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Infant Brain and Eye Development - It's Not Just Fun and Games
(Family Features) Playtime and interactive toys are important for parents looking to give their children a head start in life. But these products aren't the only way to help stimulate a baby's brain and eye development - nutrition is important, too.
A baby's brain and eyes depend critically on nutrition and there are specific nutrients which have been shown to play a role in brain and eye development.
A Closer Look at Lutein
During the critical time of brain and eye development, Lutein and DHA are important nutrients, yet Lutein has gone virtually unnoticed by parents.
Lutein is found in foods such as leafy greens, certain fruits and eggs. Emerging science demonstrates that Lutein helps protect important cells in the eye. Now, new research from Tufts University demonstrates - for the first time - that Lutein is not only present in the eyes, but it is also present in the infant brain. The regions of the brain where Lutein is found are associated with memory and learning.
"Moms should be aware of the emerging research on Lutein," said Dr. Alanna Levine, a pediatrician and mother of two children. "Moms in my practice ask me every day about ways to promote development in their children. Many focus on products, games, and toys and sometimes overlook nutrition."
Sources of Lutein
Prior to the introduction of solid foods, babies can get Lutein from a few sources, including breast milk and Similac. "Expecting and breastfeeding mothers alike should eat a well-balanced diet that includes foods with Lutein like leafy green vegetables and eggs," added Levine. "And parents who formula feed should look for an infant formula that contains Lutein, as well as DHA."
For Breastfeeding Mothers and Infants Transitioned to Solid Food
(Not an exhaustive list. Foods listed in descending order of Lutein content.)
- Spinach
- Kale
- Zucchini Squash
- Yellow Squash
- Green Beans
- Corn
- Kiwi
- Eggs
- Apples
For Infants
(Prior to the introduction of solid foods.)
- Breast milk
- Infant formula supplemented with Lutein, such as Similac Advance
I See, I Learn
"In addition to the right nutrients, playing together does encourage brain and eye development," said Levine. "Rather than focusing on the latest toy, parents can do simple things like spending time with their children in front of a mirror, playing peek-a-boo or tracking the objects on a mobile."
To learn more about Lutein and brain and eye development, visit www.similac.com/lutein. Or, using a mobile phone, scan the code below to visit the mobile site for Similac infant formula.
Photo courtesy of Getty Images
SOURCE:
Abbott Nutrition
COMMENTS
Life is truly a gift. Every day we wake up is another opportunity to experience the amazing beauty, exciting thrills and cherished moments that this world we live in can bring.
HELLO?
GET REAL!
Is that really how you feel about life?
When was the last time you thought that way? Do you wake up every day to an alarm, thinking how you wish your life were different? Do you drag yourself to school or work only to be numbed by the monotony of the same old same old, praying to get through the day so you can get home and try to find some kind of pleasure or reason for your existence only to have to get up tomorrow and do it all over again?
HELLO?
WAKE UP!
Life IS truly a gift and you need to start doing something about enjoying it before it is gone. If you’re ready then Zumba can help. How? Pay close attention because what you are about to read is your first step toward a happier and more fulfilling life:
First, Zumba is going to help you find YOU again. That person hidden somewhere inside of you that loves life and loves being alive. You see, your body was made to move. How you think, feel and function is greatly affected by your physical state. Your self-image, confidence, mood, determination, enthusiasm, health and energy can all be changed by just simply moving your body more.
Zumba is an energy charged movement program that will allow you to grow at your own pace but will provide you with so many fulfillments that you will find yourself dripping with anticipation (and sweat) for your next session. Each completed 60 minute session is another step toward breaking away from the shackles that are currently holding you back from enjoying life. You will be amazed at the number of benefits you will get from Zumba but, as with all growth, the benefits come in stages. You will not receive them all the first day. As you increase the number of times you Zumba so will the benefits and rewards you receive. Before you know it you will be waking up each day ready to embrace all the amazing beauty, exciting thrills and cherished moments that are awaiting you.
I have personally experienced this and Zumba has opened my mind and body up to a world of possibilities. First, my mood has changed. Because Zumba is so much fun to do you don’t even realize that you are actually exercising. The fact is you are exercising which increases your body’s serotonin levels. Increased serotonin helps fight off depression and improves your mood. Your body also will release natural endorphins that reduce anxiety and stress along with helping you to feel exhilarated.
Next, you will find a renewed sense of purpose. You will also have better sleep patterns and better sleep. I have suffered from insomnia for years and it really has helped my sleep over the last year which will result in more energy and a better outlook on life. Next, weight loss and muscle toning will be noticed. You will burn many calories during one 60 minute Zumba session which means the more calories you burn the more fat you will lose. You will also be building and toning your muscles. By increasing the amount of muscle on your body you will be increasing the amount of calories your body naturally burns each day. This means your metabolism will increase resulting in even more fat being burned away. As you melt away fat and/or tone your muscles you will find your body shape transforming into a more lean and fit physique.
Change Your Life Through Zumba® Life is truly a gift. Every day we awake is another opportunity to experience the amazing beauty, exciting thrills and cherished moments that this world we live in can bring.
HELLO?
GET REAL!
Is that really how you feel about life?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When was the last time you thought that way? Do you wake up every day to an alarm, thinking how you wish your life were different? Do you drag yourself to school or work only to be numbed by the monotony of the same old same old, praying to get through the day so you can get home and try to find some kind of pleasure or reason for your existence only to have to get up tomorrow and do it all over again?
HELLO?
WAKE UP!
Life IS truly a gift and you need to start doing something about enjoying it before it is gone. If you’re ready then Zumba can help. How? Pay close attention because what you are about to read is your first step toward a happier and more fulfilling life:
First, Zumba is going to help you find YOU again. That person hidden somewhere inside of you that loves life and loves being alive. You see, your body was made to move. How you think, feel and function is greatly affected by your physical state. Your self-image, confidence, mood, determination, enthusiasm, health and energy can all be changed by just simply moving your body more.
Zumba is an energy charged movement program that will allow you to grow at your own pace but will provide you with so many fulfillments that you will find yourself dripping with anticipation (and sweat) for your next session. Each completed 60 minute session is another step toward breaking away from the shackles that are currently holding you back from enjoying life. You will be amazed at the number of benefits you will get from Zumba but, as with all growth, the benefits come in stages. You will not receive them all the first day. As you increase the number of times you Zumba so will the benefits and rewards you receive. Before you know it you will be waking up each day ready to embrace all the amazing beauty, exciting thrills and cherished moments that are awaiting you. Let me give you a peek into what you will experience when you commit to Zumba.
Change your mood
Your first new experience with Zumba will be an immediate change in your mood. Because Zumba is so much fun to do you don’t even realize that you are actually exercising. The fact is you are exercising which increases your body’s serotonin levels. Increased serotonin helps fight off depression and improves your mood. Your body also will release natural endorphins that reduce anxiety and stress along with helping you to feel exhilarated.
Renewed sense of purpose
By discovering something new that you enjoy you will notice a change when you wake up and think about your day. Because you know that the more Zumba sessions you do the more benefits you will receive, you will be more focused on what you will be receiving next instead of focusing on the same old same old. You will be more determined to get out of bed and start your day so you can earn your next reward from Zumba.
Better sleep patterns
Once you start releasing the amount of stress, anxiety and tension that is currently trapped within your body you will notice an improvement in how well you are able to sleep. By improving your sleep patterns, your body will be able to recharge and renew itself more thoroughly each night resulting in more energy and a better outlook on life in general.
Weight loss and muscle toning
Each time you Zumba you will be burning calories. The more calories you burn the more potential fat you will lose. You will also be building and toning your muscles. By increasing the amount of muscle on your body you will be increasing the amount of calories your body naturally burns each day. This means your metabolism will increase resulting in even more fat being burned away. As you melt away fat and/or tone your muscles you will find your body shape transforming into a more lean and fit physique.
Improved Physical Abilities
Zumba is full of body movements and coordinated steps that will dramatically improve your flexibility and range of motion. If you live a more sedimentary life you will certainly have muscles that are being underused. This causes them to become weak, tight, and imbalanced resulting in muscle and joint pain. Zumba will have you using all of your major muscles groups and moving all your joints. This will cause your joints to function properly and more smooth. Your muscles will become more pliable and less tight. As your body becomes leaner and stronger you will find that your physical abilities will increase. Tasks that may cause you problems today like bending over or squatting will become 2nd nature. Getting out of cars, walking up stairs or lifting heavy objects will become easier and done without any or a lot less pain.
As you progress further and further with Zumba some amazing changes are going to start happening. The muscle toning and weight loss are going to expose the outer physical characteristics you were meant to have. You will look better and you are going to feel better about yourself. This healthy self-image alone will start a chain reaction of positive events that will change your life but it gets even better. Your outward appearance can be a powerful factor in your life but your looks are not who YOU are. Who YOU are is that internal spirit, the energy and essence that controls your thoughts and actions. It was YOU who made the conscious decision to stick with Zumba and not give up. Something incredible happens inside of us when we don’t give up and we overcome obstacles in our lives. We become more powerful, ambitious, courageous and self-assured. Most importantly, we find ourselves again!
YOU are in there!
This is YOUR life!
It’s time to find YOU again.
HELLO?
GET REAL!
Is that really how you feel about life?
When was the last time you thought that way? Do you wake up every day to an alarm, thinking how you wish your life were different? Do you drag yourself to school or work only to be numbed by the monotony of the same old same old, praying to get through the day so you can get home and try to find some kind of pleasure or reason for your existence only to have to get up tomorrow and do it all over again?
HELLO?
WAKE UP!
Life IS truly a gift and you need to start doing something about enjoying it before it is gone. If you’re ready then Zumba can help. How? Pay close attention because what you are about to read is your first step toward a happier and more fulfilling life:
First, Zumba is going to help you find YOU again. That person hidden somewhere inside of you that loves life and loves being alive. You see, your body was made to move. How you think, feel and function is greatly affected by your physical state. Your self-image, confidence, mood, determination, enthusiasm, health and energy can all be changed by just simply moving your body more.
Zumba is an energy charged movement program that will allow you to grow at your own pace but will provide you with so many fulfillments that you will find yourself dripping with anticipation (and sweat) for your next session. Each completed 60 minute session is another step toward breaking away from the shackles that are currently holding you back from enjoying life. You will be amazed at the number of benefits you will get from Zumba but, as with all growth, the benefits come in stages. You will not receive them all the first day. As you increase the number of times you Zumba so will the benefits and rewards you receive. Before you know it you will be waking up each day ready to embrace all the amazing beauty, exciting thrills and cherished moments that are awaiting you.
I have personally experienced this and Zumba has opened my mind and body up to a world of possibilities. First, my mood has changed. Because Zumba is so much fun to do you don’t even realize that you are actually exercising. The fact is you are exercising which increases your body’s serotonin levels. Increased serotonin helps fight off depression and improves your mood. Your body also will release natural endorphins that reduce anxiety and stress along with helping you to feel exhilarated.
Next, you will find a renewed sense of purpose. You will also have better sleep patterns and better sleep. I have suffered from insomnia for years and it really has helped my sleep over the last year which will result in more energy and a better outlook on life. Next, weight loss and muscle toning will be noticed. You will burn many calories during one 60 minute Zumba session which means the more calories you burn the more fat you will lose. You will also be building and toning your muscles. By increasing the amount of muscle on your body you will be increasing the amount of calories your body naturally burns each day. This means your metabolism will increase resulting in even more fat being burned away. As you melt away fat and/or tone your muscles you will find your body shape transforming into a more lean and fit physique.
Change Your Life Through Zumba® Life is truly a gift. Every day we awake is another opportunity to experience the amazing beauty, exciting thrills and cherished moments that this world we live in can bring.
HELLO?
GET REAL!
Is that really how you feel about life?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When was the last time you thought that way? Do you wake up every day to an alarm, thinking how you wish your life were different? Do you drag yourself to school or work only to be numbed by the monotony of the same old same old, praying to get through the day so you can get home and try to find some kind of pleasure or reason for your existence only to have to get up tomorrow and do it all over again?
HELLO?
WAKE UP!
Life IS truly a gift and you need to start doing something about enjoying it before it is gone. If you’re ready then Zumba can help. How? Pay close attention because what you are about to read is your first step toward a happier and more fulfilling life:
First, Zumba is going to help you find YOU again. That person hidden somewhere inside of you that loves life and loves being alive. You see, your body was made to move. How you think, feel and function is greatly affected by your physical state. Your self-image, confidence, mood, determination, enthusiasm, health and energy can all be changed by just simply moving your body more.
Zumba is an energy charged movement program that will allow you to grow at your own pace but will provide you with so many fulfillments that you will find yourself dripping with anticipation (and sweat) for your next session. Each completed 60 minute session is another step toward breaking away from the shackles that are currently holding you back from enjoying life. You will be amazed at the number of benefits you will get from Zumba but, as with all growth, the benefits come in stages. You will not receive them all the first day. As you increase the number of times you Zumba so will the benefits and rewards you receive. Before you know it you will be waking up each day ready to embrace all the amazing beauty, exciting thrills and cherished moments that are awaiting you. Let me give you a peek into what you will experience when you commit to Zumba.
Change your mood
Your first new experience with Zumba will be an immediate change in your mood. Because Zumba is so much fun to do you don’t even realize that you are actually exercising. The fact is you are exercising which increases your body’s serotonin levels. Increased serotonin helps fight off depression and improves your mood. Your body also will release natural endorphins that reduce anxiety and stress along with helping you to feel exhilarated.
Renewed sense of purpose
By discovering something new that you enjoy you will notice a change when you wake up and think about your day. Because you know that the more Zumba sessions you do the more benefits you will receive, you will be more focused on what you will be receiving next instead of focusing on the same old same old. You will be more determined to get out of bed and start your day so you can earn your next reward from Zumba.
Better sleep patterns
Once you start releasing the amount of stress, anxiety and tension that is currently trapped within your body you will notice an improvement in how well you are able to sleep. By improving your sleep patterns, your body will be able to recharge and renew itself more thoroughly each night resulting in more energy and a better outlook on life in general.
Weight loss and muscle toning
Each time you Zumba you will be burning calories. The more calories you burn the more potential fat you will lose. You will also be building and toning your muscles. By increasing the amount of muscle on your body you will be increasing the amount of calories your body naturally burns each day. This means your metabolism will increase resulting in even more fat being burned away. As you melt away fat and/or tone your muscles you will find your body shape transforming into a more lean and fit physique.
Improved Physical Abilities
Zumba is full of body movements and coordinated steps that will dramatically improve your flexibility and range of motion. If you live a more sedimentary life you will certainly have muscles that are being underused. This causes them to become weak, tight, and imbalanced resulting in muscle and joint pain. Zumba will have you using all of your major muscles groups and moving all your joints. This will cause your joints to function properly and more smooth. Your muscles will become more pliable and less tight. As your body becomes leaner and stronger you will find that your physical abilities will increase. Tasks that may cause you problems today like bending over or squatting will become 2nd nature. Getting out of cars, walking up stairs or lifting heavy objects will become easier and done without any or a lot less pain.
As you progress further and further with Zumba some amazing changes are going to start happening. The muscle toning and weight loss are going to expose the outer physical characteristics you were meant to have. You will look better and you are going to feel better about yourself. This healthy self-image alone will start a chain reaction of positive events that will change your life but it gets even better. Your outward appearance can be a powerful factor in your life but your looks are not who YOU are. Who YOU are is that internal spirit, the energy and essence that controls your thoughts and actions. It was YOU who made the conscious decision to stick with Zumba and not give up. Something incredible happens inside of us when we don’t give up and we overcome obstacles in our lives. We become more powerful, ambitious, courageous and self-assured. Most importantly, we find ourselves again!
YOU are in there!
This is YOUR life!
It’s time to find YOU again.
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