“Thanks to the spoils of the industrial revolution, your body is now home to a growing cocktail of chemicals,” says Dr. Joseph Mercola, founder of Mercola.com, the most visited natural health site on the Internet.

Here are the five pervasive toxins published in a CNN report, and how to protect your children from them:

1. Bisphenol A (BPA)
   BPA is “a building block of a lightweight, clear, heat-resistant, and almost unbreakable plastic called polycarbonate.” It’s also used in epoxy resins. Several studies suggest that it poses a potential cancer risk and may disrupt the endocrine system–the extremely sensitive chemical signals in your body.BPA can be found in water bottles, baby bottles, reusable food containers, plastic tableware, infant feeding cups, and dental sealants, among others.

   What you can do: Buy stainless steel bottles and glass food containers. Switch from canned to fresh or frozen vegetables. Check the bottom of the plastic product you buy.

2. Phthalates
   A plastic-softening family of chemicals, phthalates are considered endocrine disrupters. Research has also shown that they can disrupt reproductive development.What you can do: Avoid shampoos, conditioners, and other personal care products that list “fragrance” as an ingredient.
3. Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA, also called C8)
   PFOA is used to make Teflon and other non-stick and stain- or water-repellent products. It causes cancer and developmental problems. PFOA is linked with thyroid disease.

   What you can do: Avoid cooking with Teflon and similar types of potentially harmful non-stick cookware. When heated, they release PFOA’s into your environment. You can reduce your potential exposure by choosing safer alternatives, such as ceramic cookware.

4. Formaldehyde
   An ingredient in resin, formaldehyde acts as a glue in manufactured pressed-wood products. It is a known human carcinogen that can cause respiratory or gastrointestinal tract cancer.Formaldehyde is also used as an embalming agent.

   What you can do: If you have wood products containing formaldehyde, increase ventilation, reduce humidity with air conditioning or dehumidifiers, and keep your home cool.

5. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs)
   These are a group of chemicals used as flame retardants. According to toxicology tests, PBDEs may damage your liver and kidneys and affect your brain and behavior.

What you can do: Use products without PBDE flame retardants. “Another common source of PBDEs is your mattress, and since you can spend up to a third of your life in bed, this is a significant health concern. Look for 100 percent wool, toxin-free mattresses,” suggests Dr. Mercola.

Rather than making an endless list of things to avoid, teach your children better health and lifestyle choices. Feed them raw, fresh foods as often as possible and steer clear of processed foods. Use only natural personal and home cleaning products.

You could also boost their overall health with a natural krill oil supplement. Rich in DHA and other omega-3 fats, krill oil supports growth and brain power.* It enables learning and concentration in school, helping children through their rapid development years.*

Read more articles on krill oil, child safety, and optimal health in this blog.

Natural health expert Dr. Joseph Mercola agrees that raising children isn’t a walk in the park. The good news, however, is that there are surefire ways to ensure your child’s optimal health.

Dr. Mercola provides these 10 tips for a healthier child:

1. Give your child a head start in life. Supplement with krill oil before and during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. The DHA and choline in this supplement has been proven to be critical for brain development and IQ. “Your child is wholly dependent upon you to provide those nutrients through at least the first three months of life,” says Dr. Mercola.

   Incidentally, krill oil also supports your mental outlook and overall health during and after pregnancy.

2. Breastfeed your child for as long as possible. Infants receive DHA from your breast milk. Dr. Mercola recommends you continue breastfeeding through the first year at a minimum.
3. Schedule your child’s activities. Help your child understand time and routines through a dependable schedule: regular mealtimes, bedtime, and more. “They like things this way because it gives them a sense of security,” Dr. Mercola adds.
4. Give your child a diet rich in high-quality, organic meats and vegetables. As early as possible, train your child’s taste buds to like vegetables. Avoid sweets, foods with artificial flavors and preservatives, and high-fructose corn syrup at all costs.
5. Encourage your child to get daily exercise. Make fitness and exercise a special bonding activity for the family. Go for walks, ride bikes, and play badminton. The possibilities for fun are endless!
6. Provide clean air at home. Avoid smoking cigarettes and using toxic cleaning products. “If your home was built before 1978, test for lead paint hazards,” Dr. Mercola advises.
7. Strengthen your child’s immune system through probiotics. You’ll feel more at ease, especially when a new virus hits your child’s school.
8. Avoid using detergents, soaps, and shampoos with toxic ingredients. Ditch products that contain chemicals like parabens, mineral oil, paraffin, petrolatum, sodium laurel or lauryl sulfate (SLS), sodium laureth sulfate (SLES), acrylamide, and propylene glycol. They are NOT worth the risk.
9. Do your homework on immunizations. “The health risks simply outweigh the benefits for many vaccines – be fully informed of any risks before you make any decision on vaccines,” says Dr. Mercola.
10. Let your child go outside and bask in sunshine. Expose him or her to sunlight for at least 15 minutes per day, preferably at midday. “This will optimize his or her vitamin D levels, thereby positively influencing immunity and overall health,” Dr. Mercola says.

You may be providing krill oil, clean air, and fun exercises for your children, but are you also giving them a happy, nurturing home? At the end of the day, family life will have a profound influence on their health. Shower your children with love, respect, and affection. Raise them in an environment that will bring out the best in them.

Do you know that your children face a host of health risks when you feed them Chicken McNuggets? Their favorite fast food snack contains disturbing additives you’d never imagine putting on your child’s plate.

Following reports on the possible health risks of its ingredients, McDonald’s China claims in a Bloomberg report that additives in its chicken McNuggets are “harmless.”

What’s in your McNuggets?

General Hospital of Armed Police Forces nutritionist Liu Qingchun says that “the chemical is toxic to some extent.” But McDonald’s China insists that their use of tertiary butylhydroquinone (TBHQ) meets Chinese food safety standards.

Bloomberg adds that McNuggets served in the United States “also contain tertiary butylhydroquinone, a petroleum-based product, and dimethylpolysiloxane, an anti-foaming agent used in cosmetics and other goods.”

Are these two food additives really safe to eat? Natural health expert Dr. Joseph Mercola helps you decide.

What These Additives Really Are

“TBHQ is a synthetic chemical with antioxidant properties, commonly used as a food stabilizer. It prevents oxidation of fats and oils, thereby extending shelf life of processed foods,” Dr. Mercola reveals, giving a list of processed foods TBHQ is usually used for:

• Vegetable oils
• Baked goods
• Flavoring and spices
• Margarine
• Cereals and grains
• Snack foods like potato chips

This additive is also found in varnishes, lacquers, resins, oil field additives, and pesticide products. It is commonly used in cosmetics and perfumes to reduce the evaporation rate and improve stability.

“The good news is that it is not suspected to be a persistent toxin, meaning your body is probably able to eliminate it so that it does not bioaccumulate,” says Dr. Mercola.

Dimethylpolysiloxane hasn’t undergone any significant safety studies yet.

Watch What Your Children Eat!

Dr. Mercola asserts that fast food and other processed foods will adversely affect your children’s health. “Ideally, you’ll want to consume as much whole, raw, organic, and/or locally grown foods as possible,” he says.

Paired with good eating choices and lifestyle, a quality natural supplement will boost your children’s health and mental development. This powerful combination brings them closer to optimal health.

Rich in DHA and other omega-3 fats, a natural krill oil supplement supports growth and enhances brain power.* It enables learning and concentration through their development years, helping them do better in school.*

Discover more articles on children’s food safety and optimal health in this blog.

___

*This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

The problem with pesticide exposure is that a majority of the side effects do NOT occur immediately. This delayed response makes pesticides a bigger threat to your children.

Natural health expert Dr. Joseph Mercola asserts that scientific literature has already established “convincing associations” between pesticide exposure and neurological diseases such as Parkinson’s disease and muscular sclerosis. There are more insidious effects that may afflict children.

Pesticide Exposure and ADHD

A Pediatrics study discovered disturbing links between some of the most commonly used pesticides and a significantly increased risk of ADHD symptoms among children.

The urine of 1,139 children between the ages of 8 and 15 was tested for six pesticide metabolites. The result: 119 of these children were diagnosed with ADHD.

Other findings show that children with a tenfold increase in metabolites from the pesticide Malathion – found in head lice treatments – were 55% more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD.

Reduce Your Children’s Pesticide Exposure Now!

The U.S. News & World Report reveals five tips to reduce your children’s pesticide exposure:

1. Buy organic fruits and vegetables. If they’re not organic, many fruits and vegetables are most likely grown using pesticides. Some examples are celery, peaches, strawberries, apples, and blueberries.
2. Detoxify your lawn. Make sure your lawn care service does NOT use the organophosphate pesticide trichlorfon.
3. Clean out your shed. Look into your old garden shed and remove the pesticide diazinon (sold under brand names Diazinon or Spectracide). This has long been banned from residential use.
4. Use natural cures for a lice infection. Malathion is a neurotoxin used for treatment of head lice. Do not put any of this on your child’s head!
5. Check the pest control policy of your child’s school. Encourage your school district to move to Integrated Pest Management, which uses less toxic alternatives.

Ensuring Your Child’s Health

Dr. Mercola provides additional recommendations for your children’s well-being.

“Remember that processed foods are made with a variety of chemicals, and should be avoided as much as possible. Children already diagnosed with ADHD, in most cases, need to eliminate processed foods entirely,” he says.

Dr. Mercola also suggests using only natural cleaning products and toiletries at home.

You can also boost your children’s overall health with a natural krill oil supplement. Rich in DHA and other omega-3 fats, krill oil supports growth and brain power.* It enables learning and concentration in school, helping children through their rapid development years.*

Read more articles on child safety and optimal health in this blog.

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How to Buy Organic Without Breaking the Bank

Dr. Joseph Mercola, a natural health expert, explains that “exercise encourages the brain to work at maximum capacity by causing nerve cells to multiply, strengthening their interconnections, and protecting them from damage.”

He cites a study done at one particular school where students achieved higher reading and math scores when they took part in dynamic gym class earlier in the day.

Regular exercise has been found to improve blood flow to your brain and to increase learning, according to one study.

The Amazing Benefits of Exercise for Brain Health

Keeping your child active through exercise is a great way to improve his learning skills. It protects his brain through:

• Increased blood flow to your child’s brain
• Enhanced support for the development and survival of neurons, which are the core components of your child’s nervous system
• Lowering the risk of heart and blood vessel diseases
• Production of nerve-protecting compounds

Does Physical Activity Help with ADHD?

Aside from the aforementioned benefits, regular exercise also has a special protective effect for children with ADHD. Hyperactivity and restlessness in these kids can be controlled with constant physical activity. Additionally, exercise provides a perfect opportunity for children to release their energy and avoid emotional outbursts.

How to Get Your Kids Moving: Fun Activities and Krill Oil Can Help

Dr. Mercola notes the importance of limiting your children’s TV time as much as possible. He encourages parents like you to have a regular exercise program for your children.

“The trick to getting kids interested in exercise at a young age is to keep it fun, not feeling like a chore,” says Dr. Mercola. This means getting them involved in enjoyable activities such as dancing, rollerblading, playing basketball, and biking, among many others.

Lastly, Dr. Mercola also recommends including krill oil supplements in your child’s diet. Krill oil is rich in omega-3 fats, specifically DHA, which boosts your child’s brain power and promotes his ability to concentrate and focus in school.

Related Links:
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However, obesity is a preventable condition. More importantly, it’s something you can help your children avoid by taking simple measures.

A new national study published on EurekAlert! reveals what you can do to decrease the risk of obesity in children. It points out some routines you can practice in your own home:

• Eat dinner together as a family
• Ensure that your child is getting enough sleep
• Reduce your child’s television viewing time

Aside from these 3 household routines, Dr. Joseph Mercola, a natural health expert, suggests these tips for maintaining your kids’ healthy weight:

• Keep fructose intake under 25 grams per day.

  Dr. Mercola points out that “fructose is the number one source of calories in America and it is very clear that it is a primary cause of the obesity epidemic.” As such, he recommends eliminating soda and dramatically reducing fruit juices and foods that are high in fructose from your children’s diet.

• Modify your child’s diet according to his/her Nutritional Type.

  Choose foods that are “right for your biochemistry, so they will naturally push your body toward its ideal weight,” says Dr. Mercola.

  It is important to include high-quality, organic meats and veggies in your child’s diet in order to provide him/her with vital nutrients. Also supplement with krill oil, which is rich in Omega-3 fats that are critical to your child’s brain function, IQ, and overall optimal health.

• Encourage your kids to get regular exercise.

  Incorporating various types of physical activity into your child’s routine, which can be as simple as walking, bike-riding, or playing tennis, can be helpful in weight management.

To instill these healthy habits, Dr. Mercola believes parents need to model these behaviors in order to serve as good role models for their children.

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The Three Variables That Affect Childhood Obesity

Childhood obesity is a problem that is getting more rampant, according to statistics.

Obesity, the state of having too much body fat to the extent that it threatens one’s health, is no longer a condition that exclusively affects adults.

According to the CDC, childhood obesity has more than tripled in the past 30 years. Among children aged 6 to 11 years, obesity increased from 6.5% in 1980 to 19.6% in 2008. The increase of obesity among adolescents aged 12 to 19 years went from 5.0% to 18.1%.

A study in 2001 also revealed that obesity in children is increasing worldwide.

Risks of Childhood Obesity

Obese children weigh more than what is considered within the normal range, and healthy for their height. They often consume a lot of sugary, high caloric foods and spend much of their time inactive, watching TV or playing video games, instead of playing outdoors and getting enough physical exercise.

When kids are overweight, they have an increased risk of various diseases. In addition, The New York Times reports that childhood obesity doubles the likelihood of early or premature death before age 55.

How Your Kids Can Beat Obesity

If your kids are obese, they need your help to overcome this condition. Through lifestyle changes like those listed below, you can help them reach a normal healthy weight.

Dr. Joseph Mercola, a leading natural health expert, recommends that you do take these steps to help your child reach or maintain a healthy weight:

1. Switch off the TV, computer, and video games. Encourage your family to limit TV time so it does not interfere with healthy physical outdoor activities
2. Fit exercise into your family’s schedule. Be active as a family – take brisk walks and play sports together.
3. Prepare nutritious meals for your family. A healthy diet is crucial to your kids’ health. Give them whole, fresh, and healthy foods to eat.
4. Avoid buying/storing junk food. As much as possible, don’t let your kids eat processed foods like potato chips, French fries, and cookies.
5. Refrain from drinking soda and juice. As a healthier option, give them pure, clean water instead.
6. Eat together as a family. Studies have shown that family mealtimes help kids stay away from smoking, drinking, and drugs.
7. Reward your children with kind words instead of candies or sweets. Doing this step can help keep your children from getting hooked on sugar.
8. Support your child’s brain function and overall health with Krill Oil supplements. Krill oil provides your kids with essential nutrients like DHA, choline, and other nutrients that help improve cognitive function, concentration and focus.
9. Maintain a healthy weight yourself. Parents are the best role models for their children. If you overcome your food cravings and keep a healthy weight, your children are more likely to follow as well.

Consider these easy tips to help your children fight obesity and ensure their optimal health.

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• Are Oversized Moms to Blame for Pudgy Kids?
• Childhood Obesity Becoming Rampant

Soft drinks are popular among children. In a study published by the Journal of the American Dietetic Association, children “strongly liked” the taste of soft drinks and they are more likely to drink them at least five times in a week.

The Dangers of Drinking Soft Drinks

What you don’t know is that soft drinks are filled with ingredients that won’t do any good for your kid’s health. “One can of soda has about 10 teaspoons of sugar, 150 calories, 30 to 55 mg of caffeine, and is loaded with artificial food colors and sulphites. The diet varieties are also problematic as they are filled with harmful artificial sweeteners like aspartame,” explains Dr. Mercola.

Because of its high sugar and caloric content, drinking soda has been linked to increased risk of the following conditions:

• Obesity
• Osteoporosis
• Tooth decay
• Heart disease

Better Alternatives to Soda: Pure Water, Natural Foods and Krill Oil

If your child has become hooked to drinking soft drinks during or after every meal, one of the first things you could do is to stop drinking sodas yourself. Parents like you actually serve as a role model for your kid’s drinking and eating habits.

Dr. Mercola also has these recommendations:

• Encourage your child to stop the habit by replacing soda with pure, clean water as much as possible.
• Offer natural, organic foods to your kid. Get him or her to eat a lot of fruits, vegetables and other nutritious foods.
• Support his or her diet with a Krill oil supplement, which is rich in Omega-3 fats that help your child’s brain health.

Now, if you’re really keen on giving your child the most optimal health possible, why don’t you start by refraining from buying and drinking soft drinks today? In addition, it might be a good idea to enrich your kid’s diet with pure water, unprocessed foods and krill oil supplements that will provide him or her with essential nutrients.

Related Links:

• Parents Strongest Influence on How Much Soda Kids Drink
• The Real Dangers of Soda to You and Your Children

Fast Food Makes Children Prone to Childhood Obesity

Lack of this awareness is partly a reason why some kids are in danger of obesity today. Obesity means “having too much body fat,” according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, and can cause health complications like elevated cholesterol levels, diabetes and high blood pressure.

“Children simply do not understand that these foods are highly processed and damaged fuel that have worsened the obesity epidemic through the world,” explains nutrition expert, Dr. Joseph Mercola.

Krill Oil & Whole Foods Help Improve Your Kids’ Health

Like all health conditions, prevention of childhood obesity is easier than treatment. But to make this possible, parents like you should get involved.

To keep them away from fast food, you will play an important role in communicating with your children the benefits of having good health and nutrition. You will also allot time to provide them with nutritious meals and snacks.

Dr. Mercola recommends these ways to help your children avoid obesity:

1. Feed them plenty of natural, unprocessed foods like fruits and vegetables.
2. Encourage them to drink clean water instead of soft drinks and sugary fruit juices.
3. Take out the TV from their bedroom and reduce their TV time.
4. Get your kids to exercise, which can be as simple as walking and running in the playground, so they can build stronger bone mass.
5. Add an Omega-3 supplement like Krill Oil to your kid’s diet. Krill oil for kids helps sharpen their minds, improve their muscle control and support their optimal health.

Consider doing any of these methods to put a stop to your children’s overindulgence in fast foods. That way, you can keep them off the obesity track and protect their health as they grow.

For more information on Krill oil, check the other articles here.

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In a research published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, it revealed that a diet rich in omega-3 fats lowers the levels of atherosclerosis in Japanese men.

Natural health experts like Dr. Joseph Mercola affirm this finding. “It’s been proven time and again that omega-3 fats are excellent for your heart health. Where this particular study made some strides was in showing that it is likely diet – and not genes – that’s responsible for the drastically lower rates of heart disease among the Japanese,” says Dr. Mercola.

How Does Omega-3 Fats Sustain Your Heart Health?

Omega-3 fats, long-chain, polyunsaturated fatty acids, can do a lot of wonders for your heart. In addition to preventing incidence of clogged arteries or atherosclerosis, Dr. Mercola notes these benefits of omega-3 fats:

• Lower blood pressure*
• Help counteract cardiac arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat)*
• Stop the formation of fatty deposits in the inner layer of your arteries*
• Protect against thrombosis (a blood clot within a blood vessel)*
• Decrease triglyceride concentrations*
• Counteract heat, pain, swelling, and other inflammations*

Get Your Omega 3-Fats from Animal-Based Fats such as Krill Oil

Majority of the benefits of omega-3s come from animal-based sources such as fish. However, several studies have found that fish is highly contaminated with mercury, toxins and pollutants from the ocean. As such, the US FDA has warned against fish and shellfish consumption in kids, pregnant women and nursing mothers.

“Instead of getting your omega-3 from potentially contaminated fish, I recommend taking it in supplement form, as this has been purified to remove any toxins,” says Dr. Mercola.

He also suggests taking krill oil as an omega-3 supplement. High quality krill oils do not oxidize easily and are stable compared to fish oils. They can supply additional support for your health, such as boosting your brain function among many other benefits.

* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition, consult your physician before using this product.

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Omega-3′s Protect Against Clogged Arteries