Conventional wisdom tells us that babies and germs make a bad mix. Since children's immune systems generally aren't fully functional until their second birthday, diligent moms and dads pay special attention to cleanliness and proper sanitation. And when babies come down with bugs, well-intentioned pediatricians often prescribe broad-spectrum antibiotics. Unfortunately, giving antibiotics to infants-even just one course-in their first year of life may double their

eaching Children about Good Nutrition Provides Long-Term Benefits

You give them whole-wheat toast and fruit. They'd rather have a doughnut. You offer grilled chicken and steamed veggies. They say they want a cheeseburger. With so many unhealthy options available to our children today, is it any wonder that childhood obesity is quickly becoming a nationwide epidemic? According to the American Heart Association, more than 10 percent of U.S. toddlers and preschoolers

Good Intentions, opposite Effect?

It's human nature. When your children are sick, you want to do everything possible to make them better, and that often means a trip to the pediatrician for a prescription. But what if your good intentions are having the opposite effect? All too often parents head to the doctor at the first sign of a sneeze or sniffle, resulting in about 30 million antibiotic prescriptions for children every year, according to researchers at the

When you're pregnant, you're more likely to feel the burn of acid reflux, even if you normally don't suffer from it. That's because the high levels of estrogen in your system can weaken part of your lower esophagus, making it easier for stomach acid to splash up and cause pain. But a new study shows that reaching for an antacid might be a bad move: Researchers at Children's Hospital Boston have found that when a mother takes antacids during pregnancy, there's a 51 percent

The brain is largely made of fat, and the types of fat we consume can have an influence on how well our brain functions. Most studies show that fish oils (DHA and EPA) are essential to optimal brain function. But does maternal diet influence brain development of the child? There is a growth spurt in the human brain during the last trimester of pregnancy and the first postnatal months, with a large increase in the cerebral content of DHA. The fetus and the newborn infant

by Dr. Taryn Forrelli, ND, a board-certified naturopathic physician with a long-standing passion for organics. In her writings, lectures, and radio appearances, Dr. Forrelli inspires individuals to take responsibility for their health and the choices they make everyday, from eating the right organic foods to selecting toxinfree cleaning and body care products. Her diverse professional background includes experience as a clinician, researcher, writer and product

Dr. Lyon is the Medical and Research Director of The Canadian Centre for Nutritional Medicine, and author of "Is Your Child's Brain Starving? Food, Not Drugs for Life and Learning."

It should come as no surprise that our kid's need excellent nutrition in order to enjoy optimal brain function. Unfortunately, most parents don't properly satisfy the special nutritional needs of their children, not recognizing that their developing brains are

It Takes a Host

Viruses and bacteria live everywhere, especially during the cold and flu season. The microbes that cause colds and flu can exist in an airborne state. These same viruses and bacteria can also inhabit faucet handles, drinking fountains and school desks. In other words, our children are exposed every day to infectious agents. If the child's natural immune system is in its most effective state, the germs will be less able to

Scientists have known for nearly sixty years that zinc is an essential nutrient. Without it, children's growth slows and adults' cognition falters. Researchers recently gave the mineral's effect on children a closer look--this time in China, where zinc deficiency is common.

They rounded up 372 children, six to nine years old, from elementary schools in three low-income districts and divided them into treatment groups. Group one received 20 mg zinc/day;

The omega-3 fatty acid is essential to infant intelligence and vision

Optimal nutrition for infants--both before and after birth--is an area of research that is still unfolding, and in many cases, the research has yielded unexpected results. One nutrient that has emerged as an important influence in both brain and visual development for infants is DHA--otherwise known as docosahexaenoic acid.

DHA, together with its