Integrative Health Blog

10 Reasons Why Breast Milk is Nature's Original Superfood

Posted by on Sat, Sep 06, 2014

The latest report from the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) shows that breastfeeding rates have increased over the past few years to almost 80% from 77%.

This is great news because of the many benefits of breastfeeding to both Mom and baby.

There are dozens of positive health effects from breastfeeding, but here I’ll list just 10 of the well known benefits for breastfed babies compared to formula-fed babies.

Breastfeeding babies have :

  • Far fewer respiratory illnesses than formula-fed children

  • 3 to 4 times fewer diarrheal illnesses

  • Reduced likelihood of ear infections

  • Decreased risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)

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Tags: children's health, pediatrics

5 Quick Breakfast Ideas for Back to School

Posted by on Mon, Aug 25, 2014

It’s that time already! Now that the lazy days of August are wrapping up, parents have already begun the hustle and bustle of shopping for back-to-school supplies and filling out school forms.  Now it is time for the morning routine of getting the kids ready for school.

Do your children want to run out of the house without having eaten a decent breakfast? 

That sets them up for fatigue, irritability, and poor concentration.  Breakfast is a must to kick start the brain, so skipping it should not be an option. Since most of us are pressed for time in the morning, here are 5 quick breakfast ideas to get you through the week:

1)  A breakfast smoothie.  It doesn’t get much quicker than blending fresh or frozen fruit with a good protein source.  The possibilities for a morning shake are endless.  Use a combination of berries with a banana.  Add in fortified almond or coconut milk for healthy fat and calcium.  For added protein, use almond butter, a vegan protein powder or tofu (non-GMO please).    

2)  Old fashioned oatmeal with fresh fruit and nuts.  This oatmeal (slow cooked, not instant) breakfast is high in fiber, and very filling. You get protein from the oats and the nuts.  And the added fruit gives an extra boost of vitamins and minerals.

3)  An omelette loaded with vegetables.  The eggs provide protein, and also are a good source of the brain-boosting nutrient choline.  Add as many vegetables and color as your child will go for to give a boost of phytonutrients.

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Tags: children's health, pediatrics

Pediatric Tip: 4 Ways to Stay Healthy When the Seasons Change

Posted by on Mon, Apr 14, 2014

Do you find yourself getting sick when the weather changes?

We can't wait for spring and warmer weather, can we?  But as it warms up, then the allergies start and the stuffy nose, itchy eyes, and sinus headaches begin. At this time of year the tree pollen, grasses and weeds are out in full force. Does your child get one ear infection or one stuffy nose after another?  You need a good defense strategy. 

Here are 4 tips to build up your immunity for allergy season:

1. Defend your nose Your nose is where most upper respiratory illnesses start.  From your nose, viruses and bacteria travel to the sinuses, ears, throat or lungs.  The best defense I've found is Xylitol nasal spray used daily which protect the nose against all the bugs trying to gain access.

2.  Avoid sugar Sugar suppresses the immune system, leaving you more vulnerable to the myriad of illnesses you're exposed to.  Instead of sodas and doughnuts, drink plenty of water, and snack on fruits and vegetables.

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Tags: immune system, allergies, pediatrics

Asthma: A Holistic Approach

Posted by on Mon, Mar 17, 2014

Number of Children with Asthma is Increasing

While spring is a welcome relief from the cold and dreary winter for many of us, it can be a time of misery for children suffering with asthma.  The blooming of trees with the accompanying pollen trigger wheezing, coughing, and other unwelcome symptoms for a rising number of children with asthma. Asthma now affects 1 in 11 children. The incidence has been rising over the past few decades, with an increase of 15% just in the past decade.

Other Factors to Consider with Asthma

The conventional medical approach to asthma is to relieve the symptoms as much as possible with the use of bronchodilators and steroids.  Bronchodilators open the airways, while steroids suppress the inflammatory response that the body produces to harmless stimuli, such as pollen from flowers and weeds.  The other approach is to identify the child’s triggers and avoid them.  But so many triggers, such as pollen, mold and dust mites are impossible to completely avoid.  While these are necessary treatments to control asthma symptoms, how about getting to the root causes of symptoms to help the body stop “overreacting” to these stimuli in the first place?  Here are four strategies of a holistic approach to asthma treatment that can reduce or even stop asthma at its root.

Feed your child an anti-inflammatory diet

Asthma is an inflammatory disease, which means that the body’s immune system is fired up, trying to battle the environmental assaults.  An anti-inflammatory diet is one that can help “calm the fire.” This is a diet rich in antioxidants and free of foods that further inflame the system.  Therefore, your child’s diet needs to be rich in natural foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains and beans.  These plant foods provide an abundant supply of vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients.  On the other hand, you want to rid your child’s diet of inflammatory foods such as artificial colors, flavors, preservatives and sweeteners found in many so-called “kid-friendly” foods.  White sugar and white flour products are also inflammatory.  And dairy products are a frequent source of inflammation for many children with asthma.

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Tags: asthma, detoxification, holistic approach, allergies, pediatrics

Teresa Fuller M.D., Ph.D., Holistic Pediatrician, Joins National Integrated Health Associates

Posted by on Thu, Feb 06, 2014

National Integrated Health Associates, NIHA, is pleased to announce Teresa Fuller M.D., Ph.D, Holistic Pediatrician, as part of the integrative medical team.

Dr. Fuller is Board Certified in Pediatrics and Integrative Holistic Medicine.  

Dr. Teresa Fuller, M.D., Ph.D,  is double board certified in pediatrics and integrative holistic medicine. Having a doctorate in physiology, she understands the complex metabolic processes of the human body. This powerful combination of the pediatric, holistic and physiology disciplines places Dr. Fuller in a unique position to positively impact the health of children and young adults.  

In her practice during the last ten years, Dr. Fuller has seen increasing numbers of children suffering from chronic conditions such as ADHD, allergies, chronic pain, autism and even traditionally adult diseases such as type 2 diabetes.  Often, medication offers only partial relief while the root causes of these disorders goes undiagnosed. This has prompted her to learn how to identify the root cause of chronic illness, and use a holistic approach to correct underlying nutritional deficiencies and toxic accumulations to restore health.

Caring for the Whole Child

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Tags: pediatrics

Fetus Feeding

Posted by on Mon, Mar 29, 2010

Planning for a Healthy Pregnancy

Holistic_pregnancy_pediatrics_DC

Did you know that bacteria are a part of a healthy pregnancy?
 
Surely you know that women need a healthy diet and a multivitamin with additional folic acid when they are pregnant. But, were you aware that a good probiotic is essential too?
 
When a baby passes through the vaginal canal his/her gastrointestinal tract is sterile. The initial seeding of this tract occurs as the baby comes into contact with mom's stool (or at least microscopic remnants of it). It is essential that mom's gastrointestinal tract be colonized with beneficial bacteria to pass onto baby. Since approximately 70% of the immune system lines the gut, giving baby the proper start with beneficial bacteria helps to ensure baby's defenses.

Give Baby a Healthy Start

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Tags: pregnancy, children's health, pediatrics, probiotics, holistic doctor