Emily Gutierrez and Childhood Deficiencies

 Nutrition 101

Dr. Emily Gutierrez was the first speaker. Her specialty is in helping children with problems which is a major concern today. She pointed out that there are many specifics and nutrient deficiencies in children, but she usually begins by suggesting a healthy diet and complete nutrient intake. Here are some of her basic nutrition suggestions:

• Increase consumption of fruits, vegetables, legumes and proteins.
• Eat unprocessed, unrefined, whole foods as much as possible.
• Try to balance all meals with fats, proteins, carbohydrates, fiber and antioxidants.
• Consume half the body weight in ounces of water each day.
• Children often suffer with selective eating. Work to increase the variety of foods that are consumed rather than eating the same foods all the time.
• Emotional and spiritual factors can have an effect on nutrition. Consume meals in a relaxed and peaceful environment.
• Family beliefs about nutrition are key to improving nutrient intake.
• Access to healthy food is not always easy. Sometimes it is necessary to expend effort to find healthy food.

Common Childhood Deficiencies

Dr. Gutierrez listed a number of nutriet deficiencies commonly observed in children. Below are some of the more common problems with physical indicators of the deficiency:

Iron- Results in low energy, pale appearance and restless sleep. It is often associated with heavy intake of dairy products.

Zinc- Common where nails are brittle or ridged. White clouds in the nails can also indicate zinc deficiency. Children with zinc deficiency are picky eaters because food does not taste good-- zinc is essential for proper functioning of the tastebuds. The zinc deficient child will have a poorly functioning immune system and be susceptible to frequent infections.

Magnesium- Deficiency is frequently associated with constipation, muscle aches and pains, anxiety and poor sleep. Cramping can also result.

Deficiency of fatty acids including Omega-3-- Often associated with low cholesterol, dry skin, poor satiety (always hungry and tendency to overeat), and dry eyes. There is also increased risk of inflammatory disorders.

Vitamin D- A tendency to have a weakened immune system and frequent or severe illnesses and depression. Pain when the hair is pulled may be an indication of vitamin D deficiency.

Some Insights

Dr. Gutierrez said an ideal blood level of vitamin D is between 50-100 ng/ml. Over 150 ng/ml is a toxic level and excess intake. Omega-3 fatty acids are particularly important for ADHD, depression, brain injury and autism. Supplements should be used for a minimum of 3 months and optimally at least 4 months before evaluating the efficacy of the treatment. Children aged 6-12 should obtain 1 gram/day and children over 12 2 grams/day.

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