Back to School Control for ADHD, Immunity, and Weight Control.
1. Fish Oil
The most remarkable news about omega 3-rich fish oil is its dramatic effect on children. Numerous studies over the past three decades have demonstrated that kids with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) had lower omega-3 levels than their “normal” peers.
Fish oil is high in the essential fatty acids DHA and EPA, but DHA especially has been shown to improve a variety of learning disorders including dyslexia.
If your child needs to improve his/her ability to focus and concentrate, a teaspoon of Carlson’s The Very Finest Fish Oil provides the study-backed dose of 500 mg DHA that improves learning disabilities.
Mixed in salad dressing, used as a topping on non-GMO popcorn, or drizzled on veggies, fish oil improves mental health and is good for the whole family…with no fishy aftertaste and a hint of lemon!
2. Y-C Cleanse
This anti-yeast remedy is a godsend for children who suffer from constant earaches, are anxious, itchy and irritable, are bothered by recurrent urinary infections and/or who have taken a prolonged course of antibiotics.
Yeast overgrowth—due to stress, leaky gut syndrome, and medications—is an underlying cause for weakened immunity, and a potent metabolic trigger for never-ending sugar cravings and fatigue.
This tried and true liquid formula can be mixed with juice and/or water at half the adult dosage for most young children. After a period of mild detox, Y-C Cleanse will then start to quell hunger for sweets and also foster greater relaxation and alertness.
Taken daily for maintenance first thing in the morning, this remedy is ideal as a preventative during holidays and celebrations when excess sugar abounds.
3. Melatonin
Sleep is more important than ever for children who are in school and need to readjust to shorter days and less outdoor activity. At a dosage of 1 to 3 mg, melatonin is a natural hormone which can re-establish daily circadian rhythms and do double duty as a potent natural sleep aid.
When my nephew Isaac was ten and couldn’t shut his mind off and go to sleep at night, my brother and his wife started him on 3 mg of Melatonin nightly for several months—a regimen which ultimately allowed him to become sleepy and drift off to sleep when no other natural remedy worked.
Today, Isaac is a college freshman ready to embark on a demanding sports medicine career and he sleeps like a baby!
Keeping all electronics and digital gadgets unplugged and powered off before bed are also helpful hints that can make a huge impact on your child’s ability to sleep soundly and deeply.
4. Vitamin D3
Lessening sun exposure during fall and water results in less Vitamin D absorption. This hormone-like vitamin is absolutely essential to ward off flu and colds during the cooler seasons.
Vitamin D is critical for bone development as well as overall immune enhancement and can even help to stave off depression.
Taking an annual Vitamin D blood test is the best way to monitor levels. In general, a supplement of at least 1,000 mg of D3 for children can be safely taken especially if warranted by yearly Vitamin D testing.
Most children whom I have tested are woefully deficient as are adults who are even out in the sun! Our prolific use of sunscreens has blocked efficient absorption, so a D test is a must.
5. Olive Leaf Extract
The best natural antibiotic to treat colds or flu is a 15% extract of olive leaf providing 75 mg of Oleuropein per capsule. This standardized extract is very effective as a potent viral fighter. I prefer the DaVinci Olivir-15.
See if you can find something similar to keep in your health arsenal for your family (also available from UNI KEY at 800-888-4353). The product will help to stimulate the immune system.
6. Gelatin
An often overlooked source of nutrition, pasture-raised beef gelatin is high in collagen promoting amino acids like L-Proline which is helpful for the strong development of nail, hair, skin, and joint tissues.
I like Great Lakes Gelatin which is kosher and the purest I have found.
It makes a wonderful preservative-free “jello” for fruit-juice based desserts sprinkled with nuts, seeds, or coconuts. Two tablespoons is the suggested amount.
7. Throat Spray
At the first sign of throat infection, Everyday Throat Spray coats and protects the throat against viral and bacterial invaders. It soothes scratchiness and irritation, and a couple of sprays per day is all it takes.
Everyday Throat Spray contains organic/wildcrafted herbs to help support immunity, enhance oral health, freshen bad breath and support healthy respiratory function.
It uniquely features the following:
- Osha (Ligusticum porteri) Root – powerful antiviral and antibacterial agent, used for bronchial infections and sore throats.*
- Fresh Echinacea Angustifolia Root – considered one of the most popular herbal supplements for respiratory health. It is thought to stimulate the body’s immune system.*
- Colloidal Silver (15 ppm) – supports the immune system.*
- Licorice Root – used as a dietary supplement for stomach ulcers, bronchitis, and sore throat, as well as infections caused by viruses.*
- Ginger Root – used as both a spice and in herbal medicine.
- Peppermint – used as a general digestive aid and employed in the treatment of indigestion and intestinal colic by herbalists.
8. Eucalyptus Essential Oil
Eucalyptus is a wonderful oil to use on the chest and lung area at the first sign of respiratory problems and congestion. Sniffing the oil or putting a drop on a tissue and breathing it in will help relieve sinus conditions.
There are many fine brands of essential oils available at your local health food store or through a distributor.
9. Vitamin K-2
A critical vitamin for getting calcium deposited in the bone and not in the joints or other soft tissues, K-2 is usually derived from pasture-raised dairy.
It can be found in a well balanced children’s vitamin like Nature’s Plus Animal Parade Gold.
10. Probiotics
The GI tract’s best friend to protect against irritable bowel syndrome, allergies, diarrhea and constipation, probiotics are also the best insurance for a lean and trim body as the balance of gut microbes impacts weight loss.
Flora-Key powdered probiotic doubles as a prebiotic, so it nourishes the gut flora and provides the five most important strains for children’s health including the L. plantarum strain so helpful against colitis and irritable bowel syndrome.
It is also easily adaptable for children. Simply use ½ the adult amount (or ½ scoop) at least once per day.
It is the perfect accompaniment to smoothies, applesauce, or as an added boost to yogurt or kefir to bump up the colony-forming units (CFUs) to the billions—just what your GI tract needs on a daily basis!
