New moms biggest problem

 You hear a lot about how hard it is for new moms to get some shuteye or fit in time for a shower. But another big thing that many have issues with: breastfeeding. In fact, 92 percent of new moms report at least one breastfeeding concern three days after having their baby, according to a new study from researchers at the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and the University of California Davis Medical Center.

For the study, which was published in the journal Pediatrics, researchers interviewed more than 500 first-time moms about their breastfeeding worries before they gave birth, the day they delivered, and at several points post-delivery.

Researchers found that the new moms’ concern peaked on day three. The most common worry that day, coming in at 52 percent, was that they were having trouble breastfeeding their baby at all (this included everything from having trouble with the baby latching on to the baby being fussy or refusing to breastfeed). The second most common concern: Forty-four percent of women reported pain, such as nipple pain, breast pain, or engorgement. Forty percent of women also said they were having trouble with milk quantity—i.e., worrying that they weren't making enough for the baby or that they weren't producing any yet.

Breastfeeding is beneficial for both your baby and you, and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding exclusively for about the first six months of your baby’s life. So here’s why these results are a big deal: In this study, moms who said they had at least one issue on day three were nine times more likely to quit breastfeeding by the 60-day check-in than the moms who didn't report a problem.

If you’re anxious about your baby’s feedings, make sure to address the issue as quickly as possible. “The large majority of breastfeeding problems are resolvable,” says senior study author Laurie Nommsen-Rivers, Ph.D., R.D., a research assistant professor of pediatrics at the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. That being said, “the longer a mom waits to get help, the harder it is to turn things around.” These three tips should help you overcome any breastfeeding obstacles:

Find Professional Support STAT

This one is crazy-important, and reaching out is a must if you’re having breastfeeding problems, says Nommsen-Rivers. She suggests actually finding an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant or another healthcare professional knowledgeable about breastfeeding before you have your baby so that you can have a phone number on speed dial after you bring your newborn home.

Talk to Other Moms

Encouragement and reassurance from women who have had similar experiences can make a big difference, says Nommsen-Rivers. The 34 moms who didn't report any issues on day three were more likely than the others to report strong social support. “If a woman has a social system in place ahead of time that could give her advice on breastfeeding, that can be very helpful,” says first study author Erin Wagner, M.S., a clinical research coordinator at the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center.

Look at Trusted Resources

Nommsen-Rivers recommends referencing WomensHealth.gov’s literature on breastfeeding—including their guidebook—for basic concerns. Of course, reading guides or speaking with other moms isn't a substitute for reaching out to a professional healthcare provider if you’re experiencing an issue—which is why it’s so key to also get professional support.

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What You Can Do to Prevent Breast Cancer

Every year, 1.3 million women across the globe are diagnosed with breast cancer. Breast cancer awareness is high, but the primary focus of research is on early detection and treatment rather than prevention. Detection and treatment are undeniably important, but many feel prevention deserves more than the 2 percent of funding it currently receives, especially given the promising preventative strategies already out there.

One of these strategies could make preventing breast cancer as easy as warding off the flu. While the causes of breast cancer are diverse, nearly 40 percent of women with breast cancer test positive for a virus called the Human Mammary Tumor Virus, which could be completely prevented if there was a vaccine. In fact, researchers at the Cleveland Clinic have developed a breast cancer vaccine that targets a protein found in most breast cancers, and they announced a month ago that they are planning to begin clinical trials in two years.

Luckily, you don’t have to wait until the breast cancer vaccine is available to protect yourself. Here are three research-proven natural approaches to help you prevent this all-too-common disease.

1.         Get the Toxins Out with Panchakarma: Environmental toxins collect in the fatty tissue of the breasts, where they may contribute to the development of breast cancer. Panchakarma is a detoxification treatment that can effectively eliminate these toxins from the body. Consisting of saturating the body with oils, pulse diagnosis, massage, heat treatments and internal cleansing, it is performed in a spa-like setting with medical personnel.

2.         Take Medicinal Mushrooms: Japanese medicinal mushrooms have extraordinary immune system-supporting and cancer-fighting properties. The most effective way to consume them is in concentrated supplement form. One highly researched mushroom supplement is AHCC, a fermented extract of medicinal mushroom mycelia (roots). AHCC is widely used in clinics throughout Asia to bolster the immune system, reduce risks of infections and provide complementary support for the treatment of cancer, Hepatitis C, liver disease and Human Papillomavirus (HPV).

Observational human studies have suggested AHCC can improve outcomes and quality of life in breast cancer patients. In one study, 33 percent of breast cancer patients taking AHCC experienced remission.

3.         Allow Love In: Studies show that women who develop breast cancer give more love than they receive. By surrounding yourself with nurturing relationships, you can reverse this unhealthy imbalance.

Dr. Horner is a nationally recognized surgeon and one of the country’s leading experts on breast cancer prevention. She ran a successful campaign to pass laws requiring insurance companies to pay for breast reconstruction after mastectomy. Dr. Horner’s book “Waking the Warrior Goddess: Dr. Christine Horner’s Program to Protect and Fight Breast Cancer” has just been published in its third edition.

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Can Chiropractic Care Help Treat Obesity?

Are we overlooking potential help for those struggling with obesity?

With the epidemic now estimated to be costing the nation $147 billion annually, it’s a question that’s very much on the minds of health experts. And many, including lifestyle guru Shea Vaughn, are citing chiropractic care as a crucial part of overall wellness programs.

“Chiropractic care helps patients with many physical ailments. It also represents a proactive approach helping to prevent injury and relieve stress, while providing a positive influence on any individual’s mind, body and heart,” says the much-quoted author of “Breakthrough: The 5 Living Principles to Defeat Stress, Look Great & Find Total Well-Being.”

What’s more, doctors of chiropractic can also counsel patients on their diets – what to emphasize (fruits, vegetables, whole grains and beans) and what to reduce (processed foods, sugar, soda and fats). “The key is to make consistent, small, positive changes,” says the Foundation for Chiropractic Progress’ Gerard W. Clum, DC.

With 149.3 million Americans aged 20 and older considered overweight or obese, check out yes2chiropractic.org for more information.

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Walk and stay away from 25 different diseases

A review of 40 studies over past four years shows that walking for 30 minutes a day can cut your risk of about 25 different diseases. The more you walk, the greater the benefits you can:

·       SHED WEIGHT

A person weighing 60 kg could burn 150 calories with half an hour of brisk walking.

·       HALT BOWEL CANCER

A new study in the British Journal of Cancer shows that those who exercise regularly are up to a third less likely to develop polyps, which can become malignant.

·       SLASH YOUR RISK OF HEART DISEASE

About 37% of heart disease deaths are linked to inactivity. Walking decreases the risk.

·       IMPROVE YOUR LOVE LIFE

As men get older, their risk of erectile dysfunction gets higher. Being physically active can halve the risk of impotence.

·       STRENGTHEN BONES

Walking helps guard against osteoporosis. All it takes is 180 minutes a week to maintain bone density.

·       KEEP YOUR MARBLES

Just 1.6km a day might halve your chance of developing dementia. Amazingly, a US study found that walking increased grey matter in the elderly.

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Get sunshine to withstand your fat

If you are finding it hard to shift the kilos, it may be worth upping vitamin D. Researchers believe the sunshine vitamin, which helps build bone strength, may be important in beating the battle of the bulge. A person’s vitamin D levels may actually be a predictor of their ability to lose fat, according to Dr Shalamar Sibley, assistant professor of medicine at the University of Minnesota.

“If you start out with an inadequate vitamin D level, it’s possible that this might impede your ability to lose weight on a reduced-calorie diet,” she says.

Vitamin D appears to inhibit a hormone pathway that, when overactive, can contribute to obesity-related problems and affect fat cell development and metabolism. Further research is needed to establish a cause-effect relationship, says Sibley, but the potential is yet another reason to pay attention to vitamin D levels.

Scores of Benefits

If you are low in calcium, increasing your intake may help shed kilos too. When researchers at Laval University in Quebec looked at weight lose in a group of overweight women, they found those deficient in calcium were helped by a calcium vitamin D supplement. It is believed that brain can detect when there is alack of calcium, and compensates by spurring food intake, says study author, Dr Angelo Tremblay. “Sufficient calcium intake seems to stifle the desire to eat more.”

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