Susan R. Johnson MD, FAAP (5/28/2010)

I) Restore 'normal' beneficial intestinal bacteria:

1) Take a good quality probiotic like Bio-Kult capsules (www.GAPSdiet.com)
for 4 to 6 months at bedtime. (Important to take after any antibiotic)

2) Eat fermented foods like raw organic Sauerkraut (containing cabbage, beets, carrots and ginger and sea salt). See Nourishing Traditions Cookbook by Sally Fallon for recipes.

3) Make your own yogurt (see my leaky gut article) or Kefir (google: Doms kefir)

II) Decrease the simple sugars in diet that promote intestinal yeast growth (avoid pasteurized fruit juices, sodas, candy, muffins, processed flour and breads etc.)

III) Strengthen the Immune System so it is not so reactive:

1) Increase alkaline-forming foods in diet. Especially eat lots of vegetables since they have a high mineral content that neutralizes the acid that is generated when eating processed or sugary foods.

a) Eat lots of organic/biodynamic raw vegetables and whole fruits.

b) Juice 5 to 7 large carrots, 5 stalks of celery, 1 green cucumber, 1 red beet and 2 red apples (All organic). Drink at least 8 oz, 3 times a week.

c) Make a fiber smoothie by freezing the above pulp from your juicer overnight and blending it with fresh orange juice and a banana. Eat with a spoon. This fiber helps to get rid of intestinal yeast and nourishes the beneficial intestinal bacteria.

b) Eat soaked and slow roasted almonds (see recipe) for calcium and magnesium as well as other nutrients.

c) Eat grass fed beef and free range, organically fed, chicken and turkey meats. These meats are less acid generating.

d) Drink decaffeinated herbal teas (ex Liver Tea from Uriel Pharmacy and many chinese herbal teas) and good quality water between meals.

e) Take one capful a day, in water or fresh juice, of Fulvic Mineral Complex by Vital-Earth (for adults). This is the best mineral supplement I have found when I am unable to juice vegetables.

f) Avoid or greatly reduce the highly acid forming foods like all fried and foods, most canned processed and micro waved foods, foods containing high fructose corn sweetener, white sugar and artificial sweetners, coffee, alcoholic beverages, snack foods, chocolate and all soft drinks (According to an article I read it would take 32 glasses of water with a pH of 7.0 to neutralize one glass of cola).

g) Keep the pH of your saliva between 6.8 and 7.4 for good health. Test your saliva upon awakening and 2 hours after eating. I use Vivid pH paper with a pH range of 6.0 to 8.0 that I order from Micro Essential Laboratory in New York. Their phone number is 718-338-3618 (www.MicroEssentialLab.com).

2) Stop milk products for 2 to 3 weeks and then add back milk products on day 15 or day 22 and see if congestion increases, eczema worsens, increased snoring at night or changes in behavior. If you notice a difference, then stop all milk products for 4 to 6 months to give 'leaky intestinal lining' a chance to heal. Be sure and take probiotics at bedtime during this time. Make homemade almond milk to provide calcium and magnesium. Also use ghee instead of butter. When restarting milk products start with yoghurt and Kefir since they are easier to digest and the casein protein is already partially broken down. Use raw organic milk and cheeses.

3) May need to stop all wheat and other products that contain gluten as well since this protein is also very processes and hard for the body to breakdown. Undigested gluten and casein proteins can enter the and bloodstream via an inflamed intestinal lining and their toxic breakdown products can cross the blood-brain barrier and create speech and behavior problems. (Read the wonderful book by Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride called 'Gut and Psychology Syndrome'. In this book she introduces her 'GAPS' diet. Also see the book called 'The GAPS guide-Simple Steps to heal bowels, body and brain' by Baden Lashkov at www.gapsguide.com.

4) Avoid all soy products unless they are fermented. Unfermented Soy is also hard for the body to breakdown and causes many mineral deficiencies (including magnesium deficiency), thyroid abnormalities and unhealthy estrogen effects. (See www.westonaprice.org)

5) Increase Omega 3 fatty acids is diet, especially DHA and EPA. Many of us are deficient in these fats and they are needed for brain development and myelination. When deficient in these fats, our hair is often dull and coarse and our skin is dry with 'sandpaper bumps' along the upper arms. Eat wild salmon (avoid farmed fish). Take Nordic Naturals Arctic D3 cod liver oil or Nordic Naturals Fish oil with added Vitamin D3, 1 tsp in the morning for children 6 years and older and 1/2 tsp/day for children ages 3 to 5. I recommend Barleens flax seed oil for toddlers and infants. For both flax seed oil and fish or cod liver oil, one can mix the oil with softened organic butter/ghee and make a spread. I also will mix cod liver oil in a few tablespoons of organic grape juice and stir vigorously to make 'sparkle juice'. (Nordic Naturals 1-800-662-2544)

6) Avoid eating partially hydrogenated oils and trans fats which are toxic. Therefore avoid cooking with corn oil and canola oil. Use Extra Virgin Organic Coconut oil for high temperature cooking and baking and use ghee, butter, and olive oil for low temperature cooking.

7) Increase magnesium in your diet by eating soaked/slow roasted almonds, green colored pumpkin seeks, kale, seaweed, spirulina, and mineral bone broth (See my recipes for chicken vegetable mineral bone soup and detox vegetable bone soup and Nourishing Traditions Cookbook). Magnesium along with Vitamin D3 is required for calcium absorption in the bones and teeth. One of the main causes of dental decay is magnesium deficiency. Magnesium also calms the nervous system. The production of serotonin, dopamine and other neurotransmitters is dependent on magnesium as well as other minerals and vitamins. Magnesium also supports adrenal gland function. Magnesium deficiency can cause increased anxiety, fears, panic attacks, insomnia, headaches, heart palpitations, and even seizures. Magnesium deficiency also causes constipation because it slows down peristalsis. It contributes to attention problems and mood swings and magnesium is crucial for detoxification of heavy metals like mercury, lead, and aluminum. Leg and foot cramps, 'growing pains', and the restless leg syndrome also result from magnesium deficiency. Magnesium supports sugar metabolism and insulin secretion. Magnesium deficiency causes insulin and glucose to build up in the blood contributing to diabetes types I and II. Fatigue is one of the earliest symptoms because magnesium is a cofactor in many enzymatic reactions throughout the body and in the immune system. Therefore, magnesium deficiency can predispose us to infections and even cancer. I sometimes recommend 'Calm for Kids' (which is ionized magnesium) for the first few months. Usually I recommend 1/2 tsp mixed in water at bedtime.

8) Take a good sublingual vitamin B12, B6, and folic acid supplement once a day.

9) Do Therapeutic Eurythmy movement therapy-specifically the Allergy Sequence.

10) Biodynamic cranial osteopathy treatments will help children drain fluid from the middle ear (serous otitis) by relieving any cranial compressions that are compressing the Eustachian tubes or altering their angle causing fluid to accumulate behind the ear drums. .

11) Consider trying NAET (an energetic elimination of the immune systems allergic response to specific proteins in our food and environment),

12) Try Myristica Sebiferra pillules, to prevent sinusitis and Levisticum pillules, to prevent ear infections both from Uriel Pharmacy. Uriel Pharmacy,Weleda Pharmacy, True Botanica and Standard Process all have good products for supporting the immune system, liver and adrenal glands and for

the prevention and treatment of allergies and their complications (See my home remedy article and LILIPOH Home Remedy Guide).

IV Children may need a dental consult for an 'Alf' appliance to re-expand the upper jaw i since chronic allergies cause the adenoids and tonsils to enlarge which can obstruct air flow and cause mouth breathing. Breathing through the mouth will cause the upper palate to arch up, narrowing the jaw and crowding the teeth.

V. Finally, get plenty of sleep before midnight (to store the sugar that your brain needs to function for the next day and to avoid the 2nd wind); walk or hike 45 minutes in nature every day; do relaxing rhythmic movements like swimming, yoga, Tai Chi, or Eurythmy; meditate; read inspirational books and poetry; practice Rudolf Steiner's 'First Steps in Inner Development' exercises; do the things you love such as art, music and handcrafts; put your life into rhythm and develop healthy routines (read 'Simplicity Parenting' by Kim John Payne); practice being in the present moment by spending lots of time in nature and learning to say 'Yes' to what is; listen to Eckhart Tolle's wonderful CD called 'Entering the Now' which can be ordered through www.soundstrue.com. All of these things along with keeping warm, keeping your sense of humor, and eating healthy foods will decrease stress and strengthen the liver, adrenal glands, and the immune system.

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