How much DHA should I take during my pregnancy?

Q. My doctor started me on 300mg of DHA Omega-3 during my pregnancy. I'm unsure of the quality of this product and of the dosing. What do you recommend?

A. I recommend you take more than what your Doctor has you taking. Research on the wide range of benefits Omega-3s during pregnancy is incredible and it might be worth your time to have a look at the summaries of the clinical trials: Pregnancy research on Omega-3s

Based on these dosing studies and benefits, I recommend you take 1,000mg of DHA per day (2 teaspoons) in combination with EPA. These two Omega-3 ingredients should be taken together and are found naturally in Fish Oil such as Cod Liver Oil. If you take the liquid, it can be mixed into a smoothie, or into yogurt, applesauce, or right off the spoon.

I would also recommend taking 1 Tablespoon (= 3 tsp) of Finest Pure Cod Liver Oil by Pharmax. Quality of the fish oils you take is of utmost importance. Never choose an inexpensive brand that does not do quality control testing since they might skip the purification process and the oils may be full of mercury and dioxins which are harmful to your fetus.

As for multi-vitamins, I recommend the DFH Twice Daily Prenatal packets and alternate these with the Before Baby Boost Prenatal System by Sound Formulas to see which one you feel better on. They are both very complete formulas and far superior and more complete than doctor prescribed prenatals. You can read from our pregnancy nutrition section.

Flu prevention during pregnancy

Q. What do you recommend for a pregnant woman to take for flu prevention?

A. Cold and Flu prevention for pregnancy and lactation is not easy since most supplements say "not indicated for pregnancy or lactation". But, we have done the research work for you with these recommendations to help you safely prevent the flu during pregnancy and lactation.

The safest and best things you can do:

• Eat a healthy diet plenty of colorful, organic fruit and veggies.
• Get plenty of rest, fluids and exercise each day.
• Try not to get close to people who seem sick, don't kiss people, wash hands with anti-bacterial soap frequently or use anti-bacterial gels, which are easy to carry in your purse.
• The power of thought is also very important. Try focus on the thought you will be healthy rather than allowing the fear to take over. Work on letting go of the fear you may be feeling through meditation.
• Take a good prenatal vitamin & mineral supplement, high potency probiotics (HLC Intensive) and try to get about 2 grams of fish oils daily.

A few other key supplements you might want to be taking are:

• NAC by Genestra which has 500mg of NAC per cap, so once a day is fine, unless you start to feel like you are coming down with something, then increasing to 2 caps a day. It is a powerful free radical scavenger and thus supports the body’s natural defense system. NAC increases tissue levels of glutathione, a key component of the antioxidant defense system.
• Zinc Supreme - has 30mg of very absorbable zinc and other co-factor trients. Zinc is critical for immune function, building new tissues, wound healing, leaky gut, digestion, insulin sensitivity, the functioning of over 200 enzymes, skin health, and having a healthy pregnancy. We would recommend 1 cap a day for a month, then every other day through flu season and pregnancy. (40mg is the DRI safe upper limit during pregnancy/lactation)
• Zinc displaces copper, so you may want to add:

• Gammadyn Cu - has 5.12mg of copper per ampoule. Copper helps to decrease acute and chronic bacterial infections, and is indicated for conditions such as allergies, infections, chronic and acute inflammation, colds and flu, warts, and hepatic and digestive disorders. We would recommend 1 cap daily for a month, then every other day through flu season and pregnancy. (10mg is the DRI upper safe level during pregnancy/lactation)
• Vitamin D - get 1000 IU of D3 in one drop. This level would be safe to take along with your prenatal multivitamin. It is now being recommended that we get 1000 IU each day, and they have been finding in research that it plays a strong role in immune function and having these higher amounts can play a role in flu prevention. (2000 IU is the DRI upper level during pregnancy/lactation)

You might try to find a classical homeopath for a prevention prescription for you. Homeopathy is a specialized science. Some doctors specialize in it and it is important to find the best remedies for the individual, otherwise it may not work. Our consulting naturopath has informed us these 2 remedies seem to be the most successfully used as treatments for the H1N1 virus: Nux_Vomica and Ferrum_Phosphoricum,

"This is a gathering of information submitted from experienced homeopaths all over the country based on their findings of treating cases that are part of an epidemic. They have narrowed down to 2 remedies (Nux Vomica and Ferrum Phosphoricum) that tend to pop up most of the time as successful treatments for the H1n1."

If you come down with H1N1, you should see a homeopath or naturopathic doctor who works with homeopathy to determine the correct remedies for you!

Be well and stay healthy!>

Is Genestra's Phyto Greens safe for a pregnant woman?

Q. Is Genestra's Phyto Greens safe for a pregnant woman?

A. While Genestra recommends Phyto Greens for pregnant and lactating, we also advise women not to exceed this amount and also to use with caution if you have a history or current problem with toxicity. Signs of toxicity are bad breath, body odor, headaches, body pains, and unexplained fatigue. If toxic, Phyto Greens will help detoxify, a positive thing, unless pregnant. We don't want extra toxins going into a pregnant woman's bloodstream, as it can pass into the uterus. If you are very healthy and eat fairly healthily, i.e. lots of veggies and low processed food, then it is fine to take Phyto Greens, within the recommended dose.

Also, since you are prenatal or close, consider taking HMF Super Powder, Neurogen DHA, and Super Matragen Multivitamin.

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HMF Super Powder: This is good bacteria for your gut, needed to maximize absorption of nutrients and protect against vaginal yeast during delivery.

Super Matragen: This is an excellent multivitamin, needed to support the high nutritional needs of a pregnant woman.

Neurogen DHA: DHA is an essential fatty acid needed for baby's brain development. It will also help protect you against post-partum depression. Take 3 a day. All of these are good to take for weeks or months before conception and after, as they help build a strong foundation for healthy fetal development.

I need info on nutritional need during each trimester as well as post natal.

Q. Can you offer me information on nutritional needs of a pregnant women starting from first trimester to after delivery. Also, are there products that I should take to support my body after delivery?

A. Congratulations on your pregnancy! There are certainly some nutritional supplements I recommend for pregnancy, and following. Throughout your pregnancy, your body will continue to prioritize your baby over your needs, which often leaves women very depleted afterward. That is why many women's health breaks down initially following delivery. To maintain your health and to promote your baby's development, take:

• Maxum Matragen: (Take 2 capsules twice daily)
• Super DHA Liquid: This is a DHA rich fatty acid, versus the standard EPA-DHA. DHA is the most critical nutrient for your baby's brain development, and often, mom gets robbed of it to support the baby's development.
  Take 1 tsp daily.
• HMF Super Powder: This will improve your nutrient absorption and prevent vaginal yeast problems to promote a healthier delivery.

All of these supplements should be continued for an additional 2-3 months or through breastfeeding.

I am battling nipple yeast and my 2 mos. old has thrush in his mouth. What do you recommend?

Q. I am battling nipple yeast and my 2 mos. old has thrush in his mouth. What do you recommend?

A. According to our technical advisor at Seroyal, it would be best that you first use the HMF Super powder orally for yourself and as a paste directly on the nipple since it is more healing (you can mix some with a little bit of water, then apply it to the nipple).

Once your nipples are better, you can switch to the Candigen Cream.

You can also give your baby the HMF Natogen.

I'm pregnant right now and have Candida, can I still take the HMF intensive?

Q. I'm pregnant right now and have Candida, can I still take the HMF intensive?

A. The HMF Intensive and HMF Replete are perfectly safe and quite beneficial during pregnancy, but the Allisyn has not been studied during pregnancy and there is always a chance that the garlic might thin your blood and cause complications. It's best not to take a chance.

Instead, I recommend you use the homeopathic products for Candida which are safe during pregnancy. These include Can Albex 50X and Fungisode by Genestra.

Please read here about the products which are safe for Candida treatment during pregnancy:

I'm breast feeding and both I and my baby get thrush. Any suggestions?

Q. My son is almost 8 months old and has had a couple of small thrush patches in his cheeks for well over a month now, what do you recommend? Also I am going to be breastfeeding and I had a thrush as well, what supplements can I take?

A. Please read here for detailed information on our women’s yeast protocol and suggested supplements.

For your thrush, I recommend you first start with 10 days of HMF Intensive probiotic capsules which contain no FOS (1 capsule 3x daily after each meal).

For the next 10 days after HMF Intensive, I recommend either HMF Forte capsules 2-4 caps after meals (if you want to continue taking caps), or HMF Super Powder ½ teaspoon after meals.

In addition, you should take 1 Allisyn capsules after each meal for 20 days (1 bottle), and then 1 capsule per day for maintenance dose to keep yeast at bay. This is a great & powerful product!

After your first month, if your symptoms have subsided, you can go to a maintenance dose of probiotics and Allisyn caps (garlic/cinnamon bark oil).

If you have any vaginal yeast, HMF CandiGen suppositories are incredibly helpful since they re-establish the good flora, balance pH, and kill off yeast. Women use these instead of medications and get significantly better results with no negative side effects:

Also very important is to give your child the infant probiotic HMF Natogen.

Children with thrush also do really well on the anti-fungal homeopathics such as Can Albex 30x.

I am 14 weeks pregnant and my allergies have flared up. What is a safe allergy supplement for pregnant women?

Q. I am 14 weeks pregnant and my allergies have flared up. What is a safe allergy supplement for pregnant women?

A. Here is an allergy protocol safe during pregnancy:

• Allergiplex is safe and should help with respiratory symptoms. Since it is homeopathic, the ingredients contained are in such small concentration that they have no baring on your pregnancy.
• I also recommend you take HMF Probiotics, as these are helpful in allergies and will also protect you and your baby from yeast problems, as well as help your total immune system and absorption of nutrients.
  I cannot say enough positive things about HMF Probiotics. If your gut function is not great, start with 1-2 bottles of HMF Intensive—1 cap with each meal totalling 3 per day. Then after 2-4 weeks, you can switch to HMF Super Powder and take 1 tsp daily. Because 60-80% of your immune system is located around your gut, having these good bacteria help protect your immune function by fighting many of the battles ingested via the mouth. They are essential to good health, and will also help ensure your vaginal canal is healthy for delivery.
• Maxum Matragen is an excellent prenatal vitamin which will also promote a healthier immune system. Here is a link where you can learn more. Take 1-2 caps twice daily.
• Lastly, I recommend a healthy omega-3 fatty acid supplement such as Super EFA Plus by Genestra. Omega-3s are proven to support the immune system and reduce inflammation causing allergies. Here is a link where you can find out more. I recommend 1 tsp daily of Super EFA Plus, or something comparable.

Can DHA supplements at pregnancy boost babies' intelligence?

Q. Can DHA supplements at pregnancy boost babies' intelligence?

A. Mothers who supplement their diet with fatty acids rich in docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) during pregnancy and lactation may be doing their children a favor in later years, say researchers in this month’s Pediatrics journal.

Researchers in Norway examining the effects of DHA on mental development found that those children whose mothers had a higher intake of DHA during pregnancy scored higher on intelligence and achievement tests at four years of age than those whose mothers took fatty acids not containing DHA.

The researchers at the University of Oslo enrolled women during the 18th week of pregnancy in a randomised, double-blind trial and supplemented their diets with one of two different polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs).

Participants received either cod liver oil (containing very-long-chain omega-3 PUFA rich in DHA and other omega-3 fatty acids) or corn oil (a long-chain omega-6 PUFA with no DHA content). They took the supplements from the point of enrollment until three months after childbirth.

Researchers then completed assessments of intelligence using the Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children (K-ABC) for 84 child subjects once they reached four years of age.

The team found that children born to mothers who had taken the cod liver oil during pregnancy and lactation scored significantly higher (approximately 4.1 points) on the Mental Processing Composite of the K-ABC test compared to children whose mothers had received corn oil.

The researchers classified these increases as significant. Commenting on the findings, Henry Linsert, CEO of Martek BioSciences which markets DHA derived from marine algae, said: "First, this is the only study that has specifically measured IQ in order to quantify the developmental benefits associated with DHA supplementation. Second, by showing an improvement in intelligence at four years of age, this study demonstrates that the developmental benefits of DHA persist well beyond infancy."

Are Fish Oil Supplements During Pregnancy a good idea.

Q. Are Fish Oil Supplements During Pregnancy a good idea.

A. Fish Oil Supplements During Pregnancy
from A UWA Media Statement
Reduces Infant Immune Reponses to Allergens

Omega-3 fatty acids are recommended as part of a balanced diet, but a pediatrician at The University of Western Australia (UWA) has discovered that they could also be used to prevent allergies in babies and children.

UWA Associate Professor Susan Prescott and a research team examined the effects of Omega-3 polyunsaturated-rich fish oils in pregnancy, on the developing infant immune responses.

They found that babies whose mothers were given fish oil supplements during pregnancy had reduced infant immune responses to allergens such as cat and house dust mite. It was also noted that these babies were three times less likely to develop allergies to food, such as egg, and have less severe infantile eczema in the first year of life.

"With the dramatic increase in allergic disease in recent years, there is an urgent need to identify environmental changes which may be responsible," Associate Professor Prescott, Head of UWA's School of Paediatrics and Child Health said.

"One significant change that has occurred with progressive westernisation has been falling intakes of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. So there has been growing interest in dietary omega-3 replacement in the prevention of allergic diseases."

Associate Professor Prescott's findings are published in the international Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology December 2003 issue.

Please read here about recommended Products during Pregnancy.

My healthcare practitioner is unfamiliar with Phos Choline. Is it OK if nursing?

Q. I received my Phos Choline from your company. I am nursing and notice on the bottle to ask my healthcare practitioner if I can take this. However, he is unfamiliar with the product. I wanted to take it for my newborn because I heard that it helps with proper brain development. What do you think?

A. Phos Choline is in fact safe for you to take while you are breast feeding, but PC is not the ideal supplement. I would recommend for brain function of your developing child since the benefits will mostly be for you and your liver and less for the child.

We have an excellent EFA supplement specifically designed for breast feeding moms. Ideally, you want to take an EFA which is already elongated and ready to use by your body and your child so it can be used immediately as the building blocks for nervous system and brain development.

You can read more about Vega Pregnenssence Child here. It's an ideal product. 1/2 teaspoon can be mixed into your baby's formula or breast milk daily.

Also, here is another link to great products for Infants and Breast Feeding moms which you might find interesting.

While pregnant with candida can I take HLC Intensive as well as Alli-cinn?

Q. I'm pregnant right now and have candidas, can I still take the HLC intensive, and for maintennace the Alli-Cinn?

A. The HLC Intensive is perfectly safe and quite beneficial during pregnancy, but the Alli-cinn has not been studied during pregnancy and there is always a chance that the garlic might thin your blood and cause complications. It's best not to take a chance.

Please read here about products which are safe during pregnancy.

I'm 6 weeks pregnant. What do you recommend for a multi and anything else I need?

Q: I'm 6 weeks pregnant. What do you recommend for a multi and anything else I need?

A: Congratulations on your pregnancy! Please check out our complete pregnancy program with helpful suggestions on diet and supplements. I recommend the Prenatal Twice Daily Essential Packets from Design's for Health. These packets contain the core of what you need in optimal amounts not found in a one-a-day capsule:

• complete multivitamins
• minerals (extra calcium and magnesium)
  
• Omega-3 fish oil capsules
• iron - an absorbable, non-constipating, easy to tolerate iron capsule (can be removed easily if you do not want to take iron which is often problematic for pregnant women)

A probiotic is also helpful for immune support, good intestinal health, and vaginal health. This is a link to the full line: HLC Probiotics. HLC High Potency by Pharmax comes in capsules or powder - whichever you prefer. The powder tastes quite nice. Take 1/2 tsp per day, or 2-4 capsules per day. Also, L-Carnitine is a helpful supplement to take help with a healthy pregnancy, to help keep your energy levels up. I've provided a link to one I would recommend, and would suggest 1-2 caps early in the day.Please let me know if you need further help or have any questions about these or other products.