Alternative Approachesfor Prevention and Health

Michelle Bender, MDPediatrician

Definition of Health

• Not just absence of disease

• Sense of overall vitality and well being

• Feeling energetic and fulfilled

Rx for Health• Food• Activity• Rest• Nature• Mindfulness• Creativity• Connection

Diet

• Variety!!!! Eat the rainbow• Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants• Shop the periphery of the supermarket

or farmer's markets when possible• Minimize processed foods, avoid

GMO's

Supplements• Multivitamins - not a fruit and vegetable

replacement• B Vitamins, including folate and B12• Vitamin D3• Minerals (zinc, magnesium, trace

minerals)• Essential fatty acids• Probiotics

EnvironmentalWorking Group

Get the most bang for thebuck when

buying organic

Resources• What the Fork Are You Eating by Stefanie

Sacks (helpful in decoding food labels and gives practical substitutions for healthier versions of foods that kids like)

• Anything by Michael Pollan• Watch the movie Fed Up (hidden sugars and

not fat are the major cause of health issues and obesity)

• Treatment Alternatives for Children by Lawrence Rosen

Activity

• Exercise 30 min- 1 hour per day, 5 hours per week

• Does not have to be killer but moving your body decreases risk of heart disease, obesity, and improves concentration

Rest

• Americans to not get enough sleep• Many kids and adults complain of poor

quality sleep, including difficulty falling asleep or night wakening

• Poor sleep may contribute to behavior problems and obesity

Improving Sleep

• ROUTINE!!! sleep hygiene

• Avoid electronics before bed

• Use bed for sleep only

• Avoid caffeine (including chocolate) in the afternoon

Natural Sleep Enhancers

• Melatonin 1- 10 mg

• Valerian 20 mg/kg

• Lavender essential oil (not fake scent)

• Mind body techniques

Nature

• Sunlight and Vitamin D production

• Connection to the earth and our surroundings

• Get outdoors as much as possible

Mindfulness

• Improves concentration

• Yoga, meditation, music

Creativity

• Leave time for boredom

• Gives a sense of pride

• Innovation

Connection

• Family

• Friends

• Community

• Humanity

Breast Feeding

• Continue to take prenatal vitamin• Essential fatty acid supplement (most

prenatals now have)• Probiotics (especially if you have had

antibiotics or your baby has fussiness or colic)

• Extra Vitamin D may be beneficial

Colic• Dr Harvey Karp "5 S's" swaddling, side

or stomach position, shushing, swinging, and sucking

• Infant massage with olive oil or lavender essential oil

• Out door excursion• “Gripe Water" with some combination of

chamomile tea, fennel, lemon balm

Abdominal Symptoms

• May be the key connection to overall health and sense of well being

• Healthy diet and lifestyle most important

• Gut permeability theory and gut brain connection are a common thread for alternative therapies

Probiotics• Important for absorption of nutrients, and

prevention of growth of harmful bacteria, viruses and yeast

• Variety of bacteria species, bifido bacteria and lactobacilli

• May help with conditions that we do not usually think of as "gut" such as allergies, asthma, eczema, autoimmune diseases

• Aim to decrease overall body inflammation

Constipation

• Lifestyle is a big factor, times of transition tend to trigger (potty training, summer vacation, starting school, any change in schedule)

• Diet with fruits, vegetables, and water

• Flax seed

Irritable Bowel Syndrome• Also known as chronic abdominal pain, with

or without constipation (some people also have intermittent loose BM's)

• Lifestyle modification, removing stressors if possible like over scheduling

• Mind body techniques can be learned and very effective (meditation, yogic breathing, acupuncture)

• Enteric coated peppermint capsules

Nausea

• Acupressure/Sea bands

• Herbs such as ginger used in teas or sucking candies

Allergies• Improving gut health with probiotics and

possible dietary changes with the help of a professional

• Quercitin-product D-Hist Jr, company name is Ortho Molecular, also with stinging nettle, N-acetyl cysteine, bromelain

Asthma

• Vitamin C 500-2000 mg daily

• Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) 200 mg daily

• Magnesium glycinate up to 400 mg daily

• Zinc 5-15 mg daily

Colds – Prevention

• Echinacea – was used as treatment, but may be more effective at prevention

• Decreases secondary infections

• Sambucol – combined with Elderberry, which boosts the immune system

Colds – Treatment(especially cough)

• Same as prevention: Vitamin C, Zinc, Echinacea preparations

• Eucalyptus or peppermint essential oil vaporized

• Vapo rub is acceptable but not in the nares• Umka (Umckaloabo/Pelargonium)• Astragalus• Honey

Honey• Coats throat and helps with cough• Local honey may have small amounts

of allergens – small frequent exposures may desensitize the immune system

• May be used topically to treat local skin infections and eczema

• Dark Manuka honey may be best

Tea Tree Oil

• Topical treatment of acne, ringworm, warts, molluscum

• May be helpful in prevention of lice