of becoming pregnant naturally and another study published last year by researchers at the Academic Medical Center in Amsterdam have again drawn the same conclusion.

It is known that obesity disrupts ovulation and many women who are overweight do not ovulate regularly. However, what was not known for certain is it that fertility also declines among overweight women who are ovulating regularly.

After following over 3,000 couples, the study found that women with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher (which is considered obese) had a significantly lower probability of becoming pregnant naturally than women with BMIs between 21 and 29 (which is considered normal weight).

Further, the more obese the woman was, the harder time she had with conception. Compared with normal weight women, women with a BMI of 35 had a 26 percent lower chance of getting pregnant naturally, while women with a BMI of 40 had a 43 percent lower chance. This means that the more overweight you are, the harder it becomes to get pregnant.

Obese women may have disturbed hormone levels, which decrease their chances of successful fertilization, researchers said.

Fortunately, there was also recent review into the most effective diet to lose weight and it was concluded that you lose more weight on a low glycaemic diet, which is the diet (or healthy eating pattern) that I promote to all my clients whether or not they are overweight.

To find out more, contact UrBod Nutritionist Melody Mackeown Dip.ION (mBANT), specialist in pre-conceptual care, fertility and pregnancy care in the city of London, EC2.

Smoking – what to do if you would like to quit

It is well known that smoking can adversely affect your fertility rate and can harm your baby. “So, now would be a good time to quit, if you are planning on having a baby this year”, says Nutritionist and Foresight Practitioner Melody Mackeown.

With the introduction last July of a smoking ban, excellent NHS Stop Smoking services and the availability of a wider range of treatment products (such as Nutritional Therapy or hypnosis), finding the right support to help you stop smoking is extremely good.

So why is stopping smoking so hard?
If you have ever unsuccessfully tried to give up smoking in the past, then you will know that it is fraught with difficulties. Firstly, when you are deprived of nicotine, smokers experience withdrawal symptoms such as depressed mood, irritability, poor concentration, sleep disturbance, hunger and cravings to smoke. Using tobacco puts an immediate end to these, which explains why the relapse rate is so high.

How can Nutritional Support help?
As smoking can upset your blood sugar balance, one of the first things I would look at, as a Nutritionist, are ways to regulate your blood sugar imbalance. Many foods can impact negatively on your blood sugar levels, as well as other stimulants such as coffee, tea, alcohol and chocolate. There are also a number of supplements that may help reduce your craving for nicotine.

You may be interested to know that a blood sugar imbalance can also mirror many of the symptoms above, such as irritability and poor concentrations. Consequently, stabilizing your blood sugar is a must.

Tips for successful quitting
Tips for success include:
§ Pick a date to quit that will be stress-free and stick to it
§ Book an appointment with your local NHS Stop Smoking service, who will advice you on aids to stop smoking or call the NHS Smoking Helpline 0800 169 0 169 for support or visit your GP
§ Book an appointment to see a Nutritional Therapist, who can advice you on ways to reduce your nicotine cravings via food and supplementation
§ Plan ahead and avoid stressful situations or people that could tempt you back to smoking
§ Take it one day at a time and congratulate yourself for every smoke-free day
§ Keep back the money you are saving – and treat yourself (e.g. book yourself in for a massage)
§ There’s no such thing as having ‘just one’ cigarette (remember it normally takes 90 days or 3 months to effectively quit). Don’t do it!
§ Think positively – tell yourself – I can and will do it!

UrBod Nutritionist Melody Mackeown Dip.ION (mBANT) offers pre-conceptual care, fertility and pregnancy care in the city of London, EC2.

Source: www.jfhc.co.uk

Maternal shortage of vitamin D linked to an increase in rickets among children

Recent research has shown that doctors fear a resurgence of rickets – particularly in Asian or dark skinned children, where the incidence may be as high as 1 in a 100 - due to a lack of vitamin D.

Rickets is a bone disease mainly caused by a lack of the vitamin. It can lead to deformities, stunted growth and general ill-health.

"If a pregnant or breastfeeding woman is lacking in vitamin D, the baby will also have low vitamin D and calcium levels which can lead babies to develop seizures in the first months of life." Further complications mean that there is a chance that your child may become anaemic (when the blood is unable to carry enough oxygen around the body) and this not only affects your child’s behaviour, but may lead to lack of attention and the inability to concentrate at school.

Dr Colin Michie, a paediatrician at Ealing Hospital, says the biggest problem is maternal shortage of vitamin D. "Mothers and babies are simply not getting enough of this important vitamin.
Pregnant or breastfeeding women have been urged to boost their vitamin D intake particularly in the winter months amid warnings that cases of rickets in children are increasing. There are two ways of getting sufficient vitamin D – one is through sunlight and the other is through certain foods or supplementation.

It is thought that most people in the UK may get enough vitamin D from sunlight – from 15-20 minutes of sun exposure to the arms, head and shoulders each day during the summer months - to make enough vitamin D for good health. However, research has shown that in winter months at latitudes of 52 degrees north (above Birmingham), there is no ultraviolet light of the appropriate wavelength for the body to make vitamin D in the skin. Furthermore, there is no accurate way to assess what is adequate sunshine exposure for any given infant or child.

Melody Mackeown, Nutritionist & Foresight Practitioner, says as vitamin D also helps calcium to be absorbed and this has implications for the normal development of bones, teeth, and nerves, as well as heart health. If you are pregnant or are trying to conceive and do not obtain sufficient vitamin D from your diet or lifestyle then this may adversely affect your children later on. You may also be affected directly by developing soft bones.

UrBod Nutritionist Melody Mackeown Dip.ION (mBANT) offers pre-conceptual care, fertility and pregnancy care right in the city of London, EC2.

Sources: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7161458.stm
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/reprint/111/4/908
http://www.cochrane.org/reviews/en/ab006164.html
http://whqlibdoc.who.int/publications/2004/9241546123_chap3.pdf