Whole Foods for Whole Health - Part 2

All information is from Mommy Diagnostics: The Naturally Healthy Family's Guide to Herbs and Whole Foods for Health by Shonda Parker, also the author of The Naturally Healthy Pregnancy.

WHEN YOU'RE A LITTLE SPROUT - PART 1

Cell health is essential to whole health. If our cells are not healthy, our body will begin to send us signals to alert us to make changes for the better. These symptoms are commonly called symptoms of disease. Cell health is particularly important in allergic conditions. I recently listened to a seminar in which the speaker, Molly Linton, N.D., said that we have two choices in allergic conditions. We can either avoid the allergen, or we can strengthen the cell so that it does not inappropriately open and release histamine that makes us miserable.

The three keys to cell health are: Vitamin C (buffered), Bioflavonoids (rosehips syrup is a good source for children) and Omega-3 oils (cod liver oil, fish oils, or flax seed oil {note: flax seed oil is NOT recommended for women of childbearing age, it is rather recommended for pre-puberty and post-menopausal women}.) Since these three supplements are the key, they need to be taken daily. A child should have a MINIMUM of 500mg of buffered vitamin C daily. Buffered vitamin C powder, if given immediately, can help avoid the constriction of the larynx that occurs in allergic reactions. One teaspoon of rosehips syrup daily and one teaspoon of cod liver oil is a maintenance dose for a child.

Our liver is our second largest organ. The liver performs a multitude of tasks and can become overburdened with it's detoxifying mission. Liver support is a necessary part of cell health. Milk thistle is a wonderful liver supportive herb. For adults, a tablet or capsule of milk thistle should be standardized to contain at least 70% silymarin. Dark, green vegetables are excellent for dietary liver support.

Five Dietary Components For A Healthy Child:

1) Caloric intake - Assess by growth chart. Children usually grow in one direction at a time, up or out. As long as something is growing, that's generally a good sign.

2) Protein intake - Children should have 4 to 6 servings of protein each day. Under age 3, 6 servings daily; over 3, 4 servings daily. This protein does not have to come from dairy or meat. A peanut butter sandwich or peanut butter crackers are a protein serving. In an under age 1 population, if the child is nursing six times daily, food is still an experiment. Their nourishment is coming from the breast milk, and excellent source of nutrients.

3) General vitamins - After weaning, an {organic, non GMO} soy formula provides needed vitamins for the child. {organic, non GMO} Soy milk still needs supplemental vitamins. Children can get their vitamins daily from fresh vegetable juice made from beets, carrots, and parsley. Do not introduce fruit juice as the first food. Besides possibly causing allergies, this creates a sweet tooth in the child. After the molars come in, the child can take chewable vitamins. {Of course, a well planned dietary plan can substitute well and has many more benefits than supplementing with vitamins. However, the majority of small children are rather picky eaters which is why supplements are more convenient.}

4) Calcium - Calcium is very important to growing children. If your child is experiencing growing pains, he/she has a calcium deficiency. The newest research shows that the degree to which the little girl's bones are calcified prior to the beginning of menses reflects her risk of osteoporosis later in life. The more calcium consumed early in life reduces her osteoporosis risk later. Cow's milk is not the ideal calcium source, it is in a soap-y form. Seeds and {organic, non GMO} soy products are excellent sources. In fact, {organic, non GMO} soybean products provide a very absorbable form of calcium. Green, crunchy vegetables are calcium rich. A liquid calcium/magnesium supplement may be necessary for most growing girls (and boys).

5) Omega-3 (flax and fish) and 6 (evening primrose, black currant) oils - Many of us are deficient in these oils today. In turn-of-the-century England, a flax man would go door to door in winter giving flax oil for women to use daily with their family. Ever wonder why our skin gets chicken-y in the winter?

(Mommy Diagnostics, P 82-83)