Could Your Child’s Health be Controlling Their Behavior?

We have all seen children with seemingly boundless energy go from good behavior to bad behavior at what seems like the drop of a hat. It happens. Children are testing boundaries, learning what is socially acceptable, and what will and won’t be tolerated. However, what happens when those meltdowns become more common than not? Do you know a child whose mood swings are sporadic? Could a child’s health be controlling their behavior? If so, what can we, as parents, do to curb this destructive behavior and get our children back on the right track?

It seems that children’s health can be related to their actions and attitudes in a number of ways. Poor nutrition can not only affect a child’s health but can impact a child’s behavior1. We have become a soda-drinking and fast food eating nation, and our health, both young and old alike, is paying the price. Caffeine, sugar and phosphoric acid are bad enough and put a lot of stress on the body, but drinking soda also dehydrates the body, and the brain1. The brain’s energy is produced by water passing in and out of cells, and since the brain is 85% water by volume, dehydration puts abnormal stress on the brain1.

Dehydration also causes a shortage of the amino acid tryptophan which produces the feel-good chemical, serotonin1. A depletion of serotonin can cause a wide range of brain disorders, including ADD, ADHD, schizophrenia and obsessive-compulsive disorder1. The bottom line, cutting back on soda or other sugary drinks and drinking more water could bring positive changes to a child’s health and behavior1.

In addition to soda and sugary foods, there are other things to be aware of in a child’s diet. Artificial food additives and trans fats have been linked to attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD), irritability, as well as aggression2. The good news, however, is that good nutrition can also affect a child’s physical health, social health and positive social behavior3. For children 2 and older, a diet that consists of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and fat-free and low-fat dairy products can contribute to healthy development and lifelong wellbeing4.

Another area of concern that could be impacting your child’s behavior is the gut. We have microbes in our gut that communicate with our brain. 85% of the microbes are probiotics that help us digest food, absorb nutrients, regulate our immune system (more on that below) and balance our blood sugar. Some of these probiotics also produce serotonin and GABA, the “feel good” chemicals. Researchers now believe that these gut microbes may have an effect on children’s social interactions, their ability to focus, follow instructions and even sit still. One way to help your child’s gut health is to eat probiotic-rich foods (kimchi, sauerkraut, kombucha) and pre-biotic-rich foods (bananas, oats, honey, asparagus, jicama and Jerusalem artichoke), as well as avoiding unnecessary medications and antibacterial cleaners5. You can learn more about this subject here.

Now, let’s talk more about the immune system. By definition, the immune system is made up of a complex network of cells, tissues and organs and is our body’s defense against infectious organisms and other invaders. An immune system that is not functioning properly could lead to negative social behavior6. One way to help immune support* for children (4 years of age and up), is through daily dosing with Bio-Active Silver Hydrosol™ For Kids. For more information about Bio-Active Silver Hydrosol, please read this article.

Bio-Active Silver Hydrosol™ For Kids is colorless and tasteless, so if your child has a hard time taking supplements, this is a product that they won’t resist as it’s just like drinking water. Parents will love the fact that their children can benefit from safe and effective immune support.*

There are a lot of things that can control your child’s behavior. The good news is that by understanding some of the sources that can negatively alter their behavior, we can make the necessary corrections to see that our kids are happier and more adjusted for the life ahead of them.

References:

https://www.advantage4parents.com/article/children-nutrition-behavior-and-health-part-one/

https://www.livestrong.com/article/262789-how-diet-affects-childrens-behavior/

https://www.news-medical.net/news/20160511/Positive-effects-of-good-nutrition-linked-to-childs-social-behavior-development.aspx

https://healthyeating.sfgate.com/effects-good-nutrition-childrens-behavior-9126.html

https://www.hyperbiotics.com/blogs/recent-articles/could-your-child-s-gut-be-controlling-their-behavior

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/beastly-behavior/201608/new-study-reveals-how-immune-system-affects-social-behavior