Kids Health « Alive Health Centre Blog

All Posts in ‘Kids Health’

Jul

2011

Natural Calm Magnesium Citrate

Categories: ADHD, Baby Health, Depression, Injuries, Kids Health, Mood, Pain, Sleep, Stress

Your body goes through a lot of changes and physical stress when going through labour: tense muscles, bowel movements are difficult because you can’t push, back pain, irregular sleep and much more. Even when we are not going through labour or a healing process, we are all constantly dealing with stress, sore muscles, injuries, anxiety and sleepless nights. Lastly, Natural Clams Magnesium is also safe for your kids. Sometimes parents come in looking for a solution for their kids constipation. Sometimes kids hold in their bowel movement because they simply don’t like going to the bathroom because their stool has been too hard in the past and has hurt. This is a natural way to help soften the stool. The other benefit in using Natural Calms Magnesium for kids is it is excellent for the brain! Fish oil is always recommended for ADHD, but so is magnesium! The Natural Calms Magnesium is the way to go since it is in powder form, mixes instantly in water and tastes great! It is nice to know that there are natural solutions to help you with these kinds of issues and one of the best is Natural Calms Magnesium Citrate.

CALCIUM, MAGNESIUM & STRESS

What Natural Calms Has to Say about the Calcium Magnesium Relationship:
“Calcium and magnesium are two different sides of a coin. Calcium excites nerves while magnesium calms them down. Calcium makes muscles contract. Magnesium is necessary for muscles to relax. Calcium is needed for blood clotting but magnesium keeps the blood flowing freely. It is vital to keep these minerals in balance. Too little magnesium to balance calcium can be both uncomfortable and unhealthy.

To ward off the negative effects of a prolonged period of stress or an overreaction to stress, calcium needs to be balanced with adequate amounts of magnesium. Going through a stressful period without sufficient magnesium can set up a deficit which, if not corrected, can linger, causing more stress and further health problems.

Today we have diets dangerously low in magnesium. Factor in the recent addition of nutritional calcium via supplements and food fortifications meant to stave off osteoporosis, and many of us are getting inadequate magnesium plus too much calcium.

Magnesium has an important role in essentially every life function. It helps maintain normal muscle and nerve activity, keeps heart rhythm steady, supports a healthy immune system and keeps bones strong.

Magnesium also helps regulate blood sugar levels, promotes normal blood pressure and is involved in energy metabolism. Many researchers believe that no single dietary factor is as critical as magnesium.”

This is just a quick post today! Hope you enjoyed it. As always thank you for reading and if you have any questions find an Alive Health Centre, Supplements Plus or Morning Sun location near you! You can also call us toll free at 1866-499-9546.

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Jul

2011

Savi Seeds by Sequel Naturals: The Sacha Inchi Seeds Packed with Nutrition!

Categories: ADHD, Antioxidants, Blood Sugar, Brain Health, Hot products, Kids Health, Pregnancy Tips

Savi Seeds by Sequel are toping the list for being the king of seeds! Even Dr. Oz is raving about them. They are filled with Omega’s, proteins and much much more! They are a perfect way to get a healthy snack in, your kids will love them and there are three different flavours to choose from (coco, salted and caramel)!

While I was pregnant I carried a bag with me in my purse where ever I went. It was a fantastic way to maintain blood sugar, eat healthy, reduce cravings for sweets and it has 13 times the omega 3 than salmon! So I am hoping for a very smart daughter! Remember that omega 3′s are filled with the essential fatty acids EPA and DHA. EPA is fantastic for inflammation and healing, while DHA is the brain food. Helps the fetus brain development and reduces chances of ADD and other concentration/mood disorders.

What Are Savi Seeds? Where do They Come From?

When we say SaviSeed, we mean premium, organic sacha inchi seeds – the super food of the ancient Inca peoples. Not just your average seed, sacha inchi seeds are native to the Amazon rainforest and have been cultivated and consumed for centuries in Peru under the name ‘Inca Peanut’. SaviSeeds are the fruit of sacha inchi plants, herbaceous vines that produce star-shaped green pods which yield edible seeds – SaviSeeds. Our premium SaviSeeds are sustainably and organically grown and proudly produced in partnership with indigenous Peruvian farmers.

Details: Nutritional Value

SaviSeeds are rich in nutrients – making them a healthy but indulgent snack. Here’s why they are called a superfood:

Omega 3

Sacha inchi seeds are the richest source of Omega 3 on the planet! At 7000mg of heart-healthy Omega 3 per one ounce serving, they offer 13 times more Omega 3 than an ounce of wild salmon – without having to deal with unpleasant fishy flavors and aftertastes!

Protein

SaviSeeds are an exceptional source of plant-based protein with 8 grams of complete protein per ounce – more than most nuts and seeds. This highly digestible protein is very useful in tissue regeneration and muscle development, and it’s easily digestible… no irritation, gas, or acidity.

Tryptophan

This ancient food source is also a particularly abundant source of tryptophan, an amino acid that can help promote a positive mood – containing about 29 mg of tryptophan per gram of protein, which is more than 8 times higher than roasted turkey.

Antioxidants

Sacha inchi seeds have a high concentration of powerful natural antioxidants like Vitamin E, which helps to ward off cardiovascular disease and cancer by protecting cells from the damaging effects of free radicals.

Gluten-free

All those with gluten intolerances and allergies can also enjoy this nutritious and yummy snack! SaviSeeds are tested and approved to meet international guidelines for gluten free status.

Fiber

A mere one ounce serving of SaviSeed will easily provide you with 5 grams of dietary fiber, which is 20% of recommended daily intake.

Certified Organic

SaviSeeds are organically certified by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), meaning that no chemical fertilizers, synthetic pesticides or herbicides are used during production. Precautions are taken even during transportation and storage to avoid cross contamination between organic sacha inchi and any crops that may not be organic.

Flavours

So next time you are in the mood for a healthy alternative, pop into an Alive Health Centre, Morning Sun or Supplements location and think SAVI! And when you are looking to describe them remember that they may look, smell and taste like nuts, but they are seeds – sacha inchi seeds to be exact and they have 13 times more Omega-3 than wild salmon, they are also packed with complete protein and taste amazing! As always thank you for reading!

For more questions or to do a mail order call us toll free at 1866 499 9546

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Jul

2011

AOR Children’s Vitamin D3 Drops 400iu

Categories: Hot products, Immune System, Kids Health, Mood, Parents, Quick Tips

What is AOR’s Vitamin D3?

Vitamin D3 is derived from sheepskin oil collected during shearing. AOR’s Vitamin D3 for Children is rapidly converted in the body to the active hormone 1,25 dihydrocholecalciferol, and helps in the development and maintenance of bones, the absorption and use of calcium and phosphorus, and is a factor in the maintenance of good health. It is also important for mood as well! Calcium is always talked about, but we often forget to take extra vitamin D3 to make sure that our calcium is actually absorbed into the bone.

QUICK TIP:

I am recently a new mother! First time! I did not post about being pregnant because I wanted to wait until the baby was born. She is healthy and happy and so am I. She was born July 2nd at 1:30am! I just wanted to share this with you and now you can expect many articles to come regarding tips for your little ones. So the tip here is AOR Vitamin D3 liquid drops! Yes even NEWBORNS are recommended to have 400 iu per day of Vitamin D3. The hospitals now inform you to supplement with Vitamin D3 if you are breast feeding. If you formula feed most of them already include this. The best way to get your newborn or child to take Vitamin D3 is through a liquid. All you have to do is place your drop of Vitamin D3 liquid from AOR onto your breast once a day and voila! It is sooo easy and the baby cannot taste it.

Dosage:

AOR Vitamin D3 for Kids and even NEWBORNS

1 Drop per day (0.2 ml) is 400 iu

Vitamin D3 from AOR, Source:

Vitamin D3 – lanolin; Medium chain
triglycerides – coconut; α-tocopherol – soy

Vitamin D for Children: Research on Vitamin D3 by AOR:

The most well known role of vitamin D is its involvement in maintaining healthy bones. In children, vitamin D is essential for the proper growth and development of bones, and deficiency can result in rickets. Vitamin D is critical for bone health because it is required for the efficient utilization of dietary calcium. If vitamin D levels are too low, the body will begin to break down the bones to access calcium stores. Research has shown that vitamin D supplementation early in life leads to higher bone mineral density (BMD) at 7-9 years of age, and that adolescents with low vitamin D levels have lower BMD.

Vitamin D is also important in the function of muscles. Research has shown that young girls (12-14 years old) with higher vitamin D levels demonstrate greater muscle power than those with lower levels.

Vitamin D supplementation is also important during pregnancy and at very young ages, as inadequate vitamin D levels early in life have been associated with an increased risk of autoimmune disorders like multiple sclerosis, breathing disorders and type 1 diabetes later in life. For example, infants receiving 2000IU of vitamin D in the first year of life were 80% less likely to develop type 1 diabetes. There may also be a link between vitamin D and autism, as autism is much more prevalent in areas of low sunlight. Vitamin D has also been shown to play a role in immunity, and may help to prevent placental infections during pregnancy.

As always thank you soo much for reading! I will do my best to keep up with the posts despite having my hands full with Danica our newborn. We look forward to helping you at any location: Alive Health Centre Morning Sun or Supplements Plus. Also if you are planning to start a family, or you are currently pregnant and have any questions in general about pregnancy, labour or post labour, ask away. I may not have all the answers, but it is always nice to have someone to reach out to, identify with and share experiences with. Have an excellent week everyone!

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May

2011

Alive Brand Kids DHA: Helps Kids Focus

Categories: ADHD, Alive Brand, Autism, Baby Health, Brain Health, Kids Health, Omega 3's

Alive DHA for Kids!

Parents are always coming in looking for a good quality fish oil to help their kids brains develop the best they can. Half the battle is finding that balance of a good quality fish oil with lots of the essential fatty acid DHA, but one that tastes good! There is a solution! The Alive Kids DHA is extremely clean and therefore is free from any chemicals/toxins. All Alive fish oils go through rigorous testing and since the beginning, we have received the highest standard of quality there is when it comes to fish oil. The source of fish is from the cold pristine Norwegian waters.

The break down is 250mg total omega 3 per capsule, then you have EPA and DHA. These are the essential fatty acids from the omega 3. EPA is for skin and things like inflammation, therefore wonderful for kids who have dry itchy skin. DHA is what parents are always concerned about and want to give their kids lots of so that they have healthy brains! DHA helps with mental focus, intelligence, and even attention deficit disorder. The break down is as follows:

Total omega 3: 250mg
DHA: 100mg
EPA: 25mg
Note this is per soft gel.

Dosage:

Generally, take 3 soft gels daily, however the size of the child is more important than the age when it comes to dosage. Also fish oil is one of those things where more is good! Typically little ones like 3 years old will take 2 or 3 and then we always recommend higher than what the bottle says for kids that are older like 8 or 9 but still want to take the yummy fish oil, but are not ready to take on a liquid form. An 8 year old can easily take 6 soft gels a day, especially for a child who is having trouble focussing, distrupting the class, or is struggling with school work.

Description:

The soft gel is the size of a green pea. It is meant to be chewed. There is liquid inside the gel and it is the flavour of an orange burst! Kids love it. It is sweetened with Stevia. Stevia is a good natural sweetener with NO calories, but it is from a plant source all safe and 100% natural. Stevia sweetener is what is sold in Health Stores and has been helping diabetics for years. Please do not confuse Stevia with sucrolose or splenda. These are the less desirable sweeteners. As for the material of the soft gel, there is no pork in the soft gel. All Alive Gelatin is bovine source or vegetarian. The Alive Kids DHA is bovine. There are no fillers in the fish oil and there is NO wheat, soy, gluten, dairy or corn. This makes the product easy for kids who have sensitivies.

Also, just another note: I am about 7 months pregnant and as you may know, fish oil is extremely important for pregnant women to take so that the development of the babies brain is the best it can be! In the first trimester I did have morning sickness, and I found that the Alive Kids DHA was one of the only fish oils I could keep down! So there is a little tip if you know any other pregnant women having trouble finding a fish oil….

Size: it comes in a 90′s and 180′s.

As always, thank you you for reading! Hopefully you enjoyed the article. We look forward to answering any further questions you may have at either an Alive Health Centre, Morning Sun or Supplements Plus location near you! Also, please feel free to call us toll free at 1866 499 9546 for additional information or if you wish to do a MAIL ORDER. Have a great weekend everyone!

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Feb

2011

Lorna Vanderhaeghe Mag Smart: For Heart Health, Depression and Children Behavioural Problems ADHD

Categories: ADHD, Autism, Baby Health, Blood Pressure, Blood Sugar, Brain Health, Depression, Diabetes, Kids Health, Parents, Stress, Womans Health

Lorna Vanderhaeghe’s Mag Smart is in the form of Magnesium Bisglycinate which does not cause diarrhea. Sometimes the issue with taking Magnesium in Citrate form is that when taken in higher dosages, it causes a loose stool. For some people a loose stool is good news, but for those that need to take a higher amount of Magnesium, the Bisglycinate form is the way to go!

There is a lot of buzz about taking Vitamin D and Calcium, but Magnesium is one of the minerals that many people are deficient in. Magnesium plays a vital role in allowing our body to function properly. Magnesium is needed for our enzymes, for blood vessels, for nerves, for heart health, for the brain and much much more!

While Lorna’s Mag Smart is great for: depression, muscle spasms, cardiovascular health, diabetes as well as chronic fatigue, one of the most intriguing benefits is for children’s behavioural issues. There is an epidemic going on where many parents are concerned about Autism, ADHD and even depression with their children.

According to Dr. Oz in 1980 Autistic children were diagnosed 1-5000 and currently Autistic children are being diagnosed at 1-110!

Unfortunately, there are not concrete answers as to what the true cause of Autism is. The answer is not simple, there are just too many factors these days due to our complex environment. The GOOD news is that there are things you can do that are in no way harmful to your children… like taking Fish Oil, balanced diet and Mag Smart. Lorna says it best, here is what she has said:

Behavioural Problems
“Magnesium deficiency occurs more frequently in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) than in healthy children. Studies have shown that magnesium supplementation reduces the symptoms of ADHD in children.

In one such study, a combination of magnesium and vitamin B6 was shown to reduce symptoms such as physical aggressiveness, instability, and poor attention at school in all study participants (52 children) after 1-6 months of treatment.

Magnesium, together with vitamin B6, may also be beneficial for autistic patients. While no cure for autism is known, magnesium and B6 supplementation has led to remarkable improvement in many cases”. (Lorna Vanderhaeghe, www.hormonehelp.com)

I have seen the most attentive and dedicated parents do whatever they can for their children. Special learning techniques, motor development classes, memory pattern routines, Fish Oil supplements among other supplements. My heart goes out to those parents who only want the best for their children. At Alive Health Centre, Morning Sun and Supplements Plus we truly care about this issue. Majority of us are mothers with 20 + years experience, some of us are new mothers with all the latest information and some of us are expecting! Where ever you are in life, we look forward to helping you with whatever your health care needs are. Come see us at a location near you.

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Jan

2011

Progressive Kids Multi-Vitamin: Focus and Stamina!

Categories: Antioxidants, Enzymes, Greens, Kids Health

Progressive Kids Multi-Vitamin

Parents always want the best for their kids especially when it comes to nutrition and therefore we have diligent parents coming in all the time to Alive Health Centre, Morning Sun and Supplements Plus, requesting a solid Multi-Vitamin for their growing kids. Obtaining the proper nutrients these days has become extremely difficult with fruits and vegetables not as rich vitamins/minerals as they used to be. In addition, we are continuously being exposed to new chemicals and toxins which rob us of our nutrients every second of the day.

What is a reliable, well researched, well rounded Multi-Vitamin for your kids?

The Progressive Brand: Kids Multi-Vitamin, is one of the leaders when it comes to building a complete chewable Multi for kids and the world renowned Naturopathic Doctor Mikael Adams assisted in this fabulous formulation.

What makes Progressives Multi for Kids different?

Not only does this multi have all the essential vitamins and minerals, it also has: essential fatty acids for example DHA is the essential fatty acid for brain development, cognition, focus, and helps kids with ADD (attention deficit disorder), there are also enzymes which helps to break down food preventing digestive complaints, there are also antioxidants which are often lost in our fruits and vegetables, and one of the most unique aspects of the multi is the greens that have been incorporated into the formula. Therefore, Progressive Multi for kids is extremely complete. Lastly, there are no preservatives, artificial flavours or sweeteners. As you can probably see, this is truly a top notch Multi-Vit, for your top notch kid!

Other BENEFITS for taking Progressive Multi for Kids:

Increases healthy energy levels
Great for school and concentration
Helps regulate blood sugar levels
Helps protect a healthy immune system
Promotes healthy teeth and gums
Tastes great!
Helps balance PH

Always remember, that no matter how hard you try as a parent, there is no way to be 100% sure that your kids are getting everything they need. It is very difficult to get everything in our food these days even when buying organic. It is always important to do the absolute best you can eating wholefoods, greens, and a balanced diet, and then for insurance taking a good quality multivitamin is vital these days. Even if you give your kids the best, kids are resourceful and they may not always make the best choices for themselves, or if they are at a friends home, they may eat very differently from what you may give them normally.

For even more information on Progressives Multi-Vitamins there is a pamphlet on the product as well.

Progressive Multi-Vitamin for Kids Pamphlet

As always, thank you for reading and we look forward to helping you and your family enter a healthy and happy 2011! Come see us at Alive Health Centre, Morning Sun and Supplements Plus!

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Apr

2010

How to Improve Your Childs Concentration

Categories: Kids Health, Parents, Stress

Nordic Naturals DHA for: Brain Development, Focus and Concentration. Teenagers, Adults and Pregnant woman can use this excellent high quality source of DHA.

I get many emails from parents who are concerned about their childrens lack of focus. Below are the tips that you can use to help improve your childs concentration. Hope you enjoy the read!

Concentration problems are extremely common these days, but there are many things we can do to help them along the way. First we will discuss the safe supplements you can give them: 1. A good quality fish oil 2.A B-Complex. 3. A good multivitamin. This is simple but a good start.

1. Fish Oil: They can take either liquid or capsules. Also if your family is vegetarian or allergic to fish they can use Flax oil instead, but Fish Oil is the best choice because it is more concentrated in Essential Fatty Acids (EFA’s). Just a reminder that there are two EFA’s: EPA and DHA. EPA is good for inflammation, skin conditions such as eczema, heart and joints. DHA is what children need for concentration, focus, and development of a healthy brain.

Good Brands: Nordic Naturals, Nutra Sea or Norweigian Gold Fish oils.

2. B-Complex. Royal Jelly comes in softgels and it is rich in B vitamins, Amino Acids, and it is great for the immune system. I took Royal Jelly all throughout University and I never had to have coffee. It provided me with stamina, focus, and concentration instead of false energy which is typically what students use to get through the day. It also helps you with stress. Royal Jelly is more expensive than a plain B Complex, but it has the added benefits for the immune system. If cost is a concern a B-Complex is a great start. B-Complex comes in capsules, tablets, as well as liquid. Liquid is not the best taste, but it is possible hide the taste in a shake or juice. Capsules are the easiest to swallow and are definately convenient.

Good Brands For Royal Jelly: Honeslty, Royal Jelly by Alive Brand is fantastic. I take this one still everyday. I never travel without it.

Good Brands for B Complex: Alive, or Sisu are great choices.

NOTE: for dosages and specifics it is best to go over this in the store. Dosages depend on the size of the child, not necessarily the age. I am always at the Oakridge Mall Alive Health Centre in Vancouver BC. If this is no where near you we have lots of stores in BC, Alberta and Ontario. If this is not close to you feel free to call the Oakridge location @ 604 263 3235 and we can do mail orders.
3. Lastly, a multi vitamin would be a great addition. Depending on your childs size you can give them an adult one. If they are a smaller frame, not putting on weight, then definately give them a teenager multi.

Extra Tips

Extra Vitamin D is also safe, helpful, and it is very inexpensive. This is fabulous for mood (happiness).
I know this is obvious, but make sure they are drinking water. Sometimes a lack of focus is as simple as dehydration.
In terms of diet, make sure they are not getting too many sweets and sugar, try to balance this. Pop is the worst which you probably already know. Sugar can make kids tire so fast. They drop like a rock.
If your child has a hard time concentrating after lunch they may need to adjust their diet, eat smaller meals, but more frequently throughout the day to balance their blood sugar.
Lastly, but probably MOST IMPORTANTLY, keep them active! Even if you feel your child is not into sports, expose them to lifestyle activities, like hiking, skiing, or swimming. Also, encourage them to play and get outside. When they learn to sit inside all day on the weekends and after school it is hard to break the habit. When there is time for play, they can complete their homework faster, but of the same quality and their concentration increases dramatically.

Our kids are our future, let’s help them be the best they can be. As always, we look forward to helping you in the stores at which ever location is nearsest you! See you soon!

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