Search through quolkids.com by keyword

 
 Could your business or company benefit by sharing your message to over 20,000 relevant visitors each and every month?  If so contact us today for further information - and see how quolkids.com can help you!
 

A world full of television, computers, drugs and processed & fast food is starting to take its toll upon the physical and mental health of many children. 

I have been consulted by many mothers seeking help for their children who are always “coming down with some bug” and always seem to be on antibiotics.  Long term or frequent use of antibiotics can have very adverse effects upon the immune system and the liver.  Indeed I have seen some cases of severe autoimmune liver disease and immune dysfunction resulting from the inappropriate use of antibiotic drugs. 

There will be occasions when antibiotic drugs are needed to eradicate severe bacterial infections, however they should not be used to treat a fever or respiratory inflammation due to a viral infection.  In this day and age, children need to have a healthy immune system, which will increase their resistance to the increasing number of viruses and bacteria in our environment. 

The best foundation for their health is a strong immune system and this is something that needs to be developed through a healthy diet and lifestyle.  Parents today often don’t have the time or knowledge to deal with their children’s health issues.  They compensate by providing the wrong types of treats, which often exacerbate problems.  It is better to concentrate on the morning and evening meals because as we all know, the nutritional lunch often returns home in the lunch box.  Here are some helpful hints! 

Pass raw fresh nuts and seeds such as linseeds (flaxseeds), sunflower seeds and almonds through a coffee grinder to make a fine powder.  This powder is packed with immune boosting nutrients and has a sweet nutty taste.  It can be sprinkled on cereal, vegetables, soups or deserts.  It can be used to make homemade cakes and cookies.  Aim for an intake of 1 to 2 tablespoons daily.  Encourage your child to eat more fish and you can also use cod liver oil capsules to prevent colds and flu.  Make home made cookies, muffins and cakes with whole meal flour, oats, cold pressed oils, honey, rice malt, dried fruits and powdered linseeds, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds and almonds.  These are much healthier alternatives than packaged cookies and muffins, which contain sugar, hydrogenated oils and preservatives. 

Many supermarkets now stock healthy snack foods made with natural ingredients, so check labels carefully.  You must also be sure that they do not contain artificial sweeteners such as aspartame as they are very toxic!  This is important for allergic children and asthmatics.  Garlic is a superb natural antibiotic and is most effective if taken fresh and raw.  To do this, pass 2 raw garlic cloves through a garlic press or crusher to express their juice and mix the juice in fresh juices, steamed vegetables, soups or any mealtime foods that your child enjoys. 

If your child is allergic and prone to respiratory infections and asthma, try eliminating all mucous producing foods such as dairy products (milk, butter, cheese, cream, yoghurt, ice cream and chocolate), margarine and fatty meats.  Use milks such as soy, rice, oat, almond or coconut milk.  Healthy alternatives to spread on toast and sandwiches include nut spreads, tahini, humus, tomato paste and honey. 

Supplements to boost the immune system and reduce recurrent infections include Vitamin C, cod liver oil capsules or liquid, garlic capsules or liquid, and the herb Echinacea.  Children who do not like swallowing tablets or the very young can take an elixir called “OliveLife Elixir”.  This has a pleasant natural raspberry flavour and contains the herb olive leaf combined with fenugreek, rosehip, vitamin C, vitamin D, zinc and lysine.  The active principle found in the olive leaf is called oleuropein and this has been shown to exert a useful antibiotic effect against a wide range of microorganisms. 

by Dr Sandra Cabot
Women's Health Advisory Service www.whas.com.au
Phone   02 4655 8855
Fax       02 4655 8699