Childrens Health
Omega Fatty Acids and nutrition.
21 March 2008New findings on nutrition and ADHD.
The largest clinical trial to date using Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids acids shows the benefits of these “good fats”.
Researchers at the University of South Australia say that parents found the fatty acids were as effective as stimulant drugs in treating symptoms of ADHD.
The study was comprised of 132 children, ages 7-12, who had symptoms of ADHD and were not taking medicine or omega-3 supplements. The product used is called “eye q,” produced by the English company Equazen. It is a blend of both omega-3 and omega-6 esntial fatty acids. This is the product that has been used in previous studies in British schools. (The Feingold Association has asked the company to fill out their product inquiry forms; if it is acceptable it will be added to [our - Feingold] supplement list)
Almost half of the children taking the EFA’s had significant reductions in the ADHD core symptoms of inattention,
hyperactivity and impulsivity. The double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, led by Dr. Natalie Sinn, was published in the April issue of The Journal of Developmental and Behavioural Pediatrics.
Disruptive Behaviour Improves.
Earlier this year, another British school, The Eton Hall in Norwich, used “eye q” plus a healthy diet for 28 male students ages 10 through 16, who had behaviour and learning problems. Negative behaviours and tantrums were reduced by half when the supplements, and healthy diet were provided.
Reprinted from Pure Facts, the newsletter of the Feingold Association of the Unted States, www.feingold.org
The evidence comprised from legitimate scientific studies (see below) just keeps mounting for the positive use of omega oils. More and more people are taking the omega oils to not only prevent illness, but to maintain health and resolve problems associated with ADHD, speech developments, diabetes and ASD disorders, to name just a few. For more information on the positive attributes of the Omega fish oils be sure to speak with either Dr. Paul or Dr. Susan who have both done due diligence on the positive nature of these oils. Fontana Family Chiropractic in Evergreen, Colorado recommends Nordic Naturals Pro EFA’s for quality and purity.
Does fish oil lower blood pressure? A meta-analysis of controlled trials MC Morris, F Sacks and B Rosner Department of Epidemiology, Harvard School of Public Health.
This article at about.com cites several studies relating to the benefits of Omega fatty acids in different settings, including Journal of the American Medical Association, and New England Journal of Medicine.
Study of fatty acid supplementation in active ulcerative colitis
Make an adjustment, stay healthy ~ be happy: Call Dr. Paul or Dr. Susan at (303) 674 1500 to schedule a consultation or email office@fontanachiro.com
Ear infections and chiropractic care
14 March 2008You know how it works, about 1:00am your child wakes up crying and pulling at their ears, they usually have a high temperature and are generally uncomfortable, have red ears and may be pulling on them, and you think to yourself, “another ear infection!”. Otitis media, the medical term for an ear infection is prevalent amongst infants and young children. Ear infections are apparently the most common cause of pediatric visits, and subsequent antibiotic use during the first two years of a child’s life. In the U.S., the cost of the medical and surgical treatment of otitis has been estimated to be between three and four billion dollars annually. How many children do you know who are plagued with ear infections, whose parents are desperate to find some relief from the pain and problems associated with the infections? According to Dr.Sears (the father of eight children as well as the author of over 30 books on childcare) there are 8 main symptoms of an ear infection:
1. Cold symptoms – keep in mind that ear infections are almost always preceded by a cold. Often a clear runny nose will turn yellow or green before an ear infection sets in.
2. Fussiness during the day or night
3. Complaining of ear pain or hearing loss
4. Night-waking more frequently
5. Unwillingness to lie flat
6. Fever – usually low grade (101º – 102º); may not have a fever.
7. Sudden increase in fussiness during a cold
8. Ear drainage – if you see blood or pus draining out of the ear, then it is probably an infection with a ruptured eardrum. DON’T WORRY! These almost always heal just fine, and once the eardrum ruptures the pain subsides.
So what can you do when your child gets yet another ear infection before his or her third birthday? The first step could be speaking with your chiropractor. Your chiropractor has some techniques that can help improve symptoms of an existing infection or better yet, solutions to help to keep those infections at bay. Dr. Sears comments: I routinely prescribe chiropractic care to my pediatric patients with chronic ear problems. I am excited to see that osteopathic adjustments show benefit in a research study.
So what can your chiropractor do for your child’s ear infection?
According to an article posted on the American Chiropractic Association website ”…Chiropractic mobilizes drainage of the ear in children, and if they can continue to drain without a buildup of fluid and subsequent infection, they build up their own antibodies and recover more quickly,” explains Dr. Fallon. She’d like to see her pilot study used as a basis for larger-scale trials of chiropractic as a therapeutic modality for otitis media. Dr. Fallon uses primarily upper-cervical manipulation on children with otitis media, focusing particularly on the occiput, or back of the skull, and atlas, or the first vertebra in the neck. “Adjusting the occiput, in particular, will get the middle ear to drain. Depending on how chronic it’s been and on where they are in their cycle of antibiotics, children generally need to get through one bout of fluid and fight it off themselves.” That means, for the average child, between six and eight treatments. If a child’s case is acute, Dr. Fallon will check the ear every day, using a tympanogram to measure the ear and track the movement of the eardrum to make sure that it’s draining. “I’ll do adjustments every day or every other day for a couple of days if they’re acute, and then decrease frequency over time.” To read the entire article go to ACA
Fluid build up from chronic ear infections can not only be the cause of a speech and language delay, but can also be the cause of behavioural problems from a child frustrated by constant pain and exasperated by the difficulty in communicating his or her needs. So the next time your child shows signs of the onset of an ear infection, or if this is a chronic condition your child suffers with, contact Dr. Paul or Dr. Susan at Fontana Chiropractic in Evergreen Colorado to discuss a way to manage this condition without the use or over-use of antibiotics.
Make an adjustment, stay healthy ~ be happy: Call Dr. Paul or Dr. Susan at (303) 674 1500 to schedule a consultation or email office@fontanachiro.com
Feingold Program can help resolve behavior, health and sleep problems.
29 February 2008When Toxins and Genes Collide.
Dr. Feingold is often described as having believed that food additives cause behavior problems; but he did not. His hypothesis was that there are many things that combine to make one child more sensitive than another. These factors include the genetic inheritance, any “insults” (i.e., trauma, exposure to toxins) during pregnancy, difficulties during delivery (such as temporary loss of oxygen), and exposure to toxins after birth. For a child who is already vulnerable as a result, he said that the petroleum-based additives could “trigger” (not cause) the disturbed behaviors.
He did not rule out other causes, but believed that since things like synthetic dyes and flavorings have no nutritional value and are easily replaced with natural additives; this is a good place to start in the search for causes and treatments.
This article is reprinted from Pure Facts, the newsletter of the Feingold Association of the United States, www.Feingold.org
Who are the Feingold Organization?
Almost three years ago when I was looking for a reason, and hopefully a solution, as to why our son was having difficulty keeping on track with his developmental stages I, as many of us do, hit the Google search on my computer. In addition to his development, we had also noticed something else (we had no reason to think this was associated with the development issue), the problem was that if our son ate certain fruits, such as berries, it would make him a little frantic; he would get hyper, giddy, and act almost as if he was drunk, it was both funny and disturbing at the same time. One night while searching message boards for answers on how to potentially help our son, I came across the Feingold Organization. I made a decision to purchase the book “Why Can’t my Child Behave.” and while reading the book I discovered that my son could possibly be salicylate sensitive. A list of salicylate reactions are available at Web MD this list is certainly comprehensive but not all inclusive. It also occurred to us that not only was he reacting negatively to food, but we realized he had been having reactions to perfumes, cleaners and air fresheners (he would sneeze uncontrollably if he walked into a room that had just been cleaned or had scented candles). Almost immediately we decided that both he and his sister would be well served by us if we removed the toxic chemicals out of, not only their food, but also out of their environment.
We ultimately made the decision to join the Feingold Organization and now do all our shopping and eating out (we can even still eat at some Fast Food restaurants) using the guide that comes with the membership materials. We often get asked if this is a hard way to live, “isn’t it inconvenient?” or “aren’t you being a little too obsessive?” even “Isn’t your grocery bill more expensive?” We have so many answers to those questions and not all of them polite, but we feel the real question everyone should be asking is actually - “how inconvenient or obsessive is it to feed our children chemical free, healthy, nutritious food?” In regards to the question of grocery shopping our answer is a resounding “No, we shop at the same local grocery stores we always have, we now just make better choices and pay more attention to what is in those groceries that we are buying.” We personally have made the choice to eat mostly organic products, particularly when purchasing fruits and vegetables, but it is important to know that, organic, is certainly not a requirement of the Feingold program.
The Feingold Program eliminates these additives:
• Artificial (synthetic) coloring
• Artificial (synthetic) flavoring
• Aspartame (Nutrasweet, an artificial sweetener)
• Artificial (synthetic) preservatives BHA, BHT, TBHQ
The idea is to remove any food dyes, chemical additives, preservatives and salicylates from our food. The Feingold program believes many children and adults are intolerant of these chemicals and many kids with ADHD, ADD or behavior problems can be helped by eliminating these core items. Eventually the salicylates are added back into your diet individually to see if any reactions are noticed; some people find that healthy food they fed their kids every day was causing their negative behaviors, for us it was definitely strawberries and blueberries that caused the strongest reactions. However, as a side note to that, my son now tolerates both these fruits in small amounts. We have taken many approaches to resolve our son’s digestive problems, one being the Feingold program, and he now tolerates and absorbs many vitamins, minerals and foods without reactions. It’s also important to know that although our daughter is ok eating all dairy and gluten products, our son has been tested and is intolerant to both of those items, so we make sure to avoid those allergens for him.
A great place to start to see where you may be eating or ingesting salicylates is to refer to the article posted at WebMD. For more in-depth articles, previous newsletters and information on reactions to chemical additives, food dyes, and salicylates go to the Feingold website and be sure to read not only the information about the program, but also the success stories posted. In addition to personal stories there are many great articles available at the Feingold website, including one titled “Many learning and behavior problems begin in your grocery cart!” It is a very enlightening read.
So if you find you have trouble concentrating, or someone has suggested your child is not able to focus or behave in school, go to the Feingold website, you might find that just by eliminating some basic things you not only solve the behavior or focus problems, but also resolve those frequent physical complaints (ear infections, asthma, bedwetting, stomach problems, headaches, even seizures), sleep problems, and learning problems, just by diet changes alone.
Make an adjustment, stay healthy ~ be happy: Call Dr. Paul or Dr. Susan at (303) 674 1500 to schedule a consultation or email office@fontanachiro.com
Industrial Chemicals cause damage to children
25 February 2008Industrial Chemicals Cause Damage to Children.
Children who are exposed to the thousands of synthetic chemicals in our environment are at greater risk of developing various health, behavior and learning problems. When the exposure takes place before birth or in the early months of life, the potential for damage is particularly high. What’s more, the research suggests that’s not only is the infant likely to be harmed, but succeeding generations may be impacted as well.
In 2007 two hundred scientists from around the world met at the Faroe Islands to share their findings and call for decisive steps to address the thousands of toxic chemicals in our environment that are causing harm. Industries and governmental agencies have resisted taking any action, claiming that there is little evidence of harm from the thousands of chemicals in our air, water, food and consumer products.
In the United States, a key figure in determining policy has been James L. Connaughton, Senior Environmental Advisor and Chairman of the White House Council on Environmental Quality. His appointment was unanimously confirmed by the Senate in June of 2001. The Environmental Working Group reports “Before being appointed to this position, Connaughton was one of the Capitol Hill’s most successful lobbyists for the mining, chemical, industrial and asbestos industries.”
Of all the organs impacted by exposure, the developing brain is the most vulnerable. Not only is the child’s IQ likely to be reduced, the early exposure can impact on the muscles and nerves and possibly lead to Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s diseases later in life.
Exposure to lead, pesticides and cigarette smoke has been found to set a child up for ADHD symptoms.
The baby’s immune system and cardiovascular system can be damaged by chemical exposure and the reproductive system is especially vulnerable.
If an infant’s metabolic system is damaged by such chemicals he will have a difficult time using nutrients appropriately, putting him at risk for obesity and diabetes.
Among chemicals named as most hazardous by the researchers are: pesticides, lead, arsenic, mercury, flame retardants and PCB’s.
Prenatal Exposure to Cigarettes
Researchers at the University of Washington studied a group of 133 children ages 7 to 15 with behavioral disorders. They found that children whose mother’s smoked during their pregnancy or whose mother’s were exposed to second-hand smoke during the pregnancy had more severe behavior problems than those who did not have the exposure. They believe that exposure to nicotine could make the child more likely to exhibit impulsive behaviors.
Reprinted from Pure Facts, the newsletter of the Feingold Association of the United States, http://www.feingold.org/
Make an adjustment, stay healthy ~ be happy: Call Dr. Paul or Dr. Susan at (303) 674 1500 to schedule a consultation or email office@fontanachiro.com
Probiotics, Prebiotics, and other natural digestive aids.
22 February 2008PROBITOICS AND DAILY LIVING
Probiotics have been making the news recently with the advent of specially formulated yogurts, cereals and other fortified foods. More and more we see foods appearing on the supermarket shelves boasting added bacteria strains for healthy digestion. In reality if you have no remarkable digestive issues and you don’t want to add another supplement to your daily regime, the easiest way to introduce good bacteria into your diet is through yogurt, buttermilk or kefir (available at any health food store), these products all contain strains of healthy bacteria. However you need to eat them regularly, and in quantity, to make sure you make the most of the benefits. If you do have some indigestion, stomach upsets, digestive disorders, or are interested in adding some positive changes to your routine and helping that digestive process along, you might want to look at adding healthy bacteria to your diet. When you mention the words bacteria and healthy in the same sentence it confuses people, but we must remember not all bacteria are detrimental to your health, and may, in fact, provide some health benefits, particularly those in the Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria genera. And here is where the Probiotic comes in.
What are Probiotics?
One widely used definition, developed by the World Health Organization and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, is that “Probiotics are live microorganisms, which, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host.” (Microorganisms are tiny living organisms—such as bacteria, viruses, and yeasts—that can be seen only under a microscope.) The live microorganisms that are similar to beneficial microorganisms found in the human gut. They are also called “friendly bacteria” or “good bacteria.” The most common strains are thought to be Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidus.
A few common Probiotics (the word means “for life”), such as Saccharomyces boulardii, are YEASTS, which are different from bacteria. My son takes a combination of Prebiotics (Prebiotics are non-digestible food ingredients that selectively stimulate the growth and/or activity of beneficial microorganisms already in people’s colons), Probiotics, in addition to a daily dose of Saccharomyces. We utilize all three remedies to combat reactions to antibiotics prescribed for parasites, anaerobic bacteria and a yeast overgrowth which we have found through testing of his gut.
For those who suffer from Celiac disease, or similar reactive gut disorders, you may find that Probiotics helps with some of the symptoms associated with flare-ups of these conditions.
Probiotics are widely available, usually in the refrigerator section of your health food store. To learn more about how Probiotics were discovered and the positive actions of Probiotics check out THE NIBBLE.
A good Probiotic should not be terribly expensive; in fact we consider it a fairly inexpensive investment for good stomach health. Many of my friends with toddlers or infants will use Probiotics to combat what GI specialists term as “Toddler diarrhea” apparently a common complaint in children from age 6 months to 5 years old.
If you are taking antibiotics it’s a great time to add the Probiotics to your diet along with your daily medication, especially if the course is going to be longer than the standard ten days. If you expect to be on the antibiotics for a long period, you may consider adding in the Saccharomyces boulardii in addition to the Probiotics, to further combat the yeast overgrowth that often occurs while taking antibiotics.
When it comes around to immunization time, a good dose over several days before and after the immunizations of Probiotics, vitamin C and Omega 3 fish oils may actually counteract some of the negative side effects we often see with the shots; it also may help those internal pathways remove toxins from our bodies more efficiently.
The effect of a yeast infection on a child can be very troubling, and you may not realize the behaviors associated with yeast overgrowth. My son in particular will become very noise sensitive, hyperactive, unable to focus and generally quite aggressive when his yeast gets out of control. The first sign we watch for is him covering his ears and telling us that sounds make his ears hurt, a quick check of his tongue usually confirms it’s a yeast problem. He uses pro/prebiotics combinations daily and we expect this will continue at least through his childhood if not his adult life. Read more about how childhood yeast problems may affect your child.
Is there a link between yeast and Autism behaviours?
Read one study that concludes “There is a great deal of evidence that a form of yeast, candida (rhymes with “Canada”) albicans, may cause autism and may exacerbate many behavior and health problems in autistic individuals, especially those with late-onset autism”. The paper linking autism, developmental delays, behaviour problems and yeast, by The Center for the Study of Autism can be read here.
One brand of probiotic is Udo’s Choice™ these, like all Probiotics, work to maintain the delicate balance of “good” or “friendly” bacteria in the gastro-intestinal tract. According to the Udo’s Choice website: Probiotics derive from the extensive group of friendly micro-organisms already present in nature that we commonly obtain from yogurt and raw foods. Udo’s Choice™ Probiotic Blends consist of SIX distinct varieties, each engineered for a specific age group or condition:
- Infant’s Blend, Children’s Blend,
Adult’s Blend,
Advanced Adult’s Blend (for seniors),
Hi-Potency Bowel Blend,
Super 8 Hi-Potency,
And Super 5 Lozenge.
You can go to UDO’s Choice to learn more about their products and the strains of Probiotics available.
Make an adjustment, stay healthy ~ be happy: Call Dr. Paul or Dr. Susan at (303) 674 1500 to schedule a consultation or email office@fontanachiro.com
No Long term benefits of ADHD Drugs?!
4 February 2008No long-term benefits of ADHD drugs?
Treating children with drugs does not work in the long term and can stunt growth and lead to other unwanted side effects.
The Multimodal Treatment Study of Children with ADHD began in 1990 and followed the treatment of 600 children. The study looked at 4 options:
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1. Drugs alone,
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2. Behavioral treatment,
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3. Drugs + behavior treatment,
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4. No special treatments.
(Other treatments were not considered such as the removal of additives and salicylates, supplementation with essential fatty acids, vitamins or other nutrients, vision therapy, sensory integration therapy, food or environmental allergies, heavy metal exposure).
Sensory Processing Disorder, ADD, ADHD or a Naughty child?
1 February 2008SENSORY DISORDERS MAY BE MISDIAGNOSED AS ADHD
“Students who can’t control their impulses and pay attention are popping up in classrooms across the nation.”
This headline appeared in the local Charlotte N.C., newspaper just before Christmas. It quotes a therapist at the center my son attends. My son has been receiving occupational therapy as part of his Autism therapy for many months now. Often times my sons is viewed by other people as either just plain naughty or as hyperactive / ADD. But what he really has is a “Sensory Processing Disorder”. For him this disorder goes hand-in-hand with his diagnosis of (more…)
Omega fish oils, EPA, EFA’s, 3-6-9 and other essential fatty acids.
17 January 2008EFA’s (Fish Oil)
My family first started to take EFAs in 2005; my son then just over a year old, was not talking. He literally was not attempting any verbal communication whatsoever. Luckily for us our pediatrician, alerted to a possible problem with our son’s development, suggested signing up for an early intervention screening. Early Intervention screening is available at no cost through your local Department of Developmental Services office. She also handed me information for a book she thought would be helpful to read-: “The Late Talker. What to do if your child isn’t Talking Yet” St Martin’s Press May 2003 by Marilyn Agin MD, Lisa Geng, and Malcolm J. Nicholl”
In the book there is some great information and resources for parents to explore to help children who have missed verbal milestones. One of the paragraphs mentioned (more…)
How to get all our nutrition using the Food Pyramid as a guide.
14 January 2008How DO we fit all those vitamins and grains into our daily diets?
Is it time to retire the good old government food pyramid? The original pyramid tells us to eat 6 cereals and grains daily, along with 3-5 vegetables, 2-4 fruits, 2 milks, 2 meats (or alternatives), and granting the occasional use of fats, sweets and oils. Most people would answer with a resounding YES! But did you know there was a new guide distributed in 2005, although it is still most common to see the older guide displayed.
Old guidelines 
new guidelines
If you are looking to eat healthier where can you go to find exactly how and what to eat using these food guides?
Eat Crap & Die! A Test of Eating Skills for Ages 15-21
15 July 2006by Stephanie Selene Anderson
Look in the mirror. What do you see? Is your image scary or pleasant? Hopeful or dreadful? Capable or faking it?
There is one skill that, if you master it, will improve that mirror image whether you see yourself as smart or dumb, as a success or a loser, as gorgeous or hideous, as confident or scared. If you master this skill, it will truly make you smart, successful, sexy, and sure of yourself.
What is that skill?
Let me give you a hint. You have to perform this skill at least three times a day, usually as many as six times a day, everyday, for life. In your lifetime, you’ll have to perform this skill for others as well as yourself.
If you answered, “Eating!” you got it. (more…)