As a pediatric naturopathic doctor I have over ten years of experience using therapeutic elimination diets in children. I have seen many cases of dramatic reversal of chronic disease or behavior concerns. That said, in the last few years I have found myself increasingly hesitant to recommend restrictive diets,...
Most parents have likely thought their child was a picky eater at some point. It’s normal for kids to go through phases where they’re more or less picky during periods of growth and as their taste buds develop. In some cases, picky eating is less about the food, and more...
Copper is a mineral found in all body tissues and most secretions. It serves as a cofactor for enzymes involved in energy production, iron metabolism, and neurotransmitter synthesis.1 Additionally, copper is a cofactor for superoxide dismutase, an important part of the body's antioxidant defense against oxidative stress. Copper is necessary...
Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body. Approximately 99% of calcium is found in the bones and teeth with the remaining 1% in extracellular fluid like blood and soft tissues. Calcium is critical for many cellular processes, including regulating heart rhythms, nerve function, muscle contraction, blood clotting, and...
What is Vitamin B6? Vitamin B6 is a water-soluble vitamin known as pyridoxine. The active coenzyme forms of vitamin B6 are called pyridoxal 5 phosphate (PLP) and pyridoxamine 5 phosphate (PMP). Vitamin B6 performs a wide variety of functions throughout the body in these active coenzyme forms. It is involved...
What is folate? What is the difference between folic acid and folate? Folate is a water-soluble B vitamin found in many plant and animal foods. It may also be referred to as vitamin B9 or folic acid. However, the term “folic acid” is often used inappropriately and synonymously with folate....
This article was compiled by Kayla Martin, CNS candidate and edited by Erika Krumbeck, ND. How is vitamin C used in the body? Vitamin C is one of the most well known and widely used vitamins. Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin, meaning it dissolves in water and travels through the body...
Dr. K here. Zinc is one of my most-used supplements in my practice, both for pediatrics and adult patients. I use zinc most often for diarrhea, picky eating, eczema, general immune support, and anxiety in children. (Of course, this is all very patient-specific, and depending on the overall need/s...
Looking for a great phosphatidylcholine product? Seeking Health has the best. Check it out here! What is choline? Choline is a water-soluble nutrient that is technically neither a vitamin or a mineral. However, it is open lumped together with the B-vitamin family of nutrients due to its role in...
Depression and anxiety are extremely common conditions that affect millions of children in the United States. The CDC estimates 9.4% of children have clinically significant anxiety, and 4.4% of children have depression. This represents over 5 million anxious children and 2.5 million depressed children in the United States alone. UNICEF estimates...
PANS and PANDAS are debilitating neuroimmune disorders that affect children. For an overview of the difference between Tourette syndrome, OCD and PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal infections) see Dr. Zelfand's article: When a Tic isn’t a Nervous Habit (PANDAS: Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections) Conventional treatments...
Could your child have an iron deficiency? Iron deficiency is very common in kids, especially in infants and teen girls. Read on for the signs of iron deficiency, how to test for it, and what you can do to prevent it. This article is the third in a series all about nutritional...
