Down Syndrome
A short but interesting note I hope on healthy living. Our youngest daughter has Down syndrome, and she is now 12 years old. Over the last 12 years I have tried to watch her diet and tried to give her good healthy food. This is not always the case as children have their own minds as to what they like to eat, and one of her problems is crisps.
I don’t want to go into a lot of details about her diet, but what I wanted to draw your attention to is healthy eating . Children with down syndrome has an extra lot of free radical being produced, but we all have free radical which can cause a lot of damage to our bodies.
Looking at Doctor Steve Nugent recent flyer he draws our attention to the fact how fruit and vegetables have declined dramatically over the years in nutrients. Today we would need to eat 53 peaches to 2 peaches in 1951. Wow ! That is where vitamins and mineral supplements come into being.
Please add you comments and we can have a chat about it in our call on Monday.
See you then Hazel (one of the team)
Tags: Children With Down Syndrome, Crisps, Diet, Doctor Steve, Down Syndrome, Extra, Fruit And Vegatables, Fruit And Vegetables, Healthy Food, Mineral Supplements, Nutrients, Peaches, Vitamins, Youngest Daughter
You know there are times when you read an article and it seems to coincide with something else you have just heard in the national media.
Healthy Living to encompass diet with all the necessary supplements to support the bodies growth and well being.
Following this brief posting “Down Syndrome” the media have been covering the results of research into concerns that Spina Bifida (15 cases) have been reported in Scotland this year. A serious medical condition in babies and children which they are born with which it was believed had been eradicated. However, it would seem to be on the increase once again and medical research points to the lack of folic acid in the mother prior to and during pregnancy.
Folate (folic acid) is a water based soluble B vitamin which occurs naturally in food. Folic Acid is the synthetic form found in supplements. Folate is found in leafy green vegetables (spinach and turnip greens) fruits (citrus friuts and juices) dried beans and peas.
The basic mechanism of action underlying folic acid is its role in cellular division and DNA synthesis. Without folic acid cells do not divide properly. Folic acid (Folate) is critical in the nervous system development of the foetus and for healthy blood cell production.
Back to the importance of a healthy diet with plenty of green foods, fruit at all times and particularly in the case of the mother wanting to have a baby and then during pregnancy.. A variety of vitamins and minerals to include Folate are essential both to the mothers well being and that of the unborn child’s development and long term good health. Lets not forget brain function and temperament. (ADHD) It is also now acknowledge that the inclusion of essential fatty acids in the diet, Omega Oils play a major part in the development of the foetus and long term health of the child.
A healthy immune system and the expultion of free radicals and toxins are known to be supported by a healthy well balanced diet and when neccessary sensible supplementation.
Folic acid is available in capsule form, likewise there are also some excellent preconception and pregnancy supplements available in capsule form containing the right balance of vitamins and minerals.
I don’t know much about Down syndrome but am a huge St. Louis Cardinals fan. Albert Pujols, their First Baseman and on-field leader of the team, has a child with Down syndrome. You may already know about this, but if not, he and his family started the Pujols Family Foundation to support those with and affected by Downs. Here’s a link to their website:
http://www.pujolsfamilyfoundation.org/