a husbands illegitimate child

As salam moo alaiykum respected brother in islam

I require your help please. I have a few questions, That need
clarification on regarding my husbands illegitimate child.
Please could you assist me. May Allah reward you for your efforts. Jazak Allah.

My husband has a  daughter, born our of wedlock, from another
woman.She is  a non muslim woman, the child is 8 years old. She was
named Aneesha by her mother, and her surname is Alli ( my husbands
surname). My husband did pay Aqeeqah when she was born, and did
everything we supposed to do on the birth of a new child. The mother
then kept the child away from my husband as she wanted marriage and he
didnt want to marry her. We have contacted the child through the
granny, with the hopes that she get to know us, so that if she gets
used to us, then she might be happy to live with us.In this way we
know she will grow up as a muslim, (currently she goes to church with
the mother), go to madressa, eat halaal food etc. My husband supports
the child every month by giving her mother money for his daughter. I
am the one encouraging my husband to make her live with us, he isn’t
pushing for this as much as I am. we love her, and feel that she is
innocent in this whole thing.

I was previously married and have a son from my first marriage, he is
12 years old.
My husband and I have 2 children together, a daughter who is 6 years
old, and a baby boy who is 19 months.
We are married for 7,5 years Alhamdulilah.

My questions are:
1.   Is it permissible to allow the child  to live with us? ( I was
told that an illegitimate child, shouldn’t even have her fathers
surname?)
2.   What does islam say about illegitimate children and the rules
pertaining to them?
3.   Is she allowed to get inheritence, must we support her?

Please could you help me answer these questions.
I was told to speak to someone before we make any decisions so that
our creator is happy with us and we do the right thing.
I would really appreciate your help and feedback in this matter

Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.

Your consideration for your husband’s biological daughter born out of
wedlock is commendable. Your concern for her Islam is an expression of
your strong Islamic values. Your attitude also reflects a sincere and
clean heart, Alhamdulillah.
In principle, a child born out of wedlock is illegitimate and will not
be principally attributed to the father. The laws of inheritance will
not apply to them. That is if the father passes away, the illegitimate
child will not inherit from his estate. If the child passes away, the
biological father will not inherit from her estate.
It is also pleasing to note that your husband has supported his child
thus far. The child going to church is a matter of concern. It is the
father’s responsibility to safeguard the child’s Iman and save her
from Kufr. In view of the circumstances, the father should keep the
child with him and nurture her with Islamic values. Your support in
this will earn you great rewards and the pleasure of Allah.
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best

Mufti Ebrahim Desai.

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Antidepressant drugs are murdering babies before they’re even born

Antidepressant drugs are murdering babies before they’re even born: SSRIs cause birth defects, miscarriages and complications

by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor

(NaturalNews) Big Pharma wants pregnant women to take prescription drugs, vaccine shots and even chemotherapy. It’s the latest insanity from an industry that kills more Americans ever year than died in the entire Vietnam War. And the latest science reveals that antidepressant use during pregnancy is causing babies to be born with physical defects – or sometimes not born at all because they’re miscarried.

This disturbing new science published in the journal Human Reproduction was authored by Dr. Adam Urato, obstetrician and chairman of thedepartment of obstetrics and gynecology at MetroWest Medical Center in Framingham, Mass., and Dr. Alice Domar, a psychologist and assistant professor at Harvard Medical School.

The study shows drastically increased rates of birth defects in children who are exposed to SSRI drugs (antidepressants) while in the womb. The risk of miscarriages also skyrockets with antidepressant drug use during pregnancy.

Study author Dr. Urato is also warning that at least 40 studies now link SSRI use during pregnancy with pre-term births.

The abstract of the study lays out the findings in clear language:

Antidepressant use during pregnancy is associated with increased risks of miscarriage, birth defects, preterm birth, newborn behavioral syndrome, persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn and possible longer term neurobehavioral effects.

As The Telegraph reports:

The situation amounts to “a large scale human experiment”, according to Dr Adam Urato, assistant professor of maternal-fetal medicine at Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston, Massachusetts. Drugs firms were overstating the benefits and underplaying the risks for the sake of profit, he claimed. Family doctors were failing to grasp the true dangers and tell pregnant patients of them, he argued.

Antidepressants double risk of babies being born with autism

“A recent study has further documented some doctors’ concerns that the use of SSRIs increases the risk of babies being born with autism. This particular research indicates the antidepressants double the risk,” reports DrugWatch.com

In addition, antidepressants offer no benefit to pregnancy outcomes! As stated by the study authors:

“There is no evidence of improved pregnancy outcomes with antidepressant use.”

In other words, antidepressants deliver all sorts of risks, but virtually no benefits, especially considering that even the psychological “benefits” of SSRI drugs are completely fabricated by the corrupt pharmaceutical industry which routinely fabricates clinical trial data.

Mainstream media tries to downplay risk

The mainstream media is, of course, incessantly running cover for the toxic pharmaceutical industry. That’s why instead of seeing headlines that warn about “birth defects” from SSRIs, you get headlines like this one from a local Fox affiliate:

“Antidepressants during pregnancy can be tricky”
(http://fox13now.com/2012/11/01/antidepressants-during-pregnancy-can-b…)

Tricky? The story then goes on to push the warped psychiatric “view” of these drugs, which is essentially that everybody needs to be medicated in order to be normal. And that includes pregnant women.

The entire charade is so sick and even criminal that it’s hard to even watch. If an herbal supplement were causing birth defects, you wouldn’t see the media reporting that decision about the herbal supplement are “tricky.” Instead, you would see the media SCREAMING about how dangerous and deadly the supplement was, demanding the FDA to take immediate action to ban the substance and pull it from store shelves.

But somehow, when prescription drugs cause miscarriages and birth defects, it’s all okay because the drug companies are involved.

Murdering babies is perfectly fine, you see, as long as Big Pharma and the psychiatric industry and pocketing some cash at the same time.

And don’t forget: Vaccines are also being pushed on pregnant women now, even though throughout the history of medicine pregnant women were always warned to avoid vaccines due to mercury toxicity. But suddenly, the authorities and the drug companies want to inject pregnant women with as much mercury as possible.

It’s not just mercury, either: As Natural News has just exposed in a shocking new article, even the CDC openly admits that today’s vaccines are made with MSG, mercury, formaldehyde and aluminum — on purpose!

And what’s one of the most common side effects of all these toxic metals and chemicals in vaccines? Spontaneous abortions, of course.

Sources for this story include:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/9632588/Thousands-of-pre…
http://humrep.oxfordjournals.org/content/early/2012/10/31/humrep.des3…

 

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The 40 days… Nifaaz or Baqwaas?

Where does the ’40 Days’ superstitions originate from? 

The blood that passes from a woman’s vagina after giving birth to a baby is called Nifaas (Postnatal bleeding).

The maximum period for this bleeding is 40 days.

What is the longest that nifaas (post-partum bleeding) can last?

Praise be to Allaah.

There is a difference of opinion among the scholars concerning that.

1 – Most of the scholars said that the longest that nifaas can last is 40 days; if the bleeding lasts longer than that then it is istihaadah (irregular vaginal bleeding) unless it coincides with her regular period. This is the view of Abu Haneefah and Ahmad, according to one report, and is the well known view of his madhhab. This was also the ruling given by al-Tirmidhi in his Jaami’, narrating from Sufyaan, Ibn Mubaarak, Ishaaq and most of the scholars.

2 – Maalik, al-Shaafa’i and Ahmad, according to one report, said that the longest it may last is 60 days.

3 – al-Hasan al-Basri said that it may last between forty to fifty days; if it lasts longer than that then it is istihaadah.

4 – There are other opinions but these are cases of ijtihaad for which there is no saheeh evidence apart from the first view. It was proven that Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with them both) said: “The woman in nifaas should wait for approximately forty days.” (Narrated by Ibn al-Jaarood in al-Muntaqa).

Ahmad, Abu Dawood, al-Tirmidhi and Ibn Maajah narrated via Massah al-Azdiyyah that Umm Salamah said: “At the time of the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), the woman in nifaas would wait for forty days…”

There is some dispute concerning this isnaad. Ibn Qattaan classed it as da’eef (weak) in Bayaan al-Wahm wa’l-Ayhaam, as did Ibn Hazm. Al-Haakim classed it as saheeh and al-Nawawi and others classed it as hasan.

Ibn ‘Abd al-Barr (may Allaah have mercy on him) said in al-Istidhkaar, with regard to the maximum period of nifaas there is no opinion to be followed except the opinion of those who say that it is forty days. This is the view the companions of the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), and there was no dispute among them concerning this matter. All other opinions are those of people other than the Sahaabah, and in our view no other opinion can be counted because the consensus of the Sahaabah is evidence for those who came after them. Usually everyone feels comfortable with their opinion; how could anyone hold a different view with no evidence from the Sunnah? This view is the correct one, and that is for a number of reasons:

1- It is the view of the Sahaabah and no one has the right to go against them.

2- It is essential in this case to define a number of days during which a woman may remain in nifaas; it is not permissible to ignore the view of the Sahaabah and accept someone else’s view.

3- This is the view of doctors who are specialized in knowledge of this bleeding. Their view coincides with that of Ibn ‘Abbaas and of most of the scholars.

With regard to the minimum length of nifaas, most of the scholars have not set any limit for that. If the woman sees that she is pure (taahir) – which is when the bleeding stops – then she should do ghusl and start praying.

Imaam Abu ‘Eesa al-Tirmidhi (may Allaah have mercy on him) said in al-Jaami’ that the view of the scholars among the Sahaabah, Taabi’een and those who came after them was that the woman in nifaas should not pray for forty days unless she sees that she is pure before that, in which case she should do ghusl and start praying.

Shaykh Sulaymaan ibn Naasir al-‘Alwaan 

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Warning: Cell Phones May Trigger ADHD and Other Behavior Problems

Story at-a-glance
If you’re pregnant, there is compelling evidence that you may want to use extreme caution when using a cell phone
An animal study by Yale researchers suggests that the increasingly prevalent neurobehavioral disorders in children — conditions like attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) — may be related to exposure to radiofrequency radiation from cell phones while in the womb
Past studies have also linked pregnant women’s use of cell phones to their babies developing hyperactivity and difficulties with conduct, emotions and relationships by the time they reached school age
As long as your cell phone is on, it emits radiation intermittently, even when you are not actually making a call. If you’re pregnant, keeping your cell phone turned off, and avoiding or reducing your cell phone use may be especially important to the health of your offspring
Radiation from wireless devices is biologically active in a myriad of ways, including damaging DNA. There is no good reason to take the many risks of exposing unborn fetuses, or infants and children of any age, to this radiation

By Dr. Mercola

If you’re pregnant, there is compelling evidence that you should use extreme caution when using a cell phone, and at least take care to keep it as far away from your developing baby as possible.

The latest animal study suggests that the increasingly prevalent neurobehavioral disorders in children — conditions like attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) — may be related to exposure to radiofrequency radiation from cell phones while in utero.i

Hyperactivity, Impaired Memory Linked to In Utero Cell Phone Exposure

Researchers from the Yale School of Medicine positioned a cell phone above a cage of pregnant mice. The phone was transmitting an uninterrupted active call for the entire 17 days of gestation.

When the offspring were later tested, they showed signs of ADHD, including reduced transmissions in the prefrontal cortex of the brain. As researchers noted:

“The prefrontal cortex (PFC) is responsible for executive functions by screening distractions and maintaining attention in goal-oriented behaviors. Impairment of the PFC leads to dysregulated behavior/emotion such as ADHD.”

They further explained:

“Mice exposed [to cell phone radiation] during pregnancy had impaired memory, were hyperactive, and had decreased anxiety, indicating that in-utero exposure to radiofrequency is a potential cause of neurobehavioral disorders. …The exposure to cellular telephones in pregnancy may have a comparable effect on the fetus and similar implications for society as do exposures to other common neurodevelopmental toxicants.”

It’s widely known that children, due to their thinner skulls, smaller brains, softer brain tissue and far more rapidly dividing cells, are even more susceptible to damage from cell phone use than adults, which suggests that babies in the womb, who are perhaps the most vulnerable population of all, may be at similar or greater at risk. The researchers expand:

“During critical windows in neurogenesis the brain is susceptible to numerous environmental insults; common medically relevant exposures include ionizing radiation, alcohol, tobacco, drugs and stress. The effects of these agents are dependent on dose and timing of exposure. Even small exposures during periods of neurogenesis have a more profound effect than exposure as an adult …environmental exposures occurring in fetal life can lead to persistent neurological deficits.”

Cell Phones May Cause “Certain Harm” to Fetal Rat Brains

This was the conclusion of a study in Electromagnetic Biology and Medicine,ii which sought to evaluate the intensity of oxidative stress and the levels of neurotransmitters in the brains of fetal rats chronically exposed to radiation from cell phones.

Four groups of pregnant rats were exposed to different intensities of cell phone microwave radiation — one group that was left unexposed, and three groups that were irradiated three times daily for either 10, 30, or 60 minutes at a time. After three weeks, the fetal rats were examined for changes in their brains. Studies on humans have corroborated these findings. All of the irradiated groups exhibited significant neurological differences, with researchers noting:

“Through this study, we concluded that receiving a certain period of microwave radiation from cellular phones during pregnancy has certain harm on fetal rat brains.”

Studies Involving Human Children Show Increased Behavioral Problems With In Utero Cell Phone Exposure

In 2008, researchers analyzed data from nearly 13,000 children and found that exposure to cell phones while in the womb, and also as children, was linked to more behavioral difficulties.iii Pregnant women using handsets just two or three times a day was enough to raise the risk of their babies developing hyperactivity and difficulties with conduct, emotions and relationships by the time they reached school age — and the risk became even greater if the children also used the phones themselves before age 7.

The 2008 study revealed that mothers who used mobile phones were 54 percent more likely to have children with behavioral problems. When the children also later used the phones themselves by age 7, they were:

80 percent more likely to suffer from difficulties with behavior
25 percent more at risk from emotional problems
34 percent more likely to suffer from difficulties relating to their peers
35 percent more likely to be hyperactive
49 percent more prone to problems with conduct
Then, in 2010, the researchers looked at a larger group of children — nearly 29,000 — and also considered additional variables that could be swaying the results, and the association was found once again.iv In that study, children whose mothers used cell phones while pregnant were 40 percent more likely to have behavioral problems and this rose to 50 percent when the children also used cell phones themselves. The researchers even accounted for family history of behavioral problems, inattention of the mother, breastfeeding and time spent with the child — and the association still remained.

If You’re Pregnant, Is Cell Phone Use Safe?

That’s a decision you’ll have to make for yourself after considering the evidence, such as the studies noted above. I do believe there is more than enough evidence to warrant everyone limiting their cell phone use and taking precautions, and I have long recommended that, barring a life-threatening emergency, children should not use a cell phone, or a wireless device of any type. A fetus is even more vulnerable than a child, so take that into consideration as well. As a parent you have a responsibility to protect this young life.

Many government agencies across the globe are taking these risks very seriously. The European Parliament has called for schools to be wireless free, in addition to hospitals, day care and retirement living facilities.v And in a report published by Mobilewise, a UK charity, medical experts and Mobilewise call on government and industry to provide warnings and advice on ways to reduce the risk of health damage when using mobile phones, especially in order to protect children.

The report “Mobile Phone Health Risks: the case for action to protect children” warns that children’s health is being put at risk by the failure of government and phone companies to respond to the growing body of evidence linking mobile phone use with health hazards.viIt includes a chart of more than 200 peer-reviewed studies from numerous research institutions that link mobiles to serious health problems.

These include brain tumors and impacts on fertility, genes, the blood-brain barrier and melatonin production, as well as other biological effects thought to have a role in the development of cancer.

The telecommunication industry is much larger than the medical industrial complex, and they have far more influence than the drug companies. They’re also mirroring many of the same tactics as the tobacco industry to pedal their wares. There is already robust scientific evidence that cell phones and other wireless devices pose significant health risks to all of us, and especially to children and pregnant women. So while these findings are not being widely publicized in mainstream media, it makes sense to take action now to protect yourself and your children.

Understand the media has significant conflicts of interest, given the millions of dollars in advertising dollars they receive from the wireless industry. ElectromagneticHealth.org has estimated telecom ad revenues might total as much as $6-60 million annually at U.S. newspapers and business magazines, based on a sampling of ad space in major papers and magazines. The average percentage of telecom ad space during the sample period was applied to the published print ad revenues of the publications, as a gauge of the magnitude of potential telecom revenues to these publications.

Camilla Rees of ElectromagneticHealth.org says:

“Not only are several large media organizations sitting on the fence on this subject, shirking their responsibility to the public (though many are following the subject closely), but some of them, it appears, may intentionally be supporting the interests of the telecom industry, as is also the case with some universities. In both cases it appears protecting important sources of revenue is what is most important to them. “

Rees co-led a detailed analysis of an Economist article last Fall that was endorsed by over 30 leading international scientists, portraying the Economist article in question as riddled with “technical errors and misleading statements.”

The Economist critique stated:vii

“With this unsigned opinion piece (which appeared to be a news article) containing so many technical errors and misleading statements, The Economist has undermined its reputation for independent and probing analysis. The Economist owes its readers a better accounting of the science on this important public health issue.”

So, until the damn of denial is broken regarding media coverage of the hazards of microwave radiation, look to the independent science, and independent reporting sources, that have not been influenced by commercial interests.

Top Steps for Safer Cell Phone Use

You can help to minimize your exposure to electromagnetic radiation from cell phones and other wireless devices by heeding the following advice:

Children Should Always Avoid Using Cell Phones: Barring a life-threatening emergency, children should not use a cell phone, or a wireless device of any type. Children’s brains are far more vulnerable to cell phone radiation than adults, because of their thinner skull bones.
Reduce Your Cell Phone Use: Turn your cell phone off more often. Reserve it for emergencies or important matters. As long as your cell phone is on, it emits radiation intermittently, even when you are not actually making a call. If you’re pregnant, avoiding or reducing your cell phone use is especially important.
Use a Land Line at Home and at Work: Although more and more people are switching to using cell phones as their exclusive phone contact, it is a dangerous trend and you can choose to opt out of the madness. SKYPE offers a portable number via your computer that can plug into any Ethernet port while traveling.
Reduce or Eliminate Your Use of Other Wireless Devices: You would be wise to cut down your use of these devices. Just as with cell phones, it is important to ask yourself whether or not you really need to use them as often as you do. And most importantly, do not even consider having any electronic or wireless devices in the bedroom, as the electric, magnetic and microwave fields can significantly interfere with the quality of your sleep.
If you must use a portable home phone, use the older kind that operates at 900 MHz. They are not safer during calls, but at least many of them do not broadcast constantly even when no call is being made. There is a new Siemens Eco DECT phone on the market, where if only one handset is activated, it can be set to only radiate during a call as opposed to 24/7. However, since many people have multiple portable phone handsets this is not, as of yet, a practical solution. And, unless one knows to deactivate the radiation through putting the phone into Eco Mode Plus mode, it will still be continually emitting microwaves.

Note the only way to truly be sure if there is an exposure from your cordless phone is to measure with an electrosmog meter, and it must be one that goes up to the frequency of your portable phone (so old meters won’t help much). As many portable phones are 5.8 Gigahertz, we recommend you look for RF meters that go up to 8 Gigahertz, the highest range now available in a meter suitable for consumers.

Alternatively you can be very careful with the base station placement as that causes the bulk of the problem since it transmits signals 24/7, even when you aren’t talking. So if you can keep the base station at least three rooms away from where you spend most of your time, and especially your bedroom, they may not be as damaging to your health. Another option is to just simply turn the portable phone off, only using it when you specifically need the convenience of moving about while on a call.

Ideally it would be helpful to turn off your base station every night before you go to bed. You can find RF meters as well as remediation supplies at http://www.emfsafetystore.com. But you can pretty much be sure your portable phone is a problem if the technology is DECT, or digitally enhanced cordless technology, unless you are using the new Siemens Eco DECT phone, with only one handset active, and the phone set to only radiate during conversations through the Eco Mode Plus feature.

Use Your Cell Phone Only Where Reception is Good: The weaker the reception, the more power your phone must use to transmit, and the more power it uses, the more radiation it emits, and the deeper the dangerous radio waves penetrate into your body. Ideally, you should only use your phone with full bars and good reception.
Also Seek to Avoid Carrying Your Phone on Your Body as that merely maximizes any potential exposure. Ideally put it in your purse or carrying bag. Placing a cell phone in a shirt pocket over the heart is asking for trouble, as is placing it in a man’s pocket if he seeks to preserve his fertility and sexual function.
Don’t Assume One Cell Phone is Safer Than Another: There’s no such thing as a “safe” cell phone.
Keep Your Cell Phone Away From Your Body When it is On: The most dangerous place to be, in terms of radiation exposure, is within about six inches of the emitting antenna. You do not want any part of your body within that area. Most people are surprised that cell phone manuals themselves specifically state to not place the phone against your body!
Respect Others Who are More Sensitive: Some people who have become sensitive can feel the effects of others’ cell phones in the same room, even when it is on but not being used. If you are in a meeting, on public transportation, in a courtroom or other public places, such as a doctor’s office, keep your cell phone turned off out of consideration for the ‘second hand radiation’ effects. This would especially apply to places where reflections would be high, such as in a metal elevator, train car or automobile. Children are also more vulnerable, so please avoid using your cell phone near children.
If you are using the Pong case, which redirects the cell phone radiation away from the head and successfully lowers the SAR effect, realize that in redirecting the radiation away from your head this may be intensifying the radiation in another direction, perhaps toward the person next to you, or, if in your pocket, increasing radiation intensity toward your body. Caution is always advised in dealing with any radiation-emitting device. We recommend cell phones be kept ‘Off’ except for emergencies.

Use Safer Headset Technology: Wired headsets will certainly allow you to keep the cell phone farther away from your body. However, if a wired headset is not well-shielded — and most of them are not — the wire itself acts as an antenna attracting ambient radio waves and transmitting radiation directly to your brain.
Make sure that the wire used to transmit the signal to your ear is shielded. The best kind of headset to use is a combination shielded wire and air-tube headset. These operate like a stethoscope, transmitting the information to your head as an actual sound wave; although there are wires that still must be shielded, there is no wire that goes all the way up to your head.

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The Blessed Olive-Oil

Olive oil is best for skin diseases

Dr. Rizwan Ahmed

OLIVE is a small ovoid fruit. It is an important food and source of oil. Its evergreen tree is cultivated in the Mediterranean region since time immemorial and now is grown in several places. It has edible shiny black fruits.
An olive tree goes up to the height of three meters, its leaves are bright green and very attractive and the fruits are of bright bluish or violet color possessing a metallic taste.
According to the scholars of Hadith, when the Deluge in the time of Prophet Noah (peace be upon him) subsided and the water level came down, the first thing on the earth that was seen was an olive plant.

Qur’an:
Zaitoon (olive) is the sign of peace and friendship in this world and has its description in the Holy Qur’an.
The Qur’an stresses the importance of Zaitoon in several verses like 6:99 and 141, 16:11 and 24:35.

Ahadith:
Sayyed Al-Ansari narrates that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “Eat the olive oil and massage it over your bodies since it is a holy (mubarak) tree.” (Tirmizi, Ibn Maja)

Alqama Bin Amir narrates that Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: “There is olive oil for you, eat it, massage it over your body, since it is effective in Haemorrhoids (Piles).” (Ibn Al-Jawzi, Zanbi)

Uqba Bin Amir narrates that the Prophet (pbuh) stated: “You have the olive oil from this holy (mubarak) tree, treat yourself with this, since it cures the anal fissure (basoor).”

Khalid Bin Saad narrates: “I came to Madina with Ghalib Bin Al Jabr. Ghalib became ill during the journey. Ibn Abi Ateeq came to see him and told a narration from Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) that the Prophet (pbuh) told about the cure in the black seed. We crushed a few black seeds and mixed it with olive oil and dropped in both nostrils, after which Ghalib became healthy.” (Ibn Maja, Bukhari)

Abu Hurairah narrates that the Prophet (pbuh) stated: “Consume the olive oil and apply it (locally), since there is cure for 70 diseases in it, one of them is leprosy.” (Abu Naim)

Zaid Bin Arqam narrates: “We have been directed by the Prophet (pbuh) that we should treat Pleurisy with Qust Bahri (Qust Sheerin) and olive oil.” (Tirmizi, Sanad Ahmed, Ibn Maja)

Before medication:
For the treatment of every disease, one must perform Nafl (supererogatory) Salah and make supplication beseeching Allah for curing the disease asking Him to put cure in the prescribed medicines. Then give alms (sadaqa) to the poor and then take medications.

Olive contains palmatic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, steanic acid, myristic acid and glycerides.
Olive (Zaitoon) is cure for 70 diseases. Among them, olive oil is most commonly used in the treatment of skin diseases.
The skin is the largest organ of our body. It is, in terms of both weight, between six and nine pounds, and surface area of about two square yards. The skin separates the inside of our body from the outside world. It protects us from bacteria and viruses that can cause infections. It helps us sense the outside world such as whether it is hot or cold, wet or dry. It also regulates our body temperature.

Conditions that irritate, clog or inflame our skin can cause symptoms such as redness, swelling, burning and itching. Allergies, irritants, our genetic makeup and certain diseases and immune system problems can cause psoriasis, alopecia and other skin conditions. Many skin problems, such as acne, also affect our look.

The acne is a skin condition, usually of the face, that is common in adolescents. It is characterized by red pimples, and is caused by the inflammation of sebaceous glands through bacterial infection; a pattern of blemishes in an area of skin resulting from the skin condition. There are four types of acne – blackheads, whiteheads, pimples and cysts – which develop when pores in our skin become clogged. The culprit is sebum (see-bum), an oil in our skin. Our bodies make more sebum when our hormones surge.

This is why teens get acne. Females also have them before their periods. Since hormones fluctuate in the years leading up to menopause, many women in their 40s and 50s get acne.

There are many treatments available for acne. Among them a few are:
Rinse face in plain warm water. Dab face with a clean linen cloth until it matts the oily look.
Massage a small amount of extra virgin olive oil into skin until all the oil has soaked in. After half-an-hour, sebum slowly pulls out of the pores on nose and cheeks. After just one hour, the skin glows very nicely, without being oily. It seems that normal extra virgin olive oil works very nicely.

Fast facts:

* Instead of heating the olive oil, one can also apply olive oil kept in room temperature to the scalp, wrap hair in plastic to hold in heat, and sit under or use a hair dryer to speed the process.

* Because olive oil is an emollient, it will leave all the skin on the scalp moisturized, creating a healthier scalp.

* Olive oil is very beneficial in the treatment of dry, flaky and broken skin. It helps to moisturize the skin. Use it if you want to get the glow on dry skin.

Here are some tips on how to make an olive oil face pack for dry skin:

* Make a mixture by mixing few drops of olive oil with two mashed avocados. Use this remedy thrice a week.

* Another good face pack for dry skin is a mixture of one egg yolk, one tablespoon of flour and half a tablespoon of olive oil. Apply it on your skin and leave it on for about 20 to 25 minutes. Wash off with lukewarm water.

* If your skin is oily then you can use olive oil to cleanse and moisturize the skin. Olive is very beneficial in the prevention and treatment of several oily skin-related problems like open pores, blemishes, blackheads, cysts and acne.

* Make an oily skin face mask by mixing oatmeal – one cup, olive oil – ½ tablespoon, sea salt – ½ tablespoon and sour milk – ½ cup

* Apply it on the skin and leave it on for about 15 to 20 minutes. It is a good recipe for cleaning the pores.

Here are some tips on how to use olive oil to get glowing face naturally.

* Mix half cup each of curd and cucumber juice. Now, add ½ tablespoon of olive oil into the mixture. Apply it on your face and wait for about 15 minutes before rinsing it off with lukewarm water. Use this remedy once a week.

* There is no need to spend money on cleansing creams and face washes. Just use pure olive oil to cleanse your face at home. Here are some tips on how to get glowing face using olive oil.

* Apply a small amount of olive oil on your face. Massage your face for about two minutes, using circular motions. After that, take a hot water-dipped washcloth and put it on your face for 10 minutes to get rid of dirt, makeup and other impurities.

* Splash cold water on your face now, you are ready to get soft, glowing and healthy skin naturally with olive oil. Lastly, eat lot of fresh fruits and vegetables. Also, do not forget to increase your daily water intake

So by observing the above measures, we can conclude that olive oil is the best medication for skin diseases.

– The writer can be contacted on Islamicmedicines@gmail.com

SOURCE

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What to eat when being pregnant???

After becoming pregnant the first thing that comes to the mind of the expecting mom is to eat well so that neither her nor her undeveloped baby have to suffer during the pregnancy and after that. For ensuring that your weight gain will be proper and your body will not lack any vital vitamins and minerals, you will need to take care of pregnancy nutrition. The people near you who love you and care for you will also advice you what to eat and what not to eat. You can enjoy this special attention for the coming next nine months and even after that.

First thing instead of worrying about how you will carry out the pregnancy, whether everything will be fine, just eat right and take proper rest. Be in good mood and do things that you feel right for you and the baby. If you are in cheerful mood throughout your pregnancy, your baby will also be like you. In order to have a healthy baby, try to be yourself healthy first. If you are too slim try to gain some weight by eating right kind of food. And even if you are already little overweight then take the help of your doctor to decide what kind of food will be right for you.

The nine months pregnancy time is really important for you and your baby. Nothing best you can give your baby apart from good health. Good health cannot be achieved without providing proper pregnancy nutrition. It is also important to have proper nutritious food before planning pregnancy too, as this will give proper strength to your uterus for holding the fertilized egg. Also your food during the first few days and few weeks of your pregnancy are also essential for normal growth of your baby.

As you know the baby needs calcium and iron for normal growth and whatever calcium and iron your body has gets absorbed by the placenta for raising the baby. Hence your food should be such that it gives you generous amounts of calcium and iron and other vitamins and proteins. Your doctor will also give you supplements that will provide you calcium and iron. As you progress from one week to the next week the requirements of iron and calcium will also increase. In any case you should avoid taking any kind of medications or supplements on your own.

Pregnancy nutrition is very important as this is like a base for the normal growth of the baby. It is also essential for you own body, as you have to undergo various pains to have a safe delivery. You will also need lots of stamina to deal with the early pregnancy symptoms like fatigue, nausea and morning sickness. You can ask your doctor how much weight gain he or she is expecting you to gain. It is better to eat healthy rather than eating anything. Green vegetables and fruits are the best and you can also eat diary products and all food items that will give you proteins and vitamin C. Vitamin C will help you avoid getting pregnancy gingivitis.

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Tumors, cankers during pregnancy

Pregnancy tumors are common in pregnancy and generally appear near the upper gum line. These tumors appear like large lump and have red markings on it. These lumps may bleed and make eating, drinking and talking really painful. Such tumors cause great discomfort too. These tumors can occur to most of the pregnant women at any stage of their pregnancy. But such kinds of tumors generally occur more in the second trimester. Even though these lumps are termed as tumors, you should get worried. Many women fear thinking whether these lumps are cancerous. In 100 pregnant women only 10 pregnant women are under high risk of getting pregnancy tumors.

Pregnancy tumors generally happen to those pregnant women who have got pregnancy gingivitis. There are many other names of such tumors like pregnancy epulides, lobular capillary hemangioma, puogenic granuloma and granuloma of pregnancy. Such tumors are not dangerous but it is better to treat them so as to get relief from the pain. Generally once you deliver you baby, such tumors vanish immediately. But in case the pain caused by the pregnancy tumor is more and unbearable then your dentist will advice you to remove the tumors with simple surgery.

In the surgery the dentist will first give you local anesthesia and then remove it with simple procedure. But even after removing the pregnancy tumor, there are chances of you getting them back. In almost half of the cases such tumors can return back. If the dentist can figure out what is the real cause of getting such tumors, then he or she will try to remove the root cause so that such tumors will not occur again. Dentists will also advice you to maintain good oral hygiene to prevent such tumors.

Thus it is must for every pregnant women to look after her teeth and gums during pregnancy. In fact it is better to take extra care of oral hygiene during pregnancy. The main reason behind getting pregnancy tumors is bacteria, plaque and trapped food particles inside the teeth. Hence by taking care that nothing of this happens with you, you can avoid getting pregnancy tumors. Brush your teeth twice with fluoride containing toothpaste and floss your teeth once in a day. These things will also prevent you from tooth decay and gum gingivitis.

Rinse you mouth with anti-microbial mouth rinse, as it will prevent any kind of infection to teeth and gums and also avoid plaque and bacteria growth. Mouth rinses are very helpful in removing the trapped food particles from teeth compared to toothbrush and flossing. Also you can eat healthy food that will be rich source of vitamin C, as it will reduce your chances of getting tooth decay, gum diseases and pregnancy tumors. Vitamin C naturally keeps the teeth clean. In fact the vitamin C rich food is also good for your body, as it gives you energy and helps you to fight with the fatigue during pregnancy. Vitamin D is also needed for tissue growth and hence you can sit in your garden or on your terrace where the early morning sunlight will fall on you. The early morning sunlight is very rich source of vitamin D.

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Sex during pregnancy?!

Many pregnant women have various doubts in their mind about sex during pregnancy. The most important question that will arise in your and your partners mind is whether it will be safe to have during pregnancy. Also whether you can enjoy sexual intercourse and if yes till which month of your pregnancy. Many couples avoid pregnancy thinking that they will not be able to enjoy their sexual lives. But there is no need to worry at all, as during pregnancy too with little care you can enjoy your sexual intercourse. In short sex during pregnancy is allowed if proper care is taken.

Everyone knows it how the conception happens. When male sperm fertilizes female egg then conception happens. After conception the fertilized egg gets implanted in the uterus. When you miss your periods, you come to know that you are pregnant. The fertilized egg is known as embryo, which develops further into fetus. To protect the fetus the amniotic cavity develops around it. This amniotic cavity carries all the nutrition that are required for the normal growth of the baby. This amniotic cavity also covers the cervix and hence there are no chances of you getting pregnant again even if you have sex.

As the mucus layer is there surrounding the embryo there is no chance that seminal or vaginal fluid will cause any infection to the embryo. The mucus makes sure that the embryo is safe inside the uterus and not in contact with outer world in any way. Thus sex during pregnancy will not cause any harm to your unborn child. But this doesn’t mean that you will not take care while having sex. You want safety of your baby and for that you will need to take some precautions while having sex during pregnancy. The common sex positions like men on top and women on top exert extra pressure on the abdominal of the women and can cause discomfort in the pregnancy. That means you will need to try some other positions while having sex.

You can ask you doctor about the various doubts that may arise in your mind regarding the sex during pregnancy. For those who have had premature birth in past then the doctor will advice them to stay away from penetrative sexual intercourse for the last three months of the pregnancy. For those women who have had history of miscarriage in the past will be advised not to get involved in the penetrative sexual intercourse for the first three months of the pregnancy. But for those women who have short cervix will be asked to stay away from sex during pregnancy for the entire term of pregnancy.

During pregnancy as women undergo various physical as well as emotional changes; it is better to see what your wife wants and feel. Male find their pregnant wives more attractive, as women undergo changes in their breasts and hips, which makes them more attractive. The hormone changes also increase the libido in the women. Hence there is no need to stay away form sex during pregnancy.

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Natural remedies for female infertility

Shatavari
Asparagus / (Asparagus Racemosus)
Benefits of Shatavari: Increases fertility, regulates female hormonal balance, aphrodisiac, increases lactation, treats menopause symptoms, anti-candida

Due to female infertility problem, many women have problems in becoming a mother. No doubt there are various surgical and medicinal methods that cure female infertility but there is some home remedies for female infertility that also help to a great extent. Home remedies for female infertility have a huge success rate too. Being natural remedies these are very safe to try out and have no side effects on the body of the user.

Home remedies for Female Infertility:
Jamun Leaves: To deal with the female infertility problem, you can eat jamun leaves. Add some honey in case you don’t like the taste of jamun leaves.
Root of Banyan Tree: Roots of banyan tree are highly effective in curing the female infertility problem. Collect these roots and dry them I sun for few days. Then grind them and make fine powder from them. When your menstrual cycles are over after that on the first night have this powder with milk. Make sure that you don’t eat anything immediately after having this. Follow this remedy for about one year. There will be surely some good news waiting for you and all thanks to this simple and easy remedy.
Winter Cherry: This herb is also useful in the treatment of female infertility. Dry this herb and store it in powder form. After your menstrual cycle gets over start drinking 6 gram of this powder by putting it in one cup of milk. Do this for about one week and then again stop. Next month again follow the same procedure.
Crud and Cheese: Include cheese and curd in your daily meal, as these two are effective in increasing the chances of fertility in women.
Egg Plant: Eggplant is effective in the treatment of female infertility. Cook this eggplant and have it with buttermilk. Try this remedy for about two months, as it will definitely help to cure female infertility problems.
Yoga: Join some yoga class, as some of the postures of Yoga really help in curing female infertility. It is better to do these postures under the guidance of experienced teacher.
Vitamin C and Vitamin E: both these vitamins are very effective in increasing the chances of fertility in women. Apart from this zinc is also effective in cure of female infertility. 1000mg of vitamin C and 30 mg of zinc should be consumed on a daily basis.
Diet: You must eat lots of green vegetables, fresh fruits, nuts, seeds, grains, milk, honey, curd, cheese, sprouts, beans, etc. All these things are needed for having a healthy body.
Avoid: You should not drink coffee, tea, spicy and fatty food, white flour, fried foods and soft drinks. Also stay away from smoking and drinking alcohol. You should not consume any drugs like heroin and marijuana etc.
Stay happy: female infertility is also caused due to stress, tension, fear and anxiety. So try to remain happy. If you have free time, then do something that gives you immense pleasure. Be nice to your partner and try to do what your partner likes.

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Cure infertility natural

Effective Natural Treatment for Infertility
By Jacob E. Teitelbaum, M.D.

Infertility is becoming an increasingly frequent problem. Many people go to fertility experts and, by discovering an anatomic problem (e.g. blocked fallopian tubes), or problems with ovulation, are able to get help. Unfortunately, many people find their tests are negative or, despite treatment, find they are unable to get pregnant.

Comprehensive Medicine, which includes both prescription/surgical and natural therapies, can often help when regular day-to-day medical approaches cannot. Infertility is one such case. It is important to recognize that 40% to 50% of problems with infertility are secondary to the man having a low sperm count or underactive sperm activity. Because of this, I recommend the man and woman both do the things noted below to increase their fertility. Before one begins with these things, it is important to look at the optimum timing for intercourse.

When Is the Best Time to Get Started?

Research shows that intercourse which occurs even one day after ovulation is unlikely to result in pregnancy. Intercourse the day of ovulation is most effective and often effective during the three to four day period before ovulation. Intercourse more than six days before ovulation is also unlikely to result in pregnancy. One can use an ovulation thermometer to time their ovulation. Also, the more frequently one has intercourse in the three or four days before ovulation, the more likely one is to get pregnant. New research has overturned the old misconception that frequent intercourse within this three to four day period decreases the chance of pregnancy.

What Can the Woman Do?

There are many day to day things which worsen and improve fertility. Having more than four cups of coffee a day (and possibly any coffee) can result in infertility. Some researchers joke that coffee actually acts as a reasonable form of birth control (I would not rely on it though!). Alcohol also increases infertility caused by ovulatory problems. This results because of increases in a hormone called prolactin. In people who have ovulatory infertility, alcohol can increase the problem by 30% if you have even one drink a day and by 60% if you have more than two drinks a day. Alcohol can also aggravate infertility caused by endometriosis. Of much greater concern, however, is the problem of birth defects caused by drinking alcohol during the pregnancy. This is called fetal alcohol syndrome and it is important that alcohol be avoided during the pregnancy. I would also note that taking very hot baths during pregnancy, including hot tubbing, can increase birth defects quite a bit as can taking more than 8,000 IU of vitamin A daily (beta carotene is okay). In addition, it is important that any woman of childbearing age take at least 800 mcg (0.8 mg) of folic acid a day to prevent birth defects. If the woman has had a child with neural tube birth defects in the past, I would increase this up to 4,000 mcg a day. For most women, taking a good multivitamin (we recommend From Fatigued To Fantastic Energy Revitalization System — available on our web site and many health food stores) is very helpful.

Other things which can cause infertility include taking more than 1,000 mg of vitamin C a day. If a woman is doing this and trying to get pregnant, she should decrease it to 500 mg a day. Infertility caused by a higher dose should resolve within a few weeks. Drinking caffeinated sodas (even one a day) can decrease conception by 50%. It is also important to avoid toxic metals (lead, mercury, cadmium), and I would not take melatonin (or much of anything else besides a good multivitamin as noted above and magnesium) when pregnant. High doses of melatonin can raise prolactin levels and may result in temporary infertility. A recent study has also found douching temporarily decreases the probability of getting pregnant by 30%. If your doctor has not checked your prolactin level, be sure this is not elevated.

Now that we have looked at some of the avoidable things which can keep you from getting pregnant, lets take a look at things you can do to help you get pregnant. These include:

1. Taking a good multivitamin with folate as noted above. This can increase fertility.

2. Taking extra vitamin B6 (approximately 50 mg a day—also present in the Energy Revitalization System by Enzymatic Therapy) can also help you get pregnant. This is especially true if one has irregular periods or absent periods or inappropriate production of breast milk outside of one’s period.

3. Be sure your iron levels are adequate. A blood test (a ferritin level combined with an iron level and iron binding capacity) will tell you this. Unfortunately, doctors are trained to say the iron is normal if your ferritin level is at least 9 ng/ml. Although a ferritin level of 9 shows you have enough iron to prevent anemia, one can have infertility from ferritin levels less than 40. Because of this, I would look at your ferritin test results yourself and make sure the level is at least 40 ng per ml. In a study of women with hair loss with ferritin levels less than 40, seven women who also had infertility became pregnant within 7 months when put on iron. If for some reason you are unable to get your ferritin level checked, it is not unreasonable to take iron (e.g. Chromagen FA 1 tablet a day) for 7 months. Take it on an empty stomach and with at least 200 mg of Vitamin C. Do not take it with in 6 hours of thyroid hormone therapy, or you will not absorb the thyroid. I also would take iron if the percent saturation of iron (calculated from the iron & percent saturation tests noted above) is under 22%.

4. If one’s thyroid is low, and this is frequently the case even with normal blood tests, a very low dose of thyroid hormone will often result in people getting pregnant. If you have a tendency to constipation, cold intolerance, dry skin and thin hair, and/or temperatures which run under 98.2 during the day, there is a good chance your thyroid may be slightly underactive despite normal blood tests. In the absence of underlying heart disease, a trial of a low dose of thyroid hormone (e.g. Armour Thyroid 1/2 grain a day) may help you get pregnant and has a low risk of causing problems. You might have to fight with your doctor a bit to get them to try this for you, but it is worth it. If you have the symptoms I mentioned, remind your doctor that the best endocrinologists stress that it is important to treat the patient and not the blood test. Something he or she might want to remember is that each time we come up with a new thyroid blood test we find a large number of people with an underactive thyroid that the old test missed. There is a very high probability that our current tests are still missing many people with this disease. Do not take iron within six hours of thyroid supplements or the iron will prevent absorption of the thyroid hormone.

5. Research by William Jeffries, M.D., an emeritus professor of endocrinology at Case Western Reserve University, has shown that some women’s difficulty getting pregnant can be overcome by taking a low dose of cortisol (Cortef). Although cortisol in high doses for prolonged periods can be very toxic, taking Cortef 5 mg twice a day for 2 to 3 months is unlikely to cause major problems in the absence of high blood pressure or a family history of diabetes. His experience is this can often result in people with infertility getting pregnant as well (although he uses 5 mg 4 times a day). This is especially true with polycystic ovaries (Stein-Leventhal syndrome).

6. Avoid a high protein diet. An animal study conducted at the Colorado Center for Reproductive Medicine has linked high protein diets to impaired pregnancy and less viable offspring. The researchers fed half of their study mice a diet of 25 percent protein (typical daily Atkins’ protein consumption) and the other half 14 percent protein (normal protein consumption) for four weeks before mating them. Only one third of the mouse mothers on the high-protein diet were able to become pregnant, compared to 70% in the normal diet group. The researchers then transferred 174 mice embryos from both groups of mice to surrogate mice fed a normal diet. Only 36 percent of the high protein moms’ embryos developed into fetuses, compared to 70 percent in the control group. The study results were presented in the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology.

What About the Guys?

Research suggests that sperm counts are dropping throughout the industrialized world. There is a good possibility this is coming from chemicals, especially pesticides, which mimic estrogen effects in the body. In many countries this is becoming an area of major concern. Avoiding chemicals or other toxins is helpful.

I would note there has been over a 50% decrease in sperm counts in the last over 50 years. Interestingly studies show that organic farmers have had increasing sperm counts, as opposed to farmers who use chemicals (who have had a large drop in sperm counts). Using meat from cows that have not been raised and fattened using estrogen (such as meat which is available at Whole Foods Market) is important in any man whose wife is having trouble getting pregnant. Melatonin, verapamil and nifedipine (common heart and blood pressure medicines), or excess alcohol can also cause reversible infertility in males.

There are several things a man can do to markedly improve his sperm count and motility:

1. Although in females high dose vitamin C can cause infertility, increasing vitamin C to at least 500 to 1,000 mg a day in males has a marked effect on increasing sperm count and motility. The vitamin C also protects the sperm from genetic damage which can cause inherited diseases or cancer in the child. Taking 500 mg twice a day, for example, can cure infertility in 20% of infertile males.

2. Astragalus—an herbal remedy, can increase sperm motility by about 50%.

3. Research has shown that high doses of intramuscular vitamin B12 (which are very safe) can increase sperm count in 50% of males with low counts. The dose used in the study was quite high at 1,500 to 6,000 mcg intramuscularly daily. Although the tablets might be helpful, one would only absorb a tiny fraction of the B12 taken by mouth and the treatment needs to be given by injection.

4. Coenzyme Q10 200 mg/day (use only the Vitaline form—many others are poor quality) can be very helpful.

5. L-arginine Aspartate 9 gm a day for low sperm motility or 4 gram a day for low sperm counts can be helpful.

6. Ginkgo Biloba—another herbal remedy taken 120 mg twice a day can help with erectile dysfunction. This takes about 6 to 12 weeks to start working.

7. Acetyl-L-Carnitine 1.5-3 gram (1500-3000 mg) a day for 4 months can also increase sperm motility.

8. Selenium 200 mcg a day (not more than this as higher doses can be toxic). Taking the Energy Revitalization System multivitamin is a good idea for the man as well as the woman and will supply the 200 mcg of selenium (and 49 other key nutrients).

9. Vitamin E 400 IU a day (not more) can also increase male infertility.

10. 50 mg of zinc a day for four months is also helpful.

11. Soy and Soya products (e.g. tofu, miso, tempeh, soy milk) increase estrogen production and may decrease sperm counts significantly.

What Are the Risks of These Treatments?

Although even natural remedies sometimes have side effects, they are usually safe. Too much iron can be toxic and I prefer to check the iron levels (as noted above) before treating with iron. The risk of taking iron for only three to four months (in the absence of a genetic iron excess disease), however, is low. The main side effect of taking high-dose zinc intake for short periods is nausea.

So Do You Think I Should Go For It?

If you want to get pregnant I certainly would go for it! When you get pregnant, here are some helpful hints:

10 Tips for a Healthy Pregnancy

As mothers tend to sacrifice during their lives to meet their children’s needs, a mother’s body will give up its own essential nutrients to provide health and growth for her developing baby. Unfortunately, the Standard American Diet (S.A.D.) is often so nutritionally deficient that even this sacrifice does not guarantee adequate nutrition for the unborn baby.

Fortunately, there are a number of tips that if followed during pregnancy, can help both baby and mother stay healthy and vital!

Here is my top 10 list for ensuring a healthy pregnancy. It includes recommendations on nutrition, vitamins, minerals and other common sense tips that can lead to a happier, healthier and more vital pregnancy. Powdered vitamin formulas are available that can markedly decrease the number of supplement tablets needed (e.g. Energy Revitalization System by Enzymatic Therapy is excellent for pregnancy—and for everyone who wants to be healthy and feel great!—and contains #1-4 below and much, much more):

1. Zinc – Inadequate zinc is the most common and problematic deficiency during pregnancy. Zinc is critical for two reasons: proper growth and for developing a healthy immune system for the baby. Studies suggest that inadequate zinc may even cause immune deficiency in the next generation (i.e. your grandchild) as well. Be sure to get at least 15 milligrams per day of zinc in your diet, which can be found in high protein foods such as meat and beans.

2. Folic Acid – Getting enough folic acid is critical both before and during pregnancy to help assure proper growth and to prevent birth defects. It is present in deep green, leafy vegetables. Women should get at least 400 to 800 micrograms per day.

3. Magnesium – Magnesium deficiency is routine in the American diet and can increase the possibility of high blood pressure and seizures during pregnancy, a condition known as eclampsia. To prevent this deficiency, take 200 milligrams of magnesium in the glycinate form daily. Whole grains, green leafy and other vegetables and nuts are good sources of magnesium. Taking the proper amount of magnesium a day also helps to decrease the leg cramps and constipation often experienced during pregnancy. In addition, magnesium is critical for more than 300 other body functions and will generally help you to feel a lot healthier.

4. B Vitamins – These are critical for energy, mental clarity and to prevent depression. B vitamins have also been found to improve pregnancy-related complications such as gestational diabetes. Taking 200 milligrams a day of vitamin B6 can improve the health of those women suffering from this form of diabetes. But please note that only women who develop gestational diabetes during pregnancy should take this high level of B vitamins, and should drop the level of consumption to 100 milligrams per day during the last month. For all other soon-to-be moms, take approximately 25 to 50 milligrams a day of B vitamins and plenty of vitamin B12 for normal nerve function.

5. Fish Oils – The human brain is made predominantly of DHA, an essential fatty acid found in fish oils. Perhaps this is why there is an old wives’ tale about fish being brain food. Regardless, DHA deficiency is very common and it is critical that pregnant women get adequate fish oils so that their baby can develop healthy and optimal brain tissue. DHA may also decrease the risk of postpartum depression. Unfortunately, though, the FDA has raised concerns about high mercury levels in the same deep sea fish (salmon and tuna) that have the highest levels of these oils. An excellent alternative for those who’d rather not risk it is to take one half to one tablespoon of Eskimo 3 fish oil. This is a special form of fish oil that actually tastes good (most do not), and has been tested to make sure that it does not have mercury or other problematic compounds.

6. Calcium – Ideally, pregnant women should ingest 1,500 milligrams of calcium per day plus 400-600 units of Vitamin D. It is best to take Calcium at night (it helps with sleep) in the liquid, powdered or chewable form. Many calcium tablets are simply chalk and do not dissolve in the stomach, and therefore are not absorbed properly. Each cup of milk or yogurt contains 400 milligrams of calcium.

7. Iron – Approximately 18 to 36 milligrams of iron per day can be helpful. Interestingly, iron deficiency can sometimes cause infertility. And pregnant women who don’t get enough iron are at risk for anemia, fatigue, poor memory and decreased immune function.

8. Water – Be sure to drink plenty of water. When pregnant, blood volume can increase about 30 percent and it is easy to become dehydrated. If your mouth or lips are dry, drink more! Adequate salt is also helpful in preventing dehydration (less so if you have problems with fluid retention).

9. CHECK YOUR THYROID! Millions of women have undiagnosed hypothyroidism, which accounts for over 6% of miscarriages, and is associated with learning disabilities when the child is born. Treating a low thyroid is both safe and easy during pregnancy. The earlier it is treated the better. As soon as you know you’re pregnant (or trying to get pregnant), check a TSH blood test to check your thyroid. Most doctors do not yet know that the TSH HAS TO BE LESS THAN 3 OR YOU NEED TREATMENT, SO SEE THE RESULT FOR YOURSELF (many still use the dangerous and outdated criteria of a TSH over 5 being abnormal). If you like, you can get a lab requisition for a TSH to take to your lab at from this website (click here). If you were on thyroid before getting pregnant, it is normal to need to increase the dose during pregnancy (the TSH should be kept between .5 and 2.0). If your doctor is not familiar with the new guidelines, let them know they can e-mail me at my web site and we’ll send a copy to them.

10. Things to Avoid – A few cautions for pregnant women: avoid taking more than 8,000 units of vitamin A per day. And don’t partake in anything that can raise your body temperature too high (hot tubs, saunas or steam rooms). These have been implicated as possibly increasing the risk for birth defects. Most pregnant women are also, of course, aware that smoking, drugs and alcohol should all be avoided during pregnancy. Exercise, on the other hand, has been shown to be very beneficial and results in babies and moms that are quite healthy.

What Else Can I Do?

There are certainly emotional things which can be done which can also be very helpful. In my experience, when women play with newborn babies a lot (e.g. right after they adopt one) they do seem to get pregnant fairly frequently. Starting to let yourself relax and to let the process of getting pregnant be fun as opposed to a chore or a task (where you are paying attention to every detail) is also very helpful. Let go! Once you have done the things noted above you have done your work and now it is time to let your body do its part. There are reasons why one might not want to get pregnant (fear of being trapped is a common one) and simply being conscious of these concerns is very helpful. When one is conscious of these conflicts, one often does not even need to do anything further about them.

Good luck on getting pregnant!

Best wishes,

Jacob E. Teitelbaum, MD

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