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At all stages of pregnancy, the ability to make informed dietary and lifestyle choices can have a positive influence on the health and wellbeing of mother and child. Under normal circumstances, the developing foetus depends upon placental efficiency to absorb a rich supply of nutrients from the maternal bloodstream. Because of this close dependence, there are certain situations which can potentially disrupt the normal course of foetal development. For example, there are a number of maternal illnesses and infections which must be avoided or treated promptly to reduce the risk of developmental abnormalities. Because several of these conditions exhibit minimal symptoms, it is beneficial for most pregnant women to undertake a periodic health assessment...

The term herb is used to describe those plants which are commonly selected for their culinary, therapeutic, cleansing, and devotional properties. Throughout history, herbs have been associated with the cultural and religious practices of many influential civilisations. In ancient Greece, bay leaves were fashioned into garlands and presented as praise offerings to triumphant athletes of the original Olympiad events. In a similar manner, fresh and dried leaves were included as part of the ritual and sacred offerings to the ancient deities. Aside from these ceremonial applications, the Greeks appreciated the therapeutic and culinary aspects of this richly aromatic plant. For example, fresh bay leaves were steeped in jars of olive oil which were...

Fresh and dried herbs have been used extensively in cooking and food preparation since the earliest periods of human history. Over the previous hundred years, it appears that many culinary herbs have been eliminated and in some instances replaced by natural and artificial chemicals which provide flavour without any significant nutritional benefits. The most salient example is common salt, or sodium chloride. This chemical is abundant in nature and plays an essential role in human physiology. A daily sodium intake of several hundred milligrams is sufficient for maintaining a healthy body. Such an amount can be easily obtained from fresh whole foods such as organically grown fruit, vegetables, grains, and seafood. When consumed in excessive amounts,...

The previously neglected concept of food intolerance has now been widely promoted by medical research into metabolic disorders with a genetic basis. There is also evidence to suggest these intolerances affect the general wellbeing of more individuals than had originally been estimated. Some basic description of events occurring within the gastrointestinal tract can be useful for understanding the concept of food intolerance. Breaking down food The stomach and intestinal walls are designed to break food into the molecular particles which are then used by the body to provide energy, and as a resource for the growth and repair of tissue. Even with the most careful selection of wholesome foods, there are components which are not required and must...

While the majority of babies manage to avoid complicated health concerns during their early months of life, all newborns are susceptible to a range of preventable illnesses, environmental hazards, sleeping difficulties, and issues related to feeding and nutrition. For the sake of their long term wellbeing, newborn infants should be assessed by a paediatrician and screened for congenital and inherited indicators. Hospitals will usually provide this service as a routine component of their care delivery; however they may be required to seek exclusive permission from the infant’s parent or primary caregiver. In those instances where problems are detected, early treatments and counselling can alleviate many of the complications which might...