Featuring Madiha Saeed MD, Director of Education, and Heather Tallman-Ruhm MD, Medical Director, both of the Documenting Hope Project.
We talked about:
- What are some first steps to take to improve gut health for children?
- Dr. Madiha:
- Lifestyle is key
- Remove inflammatory foods and fake, junk foods
- Find real-food alternatives
- Digestive support from enzymes, probiotics, bone broth and apple sauce
- Start the day with gratitude: Say 10 things you’re thankful for
- Dr. Heather:
- Microbiome’s DNA is calling the shots
- Microbiome responsible for manufacturing neurotransmitters
- Think of microbiome like a rich, diverse garden
- Eat lots of color and fiber
- Think about who this food is serving?
- Dr. Madiha puts everything in a smoothie
- Put in “weird” foods like broccoli sprouts, amla and dandelion greens for diversity
- Grow your own seed sprouts
- Different microbes like different foods
- Dr. Madiha:
- A child developed picky eating and major rage tantrums suddenly at 9 years of age. He suffered neurological injury at age 2, and the family has moved twice in the past two years.
- Shandy:
- White foods produce endorphins
- Could be an oral-motor issue
- Junk food is more predictable texture-wise and may produce biochemical addiction
- Dr. Heather:
- Think PANS/PANDAS
- However, foundational things matter. Why is this child a host?
- Did early-life trauma set the stage for this? Think of the Institute for Functional Medicine’s theory of antecedents preceding onset of a diagnosis. Think of ACES (Adverse Childhood Experiences). The body is always asking, “Is it safe?” Trauma is a perceived lack of control. Do what you can to build in safety.
- Beth: Robert Naviaux published a new paper about the cell-danger response: Mitochondrial and metabolic features of salugenesis and the healing cycle.
- Dr. Madiha:
- Work on detoxification pathways and nutritional deficiencies: Epsom salts baths, 5-10 minutes in a far-infrared sauna, dry brushing, hot/cold water extremes to stimulate lymph system.
- Shandy:
- Which is better, raw or cooked food?
- Dr. Madiha: Get nutrients into child regardless of raw or cooked. Focus more on what your child can eat. Avoid barbecued foods and fried foods.
- Dr. Heather: Cooking does destroy enzymes, but there’s always a continuum.
- Maria: Traditional Chinese Medicine advises to serve cooked fruits and vegetables to someone with thyroid or adrenal issues.
- Dr. Heather: Food is contextual. Shred raw food and put in at the end. Some people eat raw foods only during the summer and otherwise cook foods.
- Beth: Traditional Chinese Medicine, the Weston A. Price Foundation and others point to ancestral diets as being healthier.
The information in these calls and recordings is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please see our Disclaimer.