Hyperactive, impulsive, poor concentration; regular ear infections, sniffly nose; constipated, picky with food, diarrhoea; not interacting with peers, aggressive, slow learner; asthma, allergies, eczema; Does any of this sound familiar? Is it just a normal part of childhood? Or maybe your child is lumped with a label – ADHD, Dyslexia, allergies, Aspergers, Autism, slow developer or just plain naughty? Could there be another explanation…?

What is the underlying reason that more and more our children are affected by these “unavoidable childhood conditions” like ear infections and eczema, or are diagnosed with behavioural disorders like ADHD? It is interesting to note that very rarely do any of these symptoms occur in isolation, but almost always present as a messy combination of symptoms that don’t fit clearly into any one category (as is shown in Figure 1).

Campbell-McBride, N. (2008). Gut and Psychology Syndrome. Amersham, Buckinghamshire: Halstan Printing Group. Pp.6.

One of my favourite terms (borrowed from Dr Natasha Campbell-McBride) is Gut And Psychology Syndrome or GAPS which is an excellent way to describe our very normal children who are suffering from very sick digestive tracts – and this is manifesting as poor concentration, bad behaviour, regular infections, difficulty learning and communicating, hyperactivity, lethargy and more. Can something as simple as your child’s digestive tract (or “gut”) really be the underlying cause for all of these symptoms? Definitely. Let me very briefly describe how…

The digestive tract is lined with a bacterial layer that provides a natural barrier against bad bacteria, viruses, chemicals and undigested proteins (we call all these undesirables “pathogens”). This gut bacteria has many essential roles, some of which are to

• digest food
• provide energy for the cells lining the gastrointestinal tract
• produce an acidic environment that discourages pathogens
• produce antibiotic-like, anti-fungal and anti-viral substances
• take part in the production of immune system cells

In a child with a compromised digestive tract the bacteria and the first line of immunity is not sufficient to combat the pathogens which it encounters, allowing them to cross into the bloodstream where the second line of immunity kicks in and becomes overactive, predisposing your child to allergic reactions, eczema and mucus production. A sick digestive tract also allows undigested food molecules, similar in structure to opiates such as morphine and heroin, to cross into the blood and interfere with normal brain function.

Campbell-McBride, N. (2008). Gut and Psychology Syndrome. Amersham, Buckinghamshire: Halstan Printing Group. Pp.20

So how can we make sure our children have good gut bacteria and a good chance at health?

POSITIVE EFFECT ON GUT BACTERIA	NEGATIVE EFFECT ON GUT BACTERIA
Natural birth (compared to Caesar)	Heavy metals (such as mercury, aluminium, lead, arsenic and copper)
Breast milk	Antibiotics
Unprocessed foods (such as wholegrains, fresh fruit and vegetables)	Prescription drugs
Fermented foods (such as sauerkraut, yoghurt and kvass)	Processed foods
Probiotics	Sugar

Take the pressure off your child’s struggling immune system and give them the freedom to thrive, physically and emotionally, develop new skills and take in the world around them.

By Jodie Sirone BHSc(CompMed) jodie.livelife@gmail.com