It is so important to know if your child has food allergies and/or sensitivities. Something as "simple" as food can be causing our kids harm and we may not even know it or see external signs of it until it has become a severe problem. This is also overlooked most times by our pediatricians. I know that was the case for both of my children (my Angel Nathan and my typical child Braden) and for countless other parents who have shared their stories with me. We feed our kids many times a day, but how much thought is put into WHAT they are being fed and how it effects their bodies?
Most of you may know of the famous Dr. Sears, author and pediatrician. Here is a link to an article that came out recently about this very subject, which I feel applies to many of the same symptoms our Angels have and the possible cause.
7 Signs your child may have food intolerance's
http://m.newhope360.com/allergies-amp-sensitivities/7-signs-your-child-may-have-food-intolerance
1. Spitting up/Reflux - Intolerance to casein (Dairy)
2. Chronic diarrhea - Intolerance to Gluten (a protein found in wheat and other grains) or Lactose (Dairy Sugar)
3. Chronic ear infections - Dairy intolerance or Soy. Research shows 90% of kids with recurring ear infections have food reactions. So why didn't any doctor or ENT specialist ever tell me this when BOTH of my boys suffered with this problem and my Nathan had ear tube surgery??
4. Eczema or itchy skin rash - Gluten, Casein (any dairy), eggs, oranges, grapefruit, tangerines, lemons, strawberries and pineapple.
5. Hyperactivity - Artificial colors and/or sugar, MSG (monosodium glutamate) which is in almost all restaurant food.
Crankiness - Gluten intolerance. Studies linked it to neurological symptoms, which can range from moodiness, chronic headaches, ADHD, and COORDINATION LOSS!!
7. Small stature or Picky palate - Gluten sensitivity or Zinc deficiency. Gluten intolerance interferes with nutrient absorption, suffering kids often fail to thrive!! Zinc is a mineral that normalizes appetite and through it's relationship with growth hormone, helps the body develop.
The article has more details but I wanted to point these things out because it effects so many Angels and I have seen the proof in my kids. When I removed the Gluten, Dairy, & processed foods from Nathan's diet, his reflux, ear infections, eczema, crankiness/colic was GONE! Even SEIZURES which were at one time uncontrollable, now under control. It helped me to identify the only two triggers for seizures which were sleep disturbances and sickness/fever. And now with further guidance from my Holistic ped and nutritional supplementation, he is not having them. With our success, I must share some resources with you.
In the battle against Seizures there are things we as parents can do! We cannot wait for our pediatricians and neurologists to suggest it because it may never happen.
Nutritional Therapy/Dietary Therapy
There are 3 Nutritional Therapies that can help our kids. Gluten/Casein Free (GFCF diet), The Low Glycemic Index diet, and The Ketogenic diet.
For the GF/CF diet, I will link the document created by our very own Pediatrician Dr. David Berger of www.wholisticpeds.com This is the protocol for beginning the diet http://www.wholisticpeds.com/uploads/GFCFSF%20Diet.pdf He also lists at the bottom of the doc other online resources and links.
Many of you know Neurologist Dr. Ron Thibert. He is on the Medical advisory board of the Angelman Syndrome Foundation and treats many of our Angels at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. Here is a good video of him talking about the effectiveness of the Low Glycemic Index diet and the Ketogenic diet.
An AS Family Story: By Angel Mommy Danielle Pinders
"Jace is 22 months old and doing very well. He’s had two EEG’s and both have been clear of any epileptic activity which has contributed to his continued developmental progress. In fact, his most recent EEG which also took place on June 1, 2012 looked better than his first one 6 months prior in December. We believe that this is largely in part of his Gluten/Casein Free diet. His Neurologist in Boston (Dr. Thibert) who is an AS expert also supports a low glycemic diet and its many benefits to children with neurological conditions".
This is amazing proof of the benefits that Nutritional therapies like Gluten Free/ Casein (dairy) Free, Low Glycemic index diet and the Ketogenic Diet can be for our kids!
Dr. Elizabeth Thiele is the Director of the Pediatric Epilepsy Program at Massachusetts General Hospital with clinical interest in the Ketogenic diet. Dr. Thiele is also on the advisory board of the Angelman Syndrome Foundation and The Charlie Foundation.
Board Certifications: Clinical Neurophysiology, American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, Neurology with Special Qualifications in Child Neurology, American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology Clinical Interests: Ketogenic diet, Tuberous sclerosis complex, Pediatric epilepsy
Stay tuned for my next blog post when I get the opportunity to have a conversation with famous Hollywood movie producer and founder of the Charlie Foundation, Jim Abrahams! He will share with us the latest news from the foundation and the upcoming Charlie Foundation 2012 Symposium in Chicago this September.
View the clip below and for more info NOW click: http://us2.campaign-archive1.com/?u=eef59c2e88be33ecdcbbb42d0&id=1fb0beeb19
With so many options available, you will just have to see which one will work well for your child. If your child is on more than one anti-seizure med, I strongly urge you to begin the journey, do your own research and DO NOT be discouraged if your Pediatrician or Neuro downplays their effectiveness. This does not come in pill form so it is not typically encouraged by the medical community, however, we are seeing more Doctors get on board, who truly want to make a difference in the life of our children.
