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Show Page 8 THE OGDEN VALLEY NEWS Volume IX Issue III November 15, 2003 Utah Economy Expected to Return to Traditional Role as Job Creator In 2004 Breastfeeding Remains Best Choice in a Polluted World Breastfeeding remains the best option for feeding infants, even as attention is focused on the many chemicals that may find their way into a mother’s body, according to La Leche League International, the world’s foremost authority on mother-to-mother breastfeeding support. The four specimens often used to test levels of chemicals in the human body are urine, blood, hair, and human milk. This monitoring is done to determine levels of environmental chemicals in different geographical areas. Any substances found in human milk because of this routine testing are a reflection of the exposure to all humans living in that particular area, and not a statement about breastfeeding. Scientific research shows consistently that even in a world exposed to so many chemicals, breastfeeding offers advantages that outweigh the risk of ingesting possible contaminants. Indeed, the benefits of breastfeeding, which include high levels of antioxidants, may prove to be essential to compensate for and outweigh the risks of toxic effects from the environment. Today the focus of scientific concerns is being directed toward removing potentially toxic chemicals from the environment while recognizing the value of human milk, the only source of optimal nutrition for infants. A discussion of this topic is incomplete without pointing out the well-documented nutritional inadequacies and detrimental health consequences of artificial baby milk, which may be contaminated both as products of the same environment and through manufacturing. In addition, human milk, unlike manufactured formula, does not add to the ecological burden of the planet. Human milk cannot be duplicated. It is a living, changing fluid that continually adapts to the needs of the developing infant. Professional research demonstrates that breastfed infants have significantly lower morbidity rates. In addition, studies show that breastfeeding offers significant immunologic, developmental, and nutritional benefits. La Leche League International’s Center for Breastfeeding Information maintains the world’s largest collection of studies on breastfeeding and human milk. La Leche League International fulfills it mission of offering information and support to women who wish to breastfeed by holding monthly meetings, offering telephone counseling, and on-line support through educational meetings and by publishing books and pamphlets on breastfeeding. For further information on this or any breastfeeding topic, visit our informative Web site at www.lalecheleague.org or call 1847-519-7730. Information on Contaminants and Minimizing Exposure Routine monitoring of chemicals in human urine, blood, hair and milk show that environmental contaminants are present, not just in these testing specimens, but in the fat cells of everyone living in the area tested. Their presence is a reflection of the substances that exist in a particular community. This is a reason to eliminate toxins from the environment—not a reason to eliminate breastfeeding. Virtually every infant born today already has a body burden of industrial chemicals. Indeed, evidence demonstrates that babies are more vulnerable to transmission of substances during the prenatal stage than after birth. While human milk has higher levels of some persistent organic pollutants than artificial baby milk, infant formula is not pollutant free and has been, among other things, associated with higher levels of heavy metals, phytoestrogens, and bacteria. Many well-documented studies demonstrate the health risks of formula feeding, including life-threatening errors in the manufacturing process. Human milk will never be recalled because of manufacturer error. There is evidence that human milk with its species— specific optimal nutrition and its antiinflammatory agents, including antioxidants, helps a child develop a stronger immune system and other potential protections against environmental pollutants and pathogens. In regard to organochlorine compounds, a recent study in Pediatrics states: “Long-term breastfeeding was found to be beneficial to neurodevelopment, potentially counterbalancing the impact of exposure to these chemicals through breast milk.” According to the Autumn 2003 issue of Zions Bank’s Insight - Economic News of Utah and the Nation released October 2, 2003, the Utah economy is expected to return to its traditional role as a job creator in 2004, following three years of employment weakness. “A combination of stronger U.S. economic growth and more solid global performance will bode well for the state,” said Jeff Thredgold, economic consultant to Zions Bank and author of Insight. “In addition, serious California issues will likely lead to another round of California out-migration, comparable with that of the mid-1990s. Utah’s economy is likely to attract its share of those people.” The quarterly Insight publication features updates on current and projected economic and financial developments for the state of Utah, the Intermountain region, and the nation. The Autumn 2003 issue focuses on the major external forces at work that should positively influence the Utah economy over the next 18 months. Following are a few highlights from the “Utah Economic Outlook” section of the autumn 2003 issue: The Utah economy is a subcomponent of two larger forces at work. The first and most powerful of these forces is the overall U.S. economy. The good news today is that the U.S. economy is per forming much better. The average 2.4 percent (after inflation) annualized growth pace of the U.S. economy during the seven quarters since the end of the recession in November 2001 is now giving way to much stronger growth. We expect the U.S. economy to grow at a 4.0 to 5.0 percent real annual pace in 2003’s final six months. We expect roughly 4.0% real annual growth in 2004’s first half. Utah will benefit from this stronger growth pace as business vibrancy picks up, activity between Utah and other U.S. based firms increases, business and leisure travel continues to rebound, and expected additional gains in U.S. equity BREASTFEEDING cont. on page 12 “36 Years Selling Experience” “Call for a free market analysis of your home." 940-4040 Mobile 745-8800 Office Dick Payne Broker prices lead to rising corporate spending. The second major factor at play is an improving global economy, particularly in the Pacific Rim. Stronger global economic performance, following two years of feeble growth, bodes well for rising demand for U.S. and Utah exports. Stronger growth also suggests a rise in foreign investments and foreign visitors to the state. In today’s world, a third critical factor is also at play. Political uncertainty in California, combined with the reality of a $38 billion budget deficit, establishes a foundation for another round of California out-migration of “talented people and their money” to Utah and all other Western states in coming years. Utah’s unemployment rate has averaged 5.2 percent over the past five months, as compared to the 6.1 percent average of 2002. By comparison, the jobless rate averaged 4.4 percent in 2001 and 3.2 percent in 2000. The state’s economy has lost an estimated 3,000 jobs over the most recent 12-month period, a painful development but much better than the loss of 19,700 jobs between August 2001 and August 2002. We expect Utah employment to be essentially flat during 2003, with a return to more acceptable job gains in 2004. Zions Bank also operates 22 full service branches in Idaho, and more than 200 ATMs throughout Utah and Idaho. In addition to a wide range of traditional banking services, Zions offers a comprehensive array of investment, mortgage, and insurance services, and has a network of loan origination offices for small businesses nationwide. The company is also a leader in providing electronic banking services, including electronic municipal bond trading. Founded in 1873, Zions has been serving the communities of Utah for more than 130 years. Additional information on Zions Bank is available at www.zionsbank.com Jewelry Repair Silver & Gold Largest Silver & Amber Inventory in Town (801) 393-1986 278 Historic 25th St. Ogden, UT 84401 Taraneh’s |