Article At a Glance:
• Harvard And Johns Hopkins have done extensive research on the connection between the gut and the brain — the results reveal a strong link between the gut and behavior, mood, attention, speech, sociability and motor skills.
• Gut health is crucial to your child’s overall immune system and ability to thrive.
• Visiting a Doctors office is NOT necessary to find out if your child has an unhealthy gut. There are 7 ways parents can evaluate their child’s gut from the comfort of their own home (all of which are outlined in this article).
Whether your child is big or small, in preschool or a teenager, it’s important to be aware of the health of their gut. After all, as the research shows, their ability to develop and thrive at their full potential depends on it.
It’s also important to know that what may seem common and “normal” for a child to be experiencing – can, in fact, be symptoms of an unhealthy gut.
Especially for children with autism.
I outline what those symptoms are and how you can repair your child’s gut, below.
The frequency and formation of your child’s stool can say a lot about their gut health. They should be having a bowel movement once a day that is solid but not too hard to pass. If they often have diarrhea or become constipated, this is a sign that there may be an imbalance in the gut.
Passing gas is normal, but flatulence with an unbearably foul smell indicates that something in the GI tract is off. If your child has frequent, stinky gas, it’s time to further investigate what is going on in the gut as it could be a sign of an unhealthy ratio of good vs bad bacteria in the gut.
Your child’s belly should be relatively flat; a belly that is distended or protruding is a tell-tale symptom of digestive distress.
Sometimes kids have ‘jelly bellies’ which may indicate excess insulin and potential insulin resistance as too much insulin can cause us to store fat in our bellies. But bellies can also be bloated, distended and hard to the touch which warrants further investigation.
Lethargy and frequent sleepiness is another sign of poor gut health.
Low energy is often caused by inefficient digestion and absorption of nutrients, which can cause a feeling of sluggishness. Though it’s true that some children with autism have an abundance of energy, others are often tired and inactive.
When the gut is not healthy, it impacts our ability to absorb nutrients from food which has an effect on the body's ability to produce energy.
Because digestive health is directly tied to the immune system (making up as much as 70% of it), an imbalanced gut means an individual can become sick more frequently than the average person. Too few of the good bacteria mean you’re not as able to fight off viruses and infections, resulting in becoming ill more often.
Skin is an organ that we may not immediately think of when it comes to gut health, but as it is the largest organ in the body, it can give us surprising insight into what’s happening with our overall health. Rashes and acne have been linked to bloating and constipation tied to poor gut health. So has eczema and psoriasis.
The bottom line?
Skin problems and/or breakouts may be an indication of gastrointestinal distress.
Parents of children with autism are unfortunately usually very experienced in behavioral and mood problems in their sons and daughters, and the gut can play a big part in that.
We’ve written before about Harvard and Johns Hopkins discovering the connection between the gut and the brain. Our gut is referred to as our “second brain” and both have the ability to influence the health and function of each other.
To put it simply, the “good” bacteria can help neurotransmitters like serotonin thrive, which helps us feel calm. They can also help manage levels of cortisol, which keep stress levels under control.
If your child shows symptoms of an unhealthy gut, take heart, as there are effective ways to heal and restore the balance of good bacteria. The best ways to do this are through clean, organic foods (pesticides irritate the gut) and using probiotic supplements. We have explored these issues in-depth and will continue to do so, so keep reading for more on these topics.
If your gut has fallen out of balance, there's no need to resign yourself to not feeling on top of your game. These simple measures support a healthy microbiome from the inside out:
Avoid GMOs, refined sugars, processed foods, artificial sweeteners, and pesticides, all of which can destroy beneficial gut bacteria.7
When unfriendly bacteria and yeast overgrow, they can be very damaging to the gut lining and produce toxins inside the body. These toxins can put pressure on the brain and lead to unhealthy levels of inflammation.
Now,
One of the easiest and most effective ways to repair the gut and fight inflammation is to simply take a probiotic on a daily basis.
Unfortunately, not all probiotics are created equal.
1. Strain Diversity and Strength
2. Look for a Probiotic that Contains a Strain known as “L Reuteri”.
3. Easy to Consume
4. Buy From Companies Who Believe in Their Products Enough To Offer At Least A 90-Day Money-Back Guarantee
Probiotics are sold everywhere.
But the ones sold in grocery stores and GNC’s generally lack the quality ingredients you’re looking for, and quite frankly, they don’t work very well. Especially for kids.
With that said, if you have a high-end Vitamin Boutique in your area – they may have something worth looking into on their shelves.
Or,
You can always look online.
My personal favorite is All-Star Nutrition's Bio-Heal.
I’m admittedly biased when I say it’s the best probiotic for kids on the market.
But with over 500 5-star reviews, I think it’s safe to say a lot of people agree with me.
Click Here to Learn More About The 5-Star Probiotic For Kids
Gut health is the foundation of overall health and we have a tremendous opportunity to support long-term health in our children by supporting gut health through supplements and healthy food choices.
And by fortifying the ranks of your gut's ‘good guys' encourages a lifetime of vibrant health for mind, body, and spirit. After all, a balanced, nourished gut can help your child reach their full potential so they can enjoy their healthiest days yet!
*This website is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for the advice provided by a healthcare professional.
References
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