First look at B12, if it says methylcobalamin or adenosylcobalamin it has passed our first test. However if it says cyanocobalamin or just plainly "B12", that is not a good vitamin. Now look at B6, it should say pyridoxyl-5-phosphate, anything else, even "B6" is not good. Many vitamins are made cheaply, and the cheap products (cyanocobalamin, "B12", or "B6") are not helpful to the body and some can even do harm. The manufacturers who use the good products make sure it is known so they print the full names on the label. So when it says "B12" or "B6" it usually is not a helpful product, but a cheap one that is easy to make.

Finally, look to where it says "ingredients". This is where the information about the capsule and fillers will be located. If you see the word "stearate", you are not getting much if anything from that vitamin. Stearates are used to help the machines that make the vitamins run more efficiently with less need for cleaning. All that means is less down time and more production (more money) for the manufacturer. The problem is that a stearate is a fatty coating around the nutrients and it needs to be broken down before the nutrient can be used. One study found that we only receive about 25% of the vitamins and minerals when stearates are used in processing. If your child's multivitamin passes those three tests (B12, B6, and stearates) it is better than most.  If it does not, contact us about getting a healthy multivitamin.

Speaking of vitamins, recently there was an article that came to our attention about vitaminwater, a product of Coca-Cola. Coca-Cola is being sued by a non-profit group because of the health claims that are made about vitaminwater. Coca-Cola's response? "No consumer could reasonably be misled into thinking vitaminwater was a healthy beverage." The facts are that a bottle of vitaminwater has 33 grams of sugar and a can of Coca-Cola has 39 grams of sugar. The vitamins in vitaminwater are labeled as B12, B6, etc. rather than being labeled as the higher grade, healthier types of vitamins. Also, Americans are now getting 25% of their calories from what they drink. With the obesity epidemic, especially childhood obesity, continuing, we need to teach our children that pure, clean, clear water is the best and healthiest drink that we have available to us. A report published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that the quickest and most reliable way to lose weight was to reduce liquid calories.

Last school year, the poor quality of school food made headlines, thanks to the help of Jamie Oliver. While parents may be taking care of their children's health at home, who is watching out for them at school? If you did not watch the show, there were shocking and horrifying facts given about the use of French fries as vegetables and flavored milk that also has as much sugar as a can of soda. To make sure children are getting the proper foods to fuel their developing bodies and minds help them pack their lunches. Also, use Jamie's tools to get them involved, and help the schools provide better foods to the children.

Proper nutrition is only part of the blueprint for raising healthy children. Exercise is also important. There was a study recently that found that when children walked to school they had less stress throughout the day allowing them to do better on their tests. While exercise has been used to help reduce stress in adults, we sometimes forget that children are actually little adults. So instead of riding a bus or car to school, have your child walk if it is safe and join them for your own health benefit and stress reduction.

In our previous newsletters we've talked about Interactive Metronome and how it can help children improve in school and standardized test performance like the SAT, GRE, LSAT, and MCAT. It's also helpful with improving attention, concentration, and coordination. Along with the Interactive Metronome we use Retained Neonatal Reflex Integration to help the body's system (nervous, hormone, skeletal, and muscular) to work together efficiently. This combination of Interactive Metronome training and Retained Neonatal Reflex Integration has helped many children with ADHD and the Autism Spectrum disorders.

Every year families do the traditional back to school shopping to get the kids "ready" for school. This year, prepare their brains and bodies to allow them to excel throughout the year by giving them the proper nutrition, exercise, and health care. If you have more questions about getting your kids physically and mentally ready for school, call us (310) 445 3350 and we will answer them for you. Enjoy the new school year!