Society of Naturopaths: possible measles epidemic

NZ Society of Naturopaths Media release

Re. Possible Measles epidemic

The New Zealand Society of Naturopaths is concerned about the lack of nutrition among New Zealanders which may put them at risk should they contract measles.

There have been recent outbreaks of measles in New Zealand which has caused some alarm among parents and carers. Years ago measles was generally considered a childhood disease that did not overly concern most parents. With or without vaccination it is possible to get measles. For the vast majority of sufferers it is not a serious illness.

There is a great deal of research that shows clearly that when children contract measles those with poor nutrition do suffer badly and death can occur. The nutrient that has been shown to be the most important is vitamin A [1, 2]. One study noted that the children were often deficient in Vitamin A even though they did not show signs of deficiency[1]. In this case only a blood test showed they were low in Vitamin A.

The NZ Soc of Naturopath advises that vitamin A supplements for children should only be given under supervision by a professional; .as vitamin A can build up to toxic levels in the blood and children are especially vulnerable.

But Naturopaths say you can safely give them supplements of beta-carotene. The body converts beta-carotene into vitamin A.

The NZ Soc of Naturopaths says children and adults should boost their diet with vitamin A rich foods such as red and green vegetables such as carrots, pumpkin and leafy greens. Liver contains vitamin A but this has to be organic liver. Vitamin A is also high in fish liver oil. Also helpful are the antioxidants which help boost immunity especially Vitamin C, found in all fruits and vegetables, and Zinc which is high in Sunflower &pumpkinseeds, Seafood , Mushrooms, Soybeans, and brewer’s yeast. Iron too is important to boost your children’s immunity this is found in most vegetables, eggs and meat especially organic liver.

1. Hussey, G.D. and M. Klein, A randomized, controlled trial of vitamin A in children with severe measles. N Engl J Med, 1990. 323(3): p. 160-164. http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/abstract/323/3/160

2. Rosales, F.J., Vitamin A Supplementation of Vitamin A Deficient Measles Patients Lowers the Risk of Measles-Related Pneumonia in Zambian Children. J. Nutr., 2002. 132(12): p. 3700-3703. http://jn.nutrition.org/cgi/content/abstract/132/12/3700

ENDS

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