April is Disability Awareness month, and RH therefore found it fitting to share some updated statistics with our readers. The numbers are staggering! The information makes it clear that something must be done to reverse the trajectory of these statistics or we will have more than the economy to worry about. Check it out:
These numbers are frightening, AND in every article read, the research indicates that these prevalence rates just keep on rising. And let us not overlook the fact that these numbers only include the children who have been diagnosed! This is not normal. We repeat – THIS IS NOT NORMAL! There is absolutely no possible way that these illnesses can be accounted for by genetics alone. Genetic mutations that natually occur transition over countless generations. What we are likely seeing is epigenetic expression of disorders. Epigenetics (Greek: epi- outer, over, above) is a change in genetic expression based on influence outside of the inherited DNA sequence. In layman’s terms, this means that the environment can impact the way our genes express themselves, which can affect eggs and sperm, and this can also happen in the womb. We know this to be true in many common disorders. For example, if your father and mother, who eat McDonald’s everyday, have high blood pressure, this does not mean that you will have high blood pressure, even though you share their genetics - perhaps you will be mindful of your diet and exercise and be able to keep your blood pressure at a normal level.
The same can be said of these childhood disorders. There are those who are suceptible to environmental factors, and these factors then influence the genetic expression and development of the child. And, as you can see above, the prevalance rates are out of control – this is something we have never seen before. There is definite cause for concern. However, that being said, there is also hope because we can look to the research and try to identify the environmental factors that are creating these issues.
If you are concerned about your child, grandchild, if you are raising an infant or toddler, or if you are planning on pregnancy any time in the next few years (both moms and dads to be should start making changes!) you will want to read and implement the following:
1. Be mindful of what you consume. Garbage in, garbage out should be your mantra.
- We know that “junk foods” cause cellular damage. Don’t eat them. Don’t let your kids eat them, especially if they are suffering from a chronic illness.
- We know that genetically modified foods (GMOs) are designed with pesticides and herbicides in their DNA (along with bacterias and viruses that are likely harmful) – these cause cellular damage and interfere with brain development.
- We know that GMOs and conventional foods are doused with pesticides and herbicides. See above for reasons to avoid.
- High fructose corn syrup is contaminated with mercury. It is also GMO. Avoid like the plague.
- Processed foods tend to be contaminated with heavy metals and chemicals. Don’t eat processed foods!
- Too much sugar is known to interfere with normal brain functioning. Diminished memory, higher rates of depression, and reduced mental capabilities are connected with sugar consumption (think about what this looks like in children: diminished attention, irritability, inability to follow directions, listen to instructions, remember what they need to do, disorganization, unable to engage in schoolwork, et cetera).
- The above-mentioned foods also cause weight gain.
- Do the following: eat organic, avoid GMOs – they are not deemed safe for human or animal consumption, reduce sugar intake – if you eat sugar be sure it is labeled as “organic cane sugar” or use organic honey or agave.
2. Get tested for food allergies.
- Moms who have high levels of gluten antibodies in their systems have a higher rate of having offspring with schizophrenia or delusional disorders. It takes about a year to lower these antibodies, so if you have any question about your reaction to gluten, you will want to test for these levels long before trying to get pregnant.
- 1/3 of Americans have a negative reaction to gluten consumption and are unaware – this is damaging to developing brains! Inflamed guts don’t absorb nutrients.
- Food allergy symptoms often mimic symptoms of learning disorders. Before your child is diagnosed with a learning disorder, be sure to have them comprehensively tested for allergies.
- In a single study (yes, we need more), children diagnosed with ADHD were treated by eliminating common food allergy triggers (food dyes, gluten, corn, sugars, preservatives, et cetera) and MOST of them improved. Read more on ADHD here.
- Consuming foods that cause a negative reaction create gastrointestinal distress, asthma, headaches, fatigue, “fogginess,” irritability, skin rashes, joint pain, and more – this can clearly affect children negatively and obviously impact their behavior.
- Allergies/intolerances can also cause increased cravings for the foods that cause the reaction, and sugary foods as well. If your child is overweight or obese this could be a contributing factor.
3. Drink purified water.
- Most water in our country is contaminated with heavy metals, fluoride, pharmaceuticals, and more. Reverse osmosis and charcoal filtered water is a must, at minimum. You can usually find a water machine at your local grocery store where you can fill up your glass or BPA-free water bottles (note: BPA-free is usally not recommended, as BPA is typically replaced with BPS, which is also toxic; however, just be sure to not leave the bottle in the sun or heat it up – you can also transfer to glass when you get home).
- You can look on Environmental Working Group for a water filter in your home.
4. Stop using toxic cleaning products, cosmetics, cookware, and even toys. Environmental Working Group is a great resource.
5. Reconsider the prescribed vaccination schedule. There is a plethora of evidence suggesting that the amount of vaccinations children receive is harmful to their physical and mental wellbeing. Think about it this way: something in our environment is causing chronic illnesses in children (again, we know this because genetics do not mutate this quickly over time). That being said, we must look to the evidence – what has changed? The food environment, toxin exposure, pharmaceutical exposure, and vaccine schedules are the main factors that come to mind. If you choose to vaccinate, that is your choice as a parent, but please make an informed choice – at the least you owe that to your child. There is so much conflicting data out, and information is always spun the way that the write wants you to interpret the findings, so you will really need to use your parental intuition on the matter! For one example, recent research has “confirmed” that multiple vaccines on one day don’t cause autism… great, case closed then? Not quite. Just because multiple vaccines on the same day don’t cause autism doesn’t mean that 10 vaccines from ages 0-6 (as was recommended in the schedule from 1983) to 38 from ages 0-6 (as is currently recommended in 2013) doesn’t impact the immune system and neurodevelopment in such a way that a vulnerable child will develop autism. Additionally, researchers from this particular study only looked at the antigens from vaccines that the child was exposed to, and not toxins (which we know are linked to autism!). This is a perfect example of why you can’t take summaries of research articles and consider them to be whole truths.
6. The steps above are all important and can serve as a foundation for healing, but unfortunately there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Dependent on the childhood disorder, specific healing recommendations can be made – but these recommendations are unlikely to come from your pediatrician. If you have a suffering child, you must take them to an integrative health provider. I repeat – the standard pediatrician will rarely be able to help in a sustainable, holistic manner. Sadly, chronic illnesses are not typically cured by conventional medicine; usually, the only component addressed are the presenting symptoms, which are often targeted with toxic pharmaceuticals that tend to cause nasty side effects. For example, we know that some pharmaceuticals used in the long-term definitively cause cancer. If one begins taking a “necessary” pharmaceutical in childhood that is known to cause cancer long-term, the risks are obvious. In my clinical experience, the way children actually get better is through holistic healing, where all systems are assessed and balanced. For those that are interested, I am more than happy to facilitate connections to integrative treatment providers in your area.
In wellness,
Lauren
