JUNE 2010 NEWSLETTER

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

Roughly 3,000 infants die each year from SIDS or sudden infant death syndrome. SIDS is defined as the unexpected death of an infant or young child with no sufficient cause of death. It usually affects infants from 1-6 months and is very rare after a year. Because there is not one known definite cause for SIDS, it has opened the door to many theories and debates on causes, risk factors, and preventative measures. Some of the most common risk factors include low birth weight, exposure to smoke and tobacco before and after birth, poor prenatal care, getting too hot, or sleeping on their tummy. Many experts believe that laying the baby down to sleep on their back can significantly decrease the risk. Some of the other ways to reduce the risks are to remove extra pillows, blankets and stuffed animals that may cause the baby to suffocate, keep the room at a temperature that is comfortable for an adult to wear short sleeves, and breastfeed if possible. A study done by a scientist in New Zealand shows that a chemicals added to mattresses as a fire retardant and plasticizer can also be the cause of SIDS. A common household fungus begins to consume the chemicals and emits a neurotoxic, odorless gas that causes the central nervous system to shut down after long periods of exposure. In order to avoid this you can buy a chemical free mattress or go to Home Depot and get polyethylene sheets to cover your existing mattress. Another possible cause for SIDS could be a misalignment in the spine or neck. Any type of misalignment can cause the blood flow to be compromised or affect the normal respiratory development. Recent studies show that correcting these problems with Chiropractic care can significantly reduce the risk for SIDS. If you or someone you know has a baby call and schedule your appointment today. It is never too early to benefit from Chiropractic care.

Choose Your Alcohol Wisely

Alcohol has been around for centuries. Actually, one of the first recipes in history is for beer. But just how does it affect our health? Studies show that moderate drinkers live longer than those that don’t drink at all or those who drink in excess. People that drink moderately have been shown to have fewer cases of heart attacks, strokes, Alzheimer’s disease, hypertension and common colds. Alcohol has also been shown to reduce the risk of diabetes, bone fractures, kidney stones, poor digestion, gallstones, rheumatoid arthritis, stress, hearing loss, pancreatic cancer, and depression just to name a few. It is important to choose good quality alcohol to avoid toxicity. When drinking beer, the best choice is darker beer made from microbrewers and imports like Guinness, German and Dutch beers. These do not use the vast amount of chemical additives found in most domestic beers. Wine made from small vineyards that use traditional methods is always a better option. Stay away from gold tequila completely and go with 100% agave tequila instead. There is no regulation on what they put in gold tequila so the chemicals can be very toxic. Drink plenty of water while drinking alcohol and remember moderation is the key. All health benefits from alcohol are based on one drink a day which is classified as one 12oz beer, one 5oz glass of wine, or one and 1/2 oz of 80 proof liquor.

Pineapple Salsa

It is always a challenge to find a new exciting recipe to take to a party or just to snack on at home. Here is a recipe for a great pineapple salsa that is sure to please everyone.

In a large bowl combine:

• 2 cups diced fresh pineapple
• 1/2 cup chopped cilantro
• 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
• 1 serrano pepper, stemmed, seeded and finely chopped
• Juice and zest of 1 lime
• Sea salt to taste

It is best to let it set for at least 30 minutes prior to serving to let the flavors combine. This is great when served with organic corn chips or served over tacos. For more great summer recipes visit www.wholefoodsmarket.com.

Dates To Remember

June 20 – Happy Father’s Day
June 21 - First Day of Summer

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