Introduction:
Breast feeding is an essential requirement for the child’s development after delivery. The planned breast feeding includes the time between the first approaches of the child to the nipples till the weaning period of breast milk. Usually, breast feeding that is well planned is very important for both the infant and the mother’s health.
The infant in the initial stages of development is completely dependent on the mother’s milk for its nutrition. This stage is very crucial for the proper development of all the systems in the child’s body. To accomplish this, the mother has to stay healthy. Bad food habits of the mother have direct effect on the health of the infant. The lifestyle and the environment of the mother are very crucial to produce healthy milk. A bad or polluted environment will cause the mother to produce unhealthy milk causing damage to the child’s health.
Wrong Diets of the Mother:
The mother who is feeding should eat healthy and stay healthy. The mother should have very nutritious food. Spicy food, Wine and other alcoholic drinks should be strictly forbidden. Having such alcohol or spice will cause the mother to produce less nutritious milk affecting the digestive system of infant very severely.
Thus the correct feeding plan includes positive thinking and having a balanced, nutritious and timely diet by the mother. It will greatly help in producing milk of good quality and quantity.
Breast Feeding Plan for six months:
The hormones in the mother make her produce milk only after two or three days of delivery. Till then the child has to be supplied with light barley water or lightly sweetened diluted milk. The child should not be kept starving. As the breast milk starts coming, it have to be fed to the child at short but planned frequency.
The breast milk should not be supplemented with any other food. Similarly there should be no other replacement for breast milk initially. Breast milk has antibodies that are the only protecting force available for the child against various diseases present in the environment. The nutritive value of breast milk is also high and balanced as per the requirement of the child. Breast milk has vitamins that are essentially required for proper development of the body of the infant. Amino acids present in the breast milk help the child accumulate proteins in the body, for development.
The timing of feeding the infant is very crucial. The mother is the ideal person to know when to feed as she will be able to judge from the child’s cry.
Digestive Capacity of the Infant:
The digestive system of the infant is very sensitive and fragile. The child will not be in a position to digest a variety food. The child at this point of time can digest only breast milk and nothing else. The stomach capacity of the infant being small gets filled easily. The process of digestion starts immediately. Care should be taken the child is not overfed.
The requirement for the baby is feeding at an interval of three to four hours. This gap is essential for the complete digestion of the previous milk. Such regulated and scheduled feeding process will also help to maintain a good bowel movement for the child. This practice will also reduce the child’s cry for milk.
Understanding the Child’s Cry:
The mother may have difficulties in interpreting the reason of the child’s cry. Many commit a mistake of feeding the child every time the infant cries. This is a very bad practice, as the child will be overfed. In overfeeding, there is the chance for some indigestion of the previous milk in the stomach causes irritation to the child. It will also lead to bowel disturbances. Thus maintaining proper feeding intervals and understanding the child’s cry is very important to the child’s health.
Guidelines for feeding:
As mentioned above the mother initially has to feed the child at an interval of 3 – 4 hours. Feeding during the nights has to be avoided. The regular timing of feeding should be maintained such that the last feeding is at 10pm and the 1st feeding is at 5am. There should be no feeding in the middle of the night.
When the mother happens to produce milk after the 6th month, feeding should be done only twice a day. In the mean time additional baby food formulations accessible in the market shall be given appropriately.
Obstructive Milk Flow:
It is very common for young women to feel obstruction in the flow of milk due to cracked nipples. In such a case proper medical attention should be given immediately without breaking the feeding cycle. Accumulation of breast milk will cause the milk becoming stale which is very harmful for both the mother and the child.
Harmful Effect of Alcohol:
In a case study, a mother who was in the habit having 2 or 3 servings of wine and occasional beer continued the practice even after delivery. But surprisingly the child and the mother remained healthy and the milk was produced till the ninth month.
It was then later noticed that the child started to develop a craving for the milk (addiction) and both the mother and the child had tiredness throughout the day, with inadequate sleep at night leads to a feeling restlessness, frequent headaches, negligent behavior, increased thirst, irritation and dry skin. Always the doctor recommends avoiding the consumption of alcohol, during the feeding months.
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Posts Tagged ‘Antibodies’
Protein has been garnering extra attention as the health conscious realize the benefits of including protein in their diets. protein is needed to help rebuild the body’s tissue, which is particularly important to athletes and bodybuilders. In fact, the body is in need of a continual supply of protein in order to repair and to build its tissue. Protein is also essential for producing antibodies, hormones, new muscle tissue, and blood hemoglobin. All protein that is lost within the body must be replaced and protein must be present in order for new tissue to be constructed.
While athletes swear by the ability of animal protein to build muscles, researchers are concerned about the potential effects of animal protein on the liver and the kidneys, as well as the link between animal protein and osteoporosis. As a result, many are turning toward soy protein and whey protein instead. But, what are the benefits, drawbacks, and differences between these different forms of protein? And, how much should you include in your diet in order to garner the benefits you are looking for?
Soy Protein
Soybeans contain high quantities of protein (considered to be of equal quality as animal protein) and also contain substantial amounts of amino acids. In addition, soy has been observed to lower cholesterol. Even the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has stated 25 grams of soy protein per day can reduce the chances of developing heart disease.
Soy protein has also been found to reduce the symptoms of menopause, to reduce the risk of developing osteoporosis, and to help prevent a number of diseases related to hormonal issues. These include endometrial cancer, breast cancer, and prostate cancer. Soy protein has also been shown to speed up the metabolism of the thyroid, which can help with obtaining a leaner body. If you are intolerant to soy, however, its specific protein can actually have the opposite effect.
A number of soy protein products can be found at health food stores, including food bars, soy burgers, and even soy-based beverages. Those products containing soy protein isolate generally have the highest saturation. Other products containing soy protein include soy flour, whole soybeans, and tofu. Be sure to check the product label in order to determine the amount of soy protein the product contains.
Remember, however, soy isoflavones, which are sold as supplements in health food stores, are not the same substance as pure soy protein. Nonetheless, soy isoflavones possess a number of beneficial effects, such as improving kidney function and preventing bone loss.
If you are not allergic to soy, there are very few side effects to including soy in your diet. In some people, however, consuming soy on a routine basis can lead to an upset stomach and may even cause diarrhea or constipation.
Whey Protein
Like soy protein, whey protein has been shown to provide a number of benefits. For example, clinical studies have shown whey protein can:
Act as a natural antibacterial or anti-viralAssist in maintaining the proper weightReduce the symptoms of Chronic Fatigue SyndromeReduce liver damageImprove the function of the immune systemImprove blood pressureImprove athletic performanceImprove the function of the digestive systemReduce gastric mucosal injury
Whey protein is very high in biological value (BV), which is highly sought by athletes. In short, BV is the amount of protein your body can replace with 100 grams of consumed diet. The only other foods containing high levels of BV are whole eggs and egg whites. Unlike eggs, however, whey protein does not contain high levels of fat.
While soy protein is derived from soybeans, whey protein is derived from milk as a diluted byproduct of the cheese-making process. Fresh liquid whey protein contains only about 1% protein because it is mostly comprised of lactose and water. For this reason, it takes about 229 liters of milk to produce just one kilogram of high quality whey protein isolate.
While in its original form, whey protein affects the digestive tract in much the same way as yogurt. Therefore, it is considered to be a natural remedy for many intestinal issues. In fact, it is often used in Sweden to help prevent bowel problems, gas, and constipation. Nonetheless, it can have the opposite effect and actually lead to constipation for some individuals.
The amount of whey protein recommended in a person’s diet depends on his or her weight, gender, age, level of activity, and overall health. Including both soy and whey protein in your diet can be very beneficial to your health; but, since both can lead to constipation, be sure to follow a high fiber diet to help keep your bowel movements regular. Try one or both of these all-natural health supplements and discover the results for yourself!
One out of three Americans suffer from Yeast Allergies.
There are two types of yeast allergies, allergic to yeast within foods such as beer, wine and bread and the other being a yeast infection otherwise known as Candida.
If you suffer from a yeast allergy of food then you need to complete an elimination diet, take out all foods which contain yeast for a period of time, for me it’s at least a week then one by one introduce the foods back into your diet to establish which one of these foods you are, or are not allergic to and how much you react to that food. It can be difficult to stick to a diet such as this although it will be worth it in the long run.
Candida or yeast infection which can be eliminated by reducing or I personally would totally eliminate sugar from your diet. Sugar can be replaced with natural sweeteners such as honey and you will find other alternatives at your local health food store.
Sugar weakens your immune system, so eliminating this from your diet or at least reducing your intake of sugar, you should see significant results in your health and wellbeing.
Some of the symptoms you may find from either being allergic to yeast within foods or having a yeast infection are being slow and tired and possibly depressed, it can also cause chronic fatigue and or eczema.
The reason we have an allergic reaction to yeast is that our bodies produce histamines and antibodies if it finds too much yeast in our system which then causes an allergic reaction. Our body is just doing its job and putting up its defense mechanism so that we do not harm ourselves, but in doing this we have the result of an allergic reaction. To help the immune system which I touched on above, we should ensure that our diet is healthy and eat what has either just been walking around freely or can be or has been grown in the back yard. This is sometimes hard to do but if you start with eliminating sugar from your diet you should see some results sooner than later.
Other causes which can contribute to a yeast allergy can be birth control pills, antibiotics, diabetes, radiation (eg chemotherapy) or a lack of vitamin D.
Yeast allergies can promote food allergies therefore doing the full circle with allergies causing allergies. If you start knowing what is causing one allergy it may help another allergy which you didn’t even know about. I wish you all the success in your journey to a healthier life!
To clearly explain what the cause of allergy is to you, let me start with this one of the numerous examples of allergic reactions. A household animal, dog, was brought into a house. After three month the dog was brought in, mum begins to experience itchy nose and throat and episodes of sneezing. One of the children in the house also develops chest tightness and coughing, especially when the dog is in her bedroom. The rest of the household (dad and the rest of the children) have no reaction (allergy symptoms) to the presence of the dog irrespective of the degree of contact they have with the dog.
What happened was that, mum and one of the children in the house (in which dog was brought) were allergic or developed allergy toward a foreign substance on or in the dog. Thus, the manifestation of the allergy symptoms in the mum and one of the children. But dad and the rest of the children are not allergic or did not develop allergy to the presence of the dog. Foreign substances (such as that from the dog) are called antigen. Antigens are substances capable of triggering or causing production of antibodies.
The antibodies are produced from immune system. Immune system is a body’s organised defense system against foreign invaders (antigens), especially infectious agents. Antigens may lead or may not lead to an allergic reaction and the consequent allergy symptoms. Any antigen that causes allergy symptoms (or allergic reactions) is referred to as allergen. The function of immune system in our body is to mobilize its defensive components to the site of invasion or infection in order to destroy the intruders, the foreign substance (antigen or allergen if it causes allergy or allergy symptoms). The immune system destroys antigens or allergens in two ways. When the immune system components have contact with the antigens or allergens, they respond by producing antibodies or immunoglobulins (Ig) – the first way. There are five types of these antibodies – IgG, IgM, IgA, IgD, and IgE.
The function of the antibodies in the destruction of the invaders is to attach themselves to the surface of the foreign substances and thereby make the foreign substance easier for the immune cells to destroy- the second way immune system functions to destroy invaders. The function of the immune system described above is a normal process in everybody. In a person that is not allergic to an antigen, the antibodies are produced in normal quantities to successfully fight the foreign substance and there is no any development of any allergy symptoms. However in allergic person, IgE is produced in excessive amount in response to the same antigen and this result to the development of allergy symptoms. Not that the foreign substance or the antigen or the allergen will generally cause allergy in the human body, not that the substance is harmful by itself, it is just that in some people, in the process of immune systems getting rid of the antigens, there is overproduction of IgE antibody. Such people are said to be allergic to the substance. Overproduction of the IgE is called hypersensitivity.
A person who is allergic to an antigen or allergen doesn’t start manifesting allergy symptoms or allergic reaction immediately he or she is exposed to the allergens for the first time. It takes times, months to years, before one starts showing the manifestation of the allergy symptoms. The period between the first exposure to the allergen and the manifestation of the allergy symptoms is called sensitisation period. During the sensitisation period IgE is being overproduced. Also during this period, as the IgE is produced, the IgE will be coating certain explosive cells that contain degrading chemicals. After the sensitisation period, another exposure to the allergen (such as dog dander or allergen cited above) leads to reaction of the allergen with the immune cells already coated or sensitised with IgE. This results into the cells releasing the various chemicals they contain, such as histamine. These chemicals, in turn, cause inflammation and the typical allergy symptoms. This is how the immune system becomes exaggerated and move to cause an allergic reaction when stimulated by an allergen in individuals which are allergic to the allergen.
The immune system is composed of many different organs, cells, and molecules. During an allergic reaction, the white blood cells, including T-helper cells, B-cells (which produce antibodies), and accessory cells, such as macrophages and mast cells, are involved. Antibodies are protein-based structures that bind to allergens, which are also often proteins or protein fragments themselves. The antibody that is the cause of all classic allergic reactions is IgE (Immunoglobulin E). IgE’s normal function is to fight parasites in the human body. This may be a main reason why people in developed countries tend to have more allergies than people in developing countries: the environment of developed countries is relatively parasite-free, and thus “too clean”. One of the emerging theories is that: the IgE antibodies in humans, who live in developed countries, have nothing to fight against except foreign substances in the body, such as pollen, food, and certain drugs.
During the first exposure to an allergen, B-cell bound IgE antibodies that are specific to the allergen bind to it, which then triggers a change in the B-cell to make more IgE antibodies specific to that allergen. Some of these allergen-specific antibodies end up binding to another immune cell called a mast cell, which contains large amounts of the inflammatory hormone histamine. Mast cells are found both in mucous membranes, such as on the mouth and lungs, and also in connective tissue. However, during the first immune reaction, the IgE antibodies will simply bind on the surface of mast cells and sit there, waiting for the second round of allergen to bind to the antibody on its surface. When a second allergen exposure occurs, the immune system is ready for the threat: the allergen will bind to IgE antibody on the mast cells, which then are programmed to release inflammatory molecules, including histamine. Histamine is a main cause of allergic symptoms.
The four common allergic reactions are: food allergies, bronchial asthma, atopic dermatitis (eczema), and rhinitis, or hay fever (1); the two main topics in this article will focus on food allergies and bronchial asthma. Only about 1% of Americans have a true food allergy (2), but they can be a serious problem for those who have them. As the Roman Lucretius said in 50 B.C. “What is food to one person may be bitter poison to others”. This saying has later evolved into the more current one: One man’s food is another man’s poison. The most common food allergens are: eggs, wheat, and cow’s milk. Yeast and yeast-containing products, pork, beef, and corn are also common allergens.
Allergy to pork and beef may actually be sensitivity to the inflammatory fats in those foods. There could also often be a sensitivity to additives in the foods above, such as monosodium glutamate (MSG), aspartate and/or phenylalanine (Nutrasweet), nitrates and nitrites, or sulfates and sulfites. In addition some foods and drinks such as strawberries, chocolate and coffee may not be true allergens, but may contain a good amount of the inflammatory hormone histamine. Foods and drinks like those mentioned above may also contain chemicals that trigger histamine release in the body through non-traditional allergic pathways. Interestingly, alcoholism may be linked with food allergies (3). There are several theories for the origins of chemical sensitivity, including: enzyme damage and/or depletion, pollution, immune-system-mediated damage, yeast overgrowth (candidiasis), chronic inflammation, carbon monoxide poisoning, and sensitization of key parts of the nervous system (4).
Allergies may also be worsened by incomplete digestion of food, particularly protein. Normally, proteins are digested in the stomach into very small chains of amino acids, which are further degraded into individual amino acids in the small intestine. The amino acids are then absorbed in to the bloodstream. The immune system does not react against individual amino acids. In fact, the smallest amino acid chain (called a peptide) that can be recognized by an antibody are three linked amino acids. However, incomplete digestion in the stomach and small intestine may not be able to break down all proteins into individual amino acids. If there is any “leakiness” in the wall of the small intestine, some of the small peptides could enter the bloodstream later. Since the immune system is not trained to recognize these food peptides as harmless, it may initiate an allergic reaction against them. The above sequence of events is termed the “leaky gut syndrome” by holistic practitioners. Yeast may also contribute to leaky gut syndrome, since they can assume a mycelium form that can branch out into the intestinal walls (4).
If you suspect a food allergy, you can test for it at home. Take your resting pulse before a meal by putting your index and middle finger on the side of your other wrist. Look at a clock and count the pulse beats in one minute. Eat a small portion of the suspected food, wait twenty minutes, then take your pulse again for one minute. If your resting pulse has rose more than ten beats per minute, you are probably allergic to at least one of the ingredients in your last meal. Food allergy testing can also be done by eliminating a suspect food for several days or weeks, then reintroducing the food and observing any reactions. This technique is relatively safe, but may take a long time to complete, since only one type of food at a time can be reintroduced. A food rotation diet can also be tried, where foods that cause only mild to moderate reactions are eaten only once every 3-4 days. This allows the body and the immune system to recover somewhat between offending foods. I personally do not food rotation diets, unless the person has too restricted of a diet and must eat some allergenic foods.
Technologically speaking, conventional allergy testing is in many ways still in the stone age. The two main types of allergy tests are the skin test and the blood test. Skin tests may be more accurate than blood tests. However, a control for the skin test is often phenol, which is a highly toxic and carcinogenic chemical. Inhalation tests with the irritant Methacholine can determine how reactive a person’s airways are. Not only can this chemical induce asthma and related breathing problems, it can also be fatal. Some conventional allergy treatments can also be dangerous. Desensitization treatments involve either oral or injected allergens to hopefully produce a tolerance to the allergen. Unfortunately, desensitization therapy has also caused fatalities.
There are many different nutrients that can help relieve allergies and asthma. Vitamin C indirectly inhibits mast cells from releasing histamine (5). The bioflavonoid quercetin has antihistamine activity, but it is not easily absorbed (6). A magnesium deficiency can aggravate allergies (6). Unfortunately, many allergy medications lower magnesium levels (7). Some nutritionists and doctors believe that taking vitamin B3 (niacin) is useful for people with allergies. Niacin releases histamine, often causing a reddened facial flush soon after the vitamin is ingested. Repeated dosing with niacin may eventually lower the body’s stores of histamine. In theory, this may then lower the intensity of any allergic reaction in the future (3). The above natural therapies have obvious advantages over many of the synthetic antihistamines on the market, such as Benadryl. One study found that driving after taking the first-generation antihistamine Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) can cause impairment equivalent to driving drunk (2).
There is a theory of cerebral allergies, in which allergens cross the blood-brain barrier. The resulting allergic reactions can such symptoms such as: headache, anxiety, dizziness, and depression (3). Since children do not have a completely formed blood-brain barrier, they may be particularly susceptible to cerebral allergies. This may lead to behavioral problems and inability to cope with stress (8). In fact, one of the most important things a person with allergies can do is avoid stress. Stress itself can cause the internal release of histamine (9).
Many inhaled allergens cause symptoms of coughing, difficulty breathing, and wheezing. These are symptoms of bronchial asthma. Asthma is the leading cause of chronic illness in children (2). About 30% of asthma is caused by non-immune reactions, including: cold, drugs, and even exercise (1). Antihistamines are not used to treat asthma (asthma is usually treated with either steroids or stimulants). Many people take bronchodilators to open up their airways during an episode of asthma; however, this is increasingly being discouraged. Overuse of bronchodilators can cause desensitization of the drug receptors (drug tolerance), which means a person must use more and more of the inhaler to get the same airway-opening effect. In some cases, when a person really needs the bronchodilator to work, it may not, and the person can die. In fact, asthmatics who frequently use bronchodilators are 2 ½ times as likely to die from an asthma attack as asthmatics that don’t use a bronchodilator (10). As you have read from the information above, there are many natural alternatives for drug use to control allergies and asthma. A person with allergies and/or asthma has to work hard to find the sources of their condition, but in the end it is worth their time and effort.
References:
1 Abbas, A., Lichtman, A. & Pober, J. Cellular and Molecular Immunology, 4th Ed. Philadelphia, PA: W.B. Saunders Company, 2000.
2 Litin, S., ed. Mayo Clinic Family Health Book, 3rd Ed. New York, NY: HarperCollins Books, 2003.
3 Haas, E. Staying Healthy with Nutrition. Berkeley, CA: Celestial Arts, 1992.
4 Gibson, P. Multiple Chemical Sensitivity: A Survival Guide. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger Publications, Inc., 2000.
5 Nandi, B., Subramanian, N., Majumder, A., & Chatterjee, I. (1974). Effect of ascorbic acid on detoxification of histamine under stress conditions. Biochemical Pharmacology, 23, 643-647.
6 Feinstein, A. Healing with vitamins. Emmaus, PA: Rodale Books, Inc., 1996.
7 Reavley, N. The New Encyclopedia of Vitamins, Minerals, Supplements, and Herbs. New York, NY: M. Evan & Co., 1998.
8 Calam, R., et. al. (2003). Childhood asthma, behavior problems, and family functioning. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 112, 499-504.
9 Brown, R., Stevens, D., & Haas, H. (2001). The physiology of brain histamine. Progress in Neurobiology, 63, 637-672.
10 Vayda, W. Attack Asthma: How to Conquer Environmental Illnesses and Allergies Without Drugs. Port Melbourne, Victoria, Australia: Griffin Paperbacks, 1994.