Is your child struggling with health challenges, digestive issues, poor immune health, or behavioural issues, yet you can’t seem to find out why? Do you want your child to have the healthiest start in life, yet the myriad of conflicting information seems overwhelming? In that case, read on, because we’re here to help.
Children are not simply miniature adults. Their bodies are growing and developing, and this means they have unique nutrient needs. For example, children need plenty of healthy fats to support their rapid brain development, and a higher density of vitamins and minerals to aid growth.
Children’s digestive systems operate differently to those of adults, too. Little ones’ gut microbiomes are less diverse, with different species predominating. In fact, your child’s microbiome will change significantly from birth until adulthood. The importance of a healthy childhood gut microbiome can’t be overstated, as it is responsible for training a child’s immature immune system.
Meanwhile, children’s gut linings are more permeable than adults. In very early life, this helps support optimal nutrient absorption. The gaps between the intestinal lining cells, known as tight junctions, become smaller as childhood progresses. However, premature birth, medications and diet can all affect the integrity of this intestinal lining. Furthermore, this natural additional permeability can make children susceptible to food sensitivities if protein molecules from food aren’t broken down effectively.
The DNA gifted to your child influences their nutritional needs, metabolism, and their overall response to foods, for example their tolerance to lactose or gluten. Additionally, genes influence the makeup of the digestive microbiome, blood sugar control, detoxification, body clock, and even inflammation.
Fortunately, genes respond dynamically to the environment they are in. By environment this means nutrients, movement, stress management, toxin restriction, and adequate sleep. This creates a unique opportunity to shape your child’s present and future health if an optimal environment is provided for their genes.
The only way to successfully address health issues is to identify and correct root causes. That’s why we recommend testing to uncover those imbalances inside the body contributing to symptoms, rather than guessing causes from symptoms alone.
Our new Children’s Health Testing Package is a three-part package of non-invasive tests, with samples easily taken at home. They are designed to shed light on the genetic, nutritional, and metabolic factors influencing your child’s health and development. The Nutrient Core Test analyses a simple cheek swab to assess nutrient needs, and how your child’s DNA is affecting their metabolism. The Organic Acids Test takes a sample of morning urine to detect metabolic markers, giving insights into your child’s metabolism, detoxification, and microbiome. Finally, the Methylation Genetic Test also uses a simple cheek swab to examine your child’s genetic picture and assess how efficiently they are methylating. This process within the body influences growth, detoxification, brain function, and immune health.
For younger children from birth to three years of age, our Infant Health Testing Package is comprised of two tests, the Nutrient Core Test and the Baby Gut Health Test. This latter test examines a sample of stool to reveal the makeup of your infant’s microbiome. It will highlight the beneficial and disruptive microbes present, detect any inflammation, and reveal how well your child’s microbiome is maturing.
These tests provide insights into how genetics and the microbiome are interacting. Results will highlight where support may be needed to enhance early life health. The packages are perfect for little ones who may have received antibiotics early on, or who suffer with digestive upsets, allergies, frequent infections, and other health challenges.
Test results provide personalised insights to support actionable steps to enhance your child’s health journey by aligning their diet and lifestyle with their genetic blueprint.
Meanwhile, one of the best ways to support gut health and a healthy microbiome is to encourage your child to eat a wide range of plant foods. Even better, cover their plate with a rainbow of colours. Each colour provides different phytonutrients and fibre, fuel for the microbiome. This is where the fun starts, but mealtimes needn’t be a battle. Children love colour, and your child will enjoy being part of their optimal health journey. Involving them, creating fun and making the most of their innate curiosity are easy wins towards a collaborative health journey for you and your child.
If you would like one-to-one support, alongside some more great ideas on how to create healthy mealtimes for your kids, we’re here to help. We can also offer expert interpretation of any of the tests outlined above. Why not book a FREE Discovery Call to start your journey?
If you want support to optimise your children’s health, why not book a FREE Discovery Call to see how Functional Medicine can help?
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