Health updates: Children’s car seats and almonds

The following is new information regarding dangerous chemicals found in children’s car seats and the health benefits of an almond-enriched, low-calorie diet.

Hidden danger found in children’s car seats

A study has uncovered the presence of dangerous chemicals in a range of child car seats. The Ecology Center tested more than 150 infant convertible and booster car seats, and found that some are saturated with dangerous chemicals. The seats were tested for bromine, chlorine, lead and other heavy metals. It is known that heat and UV-ray exposure in cars can accelerate the breakdown of chemicals and may even increase their toxicity.

CBS affiliate WTSP 10 News reported: “Sixty percent of children’s car seats tested contained at least one toxic chemical. … The study also found brominated flame-retardant chemicals that are either deemed toxic or lack adequate health safety data in 44 percent of seats tested.”

The healthy snack that can actually improve your health

A study sought to evaluate the effect of an almond-enriched, low-calorie diet on body composition and metabolism in a weight-reduction program. The results showed that supplementation with almonds, in contrast to complex carbohydrates, was associated with greater reductions in weight and body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, fat mass, total body water and systolic blood pressure.

According to the study, as reported by Green Med Info: “[The] findings suggest that an almond-enriched [low-calorie] diet improves a preponderance of the abnormalities associated with the metabolic syndrome. … Almond supplementation is a novel alternative to self-selected complex carbohydrates and has a potential role in reducing the health implications of obesity.” In related news, another study dating back to 2002 showed that almonds used as snacks could significantly reduce coronary heart disease risk factors.

Sources: WTSP 10 News August 4, 2011, Ecology Center August 3, 2011, HealthyStuff.org August 3, 2011 and www.mercola August 25, 2011, Green Med Info, Circulation September 2002; 106(11): 1327-1332, International Journal of Obesity and Related Metabolic Disorders November 2003; 27(11):1365-72 and www.mercola.com.

Reprinted from AZNetNews, Volume 30, Number 5, Oct/Nov 2011.