Blood disorder I - ANEMIA

The power of blood


Whenever we breathe in, oxygen-rich blood from the lungs is carried through a network of capillaries to the pulmonary vein to be delivered to the left side of the heart which then pumps to tissues in the body. The reverse happens with removal of carbon dioxide from tissues back to lungs.

In a broad sense, our blood performs three specific functions in the body:

• Transports gases, nutrients, waste and chemical messengers

• Protects the body by controlling bleeding, allergens and errant cells, fight infections and repel invaders

• Regulates temperature (by distributing heat produced by the working muscle throughout the body), pH (involving enzymes and oxygen) and hydration for keeping the body systems in homeostasis, within their vital parameters.


Components of blood


Blood comprises of 3 major components:


-  Red blood cells which are produced by the bone marrow


-  White blood cells which are produced by the bone marrow and certain lymphoid tissue


-  Platelets which are produced by giant cells in the bone marrow


They can be found floating in a liquid base known as plasma which is basically made of water (90%), proteins (7%) and tiny amounts of sugar, fats and mineral salts. The plasma proteins account for the stickiness of blood and clotting factors, as well as specialized functions by their antibodies and enzymes.

Blood cycle


Do you know that every red blood cell in your body is replaced every 120 days and that your body produces red blood cells at a phenomenal rate of approximately 2.5 million new cells per second, which is incredibly, 200 billion new cells every single day?

The quality of your blood will change for the better or for the worse depending on the quality of nutritional building blocks you provide daily. The ability to perform its specific functions relies on the proper vitamins and minerals being made available in the foods you eat.

What is anemia?

Anemia arises from a reduction in either the number of red blood cells or the amount of hemoglobin in the blood. Normal adult range is in the region of 4-6 million cu/mm comprising 40-45% red cells and 55-60% plasma.

Composition of red cells

When iron in our body is combined with a protein, a substance known as hemoglobin is formed in our blood cells. Based on the normal cycle, red cells have a lifespan of 120 days after which they are removed from circulation by the spleen and to a lesser extent, by the liver. However, iron and protein from the retired cells are retained by the tissues and reused in the production of new hemoglobin. Only the red pigment is eliminated as part of the bile. In the case of jaundice, this process is overdone with the result that the bile pigments accumulate in the tissues in darker color.

(1)  The two proteins, namely Alpha globin and beta globin are responsible for forming hemoglobin, and may cause thalassemia when a gene that helps control production of one of these proteins is defective.

(2)  Iron is an important mineral for two main purposes -

-  Helps our muscles to store and use oxygen

-  Being part of many enzymes (eg. catalase), it is used in many cellular functions related to many other important reactions occurring within our bodies.

Deficiency

A deficit can affect several organ systems such as:

• Delay normal infant’s normal activity and movement or thinking and processing skills;
• Anemia during pregnancy can increase risk for small or premature babies who tend to have health problems or may die in early infancy;
• Cause fatigue that impairs the ability to do physical work in adults and affect memory or other mental function in teens;
• Bone marrow producing smaller and paler cells. In severe cases, the rate of red cell formation is curtailed, causing a low red cell count. This happens to frequent bleeding due to a prolonged illness or pathogenic attack.

An astronomical shocking figure - 75% of the world population is iron deficit of which 30% or 2 billion people are anemic, frequently exacerbated by environmental contacts like malaria and worm infections that can blow out of epidemic proportions.

Causes

Anemia may result from improper formation of red blood cells by the bone marrow. Hence, it may indicate a need for B12, B6 and folic acid to assist the cells in maturing. Check blood test readings like MCV, MCH, MCHC, platelets and PBF to determine if this is the cause.

Drug use, hormonal disorders, thalassemia, chronic inflammation, surgery, hemorrhoids, heavy menstrual bleeding, repeated pregnancies, liver damage, thyroid disorders and dietary deficiencies (eg. iron, folic acid, Vitamin B) are frequent causes for anemic condition.

Other possible causes are as follows:

+ Tuberculosis and rheumatoid arthritis prevent the movement of iron to the bone marrow where hemoglobin is formed.

+ Women who use intrauterine devices for contraception, suffer heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding caused by hormonal imbalance, fibroid tumors, uterine cancer are prone to anemia. In the worst scenario, cessation of menstruation.

+ Those who overuse antacids to treat peptic ulcer disease and acid reflux, and anti-inflammatory medications such as aspirin or ibuprofen tend to suffer internal bleeding.

+ Intestinal parasites, particularly hookworm, can cause severe iron-deficiency anemia.

+ A lack of hydrochloric acid in the stomach reduces the absorption of iron from food. Cancer of the stomach or intestine, diarrhoea from intestinal infections, and the surgical removal of all or part of the stomach or intestine may interfere with iron absorption.

+ Those who abstain from meat or vegetarians, thus lacking in B6 and B12.

+ Athletics who do strenuous exercise and heavy perspiration depleting the iron reserves.

+ Among children, iron deficiency is seen most often between 6 months and 3 years of age due to rapid growth and inadequate intake of dietary iron. This is especially so for breastfed babies who after age 6 months are not being given plain, iron-fortified cereals or another good source of iron from other foods.

+ Growing adolescents who need the nutritional factors necessary for red blood cell conversion of energy.

Signs and symptoms

• Feeling tired and weak, dizziness, shortness of breadth, palpitation
• Decreased work and school performance
• Slow cognitive and social development during childhood
• Difficulty maintaining body temperature
• Decreased immune function, which increases susceptibility to infection
• Inflamed tongue and difficulty swallowing
• Fragile bones
• Hair loss
• Constipation
• For children, poor concentration and behavioral problems are frequently observed, leading to poor attention spans and academic performance.
• Muscles in adults and brain cells in children do not function up to par.

Blood test

Treating individuals suspect of anemia is easier. A blood test can be run to show the blood composition, including ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate) to detect any inflammation lurking in the body.

Specific test for iron and its stored form, ferritin can provide the clue too. Note:

(1) Low level below 25 ng/mL indicates a need for iron. High level can be due to inflammatory disorder, infections, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic kidney disease, cirrhosis of the liver.

(2) If iron, ferritin are normal and MCV, MCH, Hemoglobin and Hematocrit are all decreased, suspect a toxic metal body burden.

Diet considerations

If test result showed iron deficiency, load up iron-rich foods like animal meat and green leafy vegetables. Foods high in iron content include kidney beans, liver, rice bran, dried peaches and prune juice.

Kids in more affluent societies are found not eating right and their counterparts in poor countries are not having enough to eat, resulting in both suffering from lack of iron in their diets.

Difference between iron derived from animal and plant protein

• Iron from meat, poultry and fish (i.e. heme iron) is absorbed two to three times more efficiently than iron from plants (i.e. non-heme iron). However, note that animal meat contain high level of cholesterol.
• Toxicity in non-heme iron from plants is unheard of and thus offers a safer option than heme iron derived from animal meat.
• Vitamin C found in plants can increase iron absorption by as much as 30%.
• The amount of iron absorbed from plant foods is dependent on the types of foods eaten at the same time.  Foods like almonds, cashews, chocolate, cocoa, kale, spinach, most nuts and beans contain high oxalic acid should be avoided as it interferes with iron absorption.
  Also foods containing polyphenols, phytates or calcium eg. tea, coffee, whole grains, legumes and milk or dairy products have negative effect.
• The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that babies do not drink cow's milk as it interferes with iron absorption and possibly causes internal bleeding.

Overdose?

Men and menopausal women may not need extra iron, and the RDI for iron in children in 1-3 years category is much lower than adults. It is found that people with excessive iron in their blood tend to have an increased risk of developing heart disease and cancer as the body’s natural killer cells are unable to perform their normal duty. This is because as iron is stored in the tissues and organs, excessive iron intake leads to the production of free radicals.

Do not take iron supplements if you have an infection. Taking extra iron at such times encourages bacterial profileration in the body.

Other comments

+ Avoid strenuous exercise in order to protect the vital organs from oxygen deficiency. Moderate exercise should be carried out in the open air as a means of maintaining general good health.

+ Women whose menstrual flow is excessive should seek medical help. There may be an underlying problem that need to be addressed. Abnormal bleeding can be one of the danger signals of cancer.

Recent studies showed that 20% of women and an alarming 50% of children are anemic. The consequential damages in terms of ill-health, premature death and dimunition or loss of earnings is unfathomable. Is believed that if corrective treatment is administered fast, national productivity levels can rise by as much as 20%. As the poorest and the least educated are most affected, they are the likely the biggest beneficiary of a drive programme if effectively implemented.

Source: Prescription to Natural Healing; The Simplified Patient Reference Guide by Ronald J Grisanti D.C.

VIVA corner

If you are not getting them from the diet outlined, then you definitely need to supplement.


Hemoberry is a VIVA powdered drink supplement specifically designed for building healthy red blood cells containing 150% RDI of vitamin C and 70% RDI of iron for adults. 

It contains a balanced formula of blood-building nutrition including:

+ Natural Iron (ferrous lactate) for optimum production of hemoglobin and gives a radiant, rosy complexion.
+ Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) to optimize iron absorption
+ B Vitamins (B6, B12, B5), folic acid and pantothenic acid for enzymatic activity for proper iron utilization and formation of red blood cells.
+ Natural fruit powders and extracts from cranberry, rosehips, acerola, beetroot and lemon – loaded with phytonutrients and add with natural berries flavours like blueberry and blackberry for delicious taste, natural color and antioxidant power.

VIVA B-easy provides full range of Vitamin Bs essential for red blood cell maturation in the bone marrow as well as to break down and prepare protein for cellular use.

Testimonies

CASE 1

I have a colleague who complained to me that once her menstruation came she felt very painful and discharged a lot of clog blood. I recommended her VIVA HEMOBERRY to try out.

After 2 months she came back and told me that her menstruation does not cause any more pain and no more blood clogging.

CASE 2

My colleague’s sister from Australia Sydney came back to Singapore for holiday early this year. She was complaining that her blood count was very low after check up and always had giddiness. I recommended my colleague to try VIVA HEMOBERRY. My colleague bought and gave it to her sister. After she went back to Australia and consumed for a month,  she called up and asked my colleague to get more of the HEMOBERRY product. She is so happy that her health is improving and her blood counts shoot up almost double to 11.5. (still short of ref range 13.5)

Thanks to VIVA, is amazing!

JACQUELINE SIEW (viva id 71005683)

Take cranberries for UTI?

 

Cranberries are the fruit of a native plant of North America, used extensively in food preparation and herbal remedies. Early settlers from England learned to use the berries and leaves both raw and cooked for a host of ailments, including appetite loss, stomach problems, blood disorders, scurvy (lack of vitamin C), wounds, urinary disorders, diarrhea, diabetes and liver problems.

 

Properties
 

Phytonutrients – found naturally in plant compounds in the form of antioxidants, are increasingly being shown to help optimize human health. Cranberry fruit is high in antioxidants, partly from substances called proanthocyanidins, giving it the vibrant color. These properties can neutralize particles in the body known as free radicals, which damage cell membranes, tamper with DNA and even cause cell death.

Another important function is the prevention of adhesion of certain of bacteria, including E. coli, associated with urinary tract infections. At first, scientists thought cranberry worked by making urine acidic enough to kill the bacteria. Now, studies show that it actually prevents bacteria from attaching to the walls of the urinary tract. This anti-adhesion properties also prevent bacteria buildup causing gum disease (dental plaque) and stomach ulcers.

Further studies suggest that cranberry does not work once you have a Urinary tract infections (UTI). That is because in preventing UTIs, it helps keep bacteria from attaching to the urinary tract. However, it is less effective once the bacteria have already done so. Hence it is more effective at preventing UTIs than treating them. You may like to consider using garlic to destroy the bacteria and follow up with prebiotics and probiotics to prevent further outbreak.

 

Recent scientific research showed that cranberries and cranberry products are an excellent source of vitamin C, another important antioxidant that has the ability to inhibit the growth of Helicobacter pylori in the stomach, and thus very useful in preventing or healing stomach diseases eg. stomach cancer tumors. Working jointly with other flavonoids present in the fruit such as proanthocyanidins, flavonols and quercetin help to protect against cancer.

Other uses

Preliminary studies from laboratory tests showed it helped in the following conditions -

+ Alzheimer’s disease – seems to offer some protection against Alzheimer’s disease.

+ Inflammation — has anti-inflammatory and anti-clotting effects with its tannins content.

+ High cholesterol — can raise HDL or good cholesterol levels.

+ Diabetes – lower serum glucose levels in type 2 diabetes patients consuming cranberry juice compared to a control group.

Side Effects and Cautions

• Drinking cranberry juice products appears to be safe, although excessive amounts could cause gastrointestinal upset or diarrhea.
• Caution for people who take blood-thinning drugs (such as warfarin), medications or aspirin that affect the liver.
• It contains relatively high levels of oxalate, chemicals that may raise the risk of kidney stones in some people.
• As most cranberry juice contains added sugar, diabetic patients should look for brands without artificial sweetener added or monitor the amount of sweetened juice consumed.

Other comments

As cranberries are usually cooked into cranberry sauce or traditionally served with roast turkey, most of us rarely get to eat it. Make it part of your daily healthy diet. It has much more antioxidants than most fruits around, and provide many health benefits.

As most fresh berries are delicate, even keeping in the fridge may end up with mold on their insides. The trick is the wash them with vinegar. Prepare a mixture of one part vinegar (white or apple cider may work well) and ten parts water. Dump the berries into the mixture and swirl around. Drain and rinse before you pop in the fridge. What happens is that the vinegar kills any mold spores and other bacteria that might be on the surface of the fruit. In this way, raspberries will last a week or more, and strawberries go almost two weeks without getting moldy and soft.

You’re so berry happy to see them sitting pretty in your fridge!

VIVA corner

VIVA Hemoberry provides natural fruit powders and extracts from cranberry, rosehips, acerola, beetroot and lemon – loaded with phytonutrients and add with natural berries flavours like blueberry and blackberry for delicious taste, natural color and antioxidant power.

You can have this simple drink more regularly now!

Hemorrhoids/Piles

 

Hemorrhoids are swollen veins around the anus and in the rectum (end portion of the colon) that protrude from the anus. A Greek term, it means ‘blood discharging’. Also known as piles, an Italian term for ‘ball’. Doctors estimate 1 out of 3 adults is suffering from this medical condition silently at one point or another in their lifetime. No other creature, other than humans develop this problem. This is because the blood vessels involved must continually battle gravity to get blood back up to the heart and thus may be the price we pay for being upright creatures.

The condition is swollen tissues and blood vessels losing its elasticity and often associated with bleeding. Upon further exertion with even mild physical activities like sitting or standing for prolonged periods, coughing, lifting a light object and straining the bowels can cause great discomfort, intense pain and heavy bleeding.


Causes


Traditionally hemorrhoids are associated with chronic constipation, straining during bowel movements and prolonged sitting on the toilet — all of which interfere with blood flow to and from the area, causing it to pool and enlarge the vessels. This also explains why hemorrhoids are common during pregnancy, when the enlarging uterus presses on the veins.

Other contributory factors include heredity, obesity, lack of exercise, liver damage, food allergies, aging (anal cushions’ supporting ligaments become lax)


Symptoms

The most common symptoms to observe are: itching, burning pain, inflammation, swelling, irritation, seepage and bleeding (bright red blood).


Conditions


There are two kinds of hemorrhoids:

(1)  Internal hemorrhoids which occur in the lower rectum are typically painless. Even when there is bleeding, visible bright red blood can be spotted on the toilet paper or dripping into the toilet bowl. They may also prolapse or extend beyond the anus causing several potential problems. Small amounts of mucus and microscopic stool particles may surface and cause an irritation which need to be wiped constantly to relieve the itching but can worsen the problem.
(2)  External hemorrhoids which develop under the skin around the anus are the most uncomfortable, because the overlying skin becomes irritated and erodes. If a blood clot forms inside an external hemorrhoid, the pain can be sudden and severe. You might feel or see a lump around the anus. The clot usually dissolves, leaving excess skin (a skin tag), which may itch or become irritated.

The severity of piles ranges from first degree (mild) to fourth degree (severe):

+ 1st degree or internal hemorrhoids is usually painless and discharges bright red blood. Increase fibre and fluid intake is sufficient.

+ 2nd degree is an internal hemorrhoids that collapses and protrudes outside the anus, usually accompanied by a mucous discharge and heavy bleeding. Take more fibre, fluids, iron-laden supplements and avoid excessive straining.

+ 3rd degree is an external hemorrhoids where lumps are formed around the anus and no longer able to recede, thus requiring digital (manual) reduction.

+ 4th degree is where the lumps hardened to become firm but sensitive and turns blue or purple in color. Once blood clot forms, there is no turning back and can be extremely painful and difficult to pass motion. Surgical treatment is the only way out.

Surgical treatment

The conventional surgery procedure of removing the piles by cutting them off together with the surrounding skin tissue can take 1-2 months to heal with pain experienced for 1-2 weeks. Post operation complications include difficulty with urination and passing motion.

The current popular surgery method called Procedure for Prolapse and Hemorrhoids (PPH) is performed under general anesthesia. This is carried out by pulling the displaced piles back to their normal positions. At the same time, blood supply to the piles is stapled and cut off, causing the piles to regress and shrink. Pain subsides within 2-3 days for 80% of PPH patients and usually heals within 1-2 weeks.

Home treatment


As most instances are due to chronic constipation, eating a diet higher in fibres is the most important consideration in the treatment and prevention of hemorrhoids. However, some people find that boosting fiber causes bloating or gas. Start slowly and gradually increase your intake to 25–30 grams of fiber per day together with higher fluid intake. Those who bleed persistently should consider taking vitamin and mineral supplements to prevent anemia.

Care and attention

*  Do not strain during bowel movements
*  Keep the problem area clean and bathe in warm water preferably immersed
*  Avoid sitting on hard surfaces
*  Learn proper lifting techniques
*  Engage in regular moderate exercise/do not sit in one position for too long
*  Avoid strong or harsh laxatives/rough toilet paper
*  Do not use aspirin for hemorrhoid pain – can aggravate bleeding condition


Word of caution


Anyone experiencing rectal bleeding frequently should do a physical examination. Accompanied by  symptoms including significant amounts of bleeding, dizziness, and a fainting sensation, emergency care should be arranged. Bear in mind the other possibilities like colorectal and anal cancers share similar symptoms.



VIVA corner

VIVA Green Barley promotes peristalsis or gastrointestinal movement and prevent constipation or colon disease with its high concentration of fibres, minerals, enzymes and phytochemicals.

VIVA Floraguard with its abundant probiotics helps to maintain a balance and healthy gastrointestinal tract.


VIVA Hemoberry makes a great drink for those who need to see a quick rise in the blood count as it contains ferrous lactate - an important nutrient for hemoglobin production.

VIVA Omega3 helps to reduce inflammation and provides essential fatty acids to create new membranes.

Vivaguard contains enzymes that assist in healing after surgery.

Does FRUITS make you FAT?

 

Fruits are loaded with nutrients, fiber, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and low in fat and calories that contribute to health (eg. decreasing health risks such as heart disease) and possibly retard aging. However, its high sugar content can definitely work against your weight loss progress if large quantities are ingested over an extended period.

 

The sugar in fruit (fructose) yields calories to your diet, but since you need calories to survive, it is still a very good choice. Weight gain occurs when calories consumed are more than those expended. Although many fruits are low in calories, eating a large volume of fruits together with other foods in your normal diet can cause caloric intake to rise if not burned off. The body is unable to identify the source of calories and treat all equally. Fructose is healthier than refined sugar or high fructose corn syrup, containing the same number of calories per serving (4 calories per gram).

 

Similar to galactose and glucose, fructose is a single unit of sugars and starches, belonging to the monosaccharides family. Upon entering the small intestine, it is channeled to the portal vein, and reaches the liver to be processed as blood glucose for circulation in the bloodstream.

 

In general, our bodies utilise glucose in three ways -

 

+ For energy production immediately;

+ When not in use, it is converted into glycogen in the liver or muscles;

- The liver has the capacity to store 100 grams of glycogen, ready for use for the whole body. It is able to make glycogen from fructose, lactate, glycerol, alanine and other three-carbon metabolites.

- The muscles have the necessary enzymes to convert glucose into glycogen and can store between 250-400 grams of glycogen, depending on muscle mass and physical condition. This is only for supply of energy to muscles.

+ When all of the glycogen stores are full, any surplus glucose is converted to fat by the liver and stored as adipose tissue (body-fat) anywhere in the body. Note that fatty acids can be burned as fuel but the fat cannot be converted back to glucose. As fat does not raise insulin levels, it begets a low glycemic response in most instances.

 

“Good” and “Bad” fruits

 

What is Bad?

* Dried fruits. The drying process concentrates the sugar. Forgo dried cranberries and raisins for this reason.

* Tropical fruits. Fruits such as mango and guava tend to have a higher glycemic load — containing high carbohydrates and sugar.

* Fruit juice. Generally, all of the fiber and most of the nutrients have been stripped out in the production process.

* Fried fruits. Fried desserts feature high up on the list of worst foods to eat when you are dipping something in batter that is already high in sugar and fat, and then deep frying it. Avoid pineapple and banana fritters as the layer of batter and the sugary syrup make them fattening.

 

What is good?

* Low-sugar fruits. Examples are avocado, olives, cranberries, raspberries, strawberries, apricots and peaches.

* Canned or frozen fruits are good options when fresh produce is not available. However, be careful to choose those without added sugar, syrup, cream sauces or other ingredients that add calories.

 

Other considerations

+ Any food that contains sugar enhances insulin signaling and could theoretically accelerate aging. As insulin is necessary for survival, eating a diet that minimizes insulin signaling is the best way to lose weight and stay healthy. If you incorporate a healthy lifestyle (one that includes fruit) there is no such fear. Also note that fruit slows aging because of its high levels of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.

+ Fruit should be part of a well-balanced diet that also consists of vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, nuts, beans and healthy fats. Although nutritious, eating too much fruits could lead to weight gain if you exceeded a healthy daily caloric intake. Note that fruit has almost three times the calories per serving as non-starchy vegetables, so it is easier to consume too many fruit calories.

+ Over-eating fruit is more of a concern for people who are overweight or have diabetes and need to reduce or monitor caloric content. For most people who are not overweight, the benefits outweighed any risks from eating more of it.

 

VIVA Corner

If you are not getting them from the diet outlined, then you definitely need to supplement.

VIVA Biofruity – prepared from pomegranate juice and beetroot, is packed with Vitamin B1, B12, folate and niacin to boost energy and reduce stress, and Vitamin C that helps in absorption of iron. With only 30 calorie per serving this refreshing drink is great for people on weight-management program.

 

An ingredient, ribose present in it is a simple carbohydrate that yields energy. One serving of this delicious drink supplies 80% of the RDI for Vitamin C and 40% of the RDI for an array of energizing B-vitamins, as well as a proprietary blend of super antioxidants (eg. grape seed extract, green tea extract, Vitis vinifera extract) and energy boosting nutrients.

HemoBerry is a VIVA powdered drink supplement specifically designed for building healthy red blood cells.

It contains a balanced formula of blood-building nutrition including:

+ Natural Iron (ferrous lactate) for optimum production of hemoglobin and gives a radiant, rosy complexion.
+ Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) to optimize iron absorption.
+ B Vitamins (B6, B12, B5), folic acid and pantothenic acid for enzymatic activity for proper iron utilization and formation of red blood cells.
+ Natural Fruit powders and extracts from cranberry, rosehips, acerola, beetroot and lemon – loaded with phytonutrients and add with natural berries flavours like blueberry and blackberry for delicious taste, natural color and antioxidant power.

What to Expect for an EXPECTING Mum

 

A pregnancy starts when one of the million of sperms deposited inside the woman during sexual intercourse meets and fertilises an egg she has produced. The fertilised egg then grows and develops over 9 months to form a fetus.

Frequent slight to severe nausea is expected in the morning or later in the day 6 weeks after menstruation stops. However, with proper ante-natal care and medical advice, supplemented with a nutritional diet, many of the unpleasant conditions can be avoided and instead experience an enjoyable and pleasant ride till the arrival of the baby.

Note the 3 possible causes: hormonal change, nutritional deficiencies, profound anatomical changes.

Pregnancy lasts for about 40 weeks. It can be broken into 3 periods or trimesters: Day 1 to week 12 , from week 12 to 28th, from 28th till delivery.


We are what we eat and the newborn is what a pregnant woman eats during pregnancy. As the fetus takes nutrients direct from the mother, she must eat well or properly. Otherwise, both will suffer the consequences later. By ‘eating well’ no special diet is required, just a diet to incorporate certain important nutrients crucial at this stage of fetal development and maternal well-being. The quality and type of food and nutritional requirements is more important than the quantity. So eating for two is not necessary.

What is good?

* Fruits and vegetables

Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables provide all the vitamins, minerals and fibers. Wash thoroughly before consumption to remove traces of soil and pesticides. All foods taken raw should preferably peel off the skin.


Sufficient intake of above ensure that natural antioxidants like Vitamin A, C, E are present to keep the body systems well cleansed and free from damages by free radicals. Those foods containing Vitamin B (particularly B6, B12 and folic acid) may relieve heartburn, digestive tracts, morning sickness, prevent anemia and involved in red blood cell formation. Also reduce the occurrence of neural tube defects, such as spinal bifida and growth retardation.

Vitamin C is believed to assist in absorption of iron. This is highly important for a pregnant woman in her 2nd and 3rd trimesters where additional supplement of iron is called for as the fetus depletes the mother’s iron resources. At the same time, blood volume increases naturally by about 40% and if this mineral is not adequately provided can cause fatigue, a rapid heartbeat and paleness of the skin, gums, and around the interior eye.

* Protein-based foods

Animal protein (lean meat), fish, milk, poultry, eggs, beans, nuts are all good sources of nutrients. All meats and fish should be cooked thoroughly so there is no trace of blood. Fish commercially harvested tend to contain high level of toxicity like mercury. Liver or liver products (eg. cod liver oil) should be left out as they contain excessive amount of Vitamin A that can harm the fetus, closely linked are cleft palate, heart defects, and other congenital defects. Foods containing natural beta-carotene like carrot and pumpkin are not harmful because it is converted into Vitamin A only as needed. Eggs should be well-cooked to prevent the risk of salmonella food poisoning.

Fish with edible bones (eg. sardines), dairy products (eg. milk). nuts and green vegetables all rich in calcium which is vital for bones and teeth formation. The depletion of calcium, magnesium and Vitamin D at the later stage of pregnancy may cause backache, dental caries and bone loss to the mother.

DHA derived from fish is known to help in brain and vision development. DHA consumed by pregnant mother can pass through the placenta to the fetus, aids in preventing epilepsy and pre-term delivery. In the event your baby does not get enough Omega 3 from your derived food, the fatty acids stored in the expected mum’s brain are extracted. This can result in a loss of up to 3% of your brain cells. Omega 3 deficiency during pregnancy is linked with:

· increased rates of postpartum depression
· increased chances of having a low birth weight baby
· increased chances of pre-term labor

Amino acids, the building block of proteins, is essential for cellular growth and development. Amino acid imbalances like lack of zinc, manganese and folic acid, has been linked to fetal deformities and mental retardation.

** Carbohydrates

Starchy foods like bread, potatoes, pasta, rice and breakfast cereal form an essential part of any diet to be taken jointly with other foods. They do not contain many calories but a good source of vitamins and fibres. A better choice for bread is whole-meal bread or wholegrain cereal.

Breastfeeding is most practical for at least the first 3 months as the mother’s milk is the most nutritious food for a baby and provides crucial disease fighting agents. Human milk is analysed to contain 10 times as much essential fatty acids, 3 times as much selenium and half the calcium. In fact, once breastfeeding has stopped, milk of any kind is no longer required. Though cow’s milk contains 3 times more protein and 7 times more mineral content, the practice of injecting bovine growth hormone and antibiotics is a big turn-off. Soy milk can be a close substitute.

Hence, a mother should continue to eat well to load up nutrients having depleted during pregnancy and to further provide for the baby.

VIVA corner

+ VIVA Basic Essential Pack comprising Green barley, Floraguard, Dailyguard and vivashield takes care of the daily needs like general cleansing, systems detoxification, healthy colon function and health maintenance so vital at this stage as enumerated above.

+ VIVA Omega 3 provides high level of DHA/EPA so that newborn babies can benefit with higher intelligence, memory power and learning ability.

+ VIVA B-easy provides the full range of Vitamin B especially folic acid to prevent having a neural tube defect baby, involved in blood formation and help prevent anemia.

+ VIVA Calmag & D contains important minerals to provide for both mother and baby, especially in forming strong bones.

+ VIVA Hemoberry contains a balanced formula of blood-building nutrition great for mothers who are running on dangerously low blood count. There is a crucial need to replenish the low iron content in the 2nd-3rd trimester depleted by the fetus.