Smart Nutrition for Immune Support

Smart Nutrition for Immune Support

September 16th, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

Food does more than keep us healthy; it also provides our bodies with the necessary tools to do the same. Good nutrition supports the body’s ability to fight off illness, balance good and bad bacteria, and prevent infection. While simply eating a healthy, balanced baby food diet comprised of all four food groups will definitely keep your baby’s body strong, there are certain foods that provide a special boost of defensive nutrients. These foods will help your baby to have a stronger and more effective immune system.

Immunity Boosting Vitamins

Most people know that vitamin C is a powerful fighter against illness. It increases the number of white blood cells, which are vital to fighting off infections and also helps your body create important antibodies. Making sure your baby is getting enough vitamin C can help prevent illness and also shorten those that can’t be avoided. Citrus fruits are great sources of vitamin C, but the acidity might be hard on your baby’s stomach. Choose other options that are also full of vitamin C such as papaya, kiwi, cantaloupe and strawberries.

Although it isn’t as well known as vitamin C, Vitamin E is also an important immunity booster that can keep your baby healthy. Vitamin E helps your body to create the cells that fight germs and even cancer. Vitamin E is found in grains, nuts and vegetable oils. Almonds are a great sources, so consider trading your peanut butter for almond butter – although peanut butter provides a good dose of vitamin E too. Another excellent source that is perfect for babies is avocado.

Other Antioxidants

In addition to vitamins E and C, which are both antioxidants, there is another powerful antioxidant that can provide an incredible boost to your baby’s natural defenses against illness. A group of phytonutrients known as caretenoids, specifically beta-carotene, are incredible immunity boosters. Beta-carotene helps the production of those important illness-fighting cells, as well as destroying free radicals, which can lead to all kinds of problems including cancer.

The body also uses beta-carotene to create vitamin A, another great immune boosting vitamin. All of the caretenoids in this family of nutrients have similar protective effects on the body and are thought to be one of the best cancer fighters around. Look to foods like carrots, mangoes, sweet potatoes, and tomatoes.

Omega-3 fatty Acids

There has been a great deal of buzz around these essential fatty acids in recent years for good reason. Not only are they great for your heart, they also have immune boosting powers as well. Kids who get enough omega-3’s generally get fewer respiratory infections than those who don’t. Get these healthy fats in foods like fish and nuts. Almonds are on the best nut sources of omega-3’s, which makes another argument for almond butter as a peanut butter substitute. When choosing fish, look to choices like salmon, which is high in omega-3’s while low in mercury, which can be a danger in some fish sources.

The right baby foods really can make a difference in how often your child gets sick as well as the duration of illness. And it’s not just minor illnesses you will be helping your baby to avoid, but also far more serious problems both now and later in life. Supporting the body’s natural defenses against infection with these incredible immune boosters will keep your baby healthy and happy for a long time.

Keeping Tabs on Baby’s Iron

Keeping Tabs on Baby’s Iron

September 8th, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

Babies are at a very high risk for iron deficiency anemia, a condition that results from a lack of iron in baby’s system. Most anemia is caused by a diet that is low in iron. While the best thing you can do to prevent iron deficiency anemia in your baby is to make sure there is enough in baby foods, being vigilant about anemia is a good idea too. Because iron-deficiency anemia can be hard to distinguish from other problems, you will probably need your pediatrician’s help to make sure your baby is getting enough iron.

Symptoms of Iron Deficiency Anemia

The most common symptoms of low iron are fatigue, dizziness, lack of appetite, paleness, and changes in heart rate. Most of these you are unlikely to notice in a baby, mainly because your baby can’t tell you what she is feeling, or because they require medical instruments and training to detect.

In the long term, iron deficiency can lead to behavior and learning difficulties, the severity of which depends on how long your child suffered from anemia and how serious the deficiency was. These long term effects, however, should be avoidable with vigilance and early detection of the problem.

Because the symptoms can be hard to notice and easy to confuse with other problems, your doctor is the best person to determine whether or not your baby is getting enough iron.

How Your Baby’s Doctor Diagnoses Low Iron

Most babies will have a simple blood test done between 9-12 months of age to check for hemoglobin levels in the blood. Because iron helps the body to create hemoglobin, low levels are a sign of iron deficiency. A CBC (complete blood count) test will also show the number and size of your baby’s red blood cells. If the count is low and the red blood cells are small and less pigmented, odds are good your baby isn’t getting enough iron.

There are other tests your baby’s doctor may perform, including checking iron levels in the blood directly, and checking your baby’s stool for signs of blood. In most cases however, a diagnosis won’t require extensive testing. The results of the blood tests should be enough for your doctor to recommend a therapy if necessary. This may involve both diet changes and iron supplements.

Preventing Anemia

The best way to prevent anemia is to make certain your baby’s diet contains enough iron. During the first year of life most babies will get the required amount of iron from breast milk or iron-fortified formula. After the first year, however, the risk may increase as babies no longer breast or bottle feed and switch to cow’s milk. Cow’s milk is known to block iron absorption in large quantities, so keep your baby’s consumption in check, not more than 24 ounces a day. Be sure to feed a diet full of iron rich foods such as meat and poultry, eggs, leafy green vegetables and legumes.

You can also give your baby a daily multivitamin supplement that includes iron. Serve it separately from milk to be sure it is absorbed fully. As long as you follow these preventative measures, your baby is unlikely to develop an iron deficiency. If you need more concrete assurance, however, you can request that your baby’s doctor perform the blood tests to check for iron deficiency anemia.

Why Your Baby Needs Iron

Why Your Baby Needs Iron

August 30th, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

Iron is a vital mineral to life, for people of all ages. Babies, however, have a special need for iron as their bodies are growing and developing at a rapid pace. Many babies are not getting enough of this essential nutrient, and serious health problems can result.

What Iron Does

Iron helps the body to create hemoglobin, which is what keeps red blood cells healthy, and makes them red. It carries oxygen throughout the body and provides it to muscles and organs, all of which require oxygen to function properly. As babies are growing quickly, their bodies require iron to create new red blood cells.

Dangers of Iron Deficiency

Babies get iron from their mother in the womb, but after birth it must be included in baby food diet for healthy weight gain and development. Babies who do not get enough iron can develop iron-deficiency anemia, a condition which can cause numerous problems including poor weight gain, fatigue, dizziness, rapid heart rate and decreased appetite.

Iron deficiency symptoms can be slow to appear, as the body’s stores of iron are depleted over time. If they are not replaced, the symptoms will start to manifest. Most cases of anemia are caught prior to symptoms developing thanks to routine testing for hemoglobin levels in babies between 9-12 months of age. Rare serious cases of iron-deficiency anemia do occur, however, resulting in hospitalization.

What Leads to Iron Deficiency

In most cases, a lack of enough iron in the diet is the reason for a baby or toddler to develop anemia. There are other potential causes as well, however.

When your baby makes the switch to cow’s milk at around a year old, the risk of anemia from low iron increases due to two factors. First, your baby is no longer receiving the extra iron found in breast milk or iron-fortified formula. Second, too much milk can actually block iron absorption. This is a big reason why babies under a year old are not advised to drink cow’s milk. Too much milk can damage the lining of the stomach and result in internal bleeding that can further deplete iron supplies. To prevent this cause of iron deficiency, keep your baby’s milk intake to no more than 24 ounces a day. If your baby is taking an iron supplement or multivitamin with iron, serve it separately from milk.

Periods of rapid growth can also deplete iron stores, as the body is using them up at a quicker pace than normal. If you see signs of a growth spurt in your baby, try to add extra iron either in the form of supplements or food in order to replace the stores that are being used up.

If your baby was premature or had a low birth weight, the risk of iron deficiency anemia is increased. Because larger babies who spent longer periods in the womb were able to absorb and store more iron, their supply will last longer and not need to be replenished quite so quickly. A premature or low birth weight baby will need extra help to build up iron stores and avoid anemia.

If you suspect iron deficiency anemia in your baby, talk to your baby’s doctor. Once the diagnosis has been confirmed, your pediatrician will be able to guide you in the right steps to take in order to bring iron levels back up.

Vitamin K

Vitamin K

February 22nd, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

Vitamin K is needed for blood clotting. Vitamin K deficiency in adults is extremely rare because vitamin K can be synthesized in the intestines.

Sources of Vitamin K:

Vitamin K is widespread in food in small amount. The best sources are the skins of fruits and dark green leafy vegetables such as:

  • Spinach
  • Swiss Chard
  • Cabbage
  • Kale
  • Cauliflower
  • Broccoli
  • Brussels Sprout

How Much Vitamins You Need?

Dietary reference intake (DRIs): recommended intakes for infants, children, pregnant women and breastfeeding moms.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E

February 22nd, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

Vitamin E, an antioxidant that,

  • protects cells from oxidation damage
  • assists neurological function
  • prevents anemia
  • protects against ageing
  • encourages skin healing and reduce scarring

Vitamin E deficiency is rare. Excess vitamin E rarely causes any problems

Sources of Vitamin E:

Food / 100g Amount (mg)
Wheatgerm oil 136
Sunflower oil 49
Safflower oil 41
Polyunsaturated oil 38
Sunflower seeds 38
Hazelnuts, shelled 25
Sun-dried tomatoes 24
Almonds 24
Rapeseed oil 22
Cod liver oil 20
Mayonnaise 19
Corn oil 17
Soya oil 16
Groundnut oil 15
Pine nuts 13.5
Popcorn, plain 11
Peanuts, plain 10
Brazil nuts, shelled 7
Low-fat spread 6.3
Sweet potato, baked 6
Potato crisp 5.8
Peanuts and raisins 5.7
Tomato puree 5.4

How Much Vitamins You Need?

Dietary reference intake (DRIs): recommended intakes for infants, children, pregnant women and breastfeeding moms.

Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12

February 22nd, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

Vitamin B12 is needed metabolism of nutrients. It is needed to prevent anemia. A deficiency of vitamin B12 can cause pernicious anemia and nerve damage. Vitamin B12 overdose appears to have no toxic effects.

Sources of Vitamin B12:

Food / 100g Amount (µg)
Lamb’s liver 54
Nori seaweed, dried 27.5
Steamed mussels, shelled weight 22
Oyster, shelled weight 17
Sardines, canned in oil, drained 15
Grilled herring 15
Anchovies, canned, drained 11
Rabbit meat 10
Steamed scallops 9
Cooked prawn 8
Grilled skate 8
Steamed salmon 6
Tuna, canned in oil, drained 5
Eggs 2.5
Lean beef 2
Cheddar cheese 1.1

How Much Vitamins You Need?

Dietary reference intake (DRIs): recommended intakes for infants, children, pregnant women and breastfeeding moms.

Vitamin B6

Vitamin B6

February 22nd, 2010 by admin  |  1 Comment

Vitamin B6 is also called Pyridoxine. Metabolism of nutrients is its primary role. A deficiency of vitamin B6 often occurs in association with other vitamins of the B complex. Vitamin B6 overdose can cause nerve damage.

Sources of Vitamin B6:

Food / 100g Amount (mg)
Wheatgerm 3.3
Grilled turbot 2.5
Lentil, dry 0.9
Grilled salmon 0.8
Turkey, light meat 0.8
Squid 0.7
Walnut, shelled 0.7
Beef steak, lean 0.7
Grilled chicken breast, without skin 0.6
Hazelnuts, shelled 0.6
Grilled swordfish 0.6
Baked potato 0.5

How Much Vitamins You Need?

Dietary reference intake (DRIs): recommended intakes for infants, children, pregnant women and breastfeeding moms.

Vitamin B3

Vitamin B3

February 22nd, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

Vitamin B3 is also called Niacin. It is needed for tissues repair and metabolism of nutrients. Vitamin B3 deficiency can lead to pellagra (severe deficiency), slower metabolism and decreasing cold tolerance. An excess of vitamin B3 (over 3g a day) can cause liver damage, dilation of the blood vessels and kidney damage.

Sources of Vitamin B3:

Food / 100g Amount (mg)
Yeast extract 73
Chicken breast, without skin 22
Lamb’s liver 21
Tuna canned in oil, drained 21
Grapenuts 20
Roasted turkey, light meat, 20
Peanuts, plain 19
Pork fillet, lean 18
Tuna, fresh 17
Shiitake mushroom, dried 15
Grilled swordfish 14
Grilled mackerel 13

How Much Vitamins You Need?

Dietary reference intake (DRIs): recommended intakes for infants, children, pregnant women and breastfeeding moms.

Vitamin B2

Vitamin B2

February 22nd, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

Vitamin B2 is also called Riboflavin. It is essential for the growth and metabolism of nutrients. Vitamin B2 deficiency can be caused by not getting enough of the vitamin from the diet, malabsorption of intestine, or increase in the excretion of the vitamin from the body. The signs and symptoms of vitamin B2 deficiency include:

  • cracked and red lips
  • inflammation of the lining of mouth and tongue
  • mouth ulcers
  • cracks at the corners of the mouth
  • sore throat
  • dry and scaling skin
  • fluid in the mucous membranes
  • iron-deficiency anemia

A deficiency may also cause the eyes to become bloodshot, itchy, watery and sensitive to bright light. Vitamin B2 overdose is not harmful and excess intake of vitamin B2 will be excreted.

Sources of Vitamin B2:

Food / 100g Amount (mg)
Yeast extract 11.9
Lamb’s liver 4.6
Grapenuts 1.5
Nori seaweed, dried 1.3
Vegetable pate 1.3
Liver pate 1.2
Roasted venison 0.7
Goat’s milk cheese 0.6
Cheddar cheese 0.5
Eggs 0.5
Tomato sauce for pasta 0.5

How Much Vitamins You Need?

Dietary reference intake (DRIs): recommended intakes for infants, children, pregnant women and breastfeeding moms.

Vitamin B1

Vitamin B1

February 22nd, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

Vitamin B1 is also called Thiamin. It is a water-soluble vitamin that is needed for:

  • enzyme activity
  • metabolism of nutrients

Vitamin B1 deficiency can cause myriad problems including neurodegeneration, wasting and death. It can also lead to beriberi and Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. Excess intake of vitamin B1 is not harmful as it will be excreted.

Sources of Vitamin B1:

Food / 100g Amount (mg)
Yeast extract 4.1
Vegetable burger 4.1
Vegetable pate 2.1
Sunflower seeds 1.6
Bacon rashers, back, grilled 1.2
Peanuts, plain 1.1
Pork, lean fillet 1.1
Wholemeal spaghetti, dry 1.0

How Much Vitamins You Need?

Dietary reference intake (DRIs): recommended intakes for infants, children, pregnant women and breastfeeding moms.

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