Mothers' Awareness Project
The Violence Research Foundation created the Mothers’ Awareness Project in California to inform society about the hazards inherent with ingesting excess manganese through infant formulas. Every child is born with the inherent right to receive healthy and safe nutrition. Manganese levels, such as those found in soy-based infant formula, as well as many milk-based formulas, range from 80 to as much as 200 times the amount of manganese found in mother’s breast milk. Although manganese is an essential nutrient, it is potentially highly neurotoxic when present in excess of biological needs. Research indicates that a diet supplying excessive amounts of manganese, coupled with the naturally high rate of manganese absorption in infants, is associated with the destruction of the dopamine neurotransmitter. The dopamine neurotransmitter is responsible for “executive” function, and damage can lead to the development of attention-deficit / hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), learning disabilities, memory loss, and aberrant, violent behaviors.
This Foundation believes that ingestion of toxic levels of manganese must be eliminated from infant’s diets, especially during the first 6 months of life. A concerted effort must be made to make expectant mothers and fathers aware of the considerable body of published scientific research suggesting the possibility of dopamine neurotransmitter destruction from such exposure. We propose that educational efforts begin at the junior high and high school level, continuing in OB/GYN and pediatricians’ offices, and on to hospitals and birthing centers. We believe that mothers have a right to know about this potential hazard to their child’s health when making the decision to breast or formula feed their infants. The United States Environmental Protection Agency has been aware of this potential hazard for many years.
For over 20 years, the Violence Research Foundation has sponsored research, legislation and education in California to raise public awareness of this serious health threat. We intend to eliminate the feeding of manganese laden infant formula to babies under 6 months of age. The Mothers’ Awareness Project will accomplish this in California, and ultimately worldwide.
In March, 2008 we solicited the support of several prominent organization with the Mother’s Awareness Project. Please see our current list of distinguished supporters. The Violence Research Foundation has had two meeting with the senior staff of California’s First Lady, Maria Shriver, and we anticipate another one in the near future. Our objective is to have her support for legislation that would require that expectant mothers be advised of the potential hazards of excessive ingestion of manganese in soy-based, and most milk-based, infant formula during the first 6 months of life.
There are people and organizations world wide dedicated to improving the lives and health of infants and children. Dr. Francis M. Crinella and Dr.Chicz-DeMet are among University of California researchers that have discovered a possible link between high levels of manganese, a mineral found in soy-based infant formulas, and the development of attention-deficit / hyperactivity disorder later in life. Dr. David Goodman has written several articles about the research suggesting high concentrations of manganese found in soy-based infant formula can lead to brain damage in infants and altered behaviors in adolescents. Baby Milk Action works to provide safe and adequate nutrition for infants through the protection and promotion of breastfeeding and by ensuring the proper use of breastmilk substitutes, when these are necessary. Ban the Bags is a national campaign to stop infant formula companies marketing in maternity hospitals. Mothering Magazine was founded in 1976, and is independently owned and regularly features health, infant feeding, lifestyle and parenting issues that are contemporary. Potentially damaging levels of manganese are also a concern in some infant foods.
