Way back in 2016, Du contributed a post offering a tidy overview of thyroid disease, both hyper- and hypothyroidism, for our friends at Joyous Health.
A nice overview for those looking to orient themselves to the symptoms, the process of diagnosis and considerations ignored in the conventional approach to thyroid treatment.
Here’s another version we wrote for them that wasn’t published (just “got lost in the ether”!)
Way back in 2015, Du contributed a post to our friends at Joyous Health on simple, natural practices pregnant women can observe, that are often ignored in “conventional” “pregnancy preparation”, but can really support a positive birth experience, and lifelong health for your baby!
Way back in early 2015, Du shared a week of simple, healthy and delicious school lunches with our friends at Joyous Health.
A great resource for parents looking for school lunch ideas for their own future Nobel Prize recipients!
Way back in early 2015, Du shared with Joyous Health, the “hows and whys” of investing the time to prepare healthy lunches for school-aged children, and guidelines she follows when preparing Esmé (and now Anja’s) lunches.
Way back in early 2017, Du was featured in our friend Joyous Health‘s blog post, What 20 Awesome Women Do for Self-Care, featuring the self-care routines of a range of “high achieving” women who balance career, parenting and everything else that goes into living in the modern world!
Here’s something I wrote, for a class while I was a student at the Canadian College ion naturopathic Medicine (I don’t remember which class, but something women’s health- or oncology-related seems like a reasonable guess).
Prayer came up recently, somehow, in an appointment of Du’s, and she asked me if I still had any references from “that paper I wrote”, so I found them.
Anyway, I re-read it, and it was kind of interesting, so …
Submitted: 2002 March 21
The purpose of this paper is to briefly review the use and relevance spirituality in the experience and treatment of breast cancer. As a topic of discussion in medicine, faith in healing is often the subject of controversy. However, as Margaret Meade is quoted on prayer (which will also be discussed below) by Dossey, spirituality similarly “does not use any artificial energy, it doesn’t burn up any fossil fuel, it doesn’t pollute.” And as Dossey added “it apparently works.”1 Before we begin our examination of spirituality in healing, let us define our key term. As the concept of spirituality understood differently by every person, we have chosen to describe it in broad terms as a relationship with “the Absolute”.
Published studies repeatedly indicate prayer as one of the primary forms of complementary medicine employed by women with breast cancer.2, 3, 4 A study by VandeCreek et al. found that prayer is used as a complementary therapy by breast cancer outpatients more often than in outpatients in general (76% versus 25% of the time).5 This study also found that prayer was the most commonly used alternative therapy by women with breast cancer, and that 84% of the breast cancer outpatients prayed.5 More specifically, it is the most common form of complementary medicine used by black women with breast cancer (36%), and the second most common used by Latino women (26%) with breast cancer.2 Although the studies cited conclude that demographically, women who use prayer as a form of treatment for breast cancer are in general more educated2, 3, 4, wealthier2, and younger2 than those who rely on conventional medicine alone, we feel these results may in fact be a result of these studies having measured the prevalence of use of a number of alternative therapies including prayer amongst them, as opposed to the prevalence of the use of prayer specifically. The cost effectiveness of prayer suggests it would be widely used by those in lower socioeconomic classes.
One of the difficulties in investigating the effects of spirituality on health is separating the effects of faith and the effects of lifestyles associated with participation in religion. Examples of this effect can be found in the findings of very low rates of oral and lung cancers among Amish and Hutterite populations whose smoking prevalence approaches zero. Although predictions of this type are not infallible (in the same study it was found that Amish and Hutterite women have unusually high rates of breast cancer which does not seem to be related to any aspect of their lifestyle), the author was none the less able to conclude that “Religions that provide strong directives for the personal lives of adherents result in distinctive life-style, reflecting multiple disease related factors.”6 These findings are repeated in an exhaustive review of literature by Levin.7 Simply put, a lifestyle free of vice is good for ones health.
A second salient aspect of religious affiliation and health is the presence of support on a bodily level. People involved in religious communities are often cared for by other members of their community when they fall on difficult times. Those without this support are at a disadvantage in carrying out simple tasks of daily living such as buying groceries, maintaining their homes, etc. This is a particularly important consideration in the case of the elderly. Although compelling, and related to issues of faith, these topics fall outside the scope of the present discussion.
One area in which the benefit of prayer and spirituality on health is now for the most part accepted is in its psychological role of providing a sense of purpose and comfort to those who are sick. Using a group of Harvard undergraduate students as subjects, by measuring their stress and depression levels using a standardized psychological scale and by interview and comparing it to their “natural killer” (NK) cell activity, Locke demonstrated that those with higher levels of stress or who were more depressed had depressed NK cell activity.8 Kiecolt-Glaser and Glaser showed alternatively, that elderly subjects who were given relaxation training three times weekly (and who self-reported lower levels of stress as a result) showed significantly increased NK cell and T cell activity.9
Similarly, studies have been published illustrating the link between a sense of helplessness (i.e. the sense that one has no control over their stressor) and depressed immune function. Weiss illustrated this in rat studies. In the experiment, one group of rats was able to control whether or not they received electrical shocks by rotating a wheel. The health outcomes of these rats were compared to those of a second group of rats that had no control over whether they would be shocked (i.e. were more helpless). They found that the “helpless” rats experienced poorer health outcomes in the form of development of ulcers.10
Feelings of despair and loneliness have also been found to lower immune function. A classic study by Parkes on widowers illustrated this in 1969. In this study Parkes monitored the health of 4448 widowers and found that their death rate was unusually high in the six months following the death of their spouses.11 A more distinct relationship between bereavement and immune function was illustrated in a study by Schleifer in which the T- and B-lymphocytes of men whose wives were suffering from terminal breast cancer was evaluated. It was found that although their wives death did not affect the numbers of their circulating lymphocytes, it affected lymphocyte function. Lymphocytes that had showed normal function prior to spousal death showed no function after their spouses succumbed to the disease, even when stimulated chemically in vitro.12
Lastly, in a five year study of HIV patients, Theorell et al. found that those who scored low on “availability of attachment” scales (i.e., were lonely) had a much more rapid decline in CD4+ cell count than those who had more social support.13 Feelings of stress, helplessness, despair, and of “being alone” are all associated with a cancer diagnosis, and can be addressed using spiritual counseling.
Regarding faith and illness outcomes in practice, it has been shown that having faith from which to draw strength is of benefit to post-operative cardiac patients. Those without religious affiliation were three times as likely to die in the six months following surgery when compared to those who were religiously active.14
In breast cancer specifically, there are a number of psychological factors associated with religion and illness outcomes. Expression of hostility towards the cancer, described in one study as “fighting spirit”15 (as opposed to stoic acceptance) is associated with longer survival.16 This type of psychological hardiness is fostered by a relationship with God (in the case of a Christian).5
Two aspects of the complexity of this relationship and its relationship to benefit in disease have been examined by Gall et al. and Mickley in separate studies. Gall and his colleagues found that those who regarded their personal deity as a vengeful or angry god experienced greater psychological distress in disease than those who felt their god was a benevolent being.17 We may infer that those praying to what they believe to be a benevolent god will have better cancer outcomes as well. Mickley examined the question: do those who turn to a greater power only in time of need have the same outcomes as those who have an ongoing relationship with their god? Mickley measured the spiritual well-being of women who had been diagnosed with breast cancer as a function of whether they were intrinsically or extrinsically religious (as determined by questionnaire). It was found that women who were classified as intrinsically religious had significantly higher scores in spiritual well-being than women who were extrinsically religious.18 We may conclude that having a “genuine” relationship with one’s god is more beneficial to cancer outcomes than praying only when one needs help. A simple explanation (from the psychoneuroimmunological standpoint) for this may be that those who turn to their god only in time of need likely do not have any realistic expectation of a response, although there are likely many other factors involved (both psychologically and theologically).
Likely the most controversial aspect of the faith-health discussion revolves around the efficacy of intercessory prayer (i.e., when one party prays on behalf of another) as a treatment intervention. Perhaps the most well recognized study examining intercessory prayer was conducted by Byrd in 1982-83. In his study involving coronary care patients, Byrd selected as intercessors “active” Christians. “Active” was manifested by daily devotional prayer and active fellowship with a local church. Each patient in the study group was paired with between three and seven intercessors. The intercessors knew only the patients first name, diagnosis, general condition, and were updated as to the patient’s condition as necessary. Intercessory prayer was done outside the hospital daily until the patient was discharged. The intercessors were asked to pray for rapid recovery, prevention of complications and death, and anything else they deemed pertinent. In the final analysis, the prayer group had more “good” outcomes (85% versus 73%) and less “bad” outcomes (14% versus 22%) compared to controls.19 A possible confound in this study is that although the subjects did not know whether they were in the experimental or control group, they were aware that they were involved in a prayer study, and may therefore had some expectation of a positive outcome. This factor is further confounded by the fact that 57 subjects originally selected for the Byrd study refused to be included for personal or reasons of religious conviction. Byrd’s study cohort was therefore composed entirely of “prayer receptive” subjects.
Harris et al. attempted to correct for these confounds in Byrd’s study by conducting a similar study, also involving coronary care patients, in which the patients involved were not aware that they were being prayed for. As no known risk is associated with intercessory prayer, consent was deemed unnecessary. The hospital staff was completely blinded and the criteria and instructions for intercessors were the same as in the Byrd study. The outcomes in this study were similar to Byrd’s: patients in the prayer group had favorable overall scores for adverse outcomes, but had similar duration of length of hospital stay.20
An interesting study was conducted by Leibovici in 2001 in which he examined retroactive intercessory prayer. The a priori assumption in this study was that God is not limited to linear time the way we are, and therefore retroactive intercessory prayer can be considered a reasonable experimental medical intervention. In this study, 3393 patients diagnosed with bloodstream infection in a hospital population were randomized into two groups. One group was prayed for and the other was not. Leibovici’s results showed that those in the experimental group had less mortality (28.1% versus 30.2%) and had significantly shorter durations of hospital stay compared to controls.21 It should be noted that in spite of having endorsed the use of intercessory prayer as a medical intervention based on the study outcome, Leibovici is a well known skeptic of alternative medicine and it is suspected that this study was undertaken primarily as a means of mocking the study of prayer in medicine and igniting controversy (which it did).
Finally, a review article of 23 randomized trials of distant healing, including intercessory prayer, found that 57% of the studies reviewed showed positive effect. Of those 23 studies, five (including the aforementioned studies by Byrd and Harris et al.) were of intercessory prayer. Three of the five studies showed significant favorable effects for intercessory prayer, one showed marginal favorable effects, and one showed no effect. All five studies involved prayer in the Christian tradition.22 Although we were able to find no published studies specifically examining the relationship between intercessory prayer and breast cancer, presumably the results are transferable.
As compelling as these positive study results are, there are at least three important caveats to bear in mind regarding intercessory prayer:
In closing we can safely conclude that the clinician can expect that for many of their patients, breast cancer and otherwise, prayer and faith will be an important part of their experience of both their illness and recovery, and maybe death. Spirituality will at the very least be a source of comfort to them, and possibly more. Patients want physicians to be willing to discuss their coping mechanisms and respect their values24, and it is important that we remember this.
I recently contributed an article for our friends at Joyous Health on intermittent fasting, what it’s all about, and how Jonah and I do it.
Sometimes when we contribute articles, then are edited and we will post them here so you can read them the way we wrote them. In this case the article was posted almost exactly as we sent it, but for the nerds out there, the references were not cited in the text, so if we’ve posted the original so you know exactly where you can follow our reference trail (because we’re nerds too).
Enjoy!
– Du La, ND, Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner, Acupuncturist, Birth Doula
Posted: 2017 November 8
“Fasting! That sounds great!” [sarcastic, but still supportive, if that’s possible] was my response, when my husband told me he was planning to begin this, at the time, somewhat novel dietary approach.
At that time, only a few years ago, the only persons we knew who fasted regularly were friends who observed for Lent or Ramadan, but it is now on the verge of becoming (if not already) a health fad.
Since that first, (supportive) conversation, I have also begun practicing intermittent fasting, and believe I am a convert!
Intermittent fasting (“IF” from here on in) is precisely what the name implies, “fasting, but not continuously”. There are different approaches to IF. Essentially, anything goes, as long as fasting periods are at least approximately 16 hours duration.
Popular protocols are the “Warrior Diet” in which all daily eating is done in a four-hour window, leaving 20 hours for fasting1; “alternate day fasting” (sometimes referred to as “5:2” fasting), in which eating is confined to 12 hours daily (e.g., between 8:00 AM and PM) for five days weekly, and an all-day fast is performed two, non-consecutive days (e.g., Tuesday and Thursday) weekly1; and what we practice, eating all our meals within an eight-hour window daily (in our case, between 11:00 AM and 7:00 PM).
My husband began experimenting with fasting, partially because he is a naturopathic doctor and professionally he wanted to experience fasting; but mainly it made sense for him because after our children were born, he was becoming a “skinny fat guy”, outwardly appearing thin, but thicker and softer in the middle, and with increasing (though not yet worrisome) blood lipids (e.g., cholesterol) levels.
Fasting increases fat burning2, and decreased body fat levels are associated with improved blood lipid levels, blood sugar control, heart health and a slimmer appearance (which, presumably, is why so much Online fasting information is found on sites more directed at vanity than health).
Research demonstrates that fasting is associated with:
Some truly remarkable health benefits occur with periods of fasting longer than those discussed here, and outside the scope of this post. Fasting for periods of at least two-days triggers cellular regeneration5, and fasting periods of three-days promote regeneration of myelin, the tissue that suffers autoimmune damage in multiple sclerosis6.
Many of the benefits of IF are associated with fat loss. Fasting essentially gives your body an opportunity to burn fat for fuel.
Your body is constantly burning calories in the form of sugars (glucose) to stay alive. In order to provide tissues with the sugar needed, your liver and muscles store glucose as “glycogen”, enough for about 12 to 14 hours7 (unless intensely exercising). After this source of fuel is depleted, assuming no carbohydrates are consumed to replenish stores, the body begins to metabolize (“burn”) fat for fuel8.
Less than you may think. In fact, our own experience has been that it actually streamlines our day.
Research demonstrates that although fasting and caloric restriction (“dieting”) are equally beneficial for weight loss9, improving insulin sensitivity and other health biomarkers3; fasting is simpler to organize, and easier because it reduces appetite, while caloric restrictions does not (in fact, people who reduce calories by constant restriction/dieting, experience constant hunger10).
First off, to be clear, IF is not a short-cut. It is not simply “not eating” (that’s called starving yourself, and is not a health practice). Although fairly simple, I consider IF somewhat “advanced eating” and I suggest if you are a new to this topic, speak to a health professional before starting.
Fasting is mildly stressful for your body, imposing a mild stress on cells. This is one of the proposed mechanisms for the physiological benefits it yields3. It follows that you should be eating nourishing food to allow your body the nutrients it requires to endure the stress you are imposing on it. We follow a sort-of paleo/keto hybrid guideline, but a simple, well-balanced diet is adequate, and in fact, likely superior to the diet most subjects in human fasting research eat.
The IF approach we use is to fast almost every day (we aren’t too strict on week-ends), overnight (eight hours we would not be eating anyway). We stop eating after dinner (around 7:00 PM) and have our first meal of the day at around 11:00 AM.
For us, this simple routine checks a number of boxes:
IF is not focused on reducing daily calorie intake, but rather restricting it to a particular, in this case eight-hour, time window. That said, research suggests caloric restriction of approximately 30% both delays onset of chronic diseases of aging and prolongs lifespan.4, 12
We enjoy espresso about an hour after the kids are off to school, about 90-minutes after waking, which we find takes the edge off if we do happen to notice hunger. (FYI: Research generally does not support an appetite-suppressing action for caffeine13, but it works for us)
Easy Tiger!
Like all things, IF is fairly straightforward, but it isn’t for everyone.
I did this as a CME and have only a copy of the PowerPoint presentation and my own notes. I can’t find the full reference material, but the information presented here is actually referenced in the PowerPoint, so it’s legit.
This was a lovely birth in which the parents-to-be had hoped for a natural birth, and achieved it through calmness and discipline on the part of the mother-to-be, and loving support from the father-to-be.
I was (am) so proud of them.
– Du La, ND, Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner, Acupuncturist, Birth Doula
It was almost 1 AM when I got a call from Mateo*. I had been waiting for this call for over 3 weeks, since his wife, Samantha*, had done such an incredible job at convincing me that she was going to “go early”. She was just 5 days past her due date and sitting at 2 cm for about a week.
In the week previous, we had done two acupuncture treatments to help prepare for labour, and in attempts to gently induce labour. With the treatments, her cervix had begun to “ripen” (soften and thin out). After each treatment, she noticed more uterine activity and menstrual-like cramping, but was ultimately left to wait for the baby to initiate labour.
Mateo said, with confidence: “We think it’s time.” When a doula hears this, she becomes suspicious. I began my usual questioning: Mateo passed the phone to Samantha – her story checked out:
Contractions 2 to 3 minutes apart. Check.
Contractions beginning over an hour ago. Check.
Contractions lasting about 1 minute each. Check.
No signs of water-breaking. Check.
I listened to her as she breathed through a few surges and this confirmed it for me: it was time.
We met shortly afterwards at the new birthing unit at Mount Sinai Hospital. When I arrived, Samantha and Mateo were in triage and Samantha was being examined. It was 1:30 AM now, and she was 3 cm dilated and 75% effaced. It was confirmed: she was in active labour. She was transferred to her spacious, beautiful birthing room.
Now Samantha’s contractions were coming very regularly, every 2 to 3 minutes, and were intense enough that they required her full attention. Samantha began to feel nausea. Mateo offered her popsicles from their birth bag to ease her nausea, and hydrate and maintain her blood sugar.
We experimented with various comfort and birthing positions: on a birth ball, leaning forward on a raised bed, and found the best was a supported, seated position in the adjustable hospital bed. Samantha sat with the back of the bed raised all the way, her feet lowered, and her legs comfortably open – a supported squat. In this position, her pelvis was open, and she was able to rest between surges.
Samantha was very focused, and it was obvious to me she was in a good place and any interaction would be disruptive to her. We turned the lights down low. We spoke in quiet voices and refrained from unnecessary chat. During her frequent and regular contractions, she needed only the smallest pressure on her hips while being reminded to let your pelvis open, let your cervix open. There is lots of space for the baby. This mantra supported her and kept her focused on opening and allowing change.
Around 2:45 AM, I asked if she felt the need to pee. She was well hydrated but I just wanted to have her change positions and empty her likely full bladder to allow more space for the baby to come down. I also wanted to see if there was more “show”. We confirmed that there was a lot of fluid and “bloody show”, and she did need to urinate.
She returned to the same position, and to “the zone”. I checked in to see if lavender essential oil was agreeable. I began a gentle foot massage with coconut oil and a few drops of lavender essential oil, in a rhythmic motion, moving with her surges. I applied acupressure in several points on the sole of the foot, near her ankle and between her first two toes, to help with pain coping and support labour progression.
By 3:30 AM, Samantha started to feel more back pressure and wanted an assessment of the progress. The obstetrician confirmed that she was 6 cm dilated, fully effaced and that her water had likely ruptured on its own (probably when she risen to pee). She still had some time until full dilation, but was coping wonderfully.
Samantha re-entered the zone; and Mateo and I continued to apply gentle pressure on her hips, placing a supportive hand on her shoulder, continuing with the reciting of mantras and offering of fluids.
By 4:30 AM, Samantha began to feel an incredible urge to push. Her eyes widened and she appeared somewhat panicked. I reminded her to pant and breath through the urge until her next assessment. It was confirmed that she was at 8 cm and baby was low (+1). The urge to push intensified and the resident assisted by holding the cervix to full dilation.
With a cool cloth on her face, a few ice chips to wet her mouth and a hint of rosemary essential oil for focus, Samantha began pushing.
Her pushes were assisted by Kiwi® vacuum. Within five contractions, the baby was crowning, with a little hand was up near his face.
At 5:02 AM he was born.
Immediate skin-to-skin, Samantha was elated, Mateo was beaming.
Dad called his weight to be 9 pounds and was spot on. A 9 pound baby boy, birthed naturally into the world by an incredible Mom and supportive Dad.
By sunrise, Adam was nursing beautifully and all was well.
*Names have been changed to ensure confidentiality.
Every birth is special in it’s way. This birth is a nice example of a meeting of more natural approaches (a midwife-attended birth) and more conventional approaches (a hospital setting).
Read it, and you’ll see that it couldn’t have been more lovely. It brings me pleasure every time I remember it.
– Du La, ND, Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner, Acupuncturist, Birth Doula
After a full day-and-a-half of early labour and back contractions, your mom found her groove. Her contractions had started on the Friday, and had come and gone, and “the groove” was found on Saturday evening, when your water broke, and your midwife (Jen) came to check on you and your mom. She was 4 cm dilated, and it was time to go to the hospital.
In room 709 of the Michael Garron Hospital, active labour began. Your mom’s contractions became very regular and intense. She coped well, breathing through each surge, finding just the right position and focusing on the moment. There were brief moments of doubt, but with visualization and encouragement, hip-pressure and back-pressure, she was calm and positive.
Your dad was right by her side, ready with water or ice, and indeed ready to help in any way needed; positive, encouraging and loving.
Contractions became more intense and soon your mom had the urge to push. The urge started slowly, and became stronger and stronger. She wasn’t fully dilated yet, and your position wasn’t quite ideal, so it was time to try something different.
Your dad prepared a warm bath for her and helped her climb in. The warm water provided relief. The sensation of your dad pouring water on her back and sides provided your mom with distraction and comfort. She remained focused and determined, and brought all her attention to you, sending loving messages, letting you know that she was safe and ready to meet you and hold you.
After a very intense urge to push occurred, we decided it was time to get out of the tub and back to the bed. With Jen’s guidance, your mom pushed strongly, and you rotated into the perfect position for birth.
With you perfectly positioned, it was time to bring you into the world.
Your mom visualized “lots of space”, an open path for you into the world, and pushed hard. She rocked you down until you were crowning. With each push, she closed her eyes to help her focus. Your dad, kept his eyes on your mom and you, beaming at her throughout the entire labour.
At 1:17 AM, Sunday, February 27 you were born.
You had a little hand under your chin as you descended. Your chubby little body was placed gently on your mom’s chest, skin-to-skin. This is where you spent the first hour of your life. With vigorous back rubs from Jen and Katie (your back-up midwife), you let out your first cry. Soon the purple of your newborn body turned pink, and you began to explore your new surroundings, your eyes opened, and you saw your loving parents for the first time.
* Names have been changed to ensure confidentiality.
I have attended hundreds of births, of almost every type, since I began to work as a naturopathic birth doula. Many imagine that I must be involved only in “hippy-dippy” births where everyone is naked, involving chanting.
I love all births, each birth is special to the people involved, and a privilege to participate in.
Caroline’s birth is an example of a fairly conventional birth that I smile, every time I think of it.
– Du La, ND, Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner, Acupuncturist, Birth Doula
I received a call, early Thursday morning on August 25, 2016. It was Stuart*. His wife, Kaylee*, was labouring and thinking about going to the hospital. She got on the phone and described her night: she had gone to sleep at around 11 PM, but has been up on-and-off since 3 AM. She hadn’t wanted to wake Stuart until just now.
Contractions were coming every 5 minutes or so; 20 to 30 seconds long; intensity of about 7-out-of-10. I encouraged her to walk around, keeping moving, as she felt best standing and swaying her hips from side-to-side. I recommended a good breakfast and to start getting ready to go to the hospital. I was also going to get ready and be on my way.
Around 7:15 AM Stuart called again. They had decided to go to the hospital and asked me to meet them there. Kaylee was coping very well, but had decided she would like an epidural. I spoke with her on the phone to offer more encouragement. I gave her a visualization to work with: a mountain. With each contraction, she was simply to focus on getting to the peak of the mountain – once there, all the work was done, and she could relax and release the contraction.
The visualization, having an image to focus on, helped comfort Kaylee as the contractions passed while waiting for an anesthesiologist to become available. Kaylee remained focused and comfortable for several hours until she received her epidural at 11 AM, and was able to relax again, in comfort.
At this point, with all well, and in anticipation of the work to come, it time for a short break for Stuart and I.
By 12:30 PM, Kaylee began to feel “the pressure”. At 8 to 9 cm dilated, her “membranes were bulging” which meant her “water may break” soon (which meant “go time” was imminent). Kaylee remained comfortable, and I reminded her to continue to hydrate with apple juice and perhaps eat some JELL-O (easy to eat, quick energy).
Within an hour, Kaylee was fully dilated and ready to push. This being her second birth, she easily found her place of focus.
She pushed out her baby girl, and was skin-to-skin with her in less than 30 minutes.
Kaylee and Stuart waited for several minutes after her birth, until the umbilical cord had stopped pulsating (to allow for maximal maternal blood transfer), for Stuart to cut it.
Caroline was born, happy and healthy.
*Names have been changed to ensure confidentiality.
This is an article I wrote for EcoParent Magazine’s Fall 2017 Issue. It hasn’t been posted Online, but I’ve posted it here!
After I submitted it, I was contacted by the editor and asked for a few changes – apparently some of the magazines advertisers were manufacturers of vitamins, and their products don’t meet the standards I suggest in my article. For the print version, we edited out sections of the article, including some relevant quality suggestions (I didn’t object to the edits because EcoParent are friends, and I’m not interested in putting them in a tough spot).
Anyway, below is the article in it’s entirety, including “all the names”.
Too many years ago, while as a student working in a health store in Toronto, I was asked by the storeowner to offer customers samples of a children’s multi-vitamin/mineral.
I did so, unaware at the time that the issue was so controversial! More than one parent indignantly declined, declaring that their pediatrician claimed children did not require nutritional supplementation.
Let me preface this discussion by disclosing that I am not a “supplements naturopath” – my modus operandi is to focus on correcting a patient’s lifestyle, but I am not averse to supplementation, particularly if on consideration of available evidence it is indicated.
The intent of multi-vitamin/mineral use is to compensate for nutritional shortcomings in a persons diet.
The obvious first question is: Is a child consuming all the nutrients they require from the food they are eating?
A 2006 report prepared by the Region of Waterloo Public Health and the University of Waterloo determined that 68% of grade six students in the Waterloo Region of Ontario were not meeting the Canada’s Food Guide to Healthy Eating guidelines for fruit and vegetable consumption. The same study found that consumption of “meat and alternatives” (e.g., tofu) was inadequate in 46% of students, an important factor in the associated findings of inadequate intake of iron and zinc, in 11% and 31% of students, respectively1.
Another study determined that 0% of (adult) subjects were able to meet their micronutrient (i.e., vitamins and minerals) Recommended Daily Allowances (RDA’s) through diet alone2.
Canada’s Food Guide to Healthy Eating, which does not offer the most up-to-date nutritional guidelines (in my opinion, better guidelines are available here) recommends children younger than 13 years of age eat:
Does your child meet these guidelines? If not, consider supplementing their diet with a multi-vitamin/mineral.
As with all things in life, quality in nutritional supplements is wide-ranging, and as a rule, you get what you pay for.
There are a wide range of factors that determine the quality any nutritional supplement. For example:
The Comparative Guide to Nutritional Supplements™ assesses and rates over 1’300 multi-vitamin/minerals quality on the above, and 14 other criteria, offering a score out of five stars. The majority of “cheap”, “store brands” earned very poor ratings (“one star” representing a fairly typical score)4.
A review of the ingredients list of Flintstones™ Complete Chewables Multivitamins reveals:
Also important to consider are the non-therapeutic ingredients. The #1 Brand Choice of Canadian Pediatricians also:
Many reviewing the ingredient list will note that I did not include aspartame, the most plentiful ingredient listed, as a point of concern. Although controversial, the current scientific evidence suggests that aspartame is safe for human consumption8.
Over the past decade or so, several studies9 have been published that have demonstrated a correlation between multi-vitamin/mineral use and rates of cancer development.
Although receiving much publicity, the relationship is between is these is weak, statistically not such that a causal relationship is the appropriate conclusion (an analogy may be if it was noted that persons taller than 180 cm had very slightly higher cancer rates, it would be incorrect to draw the conclusion that being tall causes cancer).
Take the time to learn and understand how be consistently eating a balanced, nutrient-rich diet, including what constitutes food serving sizes.
Keep a food journal to determine of your routine allows you to consistently offer your child a healthy, balanced diet (and as importantly, do they eat it).
If you are concerned that your child is not eating in a way that ensures adequate nutrition, use a multi-vitamin/mineral – there is very little to support that using nutritional supplements to correct nutritional deficiencies (as opposed to using “mega-doses” of nutrients) is harmful (even the authors of studies arriving at conclusions critical of multi-vitamin/mineral use concede their use is indicated to correct nutritional deficiencies10).
Here’s an article I wrote for EcoParent Magazine back in spring of 2015 on walking: the very real health benefits of this inherently pleasurable activity, and how to easily incorporate it in to your everyday routine.
EcoParent hasn’t posted it Online, but here it is: part 1 and part2!
