Be honest.  You’re wondering why everyone is gluten and/or dairy-free.

Why do some people have trouble digesting these foods and others have no problem?

What if your child was able to eat these foods again, without digestive pain?

And should this be a concern of yours?

Think about this for a moment.  Your child is exposed to more chemicals and antibiotics than you ever were.

Do you ever wonder if it is affecting their health?

Here’s the thing, there are medications affecting your child’s gut health.

4 Medications that lead to Leaky Gut Syndrome In Kids:

• #1 Antibiotics
• #2 Steroids
• #3 NSAIDs
• #4 Acid-reducing medication

What is Leaky Gut Syndrome?

“Leaky gut, also known as increased intestinal permeability, is a digestive condition in which bacteria and toxins are able to “leak” through the intestinal wall.”

But hang on, why is this a concern for us?

When you have a Leaky Gut, you are at an increased risk for food sensitivity and food allergies.

What exactly is food sensitivity?

A food sensitivity:

• typically causes a less severe reaction
• they may have an ongoing/undiagnosed cough
• usually causes digestive problems
  
• your child’s skin may break out after they eat
• dairy and gluten may be the top sensitive foods for them

A true food allergy causes:

• an immune system reaction that affects numerous organs in the body
• it can cause a range of symptoms
• in some cases, an allergic food reaction can be severe or life-threatening
• you would NEVER re-introduce this food into your child’s diet!!! 
• The 4R approach may reduce your child’s reaction to their allergy but you would never re-introduce the food to them again unless under a doctor’s supervision

But don’t forget, you can heal your child’s gut with the 4R approach below.

Does my child need to heal their gut? Do they have these symptoms?

Leaky Gut Syndrome Symptoms

1. Chronic diarrhea, constipation, gas or bloating
2. Nutritional deficiencies
3. Poor immune system
4. Headaches, brain fog, memory loss
5. Excessive fatigue
6. Skin rashes and problems such as acne, eczema or rosacea
7. Cravings for sugar or carbs
8. Joint pain
9. Depression, anxiety, ADD, ADHD, bad behavior at school
10. Autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, celiac
11. Chronic cough
12. Allergies, Asthma, & Eczema
13. Cheeks get red easily

How to improve digestion in toddlers & big kids?

It’s a method that addresses the underlying causes of gut imbalances and restores harmony, helping to alleviate symptoms and maybe even disease for our children. The program suggests you: Remove> Reinoculate> Repair> Reintroduce

How do you heal your child’s gut?

• Promote healthy evacuation daily with fiber, fruit, vegetables, and water
• Try an elimination diet for 2-3 weeks if symptoms persist, you may want to try the 4R approach
• Remove all triggers: i.e. all allergens and cross reactors like gluten and dairy
• Get off medications (with Dr.’s approval and replace with natural remedies )
• Reduce your child’s stress with reading, being outside, and adding herbal teas
• Heal their gut lining with the 4R approach below
  
• NEVER re-introduce foods that cause a true allergic reaction

Keep in mind.

This program is most successful when the whole family agrees to participate. So, what are the steps?

Leaky Gut Supplements

The 4R approach for children

1. Remove

Take out what ails them  

• Remove your child’s top allergens, including wheat, corn, eggs, dairy, peanuts, and soybeans.
• Add in whole grains (like quinoa and rice), organic vegetables, fruit, and healthy fats. 
• Remove all allergens for 4-6 weeks or it may take up to a year to heal their gut with an auto-immune disease.
• Encourage whole, organic foods if able.
• This is the hardest part to do with small kids.  It helps if the whole house works together.
• Plan ahead.  Print recipes, go grocery shopping, be prepared for meltdowns:)

2. Replace

• Add in a digestive enzyme like Vital Chews or Kids Digest to help your child digest protein, dairy, and meat
• If digestive enzymes produce bloating, your child may have SIBO. Ask for help.
• Teenagers can have 350 HCL at the beginning of a meal to aid digestion or offer bitters to them.

3.  Reinoculate

• Add in a high-quality children’s probiotic like Klaire
  • this is safe for infants and up to age 7
• Wait 2 weeks for the elimination diet or up to 6 weeks.  Adding in a probiotic can give you gas and bloating if you do not remove the allergens first and start with digestive enzymes. 
  
• Look for probiotics with Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria species.
• Older kids, they can incorporate fermented foods such as miso, sauerkraut, and kimchee 3-4x week.
• Although very delicious, kombucha can be high in sugar so consider using it sparingly. 

4. Repair

Include the following supplements for 6-weeks or more to repair your child’s gut.  Dosing depends on your child’s age. The following supplements can be taken for up to 6 months to help to heal the intestinal lining:

• Tumeric
• Curcumin
• Ginger
• Chamomile Tea
• Marshmallow root powder
• DGL licorice (aloe and licorice are not for internal use during pregnancy; these are fine for children) are some of the most effective herbs for healing the gut lining.

Zinc dosing

• Age 4-7 years old 5-10 mg/day
• Age 12 10-20 mg/day

Fish oil: 

• My kids like the Nordic Natural berries for kids.

Conclusion

In short, if your child is struggling with food sensitivities and you find you’re avoiding foods, there is hope.  The 4R approach is more than an elimination diet.  The 4R approach can heal your child’s digestive tract, reduce bloating, gas, diarrhea, and constipation for years to come, and reduce their risk of autoimmune disease as well.

Obsessed with natural remedies, Tara Gregorio is a Certified Women’s Herbal Educator located in Cold Spring, NY. She loves helping women reduce their medications with botanicals. Her favorite herbal recipes can be found on Pinterest and Instagram. https://taragregorio.com/