Oxidative Stress

Oxidative stress is a condition that occurs when there’s an imbalance between oxygen-containing molecules known as free radicals and antioxidants. Free radicals are able to react with other molecules in a process known as oxidation, which can either benefit or harm you.

Oxidative stress can lead to serious health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, etc. Our children are actually more prone to the effects of oxidative stress because they are still developing. They can affect children in a number of ways.

Here are a few examples on how oxidative stress can affect our children:

Asthma and allergies: oxidative stress can damage the cells of the respiratory system and increase inflammation
Developmental delays: oxidative stress can lead to delays in cognitive abilities, motor abilities, and behavioral development
Cancer: oxidative stress can lead to damaged DNA, cause inflammation, and weaken the immune system

In addition, when your body stimulates oxidative stress, it can cause a negative effect with methylation and can cause chronic inflammation.

In order to reduce oxidative stress in your body, it’s recommended to always eat a healthy balanced diet, getting regular exercise and sleep, and manage stress levels. It’s also important for our children to eat – in particular, fruits and vegetables, which are antioxidant-rich foods. Antioxidant-rich foods work to reduce oxidative stress.

Attention: This blog is purely informational and shouldn’t be taken as medical advice. Always seek the guidance of your G.P. for professional medical advice, diagnosis, and before undertaking a new regimen. Contact your child’s doctor for further information regarding their nutrition and overall wellbeing.

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The 3Rs: Removing, Replacing, and Restoring

March 20, 2024

As previously mentioned, nutrition is directly tied with our children’s health and wellbeing. There are 3 main restorative actions we can implement to build and maintain a cleaner, healthier lifestyle. You can read more in-depth about all 3 steps below. The first R stands for removing. This means removing or discovering any allergens or intolerances from your diet or medications that could potentially cause inflammation. Some common irritants that can cause symptoms are soy, dairy, gluten, sugar, peanuts, and GMOs. Some people can also get irritated by coffee or alcohol. Many children have food allergies, which is common and can actually change over time. If you suspect your child has a certain allergy, talk to your child’s doctor and we can run some tests for you. The second R signifies replacing aka replacing the nutrients or vitamins you cut out . By changing your diet, you might lose certain nutrients which is why it’s important to always have a balanced diet of carbohydrates, protein and fat. This can also be done by taking certain supplements depending on your body’s needs. Children (and adults) need daily servings of vegetables and fruits, whole grains such as bread, pasta, rice or oats, and proteins such as eggs, chicken, or even legumes. Additionally, milk products such as cheese or milk can be a great source of healthy fat and protein. Our children typically eat small portions throughout the day yet use a lot of energy, so it’s important to keep them fueled up. Lastly, the third R stands for restoring . This step can be done by consuming probiotics and prebiotics, which both work to insert good bacteria back into your body. Probiotics are live microbes that can be ingested through certain drinks, foods, and supplements. On the other hand, prebiotics are non-digestible fibers that help regulate your GI tract. Here are some examples of some probiotic-rich foods and prebiotics: Probiotics: yogurt, kefir, buttermilk, aged cheese fermented veggies (kimchi, sauerkraut) sourdough, kombucha Prebiotics: bananas, apples, watermelon mushrooms, garlic, cabbage chickpeas, oats, whole-grain wheat Attention: Always seek the guidance of your G.P. and ask questions regarding certain supplements and your child’s diets to make sure they are receiving a balanced diet. If you suspect your child has certain food allergies or intolerances, please contact your G.P.