Thursday, May 20, 2010

Do You Know About Fish Oil Brain Health Enhancer Supplement?

You might have studied various editorials on the benefits fish oil for heart and controlling the inflammation in the body. However, do you know about fish oil brain enhancer supplements?

Studies have proven that fish oil brain supplements contain the essential long chain polyunsaturated DHA omega3 fat, which is the major constituent of human brain too. Therefore, the regular consumption of these supplements helps in keeping brain healthy and functional by attaining the desired levels of DHA in the body.

The deficiency of vital DHA fats results in various health conditions ranging from lack of concentration, poor memory, weak vocabulary and comprehension capabilities, frequent mood swings, anxiety and depression bouts, etc. to many neurobehavioral conditions like Autism, Dyslexia, Bipolar Disorder, ADHD, etc.

Regular consumption of an effective fish oil brain supplement not only avoids all the above health conditions but also help in keeping the mind razor sharp.

Key features of an effective fish supplement -

1. High DHA content
High quality supplement is rich in DHA fats. 1000mg of oil should at least have 250mg of DHA. This information can be fetched either from ingredients label from company's website. Moreover, since experts recommend consumption of 500mg of DHA daily, you should take at least two soft gels daily.

2. Fresh
Consumption of rancid oil results in fishy burps, long lasting metallic after taste and increased free radical activity in the body. Therefore, to avoid all these side effects, it is very important to check freshness of oil. You can cut open a soft gel and out it to smell test. Fresh oil smells like ocean water and is far away from any unnatural and artificial fragrance.

3. Pure
Because of increasing pollution in ocean waters, fish caught are full of contaminations like mercury, lead, arsenic, PCBs, etc. Therefore, it is of utmost importance for the oil to undergo various refining process to filter out the toxins to avoid the risk of toxin poisoning.

Purity of oil can be checked by looking at COA (Certificate of analysis) published by the manufacturer, where he mentions the amount of toxins present in the oil. Higher the toxicity of oil, poorer is the quality of oil.

Fish oil brain supplements that undergo the molecular distillation process are the purest. This is because; the molecular distillation process is very efficient in removing all the unwanted and harmful chemicals from the oil and hence, ensures that the quality of oil is pharmaceutical.

Now that you know about fish oil brain sharpener supplements, your next logical step should be to do a little research and find out an effective supplement for yourself and your family.

Chuck Blake is an active researcher and consumer of fish supplements. He shares his research into the benefits of these nutritional supplements on his website http://omega3brief.com. For more information on exceptional and powerful benefits of omega-3 fish oils visit his website http://omega3brief.com today.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chuck_Blake

Essential Advice on Giving Children Omega 3 Fish Oil

Before giving children omega 3 fish oil, it is vital that you know what to look for regarding the purity and the different omega 3 levels. Many oils available today still contain traces of toxins from the fish and low levels of the most important omega 3 fatty acid for children.
There have been cases in the UK and in the US where fish oils were removed from sale due to unacceptably high levels of toxins like mercury, lead and PCB's.
In a child these can build up over time as their immune system is not properly formed and potentially lead to health problems later in life and cancel out any benefits gained from the oil.
The best way to avoid this when giving children omega 3 fish oil is to make sure they have been molecularly distilled as this process separates out the toxins from the oil and enhances the omega 3 content.
Occasionally a fish can be so pure as to not need this process in which case it must come with a COA or Certificate of Analysis to prove it. The only one I am aware of is the New Zealand Hoki as it lives in such pristine waters away from any industry and shipping.
The next crucial factor is the amount of DHA fatty acids in a fish oil supplement.
High levels of this have been shown to significantly aid in a child's development, improving verbal ability, hand-eye coordination, vocabulary and even raising their IQ.
For children with ADHD and autism they are especially important and many studies have shown how they help to improve in areas like concentration and mood management as well.
My four year old son has mild autism and within 3 months of giving him quality DHA oils there was a significant improvement in his development, especially speech and cognitive understanding that just would not have happened otherwise.
I would recommended to get 280mg of DHA per 1000mg capsule with around half that of EPA, the other less useful fatty acid.
You also do not need a special supplement when giving children omega 3 fish oil as the kids ones tend to be less pure and contain unnecessary colouring and additives.
If they are not able to swallow, simply pierce a capsule and pour into their morning drink or onto food. Very pure and fresh ones will not have much of a smell and you shouldn't get any complaints!
Regarding dose, one 1000mg capsule a day containing around 50% omega 3 is fine for 2 -8 year olds and then the adult dose of two a day after that.
Now you know what to look for when giving children omega 3 fish oil, you can select the most effective and safest oils with confidence and help to make a significant impact on your child's development now and in the future too.
If you would like to learn more about the pure DHA omega 3 supplement I personally give my son every morning, visit my website below.
Discover the most effective and purest omega-3 fish oil available today.
Rich Hawkins is a dedicated researcher of the amazing health benefits of quality fish oil. Take a moment to visit his site now at www.best-omega-3-supplement.com and discover the latest DHA omega 3 supplements that he recommends after extensive research.

Autism in Babies - Signs That Your Baby is Autistic

Several years ago, autism can only be recognized in children as early as 18 to 24 months of age. But today, after several studies and observations, we can now recognize the earlier signs of autism in babies. Signs include having an unusual eye contact, peculiarities of hearing, and social development and play.

The word "autism" is derived from the Greek word "autos" which means "self", and it affects the way children view others in relation to themselves. This is why autistic children can be best described as "having their own world". They want to play and be alone, do not want to be touched or hugged, and have problems interacting with others.

Autism is a pervasive disorder which affects multiple areas of functioning. ASD affects children differently - in their cognitive ability, in their IQ, in developing communications skills, in their relationship with others even with their own parents, and so many more.

Although there are still debates about the causes of autism, experts believe that the earlier autistic children receive treatment, the better the outcome is likely to be. Early intervention makes a huge difference in the battle against autism in babies. Signs of autism must be carefully observed and seek immediate help if you spot them in your child. Instead of playing the wait-and-see game, parents must be vigilant in observing the development of their child. This will greatly contribute in enhancing the quality of life of children.

Researchers and experts are now claiming that they can recognize autism as young as 6 months old or even earlier in some cases. The good thing about this is that new and earlier treatment for autism can then be developed and it can make a huge difference in the child's future.

Here are the red flags of autism in babies - signs that your baby is autistic:

Eye Contact - Having an unusual gaze or in making an eye contact is a very common sing of autism in babies. Signs of disinterest with other people and the environment can also be observed.

Hearing - Autistic babies respond less when called upon compared to normal developing babies. They are also not affected by any audible changes in the surroundings. Hence, most autistic babies are initially suspected of being deaf.

Social Development and Play - Autistic babies may show lack of interest in the types of play that other infants enjoy, even those which involve social interaction with the parents.

Because these early signs can vary in severity and symptoms, they may go unrecognized. Therefore, parents must be careful in observing the behavior of autism in babies. Signs of autism can also be a sign of other disorders.

Also, according to one research, a child who has an older brother or sister diagnosed with autism is more likely to be autistic as well. Parents may notice that their child's physical development is different from others. Having a larger than the normal head circumference is said to be an indication of autism in babies. Signs of having unusual facial expressions and gestures can also be noted.

Autism is the fastest growing developmental disability and is now the third most common childhood disorder. Parents should educate themselves about the disorder to give their child a brighter future. Understanding more about the different autism spectrum disorders will help you understand the condition of your child. Visit AUTISM IN BABIES and learn more about the top 3 books online about autism.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anthony_Ezail_Travis

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

A Grandmother's Questions - What Are Parabens and Can They Hurt My Babies?

I recently started a web site along with my sister, my partner. Well sell baby, toddler and children's products. In the many hours of research to begin this site, I found out a few things about the everyday products we all use. One of these things caught my eye and has caused me many hours of speculation and a pond worth of tears, Parabens. It seemed like such a small inconsequential word, I learned what it was and the possible affects of its use.

For a quick run down, parabens are used as preservatives in a lot of personal care items such as; cosmetics, shampoos, cleansing gels, toothpaste, moisturizers, deodorants and some foods. Basically you will find parabens in a lot of the things we use everyday. There is controversy as to the possible harmful effects of parabens Some studies have shown that parabens have been found in high concentrations in breast cancer tumors. Other studies have shown that parabens are safe. In some products Parabens are chemically synthesized to mimic natural occurring parabens that are found in fruits such as blueberries. Could they be harmful if they occur in nature? I wanted to find our more. I wanted to make sure the items we sell are safe.

This started me thinking about my grandson. You see my most precious grandson has autism. I have spent a lot of time wondering what caused his autism. I have read the articles and listened to the reports about autism and it's possible cause. As you probably know autism has reached epidemic proportions and the exact cause is unknown. My grandson already has autism and all we can do is help him adjust to a world that does not understand him. I found that the chances of a child having autism are greater when they have a sibling with autism. This started me worrying about my future grandchildren and then all the children.

Thinking back I remember my grandson when he was first born and all the things that could have caused his autism, then I remembered a conversation my daughter and I had with my grandsons pediatrician. She told us to be very careful what we put on the baby's skin especially for the first six months. She wanted to make sure we did not put bug repellant or sunscreen on the baby because it would be absorbed through the skin into the babies body. Our bodies absorb things through the skin and even more so when we are first born. But she never mentioned plastic bibs, plastic bottles, or any of the baby products we used to make him smell like a baby.

We never worried about the products we were using, after all they were tear free and gentle for babies. But were they are safe? We did not know of their possible long term affects. I am not saying that these synthesized parabens cause autism. I am not even saying that they are harmful. What I am saying is why take a chance with the health of your child.

I had been worried about the poisons in the cleaning cabinet and how to keep the kids out of them. I knew what was poisonous in the house, you know the cans and packages with the warnings and skull and crossbones, but I never thought about the possible risks of everyday items we came into contact with. We did not know about the possible harmful toxins in the products we all use, but I do know now. It seems the products that I had used to protect my babies may have been causing them harm. I was not brought up in a generation where most things were natural, as it was the generations before me. I now know the possible poisons I exposed my children to while they were growing up.

I then got tired or crying over things that I could not change and thought I had no control of. I wanted to learn more about everything that could bring harm to my loved ones and what I could to eliminate them. I could learn about the things we come into contact with everyday and be more aware of the medical research concerning parabens and other additives and their possible harmful effects.

I hope the next generations are better educated in what could be harmful, and better equipped to wonder and ask questions. If there is a possibility these synthesized chemicals could be harmful then why take a chance. I love my children and wish I had this information years ago. Now all I can do is make changes in the way I look at things, do what can and try not to make my children and grandchildren think I am a paranoid nut case who is afraid of everything in the world both seen and unseen.

Grammy's Baby is the premiere site for personalized, unique and distinct baby items. Our clothing is 100% cotton and our personal care items are all natural. We carry the hard to find and the one of a kind.

Our personal care items are paraben free the toys and any metal objects have been tested for lead. All of our products are tested and meet or exceed all Government Standards and Regulations.

At Grammy's Baby we began this site to sell baby clothes, but it became much, much more. It became more than just a site to sell the best in baby clothes and baby care items. We learned and became concerned about more than just the appearance of the clothing but what went into making the clothes, gifts and personal care items that we use on our babies.

Please Visit Us at: [http://grammysbaby.com]

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Stella_Jaramillo

Vacationing With Asperger's Syndrome - Suggestions For Making it a Pleasant Experience For Everyone

If you have someone in your house with Asperger's Syndrome or autism, then you know vacations can be very stressful. People with this diagnosis don't like change and do like routine and familiar surroundings. For years it was a miserable experience to go on a family vacation. So miserable we wondered why we were putting ourselves through the torture. However, we have two "typical" children who needed to have the experiences their brother avoids. Through trial, error and education, we came up with solutions which make vacations an enjoyable experience for everyone. These solutions may not work for everyone, but give some a try. Keep what works and leave the rest on the coffee table to collect dust.

For our family we stumbled upon a timeshare program. No matter where we go in a timeshare network, our son can be assured of familiar things in each setting. The units are basically laid out, furnished and stocked the same. He knows he'll have a double bed to himself in a room he'll share with his younger sister. He knows he'll have a television in his room and a bathroom connected to his room. He knows his clean clothes will be in the drawer three from the top and his dirty clothes will go in the bottom drawer. He knows his PS2 or Wii will be compatible with the entertainment center in the living room. If timeshares are not an option for you, consider using the same hotel chain, campgrounds, friend's and or family locations from vacation to vacation.

Next, we've step up "routines" or traditions for our vacations. For example, he knows during Spring Break we will go to the timeshare complex near the same amusement park. We will ride the same rides, eat the same foods and he will carry the same park map. He knows during the stay his dad will take him and his sister to the indoor pool at least once a day and one night we'll go to the same all-you-can-eat buffet. We've given up the Christmas with the extended family in favor of a week at another favorite timeshare location. Family and friends are free to come visit us for the day, the child who is easily overstimulated knows at the end of the day, he'll have his much needed time, space and routine.

While it is a major pain and causes us to pack extra items, we also make sure we make the "vacation house" feel like home. He has sensory issues, so we bring the mini-trampoline with us wherever we go. Otherwise he's jumping on the furniture or running back and forth in the unit. We carry the bedtime bible, the pillow, the blanket and the stuffed animal. We also carry the "survival backpack" which I wrote about in a separate article.

Since the timeshare units are fully furnished apartments, I plan to make most of the meals. I either bring all the groceries with me for a week of meals, or I shop immediately after checking in. I make sure all the meals are family favorites and include the foods he'll eat. I also keep his special cup on hand.

Finally, when he was younger, it was helpful to show him pictures of the place we were going, show him the map of how we were getting there, and a schedule of what he could expect to do each day. I find he doesn't need this as much now that he's older. It might be because we are usually going to the same places we've been before. More recently I've found I need to create and post a schedule of the weekly and daily activities on the timeshare unit refrigerator. I also bring and post the current behavior plan, rewards and consequences. In this case, I print these ahead of time and keep refrigerator magnets in my "timeshare" box.

Of course, every child and family is different, so all of these ideas may not work for you. However, if some do, then you'll find vacation a little less stressful and more relaxing. I'm curious to know if this helped you. Please feel free to comment and let me know. Or to give you some of your own tips.

Corrin Howe

http://www.justbecausemypickletalks.blogspot.com

I'm a mother of a nine-year-old son diagnosed with Aspergers Syndrome, ADHD and Anxiety Disorder. Although I don't think what I do for him is beyond normal, most of the professionals we deal with suggest that I start sharing some of my ideas for helping my son.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Corrin_Howe

Diagnosing Autism at Home - Treat it Early!

People with autism often have problem with social development, a key characteristic that separates autism from other developmental disorders in the world today. Social communication is one of the key things that you need to look out for when trying to detect autism at home and ensure that your child gets treatment early before it becomes a serious problem that stays within the cortex when they become young adults.

Social impairments actually do appear quite early in their childhood and it is up to you to use the powers of observation and daily interaction to ensure that your child does not have any sort of autism. One of the best ways to see (especially if your child is an infant), is to try methods of social stimulation with them. A normal infant without developmental disorder will respond to stimuli quite normally, especially when responding to their own name and recognising familiar people around them. Infants with autism show much less attention to these aspects, smiling less, looking away and sometimes, they do not even respond to their own name.

They also avoid plenty of eye contact and will often bury their face in a blanket or pillow to hide from the world. These are just some of the tell tale signs to look out for to ensure that your infant child does not have autism. When they get older, there are other things to look out for. A normal child of that age is usually quite spontaneous, friendly, energetic and will try to make friends when introduced to other children within the same age range. Children who are 2 - 5 years old that have autism will be more introverted and much more clingy to their parents and guardians. They would have formed a fierce and strong bond with their loved ones and drawn a circle of safety that does not allow other people to come on.

They cannot fathom social situations, have no idea of the aspects of social understanding and they would limit their communication to non verbal actions like touching of the arm. Also, if you notice that your child is severely lacking in developing natural speech or any linguistic capabilities to support communication, than more than likely your child is autistic. Their reliance on non verbal communication is a tell tale sign that they are indeed autistic and have not adequately developed their verbal communication skills.

Of course when we are discussing autism, the normal repetitive behaviour, illogical insistence on things, fixation upon a particular object, stereotype and self injury are the tell tale signs that something is wrong and something needs to be done soon. Other symptoms might include malnutrition because of strange eating habits and poor psycho motor development. If you do have any fears that your child might be autistic, it is a good idea to get him or her professionally appraised by a child psychologists so that treatment and therapy can begin early so as to avoid more serious symptoms from cropping up.

MindMatters Psychology Practice provides child development support services for children and young adults. They also provide an Autism Test [http://www.mmpp.com.sg/giftedness-testing.html] for children.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Margaret_H._Amanda

Autism and Travel - 10 Tips to Make Travel Time Easier

Living with an Autistic child can be challenging. The challenges only get worse when you need to travel for vacation or holidays. However, there are steps you can take to make traveling less stressful.

Keep a List - Create a list of tasks and items that need to be packed that can be used for each trip. If your list doesn't change very much, you can laminate it and leave it in your suitcase. Another option is to create a computer file with the basic list and print it out each time. Changes can be made in the computer before printing or by hand afterwards.

Build a Connection Early - Do your best to plan trips in advance. Begin by talking with your child. Speak positively about the trip and build excitement. Describe where you will be going and what they will experience. Try to find pictures, stories and activities to help them build a connection with the place. If they are verbal, ask questions to encourage them to talk about their feelings and expectations about the trip.

Include Comfort Items - Bring along items that are familiar and bring them comfort such as their pillow and blanket. Be sensitive to sensory issues. For instance, if they are very sensitive to smells, bring along things that smell calming to them.

Don't Forget Medications- Get the prescriptions refilled ahead of time and check your stock of over-the-counter medines and vitamins.

Keep Schedules - Do your best to keep to the schedule you use at home such as bedtimes and mealtimes. Autistic children need schedules to feel safe.

Find Ways to Prevent Overload - Plan ahead as much as you can so you can avoid places that are going to cause overload. Sometimes this isn't possible. If you suspect overload is possible, look for ways to get your child to a quiet place with fewer people. This could be time back at the hotel, a quiet park or a private place in the home you are visiting.

Do Not Force Activities - This can be difficult when they do not like loud noises and lots of people. You may want to bring a qualified person to watch your child. They could do an activity that your child would like and allow other family members engage in other activities.

Take Safety Steps - Make sure your child has has your name and phone number in case they get lost. If your child is verbal make sure they know what to do when lost. This can be very hard for an Autistic child. They have hard time dealing with people anyway. Create a plan and have them review it as you travel. Find a way to make it fit the way they learn. For example, if they are auditory you could make up a song or for kinesthetic learners include hand and body motions

Emergency Travel - If you have to travel for an emergency remember to stay calm or at least to appear that way. If you show stress your Autistic child will pick up on this and will become stressed as well.

Activities Are Important - Taking activities like video games, DVDs, books, audio books, music, crafts, etc. will make things run more smoothly. Add new games, books, videos, etc. to the mix by renting, purchasing or checking out items from the library.

Communicate With Others. If your child likes to wander on their own, it is important to let others aware. This way family, friends, or hotel staff can be aware that they may need to be of assistance.

Don't Neglect Breaks - Never travel in the car for more than 2 hours without stopping. This is physically demanding on anyone, especially children. Even a potty break at a rest area is enough to get the blood flowing again. Try your best to get non-stop flights to avoid long layovers. When layovers must occur, find ways to take sensory breaks. Sit your child where they can't see the activity or play their favorite music using headphones that will cover their ears and block outside noise.

Traveling with an Autistic child will take some extra planning, but you can do it. Just try and keep as much structure to the trip and be as creative possible. It will allow your family to have the most enjoyable trip possible.

There are so many things to deal with when caring for an Autistic family member. Gaining knowledge is so very important. You may find http://www.myautisminfo.com to be a helpful tool.

http://www.myautisminfo.com has articles, videos and other resources to help you grow in the knowledge and understanding you need.

You are also invited to join the discussion through comments and the forum.

by Deborah Lee

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Deborah_Lee