We interviewed integrative pediatrician Elisa Song MD, author of Healthy Kids, Happy Kids, about how to have a resilient child. You can watch the replay below. Please note that you will be asked to provide your email address at the 30-minute mark to continue viewing the replay.

What Is a Resilient Child?

Although resilience is often thought of in psychological terms as the ability to bounce back from stressors, newer medical research (see Sources & References, below) is coming to understand that there are biomedical underpinnings about having a resilient child. Clearly, a child who has a chronic health condition will likely have a much harder time being resilient, even from a psychological perspective. Because the gut, brain and immune system are intertwined, it’s helpful to know that making diet and lifestyle choices for your child can increase his or her resilience.

In This Webinar

In this webinar, Dr. Song helped us to understand the changes and practices that parents can make to increase their child’s resilience by answering the following questions:

• Why does resilience start in the gut?
• Why is the gut microbiome the most important biomarker for resilience and optimal health?
• Are there certain dietary changes parents can make to optimize their child’s gut health?
• Can improving gut health lower inflammation?
• Can physical activity improve resilience?
• What are some stress-management techniques for increasing resilience?
• Are there any other things a parent can do to improve their child’s resilience?

Key Discussions

These main themes underscore the importance of diet, holistic health practices, and functional medicine in fostering resilience and overall well-being in children.

Impact of Diet on Gut Health and Longevity

Diet significantly shapes the gut microbiome, which in turn affects overall health and longevity. Consuming a variety of 30 or more different plant foods per week leads to a healthier gut microbiome. Conversely, ultra-processed foods can disrupt the gut microbiome quickly, but healthier foods can begin to heal it within 48 hours.

Managing Health Conditions Through Diet and Lifestyle

Holistic and functional approaches to diet, such as the ketogenic diet for neurological issues or dietary changes like eliminating dairy for ear infections, can improve children’s health. Incorporating natural remedies, addressing food sensitivities, and maintaining a diverse diet rich in plants, nuts, seeds, and fibers are crucial steps.

Role of the Vagus Nerve in Stress Management and Overall Health

Engaging the vagus nerve through techniques like breathing and mindfulness can shift the body from a fight-or-flight response to a state conducive to healing and recovery. Regular practice of vagus nerve stimulation has numerous benefits, including reducing chronic inflammation and balancing physiological processes.

Nutritional Deficiencies and Picky Eaters

Addressing nutritional deficiencies in children, such as zinc, magnesium, vitamin D, iron, and omega-3 fatty acids, is essential for their overall health. Parents can overcome challenges with picky eaters or children with sensory issues by integrating nutrient-dense foods and supplements into their diet creatively.

Holistic and Integrative Approaches to Pediatric Health

Building a strong foundation for children’s health by nurturing the gut microbiome and addressing holistic factors like sleep, hydration, movement, and stress management can lead to more resilient and healthier children. Functional and integrative medicine principles focus on root-cause resolution rather than symptom management.

The American Gut Project

Studies have indicated that the accumulation of multiple stressors significantly impacts children’s health. One compelling piece of evidence comes from the American Gut Project, which studied the effect of diet on the microbiome. Findings showed that individuals consuming 30 or more different plant foods per week had a healthier gut microbiome, indicating a lower total load from diet-related stressors. Conversely, diets high in ultra-processed foods—which can negatively shift the microbiome in just a few days—represent a significant stressor that contributes to the total load.

Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity

Research led by Dr. Alessio Fasano has brought non-celiac gluten sensitivity to light. In addition, in his work with children with MIS-C (Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children). His research suggested that MIS-C is driven by a zonulin-dependent loss of the gut mucosal barrier. Zonulin is a biomarker of intestinal permeability (leaky gut). His team showed that “in children with MIS-C, a prolonged presence of SARS-CoV-2 in the GI tract led to the release of zonulin.”

Heart-Rate Variability

Heart rate variability (HRV) is a reliable marker of vagus nerve health because it directly reflects the influence of the vagus nerve on the heart. A high HRV indicates good vagal tone, suggesting efficient parasympathetic function and an enhanced ability to handle stress and recover from it. We discussed different ways to measure and improve HRV in this webinar.

Timestamped Overview

00:00 Chose holistic medicine over law to help children.
07:26 Book combines holistic health research for pediatricians.
15:37 Optimize children’s gut microbiomes for long-term health.
18:42 Parents can optimize child’s gut microbiome anytime.
22:54 Book outlines steps to support children’s gut health.
27:47 Nurturing child’s microbiome like nurturing environment.
34:46 Encourage kids to add plants to meals.
41:14 Maintain ketogenic state, consult dietitian, incorporate plants.
46:13 Parenting challenges and addressing nutritional deficiencies explained.
52:00 Nourish microbiome for health and happiness.
57:33 Unsweetened oat milk may contain added sugars.
01:03:29 Ear infections often don’t need antibiotics initially.
01:07:16 Homeopathic remedies for ear infections and hearing loss.
01:14:01 Ear curette for gentle wax removal method.
01:20:37 Understanding vagus nerve improves lifelong wellness.
01:22:05 Breathe with your diaphragm for stress relief.
01:28:53 Stimulating vagus nerve aids in healing.
01:36:03 TinyHeatlh uses advanced technology for comprehensive microbiome testing.
01:39:13 Patient’s parents express gratitude for ongoing care.

Resources Mentioned in This Webinar

Reversal of Autism Symptoms among Dizygotic Twins through a Personalized Lifestyle and Environmental Modification Approach: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Healthy Kids, Happy Kids: An Integrative Pediatrician’s Guide to Whole Child Resilience

Ketogenic diet

Seizures

Practitioner directory

Fat, Stressed, and Sick: MSG, Processed Food, and America’s Health Crisis

Webinar replay: A Holistic Approach to Ear, Nose and Throat Infections with Tony Ebel DC

Webinar replay: Brain Harmony with Carol Garner-Houston

Improving Vagal Tone

TinyHealth

Dolphin NeuroStim

TruVaga

ApolloNeuro

OuraRing

About Elisa Song MD

In her integrative pediatric practice, she’s helped 1000’s of kids get to the root causes of their health concerns and empowered parents to help their children thrive by integrating conventional pediatrics with functional medicine, homeopathy, acupuncture, herbal medicine, and essential oils.

Dr. Song is chair of A4M’s pediatric education and has lectured around the world at leading integrative and functional-medicine conferences and premier parenting events. She has also been featured in hundreds of top podcasts, print and online media outlets, including the Wellness Mama podcast, BloomTV, Forbes, Healthline, MindBodyGreen, National Geographic, PopSugar, Parents, Motherly, Parade, Verywell Health, and the New York Post.

Disclaimer

This webinar is not a substitute for medical advice, treatment, diagnosis, or consultation with a medical professional. It is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be relied on to make determinations related to treatment of a medical condition. Documenting Hope has not verified and does not guaranty the accuracy of the information provided in this webinar.

Still Looking for Answers?

Visit the Documenting Hope Practitioner Directory to find a practitioner near you.

Join us inside our online membership community for parents, Healing Together, where you’ll find even more healing resources, expert guidance, and a community to support you every step of your child’s healing journey.

More To Explore