Do you remember your first bad sunburn? I sure do.

It was the summer between 8^th and 9^th grade. My friends and I were slicked up with baby oil, and stretched out under the noonday sun at the community pool. We laid our towels out in a wheel formation so we could all “tan” our backs and play cards at the same time. We were hoping to acquire that sexy bronze tone that would drive the boys wild.

Riding my bike home that afternoon, I could already feel the sting of sunburn on the back of my thighs. By nightfall my whole body was glowing red as a burning ember. I had chills and felt nauseous. Trying to sleep was agonizing, even with Solarcaine applied from nose to toes.

The SPF Breakthrough

If teenagers today are still using baby oil to get a tan, it’s not for lack of education about sun damage and skin cancer. In fact, it’s likely their parents were slathering them with sunscreen when they were toddlers. Ever since scientists made the connection between overexposure to ultraviolet rays and the development of skin cancer, sunscreen has gone mainstream, with SPF (sun protection factor) becoming a worldwide standard for measuring its effectiveness.

SPF ratings, however, only apply to UVB, the ultraviolet radiation that causes sunburn. The sun also emits UVA rays that carry a risk of skin cancer, even though exposure to UVA causes no reddening or pain. In recent years many sunscreen manufacturers have introduced so-called Broad Spectrum SPF products that claim to protect against both UVB and UVA.

New Rules from the FDA

In an effort to raise consumer awareness and keep the industry honest, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently issued new labeling rules for sunscreen manufacturers:

• Labels must list whether the sunscreen protects against UVA.
• Only sunscreens that protect against both UVA and UVB can legally be labeled “Broad Spectrum.”
• Sunscreens cannot be labeled as “waterproof” or “sweat proof” because those claims cannot be validated.
• Products cannot be labeled “sunblock” because it implies total blockage of ultraviolet exposure, a near impossibility due to a number of variables.
• Sunscreens can be labeled “water resistant,” but must indicate whether the product remains effective for 40 minutes or 80 minutes while swimming or sweating.
• Sunscreens that are not water resistant must have labels instructing consumers to use a water resistant sunscreen if swimming or sweating.

The new rules go into effect before next summer.

- Paula Detwiller, All Vitamins Plus Contributor

How Sunscreen Works Video

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Here are few soothing after sun items to try:

Aubrey Organics Pure Aloe Vera 4 oz:

http://www.allvitaminsplus.com/749985040815.html

Aubrey Organics After Sun Face & Body Moisturizer with CoQ10 and Pomegranate 4 oz:

http://www.allvitaminsplus.com/749985002684.html

Alba Botanica After Sun Lotion Kona Coffee 8.5 oz:

http://www.allvitaminsplus.com/724742008260.html

Mountain Ocean Body Care Skin Trip Moisturizer Coconut 8.5 oz:

http://www.allvitaminsplus.com/075772277516.html

According to a popular theory, some people with autism spectrum disorders cannot properly digest two major proteins: gluten—found in wheat and other grains—and casein, found in milk products. As the theory goes, these undigested proteins act like “opiates” in the body of the autistic person, altering their behavior, perceptions, and responses to the environment.

 Willing to try anything, many parents have put their children on the Gluten-Free Casein-Free (GFCF) diet. It has made a real difference for some autistic children. However, controlled studies of the GFCF diet have shown mixed results, according to the online parental resource AutismWeb.com.

What About Digestive Enzymes?

Whether gluten and casein are to blame, it’s a fact that many people with autism have digestive problems—and the trend seems to be on the rise.  A study by the University of California Davis Health System found that children with autism born in the 1990s were more likely to have gastrointestinal problems than autistic children born in the early 1980s.

 Given the frequency of digestive problems in the autistic population, many people with the disorder use digestive enzyme supplements for relief. Enzyme supplements help the body break down proteins (including gluten and casein), thus enabling better digestion and complete nutrition.

 The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has claimed that dietary supplements for autism are “unproven” and that parents who use supplements are the gullible victims of “marketeers.” The claim so outraged Bernard Rimland, Ph.D. and Jon Pangborn, Ph.D., Ch.E., two founders of the organization Defeat Autism Now! that the scientists wrote an open letter to the FDA that included the following: 

 “Many autistic children show remarkable improvement when these problems are mitigated through dietary changes and/or supplements. It is not claimed that giving the supplements, or changing the diet, cures autism, but it brings about improvement in the child’s well-being and behavior as a result of correcting the nutritional deficiencies, whatever the cause of these deficiencies may be.”

 Hope in Every Bottle

Digestive enzyme manufacturers have thrown their support behind the autism community in its search for reliable treatments. One of them, Enzymedica, has pledged to donate a portion of the proceeds from sales of the product Digest Spectrum to the Autism Hope Alliance, which provides hope for families facing the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders. Anyone who purchases Digest Spectrum can be part of the campaign by activating the donation through a unique code on the bottle.

 - Paula Detwiller, All Vitamins Plus Contributor

I’ll never forget moving to San Francisco in my 20s and marveling at the lack of mosquitoes there. A native Michigander who grew up swatting bugs, I couldn’t believe Californians didn’t even use window screens! I went on to enjoy 20+ mosquito-free years in the arid West, only to move back East two years ago—to Southern Florida, no less.

Hello again, my blood-sucking little friends!

The good news is, bug spray has come a long way from the pesticide-laden, foul-smelling stuff we covered ourselves with on family camping trips. Chemicals are being phased out, natural repellants are in, and convenience is paramount.

Danger from DEET?

A healthy advance in the evolution of bug spray has been the reduction or complete elimination of DEET, an insect repellant developed by the U.S. Army for use during jungle warfare. The Environmental Protection Agency has determined that “as long as consumers follow label directions and take proper precautions, insect repellents containing DEET do not present a health concern.”

What are some of those precautions? “Do not apply over cuts, wounds or irritated skin; do not apply to hands; do not apply near the eyes and mouth of small children,” and nine others. Doesn’t exactly reassure you, does it? In fact, DEET toxicity has been associated with seizures, insomnia, mood disturbances, and impaired cognitive function.

 Keep Bugs Away the Natural Way

While the brand-name bug sprays still contain DEET, manufacturers have been reducing the amount used in their formulas. Meanwhile, the market for natural, DEET-free mosquito repellent is…well, buzzing. Several companies have introduced products made from essential oils known for their natural ability to repel insects: citronella, cedarwood, peppermint, and eucalyptus to name a few.

Besides smelling lovely, these herbal formulas claim to keep mosquitoes, deer ticks, black flies, gnats, no-see-ums and biting midgets at bay. They are packaged as sprays, lotions (including some with sunscreen), towelettes, and candles (great for the patio or campsite). There are DEET-free natural bug sprays for children as young as 6 months, and special formulas for pets.

And what if, despite your precautions, those “skeeters” do manage to bite?  Today you can find natural products on the market containing soothing ingredients such as Aloe Vera oil, Vitamin E, and Camphor to soothe the sting and take away the itch.

- Paula Detwiller, All Vitamins Plus Contributor

“Hey mom, what’s for dinner?”

“Magic Stew.”

One kid whoops and jumps up excitedly, the other frowns and declares “Yuck”

What is magic stew? Just a fancy name applied to an otherwise boring pot roast. For one of my kids a funny or different name such as “fairy wands” for carrot sticks makes unappealing foods palatable. The younger one? He’s not buying it. Hide vegetables in a dish and he methodically picks them out. What is a parent to do?

Years ago my pediatrician calmed my nutrition fears by advising me to consider my child’s diet over at least a two-week period before declaring it unhealthy. If a child eats only one food group for three days straight, she said, it is not as detrimental as you might think—especially if that same child eats other healthy foods during subsequent days. My pediatrician also stressed the importance of supplementing with a good multivitamin.

Helpful Tips from All Vitamins Plus Parents

With so many kid vitamins on the market, how do you know which one your child will actually eat? We polled the parents of our AVP staff to find out which multivitamins or supplements work for their kids.

One staffer “A” gives his very picky step son the following vitamins and supplements:  Enzymedica Kids Digest- which eliminated the belly aches and refluxes even when eating not-so-nutritious foods & Irwin Naturals Yummy Veggie Fruities Jelly-Yums- one in the morning and one at night covers the serving size and boosts his fruit and vegetable intake.  “A’s” stepson actually asks for these because he likes the taste and the enzymes have helped tremendously with late-night stomach aches. “A” also buys both gummy and chewable multivitamins because offering choices gives a child a sense of control and usually eases the battle for the parents.

Staffer “T” has a fairly young son, and she knows he needs plenty of DHA for brain growth. But her family does not eat fish. The solution? Nordic Naturals Omega-3 Gummy Worms- These are flat-out the tastiest fish oil product any of us have tried. Naturally sweetened with organic ingredients, no artificial colors or flavors and safe for kids older than two years.

I have two very unique children and we have definitely been around the block with vitamins. Their tastes have changed (and continue to change), so I keep a couple of versions in my pantry. Some of our favorites include: Yummy Bears Hero Nutritionals Multivitamin- The selling point for my youngest: They look and taste like candy gummy bears. Even on a difficult day he will eat these. Nordic Naturals Nordic Berries- Organic and natural, these are my oldest child’s favorite—and I can usually get my younger son to eat these if his sister does first. Garden of Life Vitamin Code Kids – I feel this multi has the most comprehensive ingredients. It’s also made with whole food and even includes probiotics but although my daughter will eat them no problem, I have yet to convince my son to chew one up.

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One more note: We have an adult staff member here whose picky eating habits rival even those of my son. When she tells us a product tastes good and works for her, well, we tend to listen. She is a big fan of Irwin Naturals and her favorite “kid” supplement is the Irwin Kids BerryLicious Super Multi- they are individually wrapped (read: fun to open), sweetened with fruit concentrates and include 100% of the Recommended Dietary Intake of many nutrients.

Anonymous AVP Staff Contributor

Fear and anxiety in dogs can take many forms: panting, shaking, yawning, tail between the legs, and running away. All of them are upsetting to see. Our first instinct is to comfort the dog—hug it, soothe it, and reassure it.

Animal behavior experts contend that response is all wrong. They say your sympathetic cuddling will only reinforce and reward the anxious behavior, and your dog won’t learn to face his fears alone.

 Thunderstorms and Other Fears

As the owner of an extremely noise-sensitive terrier, I know how difficult it is to ignore your dog’s distress. Our little guy starts shaking at the first hint of a thunderstorm, fireworks display or any sharp noise—and he looks so forlorn, it’s all I can do to keep from picking him up and cradling him. But I don’t. And I feel like a Bad Mom.

Fortunately, there are products on the market that can help. You can ask your veterinarian to prescribe an anti-anxiety medication, but if you’re not keen on pharmaceuticals, try a natural calming remedy formulated especially for dogs. These products contain calming herbs (such as valerian, chamomile and St. Johns Wort), come in capsules, liquid or chews, and can be given when needed.

If your dog suffers from noise phobia, you may want to try desensitization therapy with recordings of the offending sound. In our case, we bought a CD with recorded thunderstorm sounds and, following the instructions, played it at increasingly higher volume levels over a period of several months. The result: our dog still reacted to thunder, but he was able to recover more quickly following a storm.

Pressure Therapy: Crazy but it Works

One of the most effective products I’ve come across for a stressed-out pup is a stretchy garment that applies gentle, sustained pressure to the dog’s midsection. Two of the popular brands you can buy online are the Thundershirt and the Anxiety Wrap. Animal scientists such as Dr. Temple Grandin believe that pressure has a calming effect on the nervous system; it’s why fussy babies are often soothed when swaddled.

 Sounds interesting, but I was skeptical. I ordered one anyway. When the next thunderstorm arrived, I wrapped the spandex shirt around my pooch and watched him visibly relax, almost like he’d been put into a trance. Within a few minutes he was settling down for a nap, and it was Lights Out. I felt like a good Mom again.

-Paula Detwiller

AVP Staff Contributor

Try these natural products for a peaceful pooch:

Ark Naturals Happy Traveler (capsules): http://www.allvitaminsplus.com/632634100094.html

Thundershirt: http://www.thundershirt.com/

Pet Naturals of Vermont Calming Formula for Dogs (liquid): http://www.allvitaminsplus.com/026664850645.html

Pet Naturals of Vermont Calming Formula for Small Dogs (21 Soft Chews): http://www.allvitaminsplus.com/026664886828.html