Saudi- Our kids' bodies contaminated with chemicals Part 15

(MENAFN- Arab News) Last week I revealed to you several of the many toxic chemicals found in children's drugs prepared foods and drinks bodycare products and more. Some have been shown in the Southampton Study to be associated to hyperactivity. They have become known as the Southampton Seven but they are not the only ones. Nineteen others are also implicated and more such as triclosan which is used as preservative in antibacterial soaps toothpaste and bodycare products.

Chemicals in ultraviolet filters sun protection creams have been shown to disrupt hormone and endocrine system which compromise fertility in men who use them frequently and in fetuses whose mothers use them during their pregnancies. I salute the Saudi Food and Drug Administration (SFDA) for banning triclosan and some of the others but I still implore our diligent agency to reconsider adding fluoride in bottled drinking water especially babies' bottled water. The added mineral is very detrimental to health and especially to children who are still in their critical growth stages.

Today I shall pursue exposing other damaging substances. I shall first start by explaining why parents should be very particular about what their children eat drink or ingest. Scientists worry more about children getting contaminated with chemicals additives in manufactured foods and drinks trans fat and other toxic substances because foetuses babies children and adolescents' bodies and brains are in their growing and developing stages and their detoxification systems are not fully developed. Any harmful matter can interfere with the development of their brains and different organs and systems disrupting their growth leading to a lifetime of unnecessary suffering damage and disability or even early death. For parents these consequences lead to emotional pain high costs and despair because not even the best medical treatment can be a source of help or even relief. Now let us go back and see what else can be of harm to children.

Cigarette smoking and toxic chemicals are not the only harmful substances as I explained in my earlier articles. I recommend reading all parts of this series of articles to understand the magnitude of the damage inflicted by toxic chemicals. For today I chose alcohol even though Muslim readers will argue that we are not supposed to consume it.

Alcohol is forbidden for Muslims though allowed in tiny doses in medicines if necessary for cure. Allah says in his Holy Book the Qur'an: They ask you about intoxicants and games of chance. Say: 'In both there is great evil as well as some benefit for man; but the evil which they cause is greater than the benefit which they bring' (Chapter 2: the Cow; verse: 219).

For this reason I insist on exploring it so that Muslims should not feel deprived of something that they think it might be good for them. Besides that I still feel I have to tackle all types of toxic substances and cover all aspects of the subject to my readers.

Alcohol is another toxic substance for children and even adults. You must be wondering: 'little ones don't drink alcohol.' Well they may not but their mothers do during their pregnancies. Until recently doctors not only did not restrict motherstobe but some doctors went as far as encouraging them to have a couple of glasses to calm their anxieties and fears during the gestation period in order to relax and loosen up.

According to Catherine Shanahan's book 'Deep Nutrition' certain facial deformities are associated with alcohol consumed by the mother resulting in fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). Alcohol incurs damage in fetuses on the cellular level. Its toxic effects impair cell membrane due to the 'Effects of low concentrations of ethanol on the fluidity of spinlabeled erythrocyte and brain' causing certain facial anomalies in the fetus.

According to Shanahan alcohol consumption can cause nutrient deficiencies in the mothers as well. Sugar trans fats and alcohol result in damaging cell membranes which 'block signal transmission [of the cells] and thus impair growth.' It is not really understood how much of deformity is caused by alcohol and nutrient deficiencies.

Some of the symptoms of FAS are small eye openings with skin folding on the interior part of the eyelids called epicanthal folds; flat nasal bridge; thin upper lip; flat midface; narrower forehead and cheekbones; elongated head and face; shorter and flatter nose; wider distance and indistinct area between nose and upper lip (philtrum); and slight ear anomalies.

Alcohol consumption alters the brain functions as well as its appearance in adults too. I saw a SPECT (single photon emission computed tomography) brain image of a frequent alcohol drinker in Daniel Amen's book 'Use Your Brain to Change Your Age.' That brain lost its plumpness and normal shape in certain areas. Alcohol dehydrates both brain and body. Dents and holes pierce the once smooth and symmetrical brain. You can then imagine what happens to the mind of the individual carrying that brain.

This also happens to a child's or an adolescent's growing brain with the consumption of alcohol resulting in decreased activity and brain aging. The drink interferes with the process of the developing brain physiologically and psychologically. It is also seen in young drug abusers; those contaminated with environmental toxins mold and decreased oxygen; and those with medical issues. Hard liquor intoxicates drinkers to the extent of losing proper judgment and sometimes consciousness i.e. affecting the brain negatively. Alcohol is also addictive.

According to Dr. Amen alcohol drugs and cigarette smoking before the age of 25 years disrupts the development of the myelin sheath (the substance that envelops the nerves). Twenty five is the age when it is completed. He believes that this is also the age of coming to full mental maturity. In most countries car rentals do not rent to drivers below the age of 25 to ensure the good judgment of the driver. These three substances interfere with the brain function and its full development and maturity.

Apart from altering brain function and interfering with its development alcohol damages the liver by disrupting liver enzymes eventually causing cirrhosis and liver cancer. The liver is our detoxifying organ and if it fails to do its work toxins accumulate in the blood and body poisoning organs and systems. Liver transplant is a serious health issue; you would not like to go through it. Let alone waiting in line for a matching donor.

Children learn to drink and smoke and do drugs when they see one or both parents do so. Drinking drugs and smoking make them feel tough and grownup. Peer pressure can be dangerous to younger and weaker kids who get pushed to drink smoke or do drugs to please such bullies to prove that they are adults in order to get accepted in a popular group or gang.

Children should not only be nourished and sheltered; they should be nurtured and protected by conscientious and caring parents. Discipline is a form of love. Children will appreciate it once they reach the age of maturity. Give that a chance to happen.

References:

Four most dangerous toxins to the brain by Derek Henry

http://www.naturalnews.com/045510_brain_toxins_fluoride_heavy_metals.htm...

Chicken feed contains cancercausing arsenic: www.naturalcuresnotmedicine.com

Meat Companies Go AntibioticsFree as More Consumers Demand It by David Kesmodel

http://www.nih.gov/news/health/jul2014/niehs08.htm

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2008/09/06/redbullc...

www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/formaldehyde

Nick Meyer althealthworks.com

http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS01406736%2807%2961...

http://cspinet.org/new/pdf/fooddyesrainbowofrisks.pdf

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article2843940/CouldSUNSCREENstopm...

http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/science/2014/01/fivereasonswhyyousho...



N.B.

Individuals with medical conditions or on medication should consult their physicians when they decide to introduce anything new in their diet even if it is natural.

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