children's health Archives - Amazing Health Advances

Environmental Toxins Linked to Rise in Chronic Health Issues Among Children

AHA Publisher — Mon, 12 Sep 2022 07:00:11 +0000

Stephanie Woods via NaturalHealth365 – Since when did it become normal for kids to have chronic illnesses? More and more children are diagnosed with chronic health issues like asthma, ADHD, type 1 diabetes, autoimmunity, allergies, obesity, and more. There was a time when a diagnosis like this would be a cause for concern, but today it barely registers as a blip on most healthcare professionals’ and even many parents’ radars. “It is what it is” seems to be the mantra. But it isn’t normal and shouldn’t be viewed as such. These health issues are not normal, especially for children. It’s time for Western medicine to take a step back, stop treating the symptoms, and get to the root of the problem. Therein lies the dilemma. Just how did we get here? Could environmental toxins be to blame? 43 Percent of Children Live With at Least One Chronic Health Condition Children are not only being diagnosed with chronic illnesses that were once exclusive to adults – some of these children are born with them. Tragically, children battling chronic health issues make up more than 70% of all pediatric intensive care admissions in hospitals across the country. An estimated 43% of children have at least one chronic health condition, according to one study that listed 20 common conditions. When they added obesity and being at high risk for developmental/behavioral issues to the mix, that number rose to 54%. These conditions included asthma, autism, diabetes, learning disabilities, and depression. Perhaps most alarming is that most of these conditions are carried on into adulthood, making them lifelong illnesses. Environmental Toxins – a Culprit for the Increase in Children’s Chronic Health Issues Environmental toxins are cited as one of the primary contributing factors in the dramatic uptick of chronic illness in children. Unfortunately, the U.S. (and most of the Western world) has a long history of harmful environmental chemicals. For example, lead has long been a culprit for a number of health issues and learning disabilities, and while it has been banned, it is still found in some places, such as lead paint that was painted over instead of being removed first. The same goes for asbestos. The pesticide DDT is another toxin that was widely accepted for a long time. While it has been outlawed, other harmful chemicals are cropping up to take its place. Each year, more and more toxic household products and harmful substances released into our environment are being identified. These toxic substances are in our homes, schools, workplaces, and even our drinking water. It can be difficult to avoid, especially if you aren’t certain exactly who your enemy is. Of course, we can’t disregard the dangers of glyphosate, indoor air pollution and the many toxins inside childhood shots. How to Reduce Environmental Toxin Exposure? It might seem like a losing battle, trying to fight a toxic environment around us. But there are steps you can take to minimize exposure. Read the labels. Read the labels on everything and avoid the more dangerous chemicals such as polychlorinated biphenyls, per-, and polyfluoroalkyl substances, and glyphosate. Filter your drinking water. Use a water filter at home that removes PCBs and PFAs from your water. Choose fresh, whole, organic foods. Organic foods have strict requirements for pesticide use so choosing these foods decreases your pesticide exposure. Avoid highly processed foods. Opt for natural, whole foods instead of overly processed foods laden with chemicals and additives. Use an air purifier. An air purifier can help filter volatile organic compounds from the air, so you are less likely to be exposed to chemicals in gas form that are released in your home from the products you use. Make your own natural household cleaning products. Vinegar, baking soda, and other natural substances can clean and sanitize your home just as well as store-bought products but without the harmful chemicals released into the air and left as residue on surfaces. The health of our children should be a top priority. They depend on us to make the world a safer place for them. We need to work harder to live up to that. Sources for this article include: ChildrensHealthDefense.org NIH.gov ScienceDirect.com EnvironHealthPrevMed.BiomedCentral.com To read the original article click here.

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Children Who Play Adventurously Have Better Mental Health, Research Finds

AHA Publisher — Fri, 27 May 2022 07:00:13 +0000

University of Exeter via Newswise – Children who spend more time playing adventurously have lower symptoms of anxiety and depression, and were happier over the first Covid-19 lockdown, according to new research. A study led by the University of Exeter asked parents how often their children engaged in play that was “thrilling and exciting”, where they might experience some fear and uncertainty. The study, published in Child Psychiatry and Human Development, comes at a time when today’s children have fewer opportunities for adventurous play out of sight of adults, such as climbing trees, riding bikes, jumping from high surfaces or playing somewhere where they are out of adult sight. The study sought to test theories that adventurous play offers learning opportunities that help build resilience in children, thereby helping to prevent mental health problems. With funding from a UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship, the research team surveyed nearly 2,500 parents of children aged 5-11 years. Parents completed questions about their child’s play, their general mental health (pre-Covid) and their mood during the first Covid-19 lockdown. The research was carried out with two groups of parents: a group of 427 parents living in Northern Ireland and a nationally representative group of 1919 parents living in Great Britain (England, Wales and Scotland). Researchers found that children who spend more time playing outside had fewer “internalising problems” – characterised as anxiety and depression. Those children were also more positive during the first lockdown. The effects were relatively small, as would be expected given the range of factors that affect children’s mental health. However, results were consistent even after researchers factored in a wide range of demographic variables including child sex, age, parent employment status etc. and parent mental health. The study in the Great Britain group also found that the effect was more pronounced in children from lower income families than those growing up in higher income households. Helen Dodd, Professor of Child Psychology at the of the University of Exeter, who led the study, said: “We’re more concerned than ever about children’s mental health, and our findings highlight that we might be able to help protect children’s mental health by ensuring they have plentiful opportunities for adventurous play. This is really positive because play is free, instinctive and rewarding for children, available to everyone, and doesn’t require special skills. We now urgently need to invest in and protect natural spaces, well-designed parks and adventure playgrounds, to support the mental health of our children.” Dan Paskins, Director of UK Impact at Save the Children, said: “Every child needs and deserves opportunities to play. This important research shows that this is even more vital to help children thrive after all they have missed out on during the Covid-19 restrictions. More play means more happiness and less anxiety and depression. That’s why Save the Children is supporting the Summer of Play campaign which brings together organisations from around the country to pledge their support to enable children to have fun, spend time with friends and enjoy freedom.” Welcoming the findings, Jacqueline O’Loughlin, Chief Executive of PlayBoard NI said: “This research emphasises the importance of adventurous play. Children and young people need freedom and opportunities to encounter challenge and risk in their everyday playful adventures. It is clear from the research findings that playing, taking risks and experiencing excitement outdoors makes a positive contribution to children’s mental health and emotional well-being. The rewards of allowing children to self-regulate and manage challenge in their play are widespread and far-reaching. Adventurous play helps children to build the resilience needed to cope with, and manage stress in challenging circumstances.” The study is entitled ‘Child’s Play: Examining the Association Between Time Spent Playing and Child Mental Health’, published in Child Psychiatry and Human Development Examples of adventurous activities that don’t cost anything are: Going for a torch walk in the dark Exploring woods alone or with a friend Camping out overnight Swimming or paddling in a river or lake Jumping from a swing Trying out new skills on a skateboard, rollerskates or cycling Creating obstacle courses inside or outside To read the original article click here.

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Researchers Highlight the Vital Role of Nature Exposure in Children’s Health

AHA Publisher — Mon, 04 Oct 2021 07:00:55 +0000

Washington State University via News-Medical – The presence of greenspaces near homes and schools is strongly associated with improved physical activity and mental health outcomes in kids, according to a massive review of data from nearly 300 studies. Published online Sept. 29 in the journal Pediatrics, the review conducted by Washington State University and University of Washington scientists highlights the important role that exposure to nature plays in children’s health. Importantly, some of the data examined the effects for kids from historically marginalized communities and showed that the benefits of nature exposure may be even more pronounced for them. “By looking at the full scope of existing quantitative evidence, we were able to see the importance of ready access to nature for both physical and mental health outcomes in childhood. Access to nature – and the benefits that come with it – are a necessity, not a nicety. Unfortunately, not all kids are able to have regular nature contact. This is due partly to urbanization, increased screen time and more sedentary indoor lifestyles.” Amber Fyfe-Johnson, Study Lead Author and Assistant Professor, Institute for Research and Education to Advance Community Health (IREACH), Washington State University Amber Fyfe-Johnson is also an assistant professor at the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine. Lack of nature exposure disproportionately impacts historically marginalized communities that typically have fewer nearby residential parks and access to outdoor spaces, Fyfe-Johnson added. Families with limited resources and transportation options also face barriers to accessing parks and natural areas outside the city. Although these findings may seem self-evident to some, and the American Academy of Pediatrics routinely recommends outdoor play time, convincing data on the health benefits associated with nature exposure have been lacking, due partly to inconsistencies in study methodologies and definitions of outdoor time. The authors point out that not all time spent outside is equal – a parking lot is not a park, and an urban playground without natural elements is not a garden. And without strong evidence to support the benefits to kids of spending time outside, in nature, there has been little political will to enact or enforce policies that ensure equitable nature contact, said Fyfe-Johnson. The researchers position their findings in the context of the nation’s urgent public health crises around physical inactivity and poor mental health, in addition to fundamental sociodemographic inequities in access to nature. These disparities and public health emergencies have only become further magnified during the COVID-19 pandemic, noted Dr. Pooja Tandon, the study’s senior author. “Making this information available to pediatric health care providers and policy makers provides support for practices and policies promoting environmental justice and equitable nature contact for kids in places where they live, play and learn,” said Tandon, an associate professor at Seattle Children’s Research Institute. Fyfe-Johnson points to prior evidence suggesting that contact with nature and greenspace may offer even greater health benefits to disadvantaged populations by counteracting some of the toxic effects of poverty. “We sincerely hope our work will help lead to improved access to nature and health outcomes for kids, in addition to reducing health disparities in childhood,” she said. To read the original article click here.

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Eating Organic Helps Kids Score Higher on Cognitive Tests, According to Study

AHA Publisher — Thu, 29 Jul 2021 07:19:05 +0000

Stephanie Woods via NaturalHealth365 – Have you ever noticed that you have more energy when you eat nutrient-rich, organic food and have a better overall feeling of wellness than when you eat fast food? There’s a reason for that, and researchers are linking an organic diet to improved cognition and higher academic performance in children. The study, published in Environmental Pollution, was conducted by researchers at the Barcelona Institute for Global Health. It took an in-depth look at environmental hazards that children come into contact with regularly. Without examining unique lifestyle factors individually, the researchers concluded that “healthy diets, including eating organic diets, are richer than fast food diets in nutrients necessary for the brain…” According to the study, antioxidants, vitamins, and fatty acids found in a balanced, healthy diet are credited with enhancing cognitive function in children. A Large-Scale Study of 1,300 Participants Examines the Connection Between Children’s Diet and Cognitive Development The researchers chose nearly 1,300 mother-child pairs from those enrolled in the pan-European study, Human Early Life Exposome (HELIX) Project. HELIX has a number of various projects spanning several European countries The children participating in the study ranged in age from 6 to 11 years old, all in good health. In addition, because the participants were already a part of HELIX, researchers already had data on the mothers’ pregnancies and birth experiences as well as urine samples for all participants. They used each participant’s home addresses to evaluate the area for environmental exposures, such as level of pollution and how close they were to parks and natural areas. The researchers administered tests to both child and mother to determine specific lifestyle factors, alcohol use and smoking by either or both parents, the child’s diet, their environment indoors, level of physical activity, and other habits. Researchers tested the children’s working memory, attention function, and fluid intelligence through both clinical tests and computer evaluations. Then, they combined these scores as an overall level of cognition. Pesticides and Other Chemicals Have a Detrimental Impact on Cognitive Health The researchers concluded that eating organic foods helped children score higher in tests measuring working memory and fluid intelligence. Lower scores on each of the tests were found to have several contributing factors. For instance, children who scored lower on fluid intelligence tests tended to have a diet high in fast food. They were also regularly exposed to tobacco smoke and experienced house crowding. Children with lower scores on working memory tests tended to regularly be exposed to poor indoor air quality. Pesticides and other chemicals in conventional foods – and their absence in organic foods – are believed to be the primary reason for the study results. Children are smaller, so the levels of these dangerous chemicals in their bodies are higher. Other studies have linked pesticides to ADHD, developmental problems, and lower IQ in children. It is important to note that organophosphate insecticides which are specifically associated with lower IQ scores in children are still commonly used on vegetables and fruit in the United States. What’s the bottom line? While the test results seem to reveal a direct link between test scores and diet and environmental factors, more research is needed to provide solid evidence that an organic, nutrient-rich diet improves cognitive performance. Nevertheless, this offers some solid evidence to switch to an organic diet, dramatically lowering pesticide levels in the body. No doubt, eating organic food will take you one step closer to better health and higher brainpower. Sources for this article include: BeyondPesticides.org ScienceDirect.com App.Dimensions.AI ScienceDirect.com To read the original article click here. For more articles from NaturalHealth365 click here.

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Greater Screen Time Usage Among Preteens Associated with Higher BMI One Year Later

AHA Publisher — Fri, 09 Jul 2021 07:00:50 +0000

University of Toronto via News-Medical – A new national study finds that children in the United States with greater screen time usage at ages 9-10 are more likely to gain weight one year later. The study, publishing in Pediatric Obesity on June 28, found that each additional hour spent on virtually all forms of screen time was associated with a higher body mass index (BMI) one year later. In particular, researchers found that each extra hour spent watching or streaming television, YouTube videos, video games, video chat, and texting led to a higher risk of weight gain one year later. At the start of the study, 33.7% of children were considered overweight or obese, and this increased to 35.5% one year later, a proportion that is expected to rise in the late teens and early adulthood. BMI is calculated based on height and weight. Researchers analyzed the BMI z-scores, which is relative weight adjusted for a child’s age and sex, of 11,066 preteens who are part of the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study, the largest long-term study of brain development in the United States. The children answered questions about their time spent on six different screen time modalities, including television, social media, and texting. “Screen time is often sedentary and may replace time for physical activity. Children are exposed to more food advertisements and are prone to snacking and overeating while distracted in front of screens.” (Jason Nagata, MD, lead author, assistant professor of pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco) “A negative body image and subsequent overeating may be a result of exposure to social media and unattainable body ideals,” said senior author, Kyle T. Ganson, PhD, assistant professor at the University of Toronto’s Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work. “This study emphasizes the need for more research on how screen time impacts the well-being of young people now and in the future.” “The study was conducted prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, but its findings are especially relevant for the pandemic,” noted Nagata. “With remote learning, the cancellation of youth sports and social isolation, children have been exposed to unprecedented levels of screen time.” “Screen time can have important benefits such as education and socialization during the pandemic, but parents should try to mitigate risks from excessive screen time including increased sedentary time and decreased physical activity. Parents should regularly talk to their children about screen-time usage and develop a family media use plan,” said Nagata. To read the original article click here.

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Study Shows Junk Food Harms Children’s Bone Quality

AHA Publisher — Tue, 27 Apr 2021 07:00:09 +0000

Abigail Klein Leichman via Israel21c – Parents may want to consider limiting their children’s consumption of ultra-processed packaged foods not only because these foods can lead to obesity and diabetes. They may also stunt bone growth. A definitive link between ultra-processed foods and reduced bone quality in the development stage was revealed by a team of researchers from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. The study, led by Prof. Efrat Monsonego-Ornan and Janna Zaretsky from the Department of Biochemistry, Food Science and Nutrition at the university’s Faculty of Agriculture, was published in the journal Bone Research. This is the first comprehensive study of the effect of widely available processed food products on skeletal development. Junk food is popular with consumers – and especially with children — because it’s tasty, easily accessible, relatively inexpensive and ready to eat. However, ultra-processed items often are high in refined sugar, fat, salt and preservatives, while lacking protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals required for growth and cellular function. Many also contain non-dietary ingredients. It was already known that the increasing consumption of junk food around the world has directly contributed to increased obesity and other metabolic conditions in people of all ages. However, few studies have focused on its direct developmental effects of a junk food-heavy diet on children, particularly young children. And none have looked at the effect on bones. Impaired Bone Development The Hebrew University study focused on three-week-old to nine-week-old lab rats whose skeletons were in the stages of growth from weaning to puberty. The rats that were fed a diet of ultra-processed foods high in fat and sugar suffered from growth retardation and their bone strength was negatively affected. Under the microscope, the researchers detected high levels of cartilage buildup in the rats’ growth plates, the “engine” of bone growth. Additional tests found that the RNA genetic profiles of cartilage cells in the rats eating junk food showed characteristics of impaired bone development. Harmful Even in Reduced Amounts The scientists then experimented with differing levels of processed foods in the lab rats’ diet to analyze how specific eating habits might impact bone development. “We divided the rodents’ weekly nutritional intake—30 percent came from a ‘controlled’ diet, and 70 percent from ultra-processed foods,” said Monsonego-Ornan. This diet caused moderate damage to bone density although there were fewer indications of cartilage buildup in the rats’ growth plates. “Our conclusion was that even in reduced amounts, the ultra-processed foods can have a definite negative impact on skeletal growth,” she said. A Warning for Parents These findings are significant because children and adolescents are intense consumers of ultra-processed food. According to some estimates, half of all American kids eat junk food every day. “When Carlos Monteiro, one of the world’s leading experts on nutrition, said that there is no such thing as a healthy ultra-processed food, he was clearly right,” said Monsonego-Ornan. “Even if we reduce fats, carbs, nitrates and other known harmful substances, these foods still possess their damaging attributes,” she added. “Every part of the body is prone to this damage and certainly those systems that remain in the critical stages of development.” The authors of the Israel Science Foundation-funded study say their findings “highlight, for the first time, the severe impact of consuming ultra-processed foods on the growing skeleton. This pathology extends far beyond that explained by the known metabolic effects, highlighting bone as a new target for studies of modern diets.” To read the original article click here. For more articles from Israel21c click here.

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6 Signs That Your Gut Health Is in Jeopardy, Especially in Kids

AHA Publisher — Fri, 15 Jan 2021 08:00:58 +0000

Sara Middleton via NaturalHealth365 – The human gut famously called the “forgotten organ,” is becoming increasingly less forgotten as scientists discover more and more just how pivotal gut health is to human well-being. But while gut bacteria research tends to focus on adults, it’s clear that gut health has a major impact on children, as well. More recently, a team of researchers from Duke University determined that the bacteria living inside a child’s digestive tract (known collectively as the microbiome) may help indicate the type of exposure that child has had to environmental toxins … an issue that could pave the way to long-term health ramifications. NEW Study Reveals the Damaging Effect of Toxic Chemicals on Children’s Gut Health Published in the November 2020 edition of Environmental Science & Technology, the Duke-based study analyzed blood and urine samples from 80 children between the ages of three and six. Researchers found 29 volatile organic compounds (VOCs)(common environmental toxins emitted from things like building materials, carpets, and upholstery) in nearly all (95 percent) of the samples. Notably, the researchers found that children with high levels of VOCs also had altered levels of certain bacterial and fungal species in their gut. This included the growth of some bacteria not usually found in the digestive tract. The findings suggest that the increased toxin load in these children could be driving unhealthy changes in the microbiome, undermining children’s gut health, although more research is needed to clarify the mechanisms of this relationship. Such changes, the researchers hypothesize, could be linked to negative long-term health outcomes. What kind of outcomes, you might ask? Is Your Kid’s Gut Healthy? Here Are 6 Signs to Look Out For Even if you can’t see inside your child’s gut, you still can look for clues that he or she may be suffering from poor gut health and an altered microbiome. Here are a few common signs and symptoms which may point to a gut-related issue: Skin rashes Digestive problems like constipation, diarrhea, bloating, and upset stomach Sugar cravings Unexplained fatigue Unexplained fluctuations in weight Frequent illnesses To be clear, the potential health impact of a dysfunctional microbiome goes well beyond uncomfortable signs and symptoms. Poor gut health has also been linked to vitamin deficiencies, behavioral problems, autoimmune conditions like type 1 diabetes (also called “juvenile diabetes” as it is typically diagnosed in childhood), asthma, and atopic dermatitis. Poor gut health has even been implicated in the development of autism spectrum disorder, according to research shared by Nature. In a January 2020 article, the peer-reviewed scientific journal noted that studies show “children with [autism spectrum disorder] often have a mix of gut microbes that is distinct from that in children without the condition,” and that altered gut bacteria (e.g., not enough good bacteria and/or too many bad bacteria) may lead to issues with social development and brain function. Research on the autism/gut health link is on-going, and there’s still so much to be learned. But in the meantime, let this be a call to all parents to minimize their children’s exposure to VOCs and other environmental toxins. Sources for this article include: EurekAlert.org, NIH.gov, NIH.gov, Nature.com, ACS.org, Childrens.com, Piedmont.org, MBio.asm.org, Nature.com, MedicalNewsToday.com To read the original article click here. For more articles from NaturalHealth365 click here.

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Exposure to Nature Promotes Psychological Well-Being in Children and Offsets Excessive Computer Use

AHA Publisher — Fri, 18 Sep 2020 07:00:58 +0000

Lori Alton via NaturalHealth365 – Virtually every Baby Boomer can probably recall this recurring parental suggestion: “Why don’t you kids go outside and play?!” Scientific research now agrees on the wisdom of this advice, with recent studies supporting the benefits of “green time” in lowering blood pressure, lifting mood and reducing levels of stress hormones in children and adults alike. Over the past two decades, however, the use of screen-based technology has soared, with restorative “green time” often sacrificed to “screen time” – a particularly troublesome scenario for children and teens. For the first time, a new systematic review explores the benefits of green time – and the effects of screen time – in children and teenagers. Review: American Preteens May Spend Only a Handful of Hours a Week Enjoying the Benefits of Green Time – with Troubling Consequences Shockingly, one study revealed that 12-year-old children in the United States report spending less than six hours a week outside – less than they report spending on screen time in a single day! Keep in mind, according to psychologist and screen technology expert Dr. Mike Brooks, PhD, many teens spend as much as nine hours (not including school or homework!) on screen-based media, while children may spend eight to 12. In addition, roughly 25 percent of all adolescents describe themselves as “constantly connected” to the Internet. Many researchers believe that excessive screen time is detrimental to young people, as it stimulates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and dopaminergic circuits at a time when those sensitive systems are developing and changing. On a practical note, excessive screen time can interfere with mental health necessities such as adequate sleep, in-person social activities, academic activities and regular exercise. Warning: High Screen Time with Low Green Time is Associated with Poorer Psychological and Cognitive Health In a systematic review published September 4 in PLOS One, the authors evaluated 186 studies to assess the effects of green time and screen time on mental health, cognitive function and academic achievement in children and teens in the United States, Canada, the UK, New Zealand and Australia. The researchers evaluated studies that explored the use of visual screen-based technologies such as TV, video games, smart phones, surfing the internet, social media and texting – as well as investigating exposure to green spaces and outdoor activities. In young people of all age groups, higher screen time was found to be associated with detrimental effects (although positive consequences from moderate exposures were found). The authors reported that in schoolchildren 5 to 11 years old, screen time exposures were generally associated with unfavorable psychological outcomes such as depressive symptoms, behavioral problems, sleeplessness and poorer cognitive function and attention. In a study published in Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, the researchers found that higher screen time was associated with reduced happiness and poorer academic outcomes. And, in older teens, high levels of screen time were associated with higher levels of depressive symptoms and anxiety. Green time, on the other hand, was associated with favorable outcomes such as reduced anger, healthier cortisol profiles, more energy and increased happiness. In addition, green time decreased long-term anxiety – and one study found that learning in a forest setting was associated with a steeper daily decrease in cortisol levels, when compared to traditional indoor classes. The authors pointed out that natural areas and green spaces tend to have better air quality and less noise pollution when compared to congested, high-traffic areas. And, direct sunlight promotes restful sleep by regulating circadian rhythms and spurring the production of vitamin D – a potent anti-inflammatory, immune system booster and natural antidepressant. Important Caveat: Researchers Credit “Moderate Screen Time” with Many Benefits The fact is: an estimated 47 percent of U.S. employment is classified as being at high risk of computerization in coming years. Stressing the need for young people to be “tech-literate,” the authors were careful to point out the upside of computer use. They noted that “moderate” screen time can aid academic achievement while allowing young people to forge new connections, enhance existing relationships and access the world beyond their immediate surroundings. And, some studies found that computer gaming was associated with increased reading and problem-solving scores. But, How Much Screen Time Is too Much? When it comes to recommending guidelines, Dr. Brooks points out that this is a highly individual matter, dependent on context, type of media, quality of content and the age of the child or teen. As a general rule, Dr. Brooks notes that one to two hours of recreational screen time on a school day is reasonable for teens, with three to four permissible on weekends and holidays. He adds that devices should be kept out of bedrooms when it’s time to sleep – and away from family meals. Boost Mental and Psychological Health with Nature-Centered Activities When it comes to getting quality green time, the options for both adults and young people are almost unlimited. Wilderness hiking, rock climbing, strolling in parks, swimming in oceans and lakes, jogging on outdoor paths, climbing trees or simply playing tag in a field – all qualify as green time. And, practices like “forest bathing” and “earthing” – in which contact with nature is used to lower blood pressure and reverse harmful electrical charges in the body – are steadily growing in popularity as well. Of course, common sense, safety guidelines and age-appropriate supervision must be observed – whatever the activity. Today’s technology offers a rich source of information, opportunity and inspiration for young people – but it also presents hazards. This new review shows that green time can act as a buffer for the toxic effects of too much screen time, while promoting physical and psychological health. So, unplug and log off for a while – and encourage your family to do the same. The rewards are tremendous! Sources for this article include: ScienceDaily.com, PsychologyToday.com To read the original article click here. For more articles from NaturalHealth365 click here.

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Scientists Discover a Way to Stop the Spread of Devastating Childhood Cancer

AHA Publisher — Thu, 16 Jul 2020 07:00:55 +0000

University of East Anglia via EurekAlert – Researchers at the University of East Anglia and University of Manchester have made an important breakthrough that could lead to ‘kinder’ treatments for children with bone cancer, and save lives. Current treatment is gruelling, with outdated chemotherapy cocktails and limb amputation. But despite all of this, the five-year survival rate is poor at just 42 per cent – largely because of how rapidly bone cancer spreads to the lungs. New research published today identifies a set of key genes that drive bone cancer spread to the lungs in patients. In further experiments in mice with engineered human bone cancer cells that lack these key genes, the cancer cannot spread to the lungs. The research was led by Dr Darrell Green, from UEA’s Norwich Medical School and Dr Katie Finegan from the University of Manchester. Darrell was inspired to study childhood bone cancer after his best friend died from the disease as a teenager. Now, the team has made what could be the most important discovery in the field for more than 40 years. Dr Green said: “Primary bone cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the bones. It’s the third most common solid childhood cancer, after brain and kidney, with around 52,000 new cases every year worldwide. “It can rapidly spread to other parts of the body, and this is the most problematic aspect of this type of cancer. Once the cancer has spread it is very difficult to treat. “Around a quarter of patients have cancer that has already spread by the time they are diagnosed. Around half of patients with apparent localised disease relapse, with cancer spread detected later on. These figures have remained stagnant, with no significant breakthroughs in treatment, for more than four decades. “In high school, my best friend Ben Morley became ill with primary bone cancer. His illness inspired me to do something about it myself because during my studies I realised that this cancer has been all but left behind others in terms of research and treatment progress. So I studied and went through university and obtained my PhD to eventually work in primary bone cancer. “I want to understand the underlying biology of cancer spread so that we can intervene at the clinical level and develop new treatments so that patients won’t have to go through the things my friend Ben went through. Ultimately we want to save lives and reduce the amount of disability caused by surgery.” The research team investigated the most common type of primary bone cancer called osteosarcoma. The genetic drivers that cause osteosarcoma are well known (TP53 and RB1 structural variants) but much less is known about what drives its spread to other parts of the body. Dr Green said: “Because primary bone cancer spreads so fast to other parts of the body, it’s very important to solve exactly why this happens. “We developed new technology to isolate circulating tumour cells in the blood of patients. These cells are critical for scientific study because they effectively carry out the metastatic process. This was extremely challenging because there is only one such cell per billion normal blood cells – it took over a year to develop but we cracked it. “It was also challenging because most studies investigating circulating tumour cells are performed in common adult cancers where the methods significantly differ because the cancer biology is so different. “Osteosarcoma is a less common sarcoma cancer so we had to start from scratch to not only find these cells in the first place, but to keep them alive so we could profile their gene expression.” After profiling tumours, circulating tumour cells (CTCs) and metastatic tumours from patient donors, they were able to identify a potential driver for metastasis – known as MMP9. Dr Green said: “This driver that we identified is well known in cancer, but it is also considered ‘un-druggable’ because the cancer quickly becomes resistant to treatment, or it finds a way to escape being targeted. “So we thought we would try something a bit clever and find the ‘master regulator’ of MMP9 so that we could ‘action’ the ‘un-actionable’.” The team began collaborating with researchers at the University of Manchester who were working on the proposed master regulator of MMP9 – MAPK7 – in several cancers using mouse models including osteosarcoma. Together, they engineered human osteosarcoma cells to contain a silenced version of MAPK7. They found that when these cells were put into mice, the primary tumour grew much more slowly. Importantly, it didn’t spread to the lungs – even when the tumours were left to grow for a long time. “Getting even deeper, our study shows that silencing MAPK7 stopped metastasis because that gene pathway was hijacking a particular part of the immune system that caused the spread,” said Dr Green. “This is really important because not only do we now have a gene pathway associated with metastasis, we know that removing this gene pathway actually stops cancer spread in a live animal. And we also know how and why this is happening – through hijacking the immune system. “The next step already gearing up to take place is to silence this pathway in treatment form, now that we have shown how critical this pathway is. “If these findings are effective in clinical trials, it would no doubt save lives and improve quality of life because the treatment should be much kinder, compared to the gruelling chemotherapy and life changing limb amputation that patients receive today.” Senior author Dr Katherine Finegan from the University of Manchester said: “It has been great to work together with Darrell and the team at UEA. This is the first output from a new co-operative we have set up to tackle the significant unmet need that is finding an effective treatment once osteosarcoma has spread. This co-operative called OMeNet brings together researchers from across the UK to cohesively study the spread of osteosarcoma and expedite the discovery of new treatments. “Using Darrell’s genetic insights from patient material, we were able to validate their work in models of primary bone cancer. As a result, we have highlighted a potential new way to treat metastatic bone cancer by targeting a key protein that promotes metastases: MAPK7. This work has uncovered a novel treatment option for osteosarcoma, something we have not had for the last 40 years. “In the Finegan lab we are already in the process of developing new drugs against MAPK7, which we hope to implement for the benefit of primary bone cancer patients in the future. “We would also like to thank the charity Friends of Rosie who funded the work in the Manchester lab and support childhood cancer research here in the North West.” Super Strong Sophie One of the patients who donated tissue to the study was five-year-old ‘Super Strong’ Sophie Taylor from Norwich. She was first diagnosed with osteosarcoma in January 2018, and underwent surgery to amputate part of her leg, as well as chemotherapy. Sadly Sophie was taken to hospital with breathing difficulties a year after diagnosis at the beginning of January 2019, where her family were told there was extensive cancer in her lungs. She passed away on January 18, 2019. Sophie’s dad Alex Taylor said: “Sophie was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in January 2018. Unfortunately it was in her lungs at the time it was found. “When we were informed necrosis from chemotherapy was low we embarked on finding additional options and were fortunate to come into contact with Dr Darrell Green. “We did not hesitate in offering Sophie’s tumour for research and to also have her DNA and RNA analysed to link it to additional drugs to pursue. It gave us hope and it was amazing to have Darrell fighting in our corner. “Unfortunately the way Sophie’s journey panned out we didn’t get to try the options we put on the table but we are extremely pleased that Sophie has been able to help in the way she did. “We will continue to support Darrell and the work he does and Sophie’s future charity will aim to support the continuation of bone cancer research so future Sophies get a better outcome. “We are delighted Darrell’s work is being recognised, he is a remarkable man and we are really grateful for his support during treatment, after treatment and since Sophie’s passing. He truly deserves the credit and recognition he receives. “Sophie was simply a child from out of this world, she demonstrated strength and courage beyond comprehension and deserved a much better outcome. She had her leg amputated, months of hard chemotherapy, nursed an awful wound from surgery and just got on with it, fulfilling a range of achievements including going to the top of Snowdon, playing football with and becoming close friends Leicester City’s James Maddison, and she inspired many people around the world. We are so proud of how she fought and even more so that she has contributed to research which will be lifesaving for future children. “We will add this to her legacy and share it with pride and will continue to ‘takeasophie’ and stick our tongue out at cancer just like Sophie did. Thank you Darrell and well done that your immense hard work is paying off, we are very proud of you.” To read the original article click here.

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