Protecting your child's brain health
Did you know that in the first five years of life, a child's brain makes over a million neural connections every second -- influencing their future behavior, health and ability to learn? No wonder early nutrition is so important -- as is protection from environmental pollution.
One review of 40 studies found reports that there are striking differences in brain structure when researchers compared kids from low and high air pollution areas. The pollution might be from wildfires, coal-fired plants, traffic or various industries.
If you and your kids live in high-traffic or industrial areas and are exposed to wildfire smoke, it is smart to use HEPA air filters in your home. Also, make sure your kids get out into nature (when there's no air pollution warning). The researchers from UC Davis also encourage schools to use high-quality air filters, so talk to your PTA.
Other studies indicate that omega-3 fatty acids, a multivitamin with vitamins C, D and the B vitamins, as well as olive oil, help the body protect itself from the damage air pollution can do. (About 15% of young children and 17% of adolescents are vitamin D deficient, according to the Cleveland Clinic.) So, make sure your kids get fatty fish such as salmon and plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. Talk to their doc about providing a vitamin supplement (make sure you don't give them too much!). And for more details on nutrition to block the effects of pollution read "Can Supplements Help Protect Against the Harmful Effects of Pollution?" at iHerb.com/blog.
Dr. Mike Roizen is the founder of www.longevityplaybook.com, and Dr. Mehmet Oz is global advisor to www.iHerb.com, the world's leading online health store. Roizen and Oz are chief wellness officer emeritus at Cleveland Clinic and professor emeritus at Columbia University, respectively. Together they have written 11 New York Times bestsellers (four No. 1's).
(c)2024 Michael Roizen, M.D.
Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
(c) 2024 Michael Roizen, M.D. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
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