Is there such a thing as leaky gut in children?

The answer is yes because leaky gut syndrome does not discriminate by age.

I have been asked to write this angle on leaky gut by several. And I decided to share about it upon receiving the NDF Pooper because together, they make sense 🙂

NDF Pooper

The NDF Pooper is from Bioray. It is a bowel and toxin removal herbal drop that comes in a 2 oz bottle. The flavor is mango. 

Product Highlights

• Promotes relaxation
• Alleviates bowel-related stomach discomfort
• Helps moisten and lubricate the intestines
• Promotes intestinal integrity
• Support healthy bowel movements
• Alcohol, Gluten, Dairy and Soy free
• Non-GMO

The main ingredients include: Linum, Rhubarb Root, White Peony, Bitter Orange, Magnolia Bark, Apricot Seed, American Ginseng, Lycium Fruit, CytoFlora, Micronized Chlorella (NDF®).

Top 4 Reasons I Love the NDF Pooper

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1. It’s gentle with a Mango flavor.
2. It can be easily added to anything, since it’s liquid drops.
3. The name is great. My kids laugh when I say it. Believe it or not, this is key for talking about all things gut with children.
4. The goal of the supplement is to move the bowels and remove toxins. When waste stays in children (and adults), problems compound fast. 

Remember, with any purchase at Perfect Supplements HERE, you save 10% off your total order just by entering in code ‘GUTSY10’ at checkout.

Leaky Gut in Children

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I’m most interested in the study of leaky gut in children as it relates to the gut-brain connection. 

Not many want to believe in the correlation, but the research is all there and it has been building for a very long time. 

This video is not short, but it’s detailed and worth the watch if you’re interested in this topic.

Pediatrician Dr. Michelle Perro talks about leaky gut, NCGS, toxicity and children.

Signs of Leaky Gut in Children

Here are 10 common signs of leaky gut in children:

1. chronic congestion
2. eczema
3. ongoing digestive discomfort 
4. red ears or rashes anywhere around the body, but particularly around the mouth and cheeks
5. bloated windy tummy with disrupted gut, which can be either diarrhea or constipation.
6. allergy-type symptoms like itchy eyes, runny nose, swelling or wheeziness
7. pre-existing autoimmune diagnosis
8. thin frame and also have trouble growing and absorbing nutrients
9. unpredictability, anger, anxiety, and learning difficulties
10. fixated on certain foods containing wheat or milk, like pasta, crackers or cereal.

Sources: HERE, and HERE.

But children are young so how would they get a leaky gut? 

Leaky Gut Causes in Children

The list looks the same as it does for adults, but we add / emphasize these in children:

1. overuse of antibiotics
2. intestinal Candida or other fungal infections (btw – also parasites like THIS)
3. poorly tolerated routine vaccinations
4. traumatic brain injury or concussion
5. C section birth (baby misses exposure to helpful vaginal flora)

What’s a Mama to Do?

This is the million-dollar question. 

If your child had a leaky gut, what would you do?

Well, thanks for asking. I believe all three of my children do, and I’m always cognizant of it and doing the best I can to help.

If you want the truth, I could be doing 1,000 x’s better currently. Due to some recent events and life circumstances, I’m going to be hunkering down more in the new year. 

Three practical and basic things I’ll do:

1. More broths.
2. Less or none of the following: gluten, dairy, and sugar. 
3. Updated testing from the (holistic) doctor we see.

Beyond those, when needed and at specific times:

1. Things like Ready, Set, Go and the NDF Pooper.
2. Probiotics, but THIS specific one.
3. Enzymes
4. Supplements unique to each child, as recommended by their doctor.

What I do not do is anything insanely strict. While I believe 1,000% in the power of no gluten, dairy, and sugar, I also believe that having it from time-to-time will not kill them.

I’m not interested in setting my children up for a lifetime of an unhealthy relationship with food. 

If an issue or condition is severe, though, I believe anything could be warranted. 

And these are things for you, Mama, and your doctor to decide upon.

Other Recommending Reading

Here are a few sources for additional reading on this topic:

1. The Second Brain, Michael Gerson M.D
2. Autism in Children and Gut Bacteria
3. The Mind Gut Connection, Emeran Mayer M.D
4. Gut & Psychology Syndrome, Natasha Campbell McBride M.D
5. The Leaky Gut Meal Plan: 4 Weeks to Detox and Improve Digestive Health, A Gutsy Girl 🙂

And yes, of course I recommend grabbing a copy of my book above, The Leaky Gut Meal Plan. 

I won’t lie. Children will not love every single recipe in the book. And I know this because I tested all recipes on my own children. That said, most of the recipes they did love!

Besides, you need broth and there are 3 broth recipes in the book. There is one vegetable broth recipe and two bone broth recipes.

Questions? Thoughts?

Xox,
SKH