About this Episode Pediatric and Maternal Wellness: Growing Healthy Children in all Ages and Stages Host Dr. Sarah Clarke, DC, IFMCP, leads this informative episode, interviewing Dr. Brenda Holland, Chiropractic Physician who specializes in pediatric care and maternal wellness. Drs. Clarke and Holland take a deep dive into supporting mothers and children of all ages and stages from pre-conception through adolescence with nutrition, chiropractic care, and healthy movement.  Use the audio player above or the YouTube video below to listen now! And don't forget to follow and like our podcast channel to stay up-to-date on upcoming podcast episodes. Highlights of the episode include: Nutrition recommendations for healthy growing children Establishing healthy habits with older children Nutrition for infants, babies and toddlers Pre-conception, Fertility and Prenatal care and nutrition recommendations Fourth Trimester Care for women and breastfeeding support Podcast Summary 1:00 Growing up on farm - health of cows and how to increase healthy milk by providing cows with alfalfa and fermented corn, and how soil health impacts crops and animals 3:15 Whole Body Health – connection between the Earth and what we put into our bodies 5:30 beginning Chiropractic Practice and earned Diplomate in Clinical Chiropractic Pediatrics through ICA 7:00 Chiropractic Companies and Organizations for support network 10:10 Changes in the field of Chiropractic over past 20 years – more female chiropractors, and how it’s changing the workplace to support working Chiropractic mothers; more emphasis on specialties – pediatrics, functional medicine, etc. 17:45 Common conditions children come into the chiropractic office – sports injuries, back pain, obesity, skin conditions; when to refer out 20:00 Nutrition recommendations for healthy growing children 23:20 Risks of children becoming a one sport athlete at a young age, and the importance of a good nutritional foundation for young athletes 28:20 Nutrition for infants, babies and toddlers – breastfeeding if possible, good quality formulas, vitamin D3, healthy fats, solid food introduction at the right time 34:20 Making healthy foods look appealing for babies and toddlers – focus on eating colorful foods 36:38 Establishing healthy habits with older children – take them shopping, parents lead activities on growing foods and nutritional value; the 80/20 rule 38:48 Pre-conception, Fertility and Prenatal care and nutrition recommendations – fertility is not just about female health, 30-50% of fertility issues are due to male health, including inadequate folate intake, CoQ10, and selenium; common pregnancy concern is back pain, 45-50% of females experience low back pain in pregnancy and 65+% experience low pain within 12 months of delivery 42:30 Fourth Trimester Care for women – healthcare and society need to establish a foundational understanding of pelvic care prior to and after pregnancy; safe comfortable places to breastfeed 47:00 Chiropractic as patient-centered care – 49:44 – Simple changes to start with if patients are feeling overwhelmed on starting their wellness journey – adding good things in before taking away, healthy eating habits, and basic movement Other WholisticMatters Children's Health Content Nurturing Gut Health for Kids Supporting Children's Immune Health through the Microbiome How Much Protein do Children Need: Nutritional Requirements for Growing Kids This podcast is sponsored by Standard Process About Standard Process - Only at SP https://youtu.be/LWsINdQBN-0

Children are exposed to new biological insults as they interact with their environment. Because of this, their bodies quickly learn to respond and adapt to the external world. A healthy immune system is critical to this response, protecting the body from infection and, in some cases, developing a memory that will stay with them throughout adulthood. Gut Microbiome Maintaining a healthy digestive tract is essential for children’s overall and immune health. As they grow, children develop their gut microbiome, a collection of bacteria, viruses, and fungi in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The gut microbiome in both kids and adults affects other areas of the body, including the brain and immune system. Certain dietary compounds can change the composition of the gut microbiome, including prebiotics, which act as food for the bacteria in the gut. 2’-fucosyllactose (2’-FL) is a compound found in breast milk that functions as a prebiotic. It can avoid digestive enzymes, allowing it to reach the lower GI tract. There, it can act as food for bacteria in the gut. However, not just any bacteria can use it for nutrition and energy; a specific group of good bacteria (called Bifidobacteria) are uniquely able to utilize 2’-FL. These bacteria are health-promoting bacteria, and feeding them 2’-FL can help their population flourish while limiting the growth of potentially harmful bacteria through competition for food and resources.1,2 Decreased levels of Bifidobacteria are commonly seen in GI conditions and metabolic diseases.1,3,4  In addition to feeding good bacteria in the gut, 2’-FL can act as a binding decoy, tricking toxins and pathogens into binding to it, which can prevent invasion into the body.1 2’-FL has a similar structure to certain binding sites on cells in the GI tract. Because of this similarity, biological toxins and external bacteria will bind to 2’-FL instead of to cells in the GI tract, which prevents them from launching infections.1 Supporting the gut microbiome is especially important in babies because it is underdeveloped at birth. As babies grow into healthy children, 2’-FL can continue to support health, even into adulthood. After breastfeeding, supplementation with 2’-FL can help promote a healthy gut microbiome composition, support the development of the intestinal immune system, and help improve symptoms of chronic GI conditions.2,3 Micronutrients In addition to dietary compounds like 2’-FL, micronutrients are essential for children’s immune health. The same vitamins and minerals that keep the adult immune system firing on all cylinders also support immune health in kids. Vitamin C stimulates the immune system and mitigates damage that can occur due to an infection, while vitamin D is important for communication among immune cells.5 Zinc is an important mineral for cells that rapidly divide, including those in the immune system.5 It also helps produce antibodies and keeps the skin healthy, a critical first line of defense against potential invaders.5 Medicinal Herbs Medicinal herbs can also support immune health in children and adults. Elderberry is a particularly good option for children’s immune health. It contains high concentrations of compounds only found in plants, including anthocyanins which can be found in red, blue, and purple plants. Anthocyanins work as antioxidants in the body and help support the immune system’s natural response to an infection.6 Children are especially vulnerable to pathogens due to their developing immune systems in a world of new triggers. Providing additional support through vitamins, minerals, herbs, and 2’-FL can enhance the immune response and provide both acute and long-lasting immune support.

A baby’s immune system is not yet fully developed even as they exit the womb and enter a world full of bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens. Fortunately, in the first few days after birth, a mother’s breastmilk supplies colostrum to help jump start the immune system. As children grow and continue to be exposed to pathogens and other immune challenges, the immune system learns and grows stronger, providing protection into adulthood.