Probiotics: Benefits and Uses

Bifidobacterium lactis Dr. Usman pointed out in her AutismOne speech that it promotes neurogenesis--new cell growth in the brain. Supports digestion, helps prevent and stop diarrhea and improves immune function.

Lactobacillus acidophilus produces lactic acid (which inhibits yeast growth) as well as natural antibiotics, and has been shown to inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria such as salmonella, shigella, S. faecalis and E. coli. Studies have shown that L. acidophilus is effective in reducing lactose intolerance and reinforcing the immune system, as well as reducing cholesterol levels.

Lactobacillus brevis is a transient bacterium that is valued for its ability to help improve the symptoms of lactose intolerance. L. brevis inhibits the growth of some pathogens, and its proven antimicrobial effects support the immune system.

Lactobacillus bulgaricus is a transient strain that produces interferon, a protein that inhibits the replication of invading viruses, on its way through the intestinal tract. This bacterium is beneficial in cases of acute diarrhea and lactose sensitivity. Traditionally, L. bulgaricus is found in yogurt along with S. thermophilus. Note: Has been proven to produce histamine, so avoid if needed.
 
Lactobacillus casei is commonly used for milk fermentation and is naturally occurring in the mouth and digestive tract. It breaks down carbohydrates and inhibits the growth of pathogenic bacteria in the small intestine. Studies have demonstrated L. casei's antimicrobial effects and its helpfulness in treating diarrhea caused by antibiotics and viruses. Note: Has been proven to produce histamine, so avoid if needed.

Lactobacillus plantarum secretes a naturally occurring antibiotic called lactolin, giving it beneficial antimicrobial activities. This probiotic is being studied for its efficacy against allergies. It also breaks down histamine.
 
Lactobacillus rhamnosus occurs from the mouth to the small intestine, and helps inhibit the pathogenic bacteria involved in vaginal and urinary tract infections. It produces a mucus coating called mucin, which prevents toxins from entering the bloodstream and protects against the invasion of harmful microbes. L. rhamnosus has been shown to enhance the effectiveness of oral vaccinations against rotaviruses (which cause vomiting and diarrhea) and may help to remedy gastroenteritis (also called "stomach flu"). Shown to down regulate histamine receptors and up-regulate anti-inflammatory agents.

Lactobacillus salivarius found in the mouth and small intestine, has been shown to improve bleeding gums, tooth decay, bad breath, thrush and canker sores. L. salivarius breaks down proteins and produces B vitamins, enzymes and lactic acid. Its strong antimicrobial effects have been demonstrated clinically.

Bifidobacterium bifidum assists with proper digestion and absorption of calcium, iron, magnesium and other vitamins and minerals. It manufactures B vitamins and produces lactic and acetic acids, which inhibit the growth of unfriendly bacteria. Studies have shown that B. bifidum can reduce the incidence of acute diarrhea in infants and is beneficial in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease. With regular use, B. bifidum can improve immunological and inflammatory responses in seniors.

Bifidobacterium breve also produces beneficial lactic and acetic acids. It has been shown to repress the growth of ulcer-inducing bacteria. Recent studies have demonstrated that B. breve populates the immature bowel of infants and can help very low birth weight babies to gain weight.

Bifidobacterium infantis is the most important probiotic found in infants' colons and is effective in the treatment of acute diarrhea. It stimulates the production of immuno-modulating agents, and can fight such pathogens as clostridia, salmonella, and shigella. It also breaks down histamine.
 
Bifidobacterium longum plays a direct role in preventing invasion of pathogenic and putrefactive bacteria. B. longum breaks down bile salts, helps to synthesize B vitamins, and stimulates the immune system through its effects on immunoglobulin A (IgA). Another producer of the good acids (lactic and acetic), B. longum has been clinically shown to improve lactose digestion and constipation. It also breaks down histamine.
 
Lactobacillus lactis (also referred to as Streptococcus lactis) is another transient bacterium that produces the immuno-supportive lactic acid. Lc. lactis produces a peptide called nisin, which has proven activity against C. difficile. In addition to controlling acute diarrhea, it is also recognized for its potential in the long-term management of colitis.

Streptococcus thermophilus is a transient bacterium with proven antioxidant activity. It produces large quantities of lactic acid and helps in the prevention and treatment of diarrhea. S. thermophilus also breaks down lactose and improves lactose intolerance by producing the enzyme lactase. Shown to down regulate histamine receptors and up-regulate anti-inflammatory agents. Note: I avoid this strain. There is no substantial data to support my wanting to avoid it other than parents whose kids have PANDAS (which a lot more kids have it than we know about... they don't get diagnosed until their behavior is noticeably bad) say that their kids have a reaction to the strep strain in probiotics and yogurts. I'm not taking any chances. :)  

Lactobacillus gasseri is in some of Garden of Life's probiotics. These bacteria are thought to help the body function properly by reducing harmful bacteria, enhancing immune function, and stimulating digestion. It is often used to promote weight loss, reduce belly fat, inhibit fat production, speed up metabolism and protect against obesity.  It is said to treat allergies, asthma, diarrhea, high cholesterol, menstrual pain.

Lactobacillus reuteri Note: Has been proven to produce histamine, so avoid if needed.

Saccharomyces boulardii, is an important yeast that functions like a probiotic in the body. Doctors have recommended it to help patients with diarrhea. It helps to regulate the intestines and protect them from pathogens and other things that can damage the intestinal lining. It also modulates different parts of your immune system and keeps the intestinal barrier function up and running. Studies show that taking S. boulardii alongside your antibiotics can reduce the possibility of getting diarrhea. S. boulardii can also help treat other ailments such as lactose intolerance, and might even have a future in the treatment of acne, vaginal yeast infections, high cholesterol, fever blisters and canker sores. It seems to improve the quality of life of people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), as well as Crohn's disease. According to Dr. Sid Baker, "For some individuals on the autism spectrum, the combination of S. b., a yeast-free diet, and avoidance of refined carbohydrates is all it takes to produce a dramatic improvement." Jett has ASD and takes 2 a day.

For recommended probiotics, also see the DS Day to Day amazon Store. 

You want to look for a good delivery system and one with Bifidobacterium lactis and without Streptococcus thermophilus.

Florify $13.99 30 capsules
One daily dose of Florify probiotic contains 5 billion colonies of stomach-acid-resistant flora from: Bifidobacterium lactis (Dr. Usman pointed out in her AutismOne speech that it promotes neurogenesis) and Lactobacillus acidophilus (which targets your small intestine) and Florify also has a proprietary blend of FOS (fructooligosaccharides) and dicalcium phosphate. It doesn't contain the strain that our kids should avoid. (You get it through Melaleuca's wellness club. Let me know if you want to be a member. It's only $1 in January.)

 
Master Supplements Children's Theralac® Mult-Strain Probiotic
A high potency probiotic powder containing 5 probiotic strains of human origin and 2 prebiotics in an acid-proof, controlled-release formulation. Has Bifidobacterium lactis and 4 other strains.

I also give Jett a soil-based probiotic: Prescript Assist


Sources

 
http://www.duolac.com/strains.html

http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/bifidobacterium-lactis-benefits-3870.html

https://www.bulletproofexec.com/why-yogurt-and-probiotics-make-you-fat-and-foggy/

http://altmedicine.about.com/od/acidophilusprobiotics/fl/Lactobacillus-Gasseri.htm 

Related Posts

Jett's Complete Supplement List

First Foods: How & What & When to Introduce
First Foods: GAPS Introducing Solids
First Foods: Yogurt & Bone Broth

Antibiotics: Alternatives & What to Avoid
Heal the Gut, Heal the Child
Fermented Cod Liver Oil
Natural Ways to Help with ADD & Hyperactivity

Breastfeeding

First Foods: Yogurt & Bone Broth

I used to think that a great first food for babies is yogurt (raw, organic, possibly from goat or sheep if cow is too harsh on the tummy) and bone stock (home made from organic sources)... But, now that I've learned that studies show that babies shouldn't be introduced to dairy until 9 months old or they will develop an intolerance to it. And that milk slows down/inhibits the body's ability to absorb/process folates correctly. Folate is a big issue in our population. So, while I did give Jett some raw milk before 12 months old, I have since cut all dairy out of his diet.

Dairy is also contributes to congestion--another big issue for our kids. 
Some parents try to combat this issue by using enzymes to help process the milk proteins. Personally, I don't think it addresses all the issues that dairy brings. So I do avoid it and recommend parents to avoid giving it to their kids. 
 
An alternative to dairy yogurt would be coconut water keifer since it has no dairy but has lots of benefits from the probiotics. 

I'm still a fan of bone stock! 

Essential minerals: supercharge your child's diet with homemade beef bone stock
http://doctorvolpe.com/add-adhd/beef-bone-stock/

December 11th, 2010

Excerpts:
 

When it comes to maintaining or regaining health, nothing plays as important a role as proper mineral balance in the body.... 

...Among mineral-rich foods, bone broth or stock holds a position of preeminence. Not only is it a treasure trove of minerals in absorbable form, it is also a rich source of other nutrients that are essential for every aspect of health.

Stock has a long history in human nutrition and there was a time when it was prepared regularly in every family kitchen.

...Not only was it a part of everyone's diet, it was also prescribed as medicine and was researched extensively for its health enhancing benefits until the early 20th century. Then it was progressively abandoned, in part because the modern food industry discovered it could use cheap chemicals to create any flavor it wanted, and in part because medicine lost interest in anything other than drugs and surgery.

...Broth was prescribed for conditions ranging from colds and flu, to a variety of digestive disorders, and conditions affecting the joints, skin, lungs, muscles and blood. It was added to baby milk to treat colic or failure to thrive, and was prescribed for children who had trouble digesting the proteins in milk and wheat. It helped malnourished children and adults regain their strength, and was used as adjunct therapy in conditions as serious as cancer and TB. 

 

Ingredients for Your Broth

When it comes to making broth, the quality of the bones you use is of the essence simply because if the animals were not fed appropriately their bones are not likely to be healthy or nutrient-rich, plus hormones and antibiotics given to commercial cattle are likely to accumulate in bones or fatty tissues like marrow.

I recommend only buying bones from hormone- and antibiotic-free grass-fed animals, and organic is a plus. If you live in Texas, the best source I have found is www.paidom.com. This farm is located in the Texas Panhandle but they deliver throughout the state every two months. If you live elsewhere http://www.eatwild.com/ and similar websites are good resources.

If you'd like to get fancy and learn about all the different types of stock and how to make them I recommend you buy the excellent book Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon and Mary Enig. Otherwise here is a simple recipe that has worked very well for me.

Start out with equal amounts of marrowbones and soup (knuckle) bones. I use approximately two pounds of each, basically because that's how Paidom sells them and it works well that way.

Both types of bones are needed. Marrow is where the body stores stem cells and converts them to blood cells or releases them in circulation to repair damaged tissues. It is an area of the body where all the nutrients needed to sustain life are concentrated. Soup bones are usually knucklebones or other bones containing cartilage. Cartilage converts to gelatin. It is a rich source of amino acids, like glycine, that enhance the body's detoxification ability by stimulating production of glutathione. Cartilage is also a source of chondroitin sulfate that helps heal arthritic joints.


Both types of bones are rich sources of minerals, and I am not speaking of just calcium, but also magnesium, phosphorus, silicon, sulfur and trace minerals, all of which play essential roles in health. 

 

How to Make Bone Broth

Wash the bones in running water; then place the knuckle and marrow bones in a large pot with 1/2 cup vinegar and cover with clean, filtered water. The vinegar will evaporate completely and so it is safe even for small children. The vinegar creates an acidic environment that helps to draw the minerals out of the bones. Meanwhile, place the meatier bones in a roasting pan and brown at 350 degrees (about 15 minutes). Add the browned bones to the pot (along with any fat that is left in the pan) along with about 3 chopped onions, 3 chopped carrots and 3 chopped celery sticks. It is important not to overdo it on the vegetables as that can lead to a very bitter finished product! Add additional water if needed, but be sure to leave room at the top of the pot (about 1 inch) for the stock to expand.

Bring to a boil, and then remove any scum that comes to the top with a spoon.

Reduce the heat to a low simmer, add about 1 tsp ground green peppercorns and thyme (optional), cover the pot tightly, and allow it to simmer for a minimum of 24 hours (36 hours is better but not necessary). I know it's a long time but once you get it to the right heat it requires very little supervision. Just before finishing, add one bunch of parsley and simmer for 10 more minutes.

Parsley adds additional nutrients and will help to alkalize your stock. At this point you will remove all the bones and vegetables, strain, and refrigerate.

Once it is chilled you can skim off the fat, place in separate containers and refrigerate for up to a week, or freeze indefinitely. You'll lose about a quart to evaporation.

I recommend drinking a cup a day for adults or children, and proportionately less for toddlers or babies. If your child doesn't like it, try to find creative solutions to get him or her to drink it. Some parents have added it to juice or sweetened it with stevia and turned it into a sweet chilled drink!

Here is a partial listing of conditions that broth benefits:

Aging skin, allergies, anemia, anxiety, asthma, atherosclerosis, attention deficit, poor digestion, brittle nails, Celiac Disease, colic, constipation, dental degeneration, depression, diabetes, diarrhea, fatigue, food sensitivities, fractures, gastritis, heart conditions, high cholesterol, hyperactivity, high blood pressure, hypoglycemia, low immunity, inflammation, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, insomnia, reflux, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, memory loss, muscle cramps or spasms, muscle wasting, osteoporosis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, seizures, weight loss due to illness, wound healing, and more!

Homemade meat or fish stock.

Meat and fish stocks provide building blocks for the rapidly growing cells of the gut lining and they have a soothing effect on any areas of inflammation in the gut. That is why they aid digestion and have been known for centuries as healing folk remedies for the digestive tract. Do not use commercially available soup stock granules or bullion cubes, they are highly processed and are full of detrimental ingredients.

Chicken stock is particularly gentle on the stomach and is very good to start from. To make good meat stock you need joints, bones, a piece of meat on the bone, a whole chicken, giblets from chicken, goose or duck, whole pigeons, pheasants or other inexpensive meats. It is essential to use bones and joints, as they provide the healing substances, not so much the muscle meats. Ask the butcher to cut in half the large tubular bones, so you can get the bone marrow out of them after cooking.

Put the bones, joints and meats into a large pan and fill it up with water, add natural unprocessed salt to your taste at the beginning of cooking and about a teaspoon of black peppercorns, roughly crushed. Bring to boil, cover and simmer on a low heat for 2,5 - 3 hours. You can make fish stock the same way using a whole fish or fish fins, bones and heads. After cooking take the bones and meats out and sieve the stock to remove small bones and pepper corns. Strip off all the soft tissues from the bones as best as you can to later add to soups or encourage your patient to eat all the soft tissues on the bones. Extract the bone marrow out of large tubular bones while they are still warm: to do that bang the bone on a thick wooden chopping board. The gelatinous soft tissues around the bones and the bone marrow provide some of the best healing remedies for the gut lining and the immune system; your patient needs to consume them with every meal. Take off all the soft tissues from fish bones and heads and reserve for adding to soups later.

The meat or fish stock will keep well in the fridge for at least 7 days or it can be frozen. Keep giving your patient warm meat stock as a drink all day with his meals and between meals.

Do not use microwaves for warming up the stock, use conventional stove (microwaves destroy food). It is very important for your patient to consume all the fat in the stock and off the bones as these fats are essential for the healing process. Add some probiotic food into every cup of stock (the details about introducing probiotic foods follow).

How to make bone broth: http://www.naturallyknockedup.com/how-to-make-beef-broth/

Where to find fresh, local raw milk: http://www.realmilk.com/where1.html

Related Posts

Healthy Alternatives to Conventional Formula

Nontoxic Feeding Sets

First Foods: GAPS Introducing Solids

First Foods: How & What & When to Introduce

Heal the Gut, Heal the Child

Fermented Cod Liver Oil

Coconut Oil Info and Recipes

More Reasons to Avoid Processed Meats

Healthy Meal Planning Blogs

How to Bottle Feed & Nontoxic Bottles

Breastfeeding

Fats & Oils

First Foods: How & What & When to Introduce

Nature's Perfect Food

Breast-feeding is excellent for many reasons. Not only is breast milk full of easy to digest nutrition, nursing will help develop your baby's jaw and facial structure, which is a huge issue with our low toned/small mouthed babies. The feel-good and bonding hormones released in breast milk is helpful to counteract symptoms of autism as well, which is more likely to occur in males and in children with T21 (experts say there is from a 10% to 33% higher incidence of autism in those with Down syndrome). Jett breastfed until almost 3 years old. Please see this post for support on Breastfeeding a Baby with Down Syndrome. If you are unable to breastfeed, please see Healthy Alternative to Conventional Infant Formula.

When should you start introducing solid foods?

Breast milk has everything a baby needs until six months of age when iron and Vitamin D become more necessary. Therefore, exclusive breastfeeding is recommended up to six months of age, with continued breastfeeding along with appropriate complementary foods (and plenty of sunshine or drops for Vitamin D) up to two years of age or beyond. But, babies who had the benefit of delayed cord clamping right after birth (when the cord is cut only after it stops pulsing) will normally have much better iron stores, so it's usually fine to breast feed exclusively for those babies until ten months or one year.

However, since our babies usually have sensory issues, especially in the mouth and tongue area, it is important to introduce tastes and sensations in the mouth for therapeutic reasons at around six months, at the very least, if not to actually feed them solid foods. See this presentation about introducing steamed veggies for speech development at an early age: Feeding Options and Oral Motor Methods: Paving the Way for Optimal Speech by Jill Rabin.

According to the book Super Baby Food by Ruth Yaron, it is important to feed typical babies solid foods by seven months to make sure that they develop eating and chewing skills. And no later than eight to nine months because otherwise they might "reject textured food later." I started Jett at six months and am happy I did. You'll have to follow your baby's cues. He'll let you know when he's interested. He'll watch intently as you eat or reach for your food when he's ready to try.

You can't follow the rule about waiting until your baby can sit himself up because most of our kids sit on their own much later than six months. Before Jett sat up on his own, my husband held him on his lap or when I was alone, I used a bumbo seat for feeding only. (You don't want to have them sit up too much until they are ready to support themselves. See Milestones: Sitting. I just had to do that for logistical reasons.)

The mesh-feeding bag is a great way for our kids to experiment with eating safely and to experience new textures. You can put anything in it--that's safe to eat--and he can chew it without fear of choking. Strawberries, tomatoes, apple slices, pepper strips, etc. Jett loved it! Make sure the bag you use is organic or is otherwise non toxic. (The link I provided is to an organic source so your baby won't be chewing on toxic material!)

What foods should I feed first?

Remember to add only one food at a time for four to seven days to see how he adjusts to it.

The first food I'd introduce is coconut oil. When cool, it starts with a firm texture so our babies can feel it in their mouth and then it quickly melts in the mouth so it's easy to swallow. It is also easy to clean from clothing and quickly soaks into the skin. You will be amazed by the huge benefits of coconut oil. See some below and much more on this post Coconut Oil Info and Recipes.

Next, is egg yolk. According to West A Price:

A wise supplement for all babies—whether breast fed or bottle fed—is an egg yolk per day, beginning at four months. Egg yolk supplies cholesterol needed for mental development as well as important sulphur-containing amino acids. Egg yolks from pasture-fed hens or hens raised on flax meal, fish meal or insects are also rich in the omega-3 long-chain fatty acids found in mother's milk but which may be lacking in cow's milk. These fatty acids are essential for the development of the brain. Parents who institute the practice of feeding egg yolk to baby will be rewarded with children who speak and take directions at an early age. The white, which contains difficult-to-digest proteins, should not be given before the age of one year. 

Then, I'd go for the bone broth -- chicken first, since it's the most gentle on the stomach. See posts First Foods: GAPS Introducing Solids and First Foods: Yogurt & Bone Broth for the amazing benefits of bone broth and easy recipes on how to make it yourself. I didn't start Jett on the broth until 12 months and it was only then that he really was able to get the nutrients he needed to grow better. (Cognition was good, but growth was poor.) He wouldn't always take his multivitamin and I'm not sure that he really was able to metabolize it very well. But the bone broth is easy for him to digest and full of nutrients.

Then, I'd introduce the avocado since it's high in good fats and nutrient dense--perfect for our "failure to thrive" babies. Our baby's body needs these fats for the healthy development of his brain and central nervous system.

Avocados also contain the following important nutrients:

• folate
• fiber
• vitamin E
• iron
• copper (fine in its natural form, copper is good)
• beta-carotene
• vitamin K
• B vitamins

When you first introduce it, mix with a little breast milk, bone broth or water. (Make sure your water is chlorine & fluoride free and not from a plastic source. I used non-sparkling/still mineral water in a glass bottle until we got a reverse osmosis filtration system.) Since avocados are high in copper, I would consider supplementing with zinc. Zinc is really good for our kids and they are usually low in it.

Florida avocados (the bigger, greener, smoother ones) are better for baby than the Haas avocados from Mexico. But all avocados are full of nutrition and even help metabolize the nutrients better when paired with any food, which is super important for kids with DS. I serve a little avocado to Jett at every meal (and with his supplements) for this reason. Below is more info about avocados.

Banana is a great early food as well because it mashes easily and is full of serotonin-supporting substances like dopamine. Make sure the banana is very ripe --as in the skin is all brown-- in order to prevent constipation. I would wait until they were ripe and then freeze them. So I always had bananas whenever I needed them. (Don't feed foods and liquids cold though because it can cause stomach cramps.) But, if you child shows any signs of "leaky gut syndrome" you don't want to give bananas because it makes the membrane more permeable.

Then I'd go for butternut squash, especially if it's winter when it's inexpensive. Butternut squash contains:

• high antioxidant content, which has anti-inflammatory effects -- super important for our children's inflammation issues
• ample dose of dietary fiber, making it an exceptionally heart-friendly choice.
• significant amounts of potassium, important for bone health
• vitamin B6, essential for the proper functioning of both the nervous and immune systems
• folate content adds to its heart-healthy reputation and helps guard against brain and spinal-cord-related birth defects such as spina bifida
• Carotenoids, which is shown to protect against heart disease.
• very high levels of beta-carotene, which your body automatically converts to vitamin A, identified as a deterrent against breast cancer and age-related macular degeneration, as well as a supporter of healthy lung development in fetuses and newborns.
• a 1-cup serving is nearly half the recommended daily dose of antioxidant-rich vitamin C
  

To make, you can just place it on a cookie sheet and bake in the oven for about an hour, or until you can pierce it with a sharp knife. Or remove the skin using a vegetable peeler and cut the flesh into chunks for steaming or sauteing. Once cooked, mash it or puree it. It's sweet and tasty. See below for more "Cheap, Easy Tips for Preparing Baby Food."
   
Homemade coconut milk keifer or yogurt would be a really good next food. There are two recipes on this post: Coconut Recipes as well as the amazing benefits of coconut oil, but I haven't made the yogurt yet myself. Avoid store bought coconut milk yogurt that has carrageenan in it. I believe that the Greek style So Delicious coconut milk yogurt doesn't have carrageenan in it.

Pears are nice at six to eight months. Simply mash ripe pears with a fork to serve. See http://wholesomebabyfood.momtastic.com/pearbabyfoodrecipes.htm#.UdB3wjuOTSg for nutritional value.

Try baked chicken or turkey at six to eight months. Offering meats around the time that baby’s iron stores may be depleting will help ensure a steady stream of heme-iron. Meats are rich in this form of iron that is most easily absorbed and used by our bodies. 

Stewed beef would be nice next. Put in a crock pot with some good broth and peas would make a nice meal.

You can try wild caught salmon at eight to ten months. It is a cold water fish and it actually has lower levels of mercury than you'd think. Make sure it's completely deboned. Essential Fatty Acids, EFA’s, found in fish and fish oil products help fight off both physical and mental diseases. Some studies show that fish oil (or other foods that contain Omega 3’s) may even help alleviate ADHD or eczema. 

Sprouted nut butters/seed butters may be okay to try if you, the parents, aren't allergic. Make sure you serve them thin and not thick as to avoid a choking hazard.  If reflux or leaky gut is suspected, avoid until the issue has been addressed.

At 12 months, I introduced sprouted quinoa, cooked in broth, and Jett loved it. Quinoa has the full range of amino acids that our kids need to grow. You can certainly try it earlier, but careful, some babies with DS don't digest amino acids very well. If this is a problem, you may want to look into TriEnza enzymes to help. For quinoa porridge, just cook quinoa in coconut water (or plain water), and then mix with coconut milk and fruit. Is nice with cinnamon and banana.
If reflux or leaky gut is suspected, avoid until the issue has been addressed.

Check out this website for more great info:

Introducing Solids to Your 6 month to 8 month old Baby, Learn about introducing solid foods with tips, solid food charts for introducing solids at 6 through 8 months old.

First Foods to Avoid until 12 months old

Counter to Ruth Yaron, who recommends introducing brown rice cereal and root vegetables, it's not advisable for our kids (or any kids) until a year.  

Say no to Root Vegetables

Nitrates, Carrots, and Homemade Baby Food - Nitrates and Making Homemade Baby Food Carrots, Spinach and More

Avoid Baby Cereal (or any cereal) 

Cereal not a good first food – Throw that Box Away

Avoid Whole Grains for 9-12 months

I would not give any grain until 1 year old. It is very hard to digest and often causes lots of problems, both digestive and allergy-wise. Babies do not have the digestive enzymes needed to digest grains until at least 9 months (may be 12, I forget). At 20 months, I've been able to avoid gluten (except for the food that he steals from my plate!) for Jett. 

Use sparingly
These are foods with smaller amounts of goitrogens--foods that adversely affect thyroid function. They should be fine here and there and once your child is being treated for thyroid issues. If these foods are steamed, they can have them from time to time. Cooking reduces the goitrogenic substances by up to a third. One way to offset the effects is to eat foods high in iodine along with them.

• Bamboo shoots
• Millet (cooking doesn't lessen the goitrogens though)
• Peaches
• Peanuts (vaccinated children often have an allergy to this because they use peanut oil in vaccines)
• Pears
• Pine Nuts (hard to digest as well)
• Radishes
• Spinach
• Strawberries
• Sweet Potatoes

Foods to avoid altogether

Avoid Iron and Fluoride

You'll have to ignore Ruth's info on iron and fluoride as well. Fluoride is not good for our kids and iron; you'll have to check his level individually. Traditionally, it's not good for our kids to be supplemented with iron. See Anemia & Iron and Why Fluoride is NOT good for our kids for full explanations.

Avoid Gluten (wheat) and Casein (dairy)

See Why go Gluten Free for your child with Down syndrome?

Casein and Gluten Free 

Avoid Raw Goitrogens 

These are foods that adversely affect thyroid function since our kids are notorious for having thyroid issues. Once your child is being treated for thyroid issues, and if these foods are steamed, they can have them from time to time. Cooking reduces the goitrogenic substances by up to a third. One way to offset the effects is to eat foods high in iodine along with them.

• Bok Choy
• Broccoli (broccoli sprouts are okay)
• Brussel sprouts
• Cabbage
• Cauliflower
• Kale (sprouts are okay)
• Kohlrabi
• Mustard and Mustard greens (sprouts are okay)
• Radishes
• Rutabagas
• Soy (anything--not even cooked)
• Turnips

 Avoid Soy

1. Soybeans contain large quantities of natural toxins or “antinutrients”. First among them are potent enzyme inhibitors that block the action of trypsin and other enzymes needed for protein digestion.
2. These inhibitors are not deactivated during cooking & processing.  Test animals fed these inhibitors developed enlargement and pathological conditions of the pancreas, including cancer.
3. Soybeans also contain haemagglutinin, a clot-promoting substance that causes red blood cells to clump together.
4. 99% of soy is genetically modified and it among the highest contamination by pesticides of any of our foods.
5. Soybeans are high in phytic acid, a substance that blocks the uptake of the essential minerals calcium, magnesium, copper, iron and especially zinc, in the intestinal tract.
6. Soy products contain high levels of aluminum, leached from the aluminum tanks in which they are acid washed and processed at high temperatures.
7. Nitrites, which are potent carcinogens, are formed during the spray-drying of soy.
8. Soy Protein Isolates, which are shown to enlarge the pancreas and thyroid and increase fatty acid deposits in the liver.
9. Soy contains toxic isoflavones.
10. Soy foods have a high concentration of goitrogens which block production of thyroid hormones.

Cheap, Easy Tips for Preparing Baby Food  

One tool that's really helpful in making your own baby food is the Beaba Babycook steamer that also purees the food. Check out this website for their products: http://www.beabausa.com. It saves me soooo much time from doing it with all the pots and steamers & strainers & a food processor... The silicone freezing containers are great -- BPA free and perfect for freezing small portions.

In Super Baby Food, she does use the microwave, which kills the nutrients in all foods. Never use a microwave for baby food. You can heat up any food by putting a shallow dish of water in the microwave until it's hot and then set the baby dishes in the water & stir until warm.

Here's a good link for homemade baby food recipes.

**Why Avocado?

Avocado contains health-promoting monounsaturated fats.

Your baby's body needs these fats for the healthy development of his brain and central nervous system. One of these fats, oleic acid, is believed to help lower cholesterol.

Potassium

Avocado is an excellent source of potassium, containing around 60% more of this valuable mineral than bananas!

Potassium plays an important role in the regulation of blood pressure and, in later life, can help prevent heart disease, strokes and hypertension (high blood pressure).

Lutein

Lutein is a carotenoid (a nutrient in the pigment that gives certain fruits and vegetables their color). A natural anti-oxidant, lutein is responsible for promoting healthy skin and eyes.

Avocados also contain the following important nutrients

• folate
• fiber
• vitamin E
• iron
• copper
• beta-carotene
• vitamin K
• B vitamins

Avocado Baby Food - Hidden Benefits

Not only is avocado baby food highly nutritious in its own right, avocado actually helps your baby's body more efficiently absorb the nutrients from OTHER fruits and veggies he eats them with!

Back in 2005, an interesting article about avocado was published in the Journal of Nutrition. It revealed that tests had shown how adding avocado to salad and salsa

"...significantly enhances carotenoid absorption"

and that

"...adding avocado fruit to carotenoid-containing meals as a lipid source can facilitate carotenoid absorption while offering additional nutritional benefits"

Lipids - organic compounds that are necessary for healthy cell growth.

Carotenoids are soluble in fat. Avocados are rich in monounsaturated fats, so it is believed that eating carotenoid-rich foods along with them makes the carotenoids more 'bioavailable' (which means that the body is able to absorb them more easily).

In addition to the wide range of nutritive benefits we mentioned earlier, avocados are highly digestible, rarely responsible for any type of allergic reaction and do not cause constipation.

Due to their high calorie content, avocados are an excellent food for babies with feeding difficulties (infant reflux, for example). Babies such as these will benefit from a generous amount of calories in a small quantity of food.

Read more: http://www.homemade-baby-food-recipes.com/avocado-baby-food.html#ixzz12Gxu9rPh

*Why coconut oil?

Coconut oil is important for our kids. Not only does it help support the thyroid but it also helps prevent Alzheimer's disease.

This link explains coconut oil and Alzheimer's: https://sites.google.com/site/superdownsyndrome/alzheimers/coconut-oil-and-ad

This link explains about hypothyroidism and coconut oil (and much more): http://www.naturodoc.com/library/nutrition/coconut_oil.htm

Here's an except:

Coconut oil acts as a catalyst to the metabolic activities of the body. It not only regulates, but the proper dosage will bring to moderation all the functions necessary to burn energy and consume calories. Coconut oil consumption creates a hormonal balance and raises the stamina and energy and also brings about mood stability.If coupled with a healthy diet and reduced intake of toxins (such as wheat flour, potatoes, refined sugar and other foods that rate high on the glycemic index) then the results will be immediate and physically noticeable. Not only do the symptoms of hypothyroidism disappear but also the body will feel fit and rejuvenated in comparison to the state of lethargy that is generally caused by a low hormonal level.

(Coconut oil is not a CURE for hypothyroidism, but it works really well to support the thyroid.)

I give Jett a tablespoon a day (mixed in with almost anything he eats). He loves it. It's easy to feed him (okay, I let him feed this to himself) because it just soaks into his skin and easily washes out of everything.

Once your little one is older, you may want to look into cooking with other parts of the coconut. I have tons of gluten free recipes I have posted using coconut flour, etc. (Lots of times our kids can't tolerate gluten.) 

Sources

http://www.wholeliving.com/134734/power-foods-butternut-squash
http://www.who.int/topics/breastfeeding/en/
http://thedeliciousrevolution.com/cleanse/why-avoid-soy/
http://wholesomebabyfood.momtastic.co/introducingfishtobaby.htm#F7Go1lymeqRLvBr1.99 
http://wholesomebabyfood.momtastic.com/meats.htm#DV0kjQqOqjIXwzaP.99 

Related Posts

How I easily feed my toddler with Down syndrome  
Healthy Alternatives to Conventional Formula
Nontoxic Feeding Sets
First Foods: GAPS Introducing Solids
First Foods: Yogurt & Bone Broth
Heal the Gut, Heal the Child
Fermented Cod Liver Oil
Coconut Oil Info and Recipes
More Reasons to Avoid Processed Meats
Healthy Meal Planning Blogs
How to Bottle Feed & Nontoxic Bottles
Breastfeeding
Fats & Oils

Heal the Gut, Heal the Child

Restoring Intestinal Flora

by Konstantin Monastyrsky

Healthy intestinal flora is vital for forming stools, maintaining immunity, synthesizing essential vitamins, and protecting from colorectal cancers. After bacteria are damaged by antibiotics, laxatives, heavy metals, surgeries, or colonoscopies, fiber is broadly recommended to restore and form stools.

Unlike live bacteria, the dead cells of plants — which is what fiber is — can't perform bacterial functions, essential for humans. The loss of these functions contributes to impaired immunity, diabetes, obesity, hair loss, eczema, seborrhea, anemia, internal bleedings, ulcers, strokes, cancers, and common gastrointestinal, respiratory, and autoimmune disorders.

Despite all of these well known and thoroughly studied facts, the American medical establishment adamantly refuses to recognize the role of intestinal flora in health and longevity, and does everything possible to obliterate bacteria, starting at birth. Then, it profits enormously from treating the resulting diseases. This guide outlines the role of intestinal flora in human health and explains how to restore it.

http://www.gutsense.org/gutsense/flora.html

Great for restoring internal flora:

Fermented cod liver oil

Probiotics

Yogurt

Keifer

Sauerkraut

Tempeh

Oil & butter blend is best unless you have a good source of organic/grass fed butter source you can replace the butter oil with. I got the non flavored capsule and I just open it and squeeze it in his food... It smells horrid but he takes it fine...  Next time I won't get it in the capsule because it's an extra step.

Related Posts

Fermented Cod Liver Oil

Probiotic/Yogurt Strains: Benefits and Uses