Vaccinations

by | Healthy Kids

Our practice would only care and treat your child as if they were our own family, our own children. We care and think what it is very important and what is best for keeping our children healthy and protecting them from life-threatening diseases and from their devastating consequences. In recent years, especially after the internet era has begun, there is a lot of controversy on whether vaccines could be the cause of any harm/disease/conditions, especially in virtual circles, online, and in the media. We understand and keep a genuinely open mind towards these concerns and share the questions and trying to increase our scientific objectivity about this matter. At the same time, as a medical professional, doctor, and a father of three, who cares for your precious, I have to follow scientific guidelines and recommendations and distinguish the misinformation, fiction and rumor from the facts and scientific reality. Some people associate the “Natural” in pediatrics with “No Vaccines” or “No Shots.” We recognize and acknowledge all those concerns and questions in minds of many parents; and we are proud to say we like to work with our parents and are open minded for friendly and comfortable vaccination schedules. However, we believe in tremendous benefits of vaccinations in conquering the childhood preventable diseases. We believe that the benefits of vaccination outweigh not vaccinating and its potentially terrible consequences. Please don’t hesitate to contact Dr. Yucel with any questions or concerns you may have about vaccinating your...

Are Your Kids Eating the Right Carbs?

by | Healthy Kids

Are Your Children Eating the Right Carbs? Do you and your children know the difference between french fries and baked sweet potato? Or, what are the differences between typical processed breakfast cereal, full of high-fructose corn-syrup and artificial colorings; and a bowl of steel-cut oats with berries, nuts and seeds? All the foods above are rich sources of carbohydrates. In the recent years carbohydrates reputation has swung wildly and carbohydrates have been touted as bad food in many fad diets. On the other hand, some carbs have been promoted as a healthful nutrient that helps maintain optimal weight, while lowering risk of disease and cancer. So which is it? Are carbs good or bad? The short answer is that they are both. The Bad Carbs Carbs found in refined carbohydrates — white flour, sugar, white pasta, soft drinks, etc. — are a big reason behind the obesity epidemic that is affecting our country, including children. Nearly half of the children in North and South America will be overweight by 2010, up from what recent studies say is about one–third, according to a report published by the International Journal of Pediatric Obesity. (Source: DrFuhrman.com) We can minimize health risk of bad carbs by eliminating refined and processed carbohydrates that strip away beneficial fiber and nutrients. Examples: white bread, white sugar, white rice, sodas and processed “juice-drinks”. The Good Carbs Yes, there are good carbs, and they include whole grains, beans, vegetables, and fruits. Plant foods deliver fiber, vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals along with grams of carbohydrates. We can increase health benefits of good carbs by choosing carbohydrates full of fiber....

Pediatric Medicine and Children: Why Natural Pediatrics?

by | Healthy Kids

A lot of parents are worried about the increasing trend of treating children by using prescription medications and antibiotics and they are seeking pediatricians who also believe in integrating the advanced modern pediatric medicine by using preventative care as well as natural approaches to health. A lot of the drugs that doctors prescribe today aren’t necessary and even in many cases harmful. Example: antibiotics are widespread and frequently used in the treatment of upper respiratory tract infections. On average, one in five visits to the doctor will result in a prescription for antibiotics. Unfortunately, most infections aren’t caused by bacteria but rather by viruses. They don’t need antibiotics as antibiotics won’t fight infections caused by viruses such as colds, sore throats or bronchitis or even certain ear infections. Thus, the prescriptions are likely to provide no benefit whatsoever to the child. Doctors have long over prescribed these medicines that can cause drug related side effects. This can be avoided. There is no need to suffer diarrhea, skin rashes, allergic reactions to antibiotics in most cases. When this occurs, children often have to seek more medical attention to counter act the side effects of the drugs. Over using antibiotics also can contribute to antibiotic resistant virus strains and create even more unnecessary medical costs. By focusing on a natural pediatric approach, doctors can help reduce this emergence of drug resistant viruses. Always choose a pediatrician that has a solid medical education and has earned the MD as well as served for a term as a pediatric resident at a top hospital. You’ll also wish to have a doctor who isn’t...

St. Patrick’s Day: Celebrate with Green Drinks

by | Healthy Kids

So, with St Patrick’s Day just around the corner, why not celebrate with green food and drinks. But we all know that just adding the green food coloring or any food coloring has been linked to cause allergies, hyperactivity and cancer. Food coloring is found in everything from candy, breakfast cereals, to salad dressing and flavored drinks. These dyes are so common in U.S. foods — especially kids’ foods — that parents don’t think twice about giving their children rainbow-colored cereal or fluorescent blue “juice”. Even though the FDA says the colored products are safe, Dr Yucel at Natural Pediatrics in Hackensack recommends avoiding these ingredients, as they can cause health issues, with allergies and hyperactivity in children being only the tip of the iceberg. In their 58-page report, “Food Dyes: A Rainbow of Risks,” CSPI revealed that nine of the food dyes currently approved for use in the United States are linked to health issues ranging from cancer and hyperactivity to allergy-like reactions — and these results were from studies conducted by the chemical industry itself. Fortunately, in nature, there is an abundance of green plant foods.  So we don’t need to take away the fun of celebrating colorful holidays to avoid jeopardizing our health. Green juices and green smoothies are especially fun to have with your children for St. Patty’s celebration.  Even picky eaters may agree to give those drinks a try on such occasion. So for your St. Patty’s celebration, go green with these juicing recipes. Irish Twist 3 cups fresh baby spinach 1 Lime 1 large tomato 2-3 carrots and 1/2 carrot top bunch 1/2...