What a joy to be able to pass on your questions to Céline. Here she took a few moments to answer them.
How come there is aluminum in our baking powder and how do we choose the right one?
On the label of baking powders containing aluminum, we may read alum rather than aluminum . However, this is not the only undesirable ingredient they may contain; they can also contain phosphorus and phosphate (soft drinks also contain them, chocolate, eggs... they are found in good foods as well as in less good ones) which is a nervous stimulant when consumed in excess. So choose a baking powder without phosphates and without aluminum for cooking. As in everyday life, it is preferable to choose glass containers rather than aluminum or plastic.
What is FODMAP and your opinion on it?
FODMAP is a diet that restricts foods that cause fermentation (sugar, among others). People who follow this diet will therefore avoid certain food groups, including vegetables, fruits, and legumes, which contain sugars that can cause bloating, gas, or digestive problems in some people.
My personal opinion on the subject, for me, it doesn't make sense to cut out large food groups. If we don't digest these "nature-given" food groups well, it means that the body has a problem and I would be more inclined to fix what isn't working well in the intestine rather than depriving the body of these foods. Just because we "remove" doesn't mean we repair the intestine. Fruits and vegetables are necessary for life.
To repair the intestine, it may be good to consult a specialist, such as a naturopath, since we may need certain molecules to help us.
For example, people who are deficient in zinc, the latter being very important for repairing the mucous membranes (internal walls, lining, of the intestine among others) or deficient in omega 3 will experience digestive disorders. When the mucous membranes are damaged, inflammation and permeability of the intestine occur which causes undigested proteins to be released into the body which can cause neurological disorders, fatigue... It will therefore be necessary to restore the balance to digest well.
We will also need to give our intestines prebiotics, meaning fibers that contain sugars.
Are supplements necessary for children?
No! In fact, the only supplements I recommend for children in daycare who are exposed to many viruses are prebiotics to reduce the number of colds and ear infections.
What are the best sources of iron?
Iron is a problem in children. Since they consume a lot of dairy products (usually they are overdosed rather than deficient) rich in calcium, iron absorption will be compromised since these two minerals compete for absorption. So people who consume a lot of dairy products will be iron deficient, they will have a pale complexion, deficient immunity, less sound sleep and less appetite. So before thinking about adding sources of iron, let's target what is preventing its absorption.
Otherwise, eggs are a very good source of iron and vitamin B12. The same goes for meat. Legumes, green and brown lentils, are also very good sources of iron. Be careful to consume them with vitamin C. So by consuming them with vegetables (peppers, green vegetables), we will ensure full absorption.
For vegans, be careful with vitamin B12. Nutritional yeast (if indicated on the label) is a good source. And more and more people are deficient in B12. These people will be tired, will lack concentration, in autistic children, we observe a lack of connection at the level of communication (when they take it, in some, we see an "awakening").
And there's a difference between subanemic and anemic. Subanemic means my hemoglobin is good but my ferritin is low, so I'm not anemic yet, but on the way to... And I may have symptoms at that point.
I read that excess iron supplementation for pregnant women can interfere with the expression of certain genes in the fetus.
It's true that women are often subanemic due to their periods. So I'm going to suggest that women take extra during this time.
During pregnancy, if you are being monitored and there is an iron deficiency, I will definitely prescribe supplements in this case. I think that being in natural care, being monitored by a naturopath, is not being against medicine. We want a harmonious collaboration of the two for optimal health.
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