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We have always been told (or may still think) that pregnant mothers over 35 have higher risk of giving birth to Down Syndrome babies. How far from the truth this really is!
Down Syndrome, or Mongolism, is a chromosomal disorder caused by the presence of all or part of an extra 21st chromosome. It is named after John Langdon Down, the British doctor who described the syndrome in 1866.
The condition is associated with some impairment of cognitive ability and physical growth as well as facial appearance. It is also characterized by mental retardation, stunted growth, a small skull, coarse and scanty hair, flat face with a depressed bridge of the nose, with short and thick limbs.
Mongolism is so named because of the upward slant of their eyes that somewhat resemble that of Mongolians.
Although it has always been said that first-time mothers over the age of 35 have a higher risk of giving birth to a Down Syndrome baby. However, most Down Syndrome babies have increasingly been found to be born to mothers under the age of 30!
What’s even more wrong with the orthodox so-called healthcare, amniocentesis is recommended for first-time mothers above 35 years old. This procedure can tell whether the baby will have Down Syndrome, and if so may lead to a decision by the parents to abort the child !!!
A new study has shown that mothers of Down Syndrome babies cannot efficiently metabolize folic acid (or folate) that is so important in the development of the fetus. Folic acid deficiency during pregnancy may result in serious brain and spinal cord damage as the fetus develops. It may also cause neural tube defects and now it has been discovered that a deficiency can lead to a dreaded Down Syndrome in babies.
However, note that folic acid is not just essential for childbearing females but also is necessary for men and women of all ages. Sufficient supply of folic acid prevents heart diseases, strokes, tumor growth, spinal cord degeneration, kidney disease and cancer.
So, what causes pregnant mothers to have trouble metabolizing folic acid? A faulty diet--eating too much processed, refined, and overcooked foods and a dietary that is deficient also in all essential vitamins, minerals and fibers.
Civilization has been refining grains and turning wholemeal flour to white flour, polishing brown rice to white rice, etc. After removing all the essential vitamins and minerals from grains, man-made folic acid are added into this flour when making bread, and branded as “Fortified with Folic Acid”. Do not be deceived, be wise! Avoid these fortified foods at all cost!
If the mother is healthy, eats plenty of raw fruits and vegetables and drinks green juices, there is no risk at all in her giving birth to a Down Syndrome baby, no matter how old she is. A woman is always advised to prepare her body at least six months before she conceives her baby so that she is well nourished in anticipation of conceiving a healthy and perfect baby.
I do not suggest folic acid supplements, as taking the wrong type of folic acid may prove fatal. The wrong type are synthetic (man-made) folic acid that our body cannot assimilate, thus will turn toxic in our body. Fresh green juices are best.
Here’s a list of excellent sources of folic acid:
Beans: Black-eyed peas, pinto beans, chickpeas, lima beans, black beans, kidney beans.
Fruits: Avocado, orange, cantaloupe, pineapple
Vegetables: Asparagus, beets, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, okra.
Others: Brewers yeast
Read also: Holistic nutrients, Vegetable juicing and Nutrition guide for pregnancy. SD
2 comments:
I am sorry, but the reason most babies with Down syndrome are born to womem under 30 is because they are more fertile than woman over 35. The risk for each mother is still higher after 35. And to say that there is no risk of having a baby with Down syndrome if the mother eats healthy, takes folic acid is patently false. The risk of having a child with DS may be less in such cases, but there are plenty of health-conscious moms who take care of themselves, who took folic acid, and still had children with DS.
PS. It ain't so bad. (Mom to Ricki, age 14, who has DS)
Dear Ricki's Mom. Thank you for your comment. You're a very brave mom and I admire your great love for Ricki.
I understand that you may disagree somewhat with what I've written because of your circumstances. However, "eating healthy" is very subjective and may mean different thing to different people.
Being in this very toxic world, we cannot say that we're really eating healthy unless we avoid processed and refined foods that are full of chemicals, additives, preservatives, artificial colorings, and the list goes on... "foods" that are devoid of nutrition. This is the price we have to pay in the name of "civilization".
Perhaps I should add that, eating healthy means you avoid all these toxic foods and instead, consume plenty of organic plant foods that are chemical/pesticides free, but instead are full of essential enzymes, nutrients and minerals.
I understand most pregnant mothers are given folic acid in supplement form when pregnant. Again, we need to consider if these were synthetic (man-made) which our body cannot assimilate.
And I'm not saying that all those who don't eat this sort of healthy dietary will have DS babies, it's just unfortunate that some mothers' bodies cannot metabolize the folic acid.
Sara
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