in the right amounts that she may not be getting from her diet. As you prob- ably already know, if your child doesn’t like it, she won’t eat it, no matter how much better it may make her feel. So, when buying supplements, you might take her along for her opinion or a taste test.
Also consider choosing gummy vi-
tamins and other chewables sweetened with xylitol, a natural cavity fighter from strawberries.
Multivitamin Although numerous multivitamins
are available for children’s various needs, a complete multivitamin will generally include age-appropriate amounts of an- tioxidants, minerals, whole vegetable and/or fruit concentrates, and probiot- ics. Children require ample doses of vi- tamin D (bone growth; immunity), iron (red blood cell health; organ oxygen- ation), B-complex (energy; nervous sys- tem health), and vitamins A and C (free radical protection; vitamin C is nature’s antihistamine and may shorten the dura- tion of a cold).
Probiotics A strong immune system begins
with a healthy digestive system, so don’t overlook this critical component of your child’s daily nutrition regimen (especial- ly if she is on an antibiotic)! A child’s digestive tract (stomach, small and large intestines) is fragile and its flora can be readily thrown off balance by antibiot- ics, stress (which yields cortisone), and prednisone (a drug form of cortisone), yielding an overgrowth of “bad” bac- teria, mold, and yeast/candida with many complex symptoms, including those noted above. When choosing the right child-formulated probiotic for your child, look for one that ideally: (1) is re- frigerated (to preserve the live flora); (2) has multiple types of friendly bacteria strains (e.g., lactobacillus acidophilus, bifidobacterium bifidum/longum/infan- tis); (3) is enteric coated (to protect the flora from stomach acid, allowing them to be delivered alive to the intestines); (4) contains a pre-biotic that feeds the friendly/”good” bacteria (e.g., FOS, Inu- lin); (5) contains L-glutamine and NAG (to protect the intestinal mucosal lining); (6) is powdered and flavored; and (7) has at least 3 billion microorganisms. If
your child is lactose or casein intolerant, choose a product that is dairy-free.
Cod Liver Oil (Orange or Mint Flavored)
Cod liver oil is a relatively safe
source of vitamins A and D. It also pro- vides anti-inflammatory omega-3 essen- tial fatty acids, including DHA, which is critical to children’s brain development. Pediatricians have long recommended one tablespoon per day for these pur- poses and to ensure strong bones.
If Your Child Is (Getting) Sick
Cold & Flu: In this writer’s practice, cone-flower (echinacea purpurea/an- gustifolia) tincture and black elderberry (sambucus nigra) have proven tremen- dously effective in strengthening the body’s defense mechanisms against cold and flu viruses. The herb goldenseal can help fight an actual infection. Also, Umcka® (pelargonium sidoides), a ho- meopathic combination remedy with no side effects or drug interactions, has been clinically proven to shorten the du- ration and reduce the severity of cold/flu symptoms and throat/sinus/ bronchial conditions, especially when taken at the onset of symptoms. Liquid vitamin C can also have this effect. Finally, chew- able colostrum for children will increase the antibodies required to combat cold and flu.
Ear Aches: A glycerin-based ear drop tincture combination of mullein (also a demulcent, expectorant, and anti-inflam- matory useful for upper respiratory illness- es) and garlic reduces and can eliminate middle- and outer-ear inflammation, pain, bacterial infection, and earwax buildup.
Digestive Problems: If your child has any type of mild digestive discom- fort, try administering aloe juice, and/ or chamomile or peppermint tea (soothe the stomach/intestines), magnesium (a natural laxative), and/or homeopathic belladonna (stops diarrhea). Also try eliminating dairy and gluten (in wheat, oats, rye, and barley) from her diet, con- sider getting her tested for food allergies, and reexamine her overall diet and sup- plements regimen in light of the above suggestions.
Conclusion
There’s no need to worry! You can get a head start this fall, before your child dives into the germ pool of school and after-school activities. By being proac- tive, you can arm your child with the right foods and nutritional supplements that will keep her healthy, strong and, above all, happy.
Submitted by Michael Dworkin, P.D.,
M.S., a Registered Pharmacist and State Cer- tified Clinical Nutritionist (CT Certification #00203), with J. Erika Dworkin, Dip.C.N./ Board Cert. Holistic Nutrition (pending). Owner of the Manchester Parkade Health Shoppe (860.646.8178, 378 West Middle Turnpike, Manchester), Pharmacist Dwor- kin has been guiding patients since 1956 and is available for consultation by ap- pointment. Erika is available to speak to groups. References are available upon re- quest. The statements in this article have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. None of the natural rem- edies discussed herein are intended to di- agnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. See ad on page 28.
www.naturalnutmeg.com
August 2010
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