I have thought long and hard about whether or not I wanted to write this article. This is because, as a non-professional when it comes to nutrition, I do not believe in mothers giving other mothers nutritional advice. That is still my belief, even after many messages on Instagram asking me to share my kids’ diet. So while I still will not discuss the details of my kids’ diets (the supplements they take, eating habits, etc.), I have come to the conclusion that sharing some of the information I have learned may be important for somebody. I made this decision after chatting with a dear friend about her daughter’s behavioral problems.

The more I studied as I learned how to help Mara thrive, the more I realized how many lifestyle changes we could make to improve her development. Obviously, anything that I learn and consider good for Mara’s development, I use with my son Lennox, as well. In general, there are two major changes that we have made. I feel strongly that these changes had a significant, positive impact on their mental and physical development.

With this being said, please note that this is simply an informational post. It is not intended to convince anyone about my choice being better. You should always consult professionals before making nutritional decisions for your family.

DAIRY PRODUCTS

During my research, I found a number of concerns about giving dairy products to my children. It is not something I ever considered when Lennox was young, but my research for Mara uncovered a number of reasons that a switch to other options might be warranted.

Why are dairy products such a problem for the human body? (source)

Dairy products are derived from the milk of cows. Cow’s milk is a highly specialized baby formula.  It is designed for baby cows, not for baby human beings (or adult human beings either!). Cow baby formula contains special hormones for baby cows. These hormones are not good for human beings.

Cow’s milk that is not organic contains added growth hormones to increase milk production. These growth hormones are also a very bad idea for human beings, especially very young human beings whose immune systems can be especially fragile.

Cow’s milk contains high levels of casein, which reacts with the opiate receptors in the temporal lobes of the brain. The temporal lobes are involved with speech and auditory integration. When casein reacts with the opiate receptors in the temporal lobes, it can mimic the effect of opiate drugs. This may negatively impact speech and auditory integration. It is worth noting that the peptide from milk is called casomorphin.

In addition to the above concerns, using dairy products also bothered me after I learned how it can interfere with thyroid function. Most forms of dairy we eat today are highly processed with added preservatives and hormones. These additives can wreak havoc on our digestive system and can trigger inflammation. Chronic inflammation may reduce total thyroid receptor count and can disrupt thyroid hormone function. (source)

GLUTEN

Removing gluten from my kids diet was a bit of a tougher decision because it takes a big commitment. Lots and lots of food have gluten. More than you realize before you try to eliminate it from your diet! But the more I learned about the impact of gluten – particularly in the brain – the more convinced I was that it was the right choice for our family.

Gluten penetrates not only your gut, but also your brain, allowing gluten and other proteins into your bloodstream. Research indicates this sensitizes your immune system and promotes inflammation and autoimmunity. And so comes this new warning from neurologists about gluten: To protect your brain health and prevent dementia, avoid sugar and carbohydrates – and gluten. (source)

I read several studies about behavioral improvement based on a gluten-free diet, which led me to believe that the full impact of gluten to the brain is yet to be fully discovered. I also learned that this topic is quite controversial, with many professionals stating that gluten has no negative impact on individuals unless they suffer from Celiac Disease. However, I also learned that Celiac Sensitivity is almost never diagnosed while the person suffers the negative impact of gluten in the diet. After much studying about the effects of gluten, I decided that there was no good reason to allow it to go to my children’s brains. Here are findings that you may find interesting (source):

A wide range of psychiatric symptoms and disorders have been associated with CD and GS. Those occurring mostly commonly, as reported here, include anxiety disorders, depressive and mood disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorders, and schizophrenia.

A 6-month gluten-free diet was reported to improved ADHD symptoms and the majority of patients (74%) in this report wanted to continue the gluten-free diet due to significant relief of their symptoms.

Depression and related mood disorders are reported to be associated with gluten sensitivity and celiac disease.

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) have been associated with gluten intolerance in a number of studies. When compared to controls, persons with Autism Spectrum Disorder and their family members have been found to have a high percentage of people with abnormal intestinal permeability. Patients with ASD who have been treated with gluten- and casein-free diet have been found to have better intestinal permeability when compared to patients on an unrestricted diet.

Various types of anxiety are associated with gluten intolerance. One study found that Celiac Disease patients were significantly more likely to have state anxiety when compared to controls, and that after 1 year on a gluten-free diet, there was a significant improvement in state anxiety symptoms. Other anxiety disorders such as social phobia and panic disorder have been linked to gluten response.

I want to reiterate that you should always find a professional that you trust before making any dietary decisions for your children. I find this information helpful, and that is why I am sharing it. But this information should never be viewed as a replacement for doing your own research and making a decision that feels right for you and your own family.