Louise Scheelings Naturopath & Counsellor

Children's Health

Children have unique nutritional needs. They are not simply “mini adults”. A child’s digestive system is not completely developed until they are two years old and there is a very important but often overlooked link between their digestive system and immune system. Around sixty percent of your child’s immune cells are located in their digestive tract, making digestive health vital for a healthy immune system. If the delicate bacterial balance of a child’s digestive system is upset it can lead to the development of allergies and a weakened immune system. Antibiotics, constipation, gastro infections, caesarean birth, a high sugar diet and even chlorinated water can all adversely affect this delicate balance. Children also have a decreased ability to detoxify making them extra sensitive to food additives and chemicals in their environment.

It’s not until around the age of twelve years that your child’s nervous system and brain is fully developed, making nutrition in those early formative years extremely important. Deficiencies in zinc and essential fatty acids during childhood can result in a child never reaching their full developmental potential. A good diet is as important as math’s tutoring in helping your child excel and reach their full academic potential.

Your child’s diet and nutrition during their childhood affects not only their immediate health, wellbeing and behaviour but also exerts long term effects on their health and risk of disease in adulthood, putting a whole new spin on the importance of getting them to eat their vegetables.

Whether you want to maximise your child’s learning potential, would like to decrease their reliance upon medications or need help with conditions such as:

• Allergies
• Behavioural disorders such as ADD/ADHD
• Sleep problems
• Ear, nose and throat problems
• Digestive problems such as constipation and diarrhoea
• Coughs, colds and runny noses
• Immune problems including recurrent infections
• Skin disorders

You’ll be glad to know that there is expert and experienced help available. A full range of supplements, efficient and painfree tests and natural medicines designed with children’s needs (and tastes!) in mind are available. For more information on whether Natural Therapies are suitable for your child’s particular needs or to book your Healthy Child Consultation, call or email Louise today. Health fund rebates are available.