As a parent of 3 young boys (ages 4, 3, and 1), parenting has become my primary job these last few years. I am happy to share advice as a Naturopathic Doctor for healthy physical & mental emotional development for our little ones.
I stumbled across a great resource/ little video for school age kids called “My Brain Robbie”, which you can check out at: https://mybrainrobbie.org/
Synopsys, it is an animated Brain named Robbie, who identifies 8 key lifestyle habits. In child friendly language, these are the simple ways to keep our brain healthy using 8 neuroprotective habits, which also connect with known risk factors for cognitive decline:
1. Learn – touches on the role of education, cognitive stimulation and learning new things, in building cognitive reserve.7
2. Be active – describes the importance of physical activity and preventing sedentary lifestyles. Bad habits can develop as a result of spending too much time in front of electronic screens, a key issue for children, not to mention adults too!
3. Avoid head injuries – looks at the prevention of traumatic brain injury.
4. Have a healthy diet – refers to the “Mediterranean diet” and its health promoting effects
5. Avoid dangerous substances – educates children in age-appropriate language about the dangers of tobacco and drug intake as well as excessive alcohol use.
6. Sleep well – explains the importance of healthy sleep.
7. Take good care of your health – looks at the importance of following medical care instructions for chronic diseases that can impact brain health, for example, hypertension.
8. Spend time with family and friends – highlights the importance of social interaction for keeping our brains healthy.
Diet is one of the area’s we can help the most as naturopathic doctors. In my family we always try to eat healthy (local organic veggies & fruit whenever possible, hormone / antibiotic free range meats, home cooked whole foods where possible).
We are only human, and when our busy life prevents us from cooking the healthiest options; that’s where supplements or natural health products can fill in the gap.
When we are struggling to cook healthfully & eating out more; I always make sure to be giving my children 2 things for brain health: a general multivitamin, and Omega-3 fish oils (DHA fatty acid in fish oil is particularly important for brain development & neuronal cell growth - Lauritzen et. al.). In addition to those two I regularly give my children probiotics to regulate their digestion (especially when we are not eating enough fermented foods- which for children’s diet is almost always).
With natural health products for kids, especially fish oils which can be contaminated with mercury if you don’t get the right brand- always talk to your naturopathic doctor before starting anything new.
Can book Dr. David Collings, ND online at:
or by contacting the Queens Health Centre at (705) 250-9544.
References:
1) Lauritzen L, Brambilla P, Mazzocchi A, Harsløf LB, Ciappolino V, Agostoni C. DHA Effects in Brain Development and Function. Nutrients. 2016 Jan 4;8(1):6. doi: 10.3390/nu8010006. PMID: 26742060; PMCID: PMC4728620.
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