Nutrition: It's Critical Role in Your Child's Success by Teri Allen, OTR X + nutrition = Success! The “ X” in this equation stand for solutions most parents are familiar with. They are the kinds of activities we commonly seek for a child who is experiencing challenges. It may be: tutoring, counseling, private coaching or therapy. What these solutions have in common is their dependence on the ability of brain cells to make new connections, thus actually changing the function and structure of the brain. This is called neuroplasticity. “Thanks to twenty years of research, we now know that the brain is plastic: it can and does remodel itself, sometimes within a remarkably short period of time. “ (1) What part does nutrition play in this equation? Well to begin with, 50% of the calories your child consumes will go to support his brain activity. (2) Nutrition is critical for optimum brain function and leaving it out of the equation will reduce your child’s ability to reach his optimal level of success. If your child has challenges that are keeping him from succeeding, in any area of his life, you are probably willing to try any of the above solutions. What you may not understand is that “In other words, what you feed your child can affect his or her behavior” (3) Let’s look at a few of the nutritional needs of the brain. To start with, for a message to go from one nerve cell to another requires both a neurotransmitter and a cofactor. The neurotransmitter is a chemical made from amino acids (proteins). Cofactors are made from vitamins and minerals. For messages to be efficiently sent from one nerve cell to another, we need proteins, vitamins and minerals! Another example: the protective sheath that covers all nerve and brain cells and their terminals is called myelin and made of the fatty acids Omega 3 and Omega 6. If the myelin is not healthy, the nerve may “short”out or not transmit well, just like an electrical wire may not work if the rubber covering is damaged. So, the brain also needs essential fatty acids, in fact, the brain is over 60% fat! Recent studies show that only 1% of children in the U.S. have a diet that meets all the dietary requirements set by the Government (4), and these are basic standards. To effectively help your child you will need to optimize his nutrition. Here are some things to get you started: ❶Eliminate foods that have low nutritional content such as candy, sweets, and fast foods. ❷Pack nutrition into the foods that your child enjoys by adding extras for example: an egg, nuts or protein powder. ❸Increase intake of essential fatty acids by adding or cooking with canola or safflower oil. ❹Increase intake of whole grains, fruits and vegetables. ❺Try to have consistent, structured family meal times. ❻Provide a daily multiple vitamin & mineral and an omega 3 fatty acid supplement that is appropriate for children. ❼Make sure you critically research any supplement you are giving your child. It should: contain what it says on the label be biodegradable & easily digested contain no heavy metals have no artificial coloring be manufactured by a credible company be from a natural food source ( ”Vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients should always be sourced from natural plant- based sources...made from whole foods” (5).) Time to make a brainy choice; cookies and soda or apples and chicken; artificial colors or phytonutrients! 1 Why Practice Makes Perfect, Anne Pacha, 2000 2 ADHD Alternative Approaches, Juliana Lovejoy-Downs R..D. 3/2004 3 ADHD Alternative Approaches, Julianne Lovejoy-Downs, R.D., 3/ 2004 4 Food Intakes of US Children and Adolescents, Pediatrics 1997, Munoz KA et al 5 News Target Network, Mike Adams 7/2004 |
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