Healthy Family

Healthy Living Tips and Tricks

It seems that everyone is concerned with healthy living these days. This is a good thing; it is important to be concerned with your health and to look for better strategies to improve your life. On the other hand, it also seems like everyone has a quick solution for healthy living, for a hefty fee of course. It seems at times that you can't turn on the television or open a magazine without seeing a celebrity or doctor trying to get you to buy their new book detailing the latest miracle diet that will change your life, whether it is fresh ground wheat grass or a daily tin of Brazil nuts. The reality is that these diets are unnecessary. Healthy living is available to everyone, and does not depend on buying the latest diet book or the most expensive vitamins. All that you need to do is to start making healthy decisions.

How to eat healthy

The most important facet of your life that you need to change as you move towards healthy living is to start eating nutritious foods. Do not try to follow a trendy diet, just eat a balanced diet of nutritious foods. When you eat well, you lower your risk of many health problems such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, certain kinds of cancer and osteoporosis. You will also give yourself more energy, allowing you to enjoy life again.

The most important group of foods, and the one that is most often the cause of poor diets, is fruit and vegetables. There is nothing particularly innovative about this advice; everyone knows that you need to eat your fruit and vegetables. The main problem is that so few people actually consume the seven to ten daily servings of fruits and vegetables they are supposed to have each day. And when they do eat fruit and vegetables, it is in forms that include added sugar, salt or fat.

The food group that we all eat too much of is meat. Try to limit your meat intake, and emphasize meat alternatives for your protein needs. While you definitely need meat or an alternative for the protein, most people eat far too much from this food group. You will be surprised at how little is actually required to get you through the day.

Get active

Once you have started eating well, it is time to go out and get some physical activity! Now, this does not mean that you have to incorporate a rigorous physical workout into your daily routine. Just including small amounts of physical activity in your life will make a difference. So take the stairs instead of the escalator, or walk to the corner store instead of driving four blocks. Start slowly and incorporate more physical activity into your life, and you will be amazed at how quickly the results will add up.

Have fun

The final component of healthy living is to have a healthy mind. Build up a strong peer group who will give you the social support you need to be truly happy. This will reduce your stress, which will only lead to a healthier body.

source : funny jokes (Go Article)

10 Great Family Fitness Exercise Ideas

Now that you've set the ground rules for sedentary activities, plan some family togetherness time. The idea is to get 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise every day. So, how can you get your family moving in a way that's fun and doesn't feel like a punishment? Here are some easy ways to reach that goal together.

1. Walk to school. Lace up your walking shoes and join the kids for a brisk walk to and from school each day.
2. Check out physical participation video games. "I'm delighted with some of the newer action toys such as the [Nintendo] Wii games. People have the ability to play tennis, bowling, baseball, skateboarding, and snowboarding," Shannon says. "Kids love them. I'm generally trying to get kids away from the TV, but in this case, if they are swinging a bat or dancing, it's great."
3. Build strong bones. Be sure to include bone-strengthening exercise as well, such as hopscotch, jumping rope, gymnastics, or volleyball — any "weight-bearing" activity, one that you do standing up.
4. Take a tour of the park. Make going to the park a reward for a job well done, a good test grade, or anything that deserves a positive non-food reward. When you get there, play a fast game of Frisbee or pitch a ball.
5. Turn birthdays into an active adventure. Make your presents for birthdays related to activities. Plan a family ski or snow-tubing day trip or visit a nearby zoo. A bike makes a great gift for every family member, as does a basketball hoop in the driveway and a badminton net in the back yard. Make sure that Mom and Dad are included in the bike rides and pick-up games, too.
6. Get to the playground. Muscle-strengthening exercise doesn't mean just weight lifting. Take the kids to the playground to swing on the bars, climb a tree, or play tug-of-war.
7. Go to the head of the class. To learn a new activity, take a class together, such as martial arts, dance, or yoga — a favorite among hard-to-please teen girls.
8. Walk the dog. Treat your dog to daily walks that include the entire family.
9. Plant a garden. Whether you choose fruit and vegetables or just some pretty flowers, get the kids involved in an organic gardening project. They'll get some brisk exercise digging, planting, and weeding. Then the whole family can enjoy the fruits of their labor with fresh produce and cut flowers.
10. Follow your kids' lead. "This year I bought my granddaughter the Playskool Dance Cam because she loves to dance," Shannon says. "It takes a picture of a child dancing and puts it on TV dancing with cartoon characters. My basic words of advice are 'go with the flow.' If your child shows interest in some activity, such as dancing, encourage it and go with her to participate."

Souce: Kid's Health Center

By Lynn Yoffee

Medically reviewed By Pat F. Bass III, MD, MPH

Regards,
Samuel Gultom
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Vacation To Samosir

A Journey to our ancestor

Recently, my parents and me have been travelling to Toba Lake, Samosir, North Sumatera, Indonesia. That was a great experience with a beautiful sight all over the lake. For information, Toba lake is the World famous is the crater Toba Lake in the Batak highlands; approximately five hours drive from Medan. Toba Lake is the largest lake in South East Asia and also one of the most spectacular, surrounded by tall mountains and with the large island of Samosir in the middle. If we descend from the mountain we see the lake glittering in all its beauty. The Dutch writer Rudy Kousbroek even called Toba Lake, 'the most beautiful place on earth'. Most visitors stay on the peninsula of Tuk Tuk on Samosir, named after the linguist Herman Neubronner van der Tuuk. In general people stay several days on Samosir to discover the island, to visit traditional Batak villages, to swim in the lake and go to the hot springs in Pangururan. (source : Toba Lake Tourism)

We spent a week for that journey. Even I have to celebrate my fourth birthday in Pangururan, Samosir. I was very happy, swim, travel, and looking for a new experience. Actually, everything at Samosir was a new to me.... the traditional batak houses, animals, culture and the environment, totally new experience to me. We visited our families, our ancestor grave, and many activities.

This vacation was mean to me.....

Me and Nathan ride a Becak

Me at originally batak houses

Playing while waiting for sunset

Regards,

Samuel Gultom
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Infant Vaccinations

Some parents are choosing to space out and delay recommended vaccines because they're worried that their infants are getting too many shots too soon, potentially contributing to later mental health issues.

The issue has been especially persistent when it comes to autism, which some believe is tied to vaccines, although numerous studies have discounted such a link.

However, a study published online May 24 in the journal Pediatrics finds no neurological benefit to delaying immunizations during the first year of life.

Researchers at the University of Louisville analyzed the health records of more than 1,000 children. After comparing the kids' performance on 42 neuropsychological tests between the ages of 7 and 10 against the timeliness of vaccination during the first year of life, the researchers found no evidence that delaying vaccines gave children any advantage in terms of brain development.

"Our study shows that there is only a downside to delaying vaccines, and that is an increased susceptibility to potentially deadly infectious diseases," said lead researcher Dr. Michael J. Smith, a pediatric infectious diseases specialist at the University of Louisville School of Medicine. "We hope these findings will encourage more parents to vaccinate according to the American Academy of Pediatrics schedule, and reassure them that they're making a safe choice when they do so."

Smith said the study is the first to evaluate the long-term neuropsychological impacts of multiple vaccinations received in the first seven months of life. In the past few years, more and more parents are asking their pediatricians for an alternative vaccine schedule, "but we found that nobody had really looked at whether there are any advantages to delaying vaccines," he said.

Using publicly available records collected for a previous study of exposure to the vaccine preservative thimerosal, Smith and co-author Dr. Charles Woods reviewed the immunization records of 1,047 children born between 1993 and 1997, as well as their performance on 42 in-depth neuropsychological tests taken between 2003 and 2004. Children were classified as up-to-date if they had received at least two hepatitis B, three diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP), three Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib) and two polio vaccines on time during the first seven months of life. A vaccine was considered on time if it was given within 30 days of the recommended age.

The developmental tests included assessments of speech and language, fine motor coordination, behavior regulation, general intellectual functioning and other abilities.

Two separate analyses were performed. In the first, children with timely receipt of vaccination were compared to all other children in the study who had delays in receipt of one or more doses. In a second analysis, children who received the maximum number of vaccines in the first seven months of life were compared to those who received the fewest vaccines in the study group.

In both analyses, the researchers found no evidence to suggest that multiple vaccines in the first year of life negatively impact a child's cognitive abilities later. In fact, the first analysis revealed that children who received all their vaccines on time performed slightly better on two of the 42 tests, after adjustment for familial and socioeconomic factors. Kids who missed or were late on one or more doses of vaccine didn't do better on any test.

Vaccine expert Dr. Gary L. Freed, director of the Child Health Evaluation and Research Unit at the University of Michigan Health System, said he wasn't surprised by the findings, since "there's never been any evidence whatsoever that delaying vaccines does any good for any child." And the reason children receive so many vaccines at such young ages is because "the life-threatening diseases that they protect against are most likely to attack at these ages," he said.

The researchers pointed out that newborns now receive two additional vaccines and one that has been reformulated, so more studies are needed to confirm this study's implications for new generations of babies. However, they also noted that infants' immune systems are actually exposed to fewer vaccine antigens now than they were during the period covered by this study, so the findings are likely to be similar.

more source : CDC

Articles: Jakarta Post

RI to produce H1N1, H5N1 vaccines

The government, together with state-owned pharmaceutical company PT Bio Farma, plans to start producing vaccines for the H1N1 and H5N1 strains of influenza by November 2010.

The plan was revealed Monday during the inauguration ceremony of Airlangga University's avian influenza research center (AIRC) bio safety level-3 (BSL-3) in Surabaya by Vice President Boediono.

"I hope the vaccines to be produced will be beneficial to the people of Indonesia," Boediono said.

The center's team of researchers handed over the seed vaccines for both H1N1 and H5N1 to Boediono, who in turn gave them to Health Minister Endang Rahayu Setyaningsih as a symbolic gesture. The minister then passed them on to PT Bio Farma.

Also attending the ceremony were National Education Minister Muhammad Nuh, East Java Governor Soekarwo, Deputy Governor Syaifullah Yusuf and Airlangga University's rector Fasichul Lisan.

Speaking at the ceremony, Boediono expressed his pride that the team of researchers could successfully develop the seed vaccines.

He also encouraged academics and industry to develop other vaccines as well as master the technology to do so for the benefit of the people.

As Indonesia is plagued by tropical diseases, the challenge was to find and develop successful vaccines, he said.

PT Bio Farma director Iskandar said the government had allocated Rp 1.3 trillion (US$139 million) to fund the research, development and production of the vaccines.

He said his company had planned to begin clinical trials in March 2010 and would start producing the H1N1 vaccine by November 2010. "We will produce about 20 million doses in our first production run," he said.

Health Minister Endang said researchers and paramedics would receive vaccines from the first production run, arguing that they were the ones who were critically exposed to the viruses in their work.

Center researcher C.A. Nidom said his team had begun research on the vaccines in 2006 after the Health Ministry handed over five strains of the avian flu virus. In August 2009, it again gave them six strains of the influenza A virus.

Following research, the 13-member team comprising researchers from Airlangga University and PT Bio Farma finally succeeded in creating and developing seed vaccines for both infectious diseases.

Nidom also expressed optimism that the vaccines would be effective in preventing the spread of the diseases among human beings, especially after his team found the vaccines effective in trials on marmots, mice and monkeys.

He claimed that Bio Farma would be successful in mass producing the vaccines as it was the only vaccine producer in Southeast Asia.

Speaking previously in Bandung, Iskandar said the vaccine factory would be established simultaneously with the development of a chicken farm in Lembang, North Bandung.

Around 48,000 poultry seeds will be developed at the facility to support the production of the vaccines by providing clean embryonated eggs as the media for developing the flu viruses using Japanese technology.

Regards,

Samuel Gultom
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Vitamins and Minerals

What You Eat is Just as Important as How Much You Eat

Your body is growing a baby, and you need the right kind of fuel to do a good job. Vitamins and minerals help your body use the energy provided by foods. They also help repair and maintain cells and tissues. A prenatal supplement is a vitamin and mineral supplement you can take daily to make sure you're getting the right amount of certain important nutrients during pregnancy.

In general, you'll want to look for one that contains more of certain nutrients (such as folic acid and iron) that you may not be able to get enough of from your diet. Just as important is to find one that includes no more than the recommended amounts of other nutrients (particularly vitamin A) that can be harmful to your baby if you take too much.

This is one of the reasons that most prenatal supplements contain vitamin A at least partly in the form of beta-carotene, a nutrient that you get from fruits and vegetables that converts to vitamin A in the body. Unlike vitamin A from animal products, which has been known to cause birth defects when taken in high doses before conception or during pregnancy, beta-carotene is not considered to be toxic in high doses.

You may also want to take an omega-3 supplement. In addition to the many wonderful things omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to do, including improving the health of your heart, preventing cancer, reducing hypertension, and easing symptoms of lupus and other autoimmune diseases, it can also do some wonderful things for your baby. Studies have shown that omega-3 fatty acids help improve brain and eye development in the fetus and baby. Plus, extra amounts of omega-3 can help you ward off depression.

Variety is the Key to Health
What are some good choices? Fruits, vegetables, whole-grain breads and pastas, milk products, and low-fat protein sources such as lean red meat, beans, tofu, poultry and some fish. (See Food to Avoid for a list of fish that are off-limits to pregnant women.)

Folic Acid
If you eat well and have no specific risk factors, the experts do not agree about whether you need to take a prenatal supplement. So talk with your practitioner about what's right for you. But everyone does agree that you need to take 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid a day in addition to the folic acid you get from food.

Start taking folic acid at least a month before you start trying to get pregnant and during your first trimester. In fact, since half of all pregnancies are unplanned, the U.S. Public Health Service recommends that ALL women of childbearing age take 400 mcg of folic acid a day. That's because research has shown that doing this can reduce the risk of neural tube defects in your baby by up to 70 percent.

If you do take a prenatal supplement, it's likely to contain between 600 and 1,000 mcg of folic acid. If you don't take one, make sure you still take a separate folic acid supplement. If you've previously had a baby with neural tube defects, you'll need to take 4,000 mcg, or 4 milligrams, of this vitamin each day starting at least a month before conception; see your practitioner about getting a prescription for pills that provide this larger dose.

Women with Certain Health Issues
Women with dietary restrictions or pregnancy complications need to take a prenatal supplement - and not just for the folic acid and iron. This includes vegetarians and vegans; women who are lactose-intolerant or have certain other food intolerances; smokers and women who abuse other substances; women who are having twins or higher multiples; and women with certain blood disorders and chronic diseases. If any of these situations apply to you, talk to your caregiver about what kind of supplement is best for you.

Important Vitamins and Minerals:

• Calcium (1,000mg) Where to get it: Dairy foods, dark leafy greens, calcium-fortified soy milk, calcium-fortified juices and cereals
• Folate (folic acid is the synthetic form, available in supplements)(600mcg) Where to get it: Dried beans, peas, lentils, orange juice, oranges, dark leafy greens, soy nuts, avocados, broccoli, asparagus
• Iron (27mg) Where to get it: Liver, meat, seafood, prune juice, dry beans, wheat germ, oatmeal, tofu, soy nuts, grains
• Protein (70g) Where to get it: Meat, poultry, seafood, dairy foods, beans and legumes, nuts
• Vitamin C (85mg) Where to get it: Citrus fruits and juices, strawberries, bell peppers, tomatoes, dark leafy greens, broccoli, Brussel sprouts
• Omega-3 Fatty Acids (200-300mg)Where to get it: Salmon, walnuts, flaxseed, leafy-green vegetables

What the Experts Say
Your health care provider will most likely recommend you take prenatal multivitamins containing the recommended amounts of vitamins, including folic acid. Your prenatal vitamin is crucial throughout pregnancy to support the growth of the baby, so be sure you take it every day. In fact, your need for iron doubles during pregnancy, and you may not be able to get enough from your diet.

Some pregnant women need to take a 30-milligram iron supplement during their second and third trimesters to help prevent anemia. Your health care provider will recommend one if you need it. Your provider also may recommend a calcium supplement if you are unable to consume dairy products. Never take a supplement that contains more than the Daily Value (DV) of vitamins and minerals without talking to your health care provider, because large doses of certain vitamins (such as vitamin A) may harm your baby.

source : Pregnancy-Info

7 More Vital Vitamins for Pregnant Woman

When you are pregnant it is important that you fully appreciate the significance of vitamins and minerals. They are essential for the healthy development of your unborn baby. Therefore, you need to know what the various vitamins do and more importantly how you can make them a part of your diet. In this article there are seven of these important vitamins and minerals in greater detail

1. Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine):- This vitamin helps your baby's brain and nervous system develop. In some cases it has also been noted to reduce morning sickness. Pyridoxine can be sourced in; bananas, watermelon, chick peas and chicken breast.
2. Calcium:- This mineral is essential for the development of your baby's bones and your need for this mineral will increase greatly during pregnancy. Calcium deficiency can lead to osteoprosis (porous bones) and reduce the strength of your baby's bones. Calcium is contained in lots of dairy products such as; milk, cheese, yogurt, spinach, tofu and broccoli.
3. Vitamin E:- This vitamin helps a baby's muscles and red blood cells to develop. A lack of Vitamin E has been linked with low birthweight, whilst getting too much of this vitamin has been associated with stillbirth. It is therefore vital that you ask for your doctor's advice before considering Vitamin E supplementation. You can get Vitamin E in a number of foods including; vegetable oil, nuts, and fortified cereals.
4. Iron:- This mineral plays a major role in the development of red blood cells which are required for the healthy development of your baby. Iron is also an important mineral in the growth of the placenta. Iron can be sourced from; red meats, vegetables, grains and fortified cereals.
5. Protein:- Protein is one of the core building blocks in all your baby's body cells. The need for protein increases during the second and third trimester of your pregnancy. Many dietary products are rich in protein including; meat, fish, eggs, cheese and tofu. It can also be found in supplements such as bars and shakes.
6. Vitamin B1 (Thiamin):- This vitamin is essential for the development of your baby's central nervous system. Not getting enough Thiamin can put your baby at risk of beriberi which can damage the baby's heart and lungs. Foods which contain Thiamin include; whole grain foods, wheat germ and eggs.
7. Zinc:- This mineral is highly important for cell growth in your unborn baby. Zinc also promotes the production of enzymes such as insulin in pregnant women. Zinc can be found in; red meats, poultry, beans, grains and dairy products.

Vitamins and minerals are a crucial part of any pregnant woman's diet. I hope this article gives you some guidance on which vitamins you need and where you can find them. However, for professional advice on the vitamins and minerals you will require during your pregnancy you should consult your doctor.

source : Article Base

Morning Sickness : My Mom's Got Pregnant

My Mom's always looks pale every morning, she looks not so health and always go to bathroom. One day I ask my mom to feed me while I was playing my computer, but she seems to be not so encourage with that. "May be you should ask your sister to feed you, my boy", mom said and ask my sister (nanny) to feed me.

Well, after a couple days, I realize that my mom's got pregnant, and waiting for my little brother to delivery. I do hope that my Mom's give me little brother . Of course, I can play better with my him someday.

Morning Sickness

The following are safe, proven treatments for morning sickness. Still, few women gain complete relief from morning sickness treatment. Taking ginger or doxylamine is most likely to effectively curb nausea and vomiting.

• Certain antihistamines like doxylamine or dimenhydrinate, taken as your doctor advises, may relieve morning sickness.² If one of these antihistamines alone does not relieve your morning sickness, you can try taking it with vitamin B6.³
• Ginger, taken regularly as a powder in a capsule, grated fresh into hot water for a tea, or in syrup or crystallized form, can significantly relieve morning sickness after a few days of treatment.³
• Vitamin B6 and B12, taken regularly as your doctor advises, can reduce nausea and vomiting.
• Acupressure, firmly placed on the P6 point (the inner side of your arm, in line with your middle finger and one-sixth of the way between your wrist and elbow), relieves nausea for some women.

Follow these guidelines for minimizing nausea and vomiting during pregnancy.

• Keep food in your stomach but not too much. An empty stomach can make nausea worse. Eat several small meals every day instead of three large meals.
• For morning nausea, eat a small snack (like crackers) before you get out of bed. Allow a few minutes for the snack to digest, then get out of bed slowly.
• Stay hydrated. Drink a lot of fluids. Try a sports hydration drink, as well as water, broth, or juice.
• Eat more protein, and cut your fatty food intake.
• Avoid smells and foods that make you feel nauseated. Citrus juice, milk, coffee, and caffeinated tea commonly make nausea worse.
• Avoid iron supplements, which can make nausea worse. These aren't necessary during the first trimester.
• Get lots of rest. Stress and fatigue can make morning sickness worse.

Contact your doctor immediately if you vomit more than 3 times a day or are unable to take fluids, especially if you also have pain, fever, or both.

First Trimester of Pregnancy

No matter how well you prepare for your pregnancy, you may not be able to fully anticipate all of the different changes that are about to take place in your body. During the first trimester (the first three months after your last menstrual period), these changes will help your baby develop and prepare your body to nourish the baby.

Knowing what to expect can help you get ready for the months ahead and learn to distinguish between symptoms that are just uncomfortable and signs that there might be a real problem with your pregnancy.

What to Expect: Changes in Your Body

Pregnancy is different for every woman. Some women glow with good health and vitality during those first three months; others feel absolutely miserable. Here are some of the changes you might experience, what they mean, what you can do to relieve any uncomfortable symptoms, and which signs warrant a call to your doctor.

Bleeding. About 25% of pregnant women experience some bleeding during their first trimester. Early in the pregnancy, light spotting may be a sign that the fertilized embryo has implanted in the uterus. However, if you have significant bleeding, cramping, or sharp pain in your abdomen, call your doctor. These could be signs of a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy (a pregnancy in which the embryo implants outside of the uterus).

Breast tenderness. Sore breasts are one of the earliest signs of pregnancy. They're triggered by hormonal changes, which are preparing your milk ducts to feed your baby, and will probably last through the first trimester. Going up a bra size (or more) and wearing a support bra can make you feel more comfortable; you can go back to the lacy bras after your baby is finished nursing.

Constipation. During pregnancy, the muscle contractions that normally move food through your intestines slow because of higher levels of the hormone progesterone. Add to that the extra iron you're getting from your prenatal vitamin, and the result is uncomfortable constipation and gas that can keep you feeling bloated throughout your pregnancy. Increase your fiber intake and drink extra fluids to keep things moving more smoothly. Physical activity can also help.

If your constipation is really bothering you, talk to your doctor about what mild laxative or stool softeners are safe to use during pregnancy.

Discharge. It's normal to see a thin, milky white discharge (called leukorrhea) early in your pregnancy. You can wear a panty liner if it makes you feel more comfortable, but don't use a tampon because it can introduce germs into the vagina. If the discharge is foul-smelling, green, or yellow, or if there's a lot of clear discharge, call your doctor.

Fatigue. Your body is working hard to support a growing fetus, which can wear you out more easily than usual. Take naps or rest when you need to throughout the day. Also make sure you're getting enough iron (too little can lead to anemia, which can cause excess fatigue).

Regards,

Samuel Gultom
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Vitamin Knowledge

Vitamins are essential nutrients that contribute to a healthy life. Although most people get all the vitamins they need from the foods they eat, millions of people worldwide take supplemental vitamins as part of their health regimen.

Why Buy Vitamins?

There are many good reasons to consider taking vitamin supplements, such as over-the-counter multivitamins. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), a doctor may recommend that you take them:

• for certain health problems
• if you eat a vegetarian or vegan diet
• if you are pregnant or breastfeeding

Vitamin Facts

Your body uses vitamins for a variety of biological processes, including growth, digestion, and nerve function. There are 13 vitamins that the body absolutely needs: vitamins A, C, D, E, K, and the B vitamins (thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, biotin, vitamin B-6, vitamin B-12 and folate). AAFP cites two categories of vitamins.

• Water-soluble vitamins are easily absorbed by the body, which doesn't store large amounts. The kidneys remove those vitamins that are not needed.
• Fat-soluble vitamins are absorbed into the body with the use of bile acids, which are fluids used to absorb fat. The body stores these for use as needed.

Develop a Vitamin Strategy

It is important for consumers to have an overall strategy for how they will achieve adequate vitamin intakes. The 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans advises that nutrient needs be met primarily through consuming foods, with supplementation suggested for certain sensitive populations.

These guidelines, published by the Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), provide science-based advice to promote health and to reduce risk for chronic diseases through diet and physical activity. They form the basis for federal food, nutrition education, and information programs.

Barbara Schneeman, Ph.D., Director of FDA's Office of Nutritional Products, Labeling, and Dietary Supplements, says, "The Guidelines emphasize that supplements may be useful when they fill a specific identified nutrient gap that cannot or is not otherwise being met by the individual's intake of food." She adds, "An important point made in the guidelines is that nutrient supplements are not a substitute for a healthful diet."

Special Nutrient Needs

According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, many people consume more calories than they need without taking in recommended amounts of a number of nutrients. The Guidelines warn that there are numerous nutrients—including vitamins—for which low dietary intake may be a cause of concern. These nutrients are:

• calcium, potassium, fiber, magnesium, and vitamins A (as carotenoids), C, and E (for adults)
• calcium, potassium, fiber, magnesium, and vitamin E (for children and adolescents)
• vitamin B-12, iron, folic acid, and vitamins E and D (for specific population groups).

Regarding the use of vitamin supplements, the Dietary guidelines include the following:

• Consume a variety of nutrient-dense foods and beverages within and among the basic food groups. At the same time, choose foods that limit the intake of saturated and trans fats, cholesterol, added sugars, salt, and alcohol.
• Meet recommended nutrient intakes within energy needs by adopting a balanced eating pattern, such as one of those recommended in the USDA Food Guide or the National Institute of Health's Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) eating plan.
• If you're over age 50, consume vitamin B-12 in its crystalline form, which is found in fortified foods or supplements.
• If you're a woman of childbearing age who may become pregnant, eat foods high in heme-iron and/or consume iron-rich plant foods or iron-fortified foods with an iron-absorption enhancer, such as foods high in vitamin C.
• If you're a woman of childbearing age who may become pregnant or is in the first trimester of pregnancy, consume adequate synthetic folic acid daily (from fortified foods or supplements) in addition to food forms of folate from a varied diet.
• If you are an older adult, have dark skin, or are exposed to insufficient ultraviolet band radiation (such as sunlight), consume extra vitamin D from vitamin D-fortified foods and/or supplements.

How Vitamins are Regulated

Vitamin products are regulated by FDA as "Dietary Supplements." The law defines dietary supplements, in part, as products taken by mouth that contain a "dietary ingredient" intended to supplement the diet.

Listed in the "dietary ingredient" category are not only vitamins, but minerals, botanicals products, amino acids, and substances such as enzymes, microbial probiotics, and metabolites. Dietary supplements can also be extracts or concentrates, and may be found in many forms. The Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 requires that all such products be labeled as dietary supplements.

In June 2007, FDA established dietary supplement "current Good Manufacturing Practice" (cGMP) regulations requiring that manufacturers evaluate their products through testing identity, purity, strength, and composition.

Risks of Overdoing It

As is the case with all dietary supplements, the decision to use supplemental vitamins should not be taken lightly, says Vasilios Frankos, Ph.D., Director of FDA's Division of Dietary Supplement Programs.

"Vitamins are not dangerous unless you get too much of them," he says. "More is not necessarily better with supplements, especially if you take fat-soluble vitamins.” For some vitamins and minerals, the National Academy of Sciences has established upper limits of intake (ULs) that it recommends not be exceeded during any given day. (For more information, visit http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=6432#toc)

Sammy : Wanna Be A Soldier

Everyone, I think has a dream and pretend wanna be somewhat in the future. Like others kids in the world, I do have a dream too. Being a soldier is one of my favorite "i am gonna' be". Look, I like playing and act like a ninjas, and pretend to be Naruto...one of my favourite movie....

"Me Act Like A Ninjas"

My Grandpa was a soldier,,,, I do know him only by his picture, that my parents show me. I really like my Grandpa,,,I don't know where's the feeling comes in. At the moment I saw his pict, I think, I am alike his.

"My Beloved Grandpa"

Well... it is fun to pretend as a soldier as well. My father and me always play like a soldier or a police. We seek a bad guy and try to eliminated the threat...
What do you expect for a three years old kids to be,,,, I don't have bedwetting anymore, even I go to toilet for "puk"...That's why my parents like my progress...
Now... I am gonna be a soldier..like my Grandpa..

"As A Soldier : Salute To All"

Accomplished Training Toilet Less Than A Day

You might be setting a goal to finish the toilet training less than a day so that for the days to come you will be absolved from changing diapers, will not waste anymore time to deal with resistance and rejection and also to spend more time with your child. However, this cannot be done with just one click of a remote. You have to work your way through to your child's trust and capability to cooperate with the toilet training.

First and foremost, you have to set your child's mind that in a few days both of you will go through the process of toilet training. Make him or her mentally ready for the training. It is easier this way than surprising your child by tomorrow that the potty training is going to start. This will also give your child the time to think and express what he or she thinks about toilet training the next day. Both of you will be able to communicate and this will give you an overview of how to deal with your child when the toilet training will come

After you have set your child mentally, prepare him or her physically. You can start by making him or her wear underwear or potty training pants and not diapers. Take off the diaper while talk to him or her about the benefits of the underwear or potty training pants that he or she will be wearing in the next few days. This will give your child an idea that you are really serious with the training and that he needs to learn as early as possible so that in time, he or she will not have a hard time using the toilet.

In pulling off your child's diaper, you will also arrive with an idea whether your child will cooperate or resist. It is a good sign when he or she cooperates at the start of pulling his or her diaper and changing him or her into the underwear. If your child shows eagerness then most probably the toilet training will not be as hard as you think. In addition, you may make your child pass through many times in the area where the potty is located. Show him or her the toilet and ask what he or she thinks about it. This will be very helpful because then your child's attitude will show before the toilet training will occur. You will see if your child likes the site of a toilet or not.

It is very important to prepare your child for everything you have planned so that it will not be a shock to him or her that you involved him or her in your activity. By the third day, when all is set, you will no longer have a hard time toilet training your child. Because for the past two days you have prepared your child for this, both of you will accomplish the toilet training less than a day.

Source :Liyah Cherby

Regards,

Samuel Gultom
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