Pesticides Linked to ADHD in kids? -NEW STUDY!

Pesticides linked to ADHD in kids?
Can some the foods your children are eating have an effect on their development?
JoNel Aleccia
Health writer
view the news segement on the TODAY SHOW at:
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/37187283#37187283

Exposure to pesticides used on common kid-friendly foods — including frozen blueberries, fresh strawberries and celery — appears to boost the chances that children will be diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, new research shows.

Youngsters with high levels of pesticide residue in their urine, particularly from widely used types of insecticide such as malathion, were more likely to have ADHD, the behavior disorder that often disrupts school and social life, scientists in the United States and Canada found.

Kids with higher-than-average levels of one pesticide marker were nearly twice as likely to be diagnosed with ADHD as children who showed no traces of the poison.

The take-home message for parents, according to Bouchard: “I would say buy organic as much as possible,” she said. “I would also recommend washing fruits and vegetables as much as possible.”

Diet is a major source of pesticide exposure in children, according to the National Academy of Sciences, and much of that exposure comes from favorite fruits and vegetables. In 2008, detectable concentrations of malathion were found in 28 percent of frozen blueberry samples, 25 percent of fresh strawberry samples and 19 percent of celery samples, a government report found.

ADHD affects 4.5 million U.S. kids
Bouchard’s study is the largest to date to look at the effect of pesticides on child development and behavior, including ADHD, which affects an estimated 4.5 million U.S. children. About 2.5 million kids take medication for the condition, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Bouchard and her colleagues measured levels of six pesticide metabolites in the urine of 1,139 children ages 8 to 15 selected from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 2000 and 2004. The study included 119 children who were diagnosed with ADHD.

Unlike other studies of pesticides’ impact, Bouchard’s sample provided a glimpse into average insecticide exposure in the general population of children, not a specialized group, such as children of farmworkers. Because certain pesticides leave the body after three to six days, the presence of residue shows that exposure is likely constant, Bouchard said.

She found that kids with a 10-fold increase in the kind of metabolites left in the body after malathion exposure were 55 percent more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD. Because the researchers didn't review the kids' diets, they couldn't say why some children had such high levels of pesticide residue. Children are at greater risk from pesticides because their young bodies are still developing and may not metabolize chemicals as well as adults'.

The most alarming finding was a near-doubling in odds of ADHD diagnoses among kids with higher-than-average levels of the most common of the six metabolites detected. Kids with high levels of dimethyl thiophosphate were 93 percent more likely to have the disorder than children with with undetectable levels of the marker.

The research may add to anxiety about ADHD, which has no known cause, said Dr. Andrew Adesman, chief of developmental and behavioral pediatrics at the Steven and Alexandra Cohen Children’s Medical Center of New York.

“It does seem to suggest that at non-extreme or more typical levels, there does seem to be some increased risk,” said Adesman, who is on the professional advisory board for Children and Adults with ADHD, an advocacy group.

Pesticides prey on nervous system
Boucher studied organophosphate pesticides, which account for as much as 70 percent of the pesticide use in the U.S. They work by interfering with the nervous systems of insects, but have a similar effect in mammals, including humans. Most people in the U.S. have residues of the products in their urine.

Cheminova, the Danish firm that is the leading manufacturer of malathion in the world, declined to comment on the conclusions of the new research. Diane Allemang, vice president for global regulatory affairs, said she hadn’t seen the study.

Parents of children with ADHD, however, said Bouchard’s work will give them one more than thing to worry about.

“We’re all completely obsessed with food,” said Jamie Norman, 32, of Freeburg, Ill., whose 6-year-old son, Aidan, was diagnosed with ADHD six months ago.

The stimulant medication Aidan takes, Adderall XR, depresses his appetite, so Norman said she’s always trying to find good foods that he’ll want to eat. Other parents of kids with ADHD choose to use diet, not medication, to control the disorder and they’re constantly monitoring food, too.

News that some of the best foods for kids might be tainted with something linked to ADHD is worrisome, Norman said.

“I’ve known for some time that strawberries, in particular, contain high levels of pesticide, but as far as frozen fruit, I don’t give that a second thought,” she said.

Buy organic, make sure to wash
The best advice for parents — and anyone who wants to avoid pesticides — is to choose foods least likely to contain them. The Environmental Working Group, a consumer advocacy organization, advises shoppers to buy organic versions of a dozen fruits and vegetables that grow in the ground or are commonly eaten with the skin, because they’re most likely to be contaminated.

Make sure to wash all fruits and vegetables under cold running tap water and scrub firm-skinned produce with a brush. Be sure to rinse frozen fruits and vegetables, too.

But don’t wash produce with soap. The Food and Drug Administration says that could leave behind residues of detergent, yet more chemicals that everyone would do best to avoid.

Until next time...
look good, feel good, do good
http://www.sarabconsulting.com/

Carbo-loaded!

Last weekend J needed to charge up for a BIG weekend of IRONMAN workouts.
Sat: Ran 20 miles, Biked 40 minutes
Sun: Biked 120 miles (I biked 60 miles with him...wahoo!)


Now you see the necessity of a good quality dinner on Friday! He was about to burn through endless cals and carb stores....
so if food is medicine....here's his ibuprofen...PASTA!

ground turkey breast with HyVee organic sauce because this is one of the lowest in added sugars (or make your own!)
ALWAYS add a gazillion veggies...bell peppers, corn, broccoli, grated carrots or zucchini, etc.
whole wheat noodles cooked al dente and viola!

YUM YUM!

pasta and wine...it's like peanut butter and jelly...it belongs together

Until next time...

look good, feel good, do good

http://www.sarabconsulting.com/

Almond Pancakes

J made a request for pancakes the other day (weird) so I thought to myself...how can I jazz this up a bit. I took a look in my fridge and found the PERFECT secret ingredients:

these cakes were the cat's meow....I'm not kidding you...they tasted like almond cookies!
Almond Pancakes
Ingredients/Instructions:
1 C almond milk
1 egg

1 T canola oil
1/2t Watkins vanilla
BEAT together
Stir in:
1/2 C almond meal
1/2 C whole wheat flour
1 t Stevia or sugar
1/2 t sea salt
1 t baking powder
1/2 t baking soda
bake away on your pancake griddle!

YUM YUM!

I always make a fruit sauce for pancakes so we can use less actual syrup. Boil down some frozen fruit (raspberries, strawberries, blueberries) and add a couple tablespoons of pure maple syrup. Now you have a flavorful fruit syrup with more health benefits!

mmmmm...almond cookies, I mean pancakes! J's huge masterpiece of a breakfast....remember, he is training for an Ironman :)

Good luck to my Solon track girls at Districts this Friday!
(pic taken at Drake after the 4x100 took 5th)

Until next time...

look good, feel good, do good

www.sarabconsulting.com

Chocolate Pasta

So one of the many wonderful flavored pastas J brought home from Seattle was CHOCOLATE!
see blogs post:
http://sarabconsulting.blogspot.com/search/label/Seattle
So the other night we invited over our good pasta-loving friends Ryan and Robin to indulge in this with us.


You can find places to buy chocolate pasta online...just Bing it!
http://www.pappardellesonline.com/servlet/Detail?no=102
Surprise your guest with this unique dessert.

The fixins....you can't go wrong with DQ soft serve ice cream! Doctor it up as you like!

Strawberry sauce

it was unique :)

Until next time...

look good, feel good, do good

www.sarabconsulting.com

Easy Rhubarb Crisp

Easy Rhubarb Crisp
Ingredients for rhubarb:
3 1/2c cut up rhubarb
1T flour
2 eggs
2/3 c sugar (can use half Stevia)
Instructions:
Beat eggs, add flour, rhubarb, and sugar. Mix ingredients. Pour into sprayed 7x9 or 8inch square pan.
Ingredients for crisp:
3/4 brown sugar
5 T soft butter
1/2 c flour
1 c old fashioned oats
Instructions:
Combine brown sugar, soft butter, flour and oats. Sprinkle over top of rhubarb. Bake 45min at 350F.

Viola! So easy...so good!

Until next time...

look good, feel good, do good

www.sarabconsulting.com

BBQ Season!

To kick off BBQ season the family got together for Emmerson's (niece) 1st track meet followed by a food feast.

my lovely nieces...Emmerson (9) and Peyton (2)

The menu: lots of lean meat...

Mom made chicken burgers

Bryan and Matt cooked up a wild turkey they hunted that morning

Dad grilled elk burgers (elk from Matt's hunting season last year)

4 bean salad with edamame

http://sarabconsulting.blogspot.com/2009/12/4-bean-salad-and-christmas-celevrations.html

rhubarb crisp....YUM

turkey was marinated and cooked in beer, brown sugar and other seasonings...how could it not be good?
totally unexpected savory flavor

I will post the recipe has soon as it comes my way

Elk burgers grilled to the utmost perfection

Chicken OR Turkey Burgers
This is a little shorten version...
In a large skillet with 1/2 c olive oil saute 1 onion chopped, 1 celery finely chopped and 1 carrot finely chop or grated. Add 1 minced garlic clove (optional).

Remove from heat and place in large bowl to cool to room temp.
Sprinkle some sea salt and ground black pepper in with the veggies.
Add 1.5lbs to 2lbs ground chicken of ground turkey breast to bowl of veggies.

Add 2t dry dill weed and 1t poultry season (Mom just used salt and pepper).

Mix well, score into 4 to 6 patties.
They are messy to make so be sure you have a plate or something to put them on.
Get 1 to 2 T oil very hot in the skillet, add the patties and turn down heat.

Turn as soon as they brown...they crumble easy so be careful.
When they are pretty much done, take out of pan, add 1/2 c. bottled BBQ sauce to pan (or make your own...see BBQ Pizza recipe).
Put the patties back in pan over BBQ sauce and simmer.

Place a slice of sharp cheddar cheese on top. When melted put on buns (English muffins or sandwich thins) and serve.

Rhubarb crisp...love it!

Peyton and Dad working the camera

Until next time...

look good, feel good, do good

http://www.sarabconsulting.com/

Meatball Sub with Roasted Veggies

The other day I heard a family member state they had the meatball marinara sub at Subway. Little did they know this is the "worst" sandwich offered at Subway with 580 cals, 23 g fat, 9g saturated fat, 1 g TRANS fat, and 1530g sodium in just 6 inches.

A healthy lifestyle is about having the knowledge....they just didn't know. That's why I do what I do with Sara B Consulting, creating one healthy lifestyle at a time!

Here's a healthier and cleaner alternative to the popular
Meatball Sub
with Roasted Veggies
Ingredients:
1 lb lean ground beef...I used 1 lb grass fed beef mixed with 1 lb turkey breast to double the recipe
1/4 c rolled oats
1 large egg white
1 T tomato paste
1 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp oregano, divided
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
2 cloves garlic or 1tsp jarred garlic
olive oil cooking spray
1/2 medium zucchini, cut into 1/2 inch wide strips
1/2 medium red bell pepper, cut into 1/2 inch wide strips
1/2 yellow onion, cut into 1/4 inch wide strips
1 tsp extra virgin olive oil
1 c fresh tomatoes, seeded, chopped and squeezed to release juices, seed and juices discarded
1 tsp dried basil
whole wheat baguette (widest one you can find....I bought mine in the HyVee bakery)
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 400F. In large bowl, combine meat, oats egg white, tomato paste, thyme, 1/2tsp oregano, black pepper, and 1 clove garlic.

Form meat mix into 1 inch balls.

In a small bowl stir together tomatoes, basil, remaining 1/2 tsp oregano, and remaining 1 clove garlic. Toss meatballs in tomato mix to cover them. Spray baking sheet with nonstick spray or olive oil and place coated meatballs on sheet.

Pour any remaining tomatoes on top. On another baking sheet toss veggies with olive oil and place both pans in the oven for 15 minutes. When timer goes off remove meatballs and set aside. Stir veggies and bake for another 10 minutes.
Slice baguette into 4 sections, then slice each piece horizontally so it opens like a book.

Tear out a bit of bread from each section to make room for the meatballs. Toast bread in toaster or under the broiled till crisp.

Open bread, place 2-3 meatballs on bottom section, top with veggies. Enjoy! You may choose to add BBQ or ketchup for addition sauce OR shredded mozzarella.
Nutrients: about 452 cals, 10g fat, 3g sat fat, 59g carbs, 8g fiber, 25g protein

a beautiful side salad to accompany my sandwich

Until next time...

look good, feel good, do good

www.sarabconsulting.com