Rota Krape, RN

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Broccoli and Autism

If we give broccoli to those with autism, it might make things better by relieving some of the mitochondrial dysfunction that creates even more free radicals. Current research suggests four causal factors of autism: synaptic dysfunction, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and neuroinflammation. These factors identify the problem but do not identify the cause. Harvard neurologist Martha Herbert said, “I think we need to conduct research as if we know this is an emergency.” Already, up to 1.5% of American children have autism, and the incidence appears to be on the rise. Once it became understood that one cause of autism may reside in the synapses, the nerve-to-nerve junctions where information

Is Your Child Experiencing Stress

Like adults, kids and teens experience stress too. While small amounts of stress are a normal part of life, some young people may have worrisome responses to disrupted routines, school closures, social distancing, event cancellations, and missed milestones. Stress that occurs continually, or is triggered by multiple sources, can take a toll on a child’s physical as well as emotional health. Can stress be helpful or good? Stress is a body’s reaction to situations that occur within and outside the body. Stress can be helpful — it has been hard-wired into human physiology for survival. For example, imagine you are hiking in the forest and are confronted with a bear.

Childhood Obesity: Who is to blame?

A society must be judged by how it treats its most vulnerable members: its children. It seems that America is falling shamefully short. We know that to succeed, children need stable homes, quality health care, ample nutritious food, good schools, safe neighborhoods, and access to resources and opportunities that enable them to reach their potential. For too many of our children, especially children of color, these basic building blocks are out of reach. And yet, in the wealthiest nation on Earth, the proportion of federal dollars invested in children has fallen to its lowest level in a decade. The shameful state of your child’s health is not an inevitability —

New Beginnings and Your Baby’s Health

Infant nutrition is critical for ensuring proper development, maximizing learning capacity, and preventing illness. At no other time in life is nutrition so important. But which foods are best? Breastfeeding has proven to be best for infants for at least the first 3 – 6 months if mom is healthy and eating a nutrient-dense diet. Breastfed babies tend to be more robust, intelligent, and free of allergies and other complaints like intestinal difficulties. Other studies have shown that breastfed infants have reduced rates of respiratory illnesses and ear infections. Some researchers believe breastfed infants have greater academic potential than formula-fed infants; this is thought to be due to the fatty

A CAUSE FOR Celebration

Appalachians tend to be very independent and content with their lives. They live close to nature and have a deeply held belief in God. They are friendly, kind, and helpful to one another, and they take care of the needs of others. Appalachians also have a strong sense of what is right, and of what ought to be. When I was still working as a nurse, we lived in a small town in western North Carolina. The population was mostly poor and set in their ways. Because they did not take kindly to people from “outside,” it took a long time for me to make friends with our neighbors, who

What are Telomeres?

Have you ever wondered why some 60-year-olds look and feel like 40-year-olds and why some 40-year-olds look and feel like 60-year-olds? Thousands of studies have been done on aging, and many are beginning to point to an inescapable conclusion: our lifestyle choices, what we eat, and what we don’t eat may actually affect our aging process. The aging process begins at birth. Lifestyle choices made throughout childhood affect our aging process either positively or negatively. What exactly are telomeres and what role do they play in aging? Telomeres are tiny pieces of DNA that are critical to our ability to stay young as we get older. Dr. Elizabeth Blackburn, University

Household Dangers for our Children

Too many children are ill, be it is from neurological issues, metabolic issues, cancer, respiratory problems, and/or psychological and social issues. Top scientists believe that environmental toxins are causing widespread brain injury and loss of function across a generation of children. As a society, we seem to be failing our children. Just look at the explosion of special education classes and clinics in schools across the nation. We do not connect poor health with the products that we are using on a daily basis because we are not experiencing the acute aspects of poisoning. We see no warnings, and most health care providers do not know about them. Neurodevelopmental disabilities,

Has Play Time Changed for your Children?

The Benefits of Interacting with Others during Play Time Your kids are probably not spending much time playing outdoors with their friends. Today’s children play outdoors half as much as their parents did. Far from being a total waste of time, play allows us to fine-tune our motor skills, develop social skills and emotional resilience, and learn our limitations; play is essential for normal, healthy brain development 1 Play Makes You Smarter, Kinder, & Braver The replacement of physical play with technological gadgetry has many experts worried, as research shows playing makes people smarter, braver, and kinder. Science is starting to uncover the intricate connections between play and the development

Is Eye Strain the New Normal for Us?

We are now using our computer screens more than ever, whether it is for fun, work, or school. How does all this screen time affect our eyes? How does it affect our children’s eyes? In today’s world, technology is everywhere. During the average day we use multiple digital devices and screens, including cell phones, tablets, computers, and television screens. It seems that we almost have to try to avoid regular viewing of some piece of technology, as it literally surrounds us. In fact, studies have shown that over a third of adults spend more than half their day using technology, while others have admitted their technology usage consumes 10 –

Traveling With Children

“Oh the places you’ll go.” Dr. Seuss Do you want your child to learn some history or experience other cultures? Is your trip going to be focused on discovering nature? Do you want your child to learn to give back to his or her community? Do you want to experience a once-in-a-lifetime adventure? Whatever you choose, here are some helpful hints for making the trip a memorable occasion. 1. Travel can build stronger family relationships. We all seem to be busier and have more stress in our lives. Parents take care of the household chores while the children work on school projects or use their personal devices. Downtime could mean