Digestive issues in Paleo kids - PaleoHacks.com

Digestive issues in Paleo kids

2011-04-18T17:47:00Z

Hi all - I'm new to Paleo Hacks and I'm loving all the great advice on here! So here's my question: My 5year old has been having digestive issues for years. Since going Paleo last fall things have improved but are still not always that good. Since she was constantly constipated ('normal' according to our family physician) before we all went Paleo, her colon is enlarged and she has lost the ability to feel the urge of having 'to go'. This results in lot of soiled pants... She's on a pretty strict Paleo diet and constipation is no longer an issue, however, she complains about stomach aches at least once a week and her BMs are very foul smelling and very messy- no fun for anyone involved! While some of the sensitivity in her colon seems to have come back, the smell of her poops worry me (her little sisters doing just fine in the poop department). has anyone experienced something like this? Any ideas what could cause it? I hope to find some good advice here, since our family doctor is not much help! THANKS!

Answer by Karin for Digestive issues in Paleo kids

2011-04-18T18:14:16Z

Do you have her on any good probiotics? Do you have any dairy in your diets? (some paleo folks do dairy). And yes, new doctor. constipation is NEVER normal. geeze louise!

Answer by Jules K for Digestive issues in Paleo kids

2011-04-18T18:29:48Z

Poor thing :( I'd get her to a new doc ASAP, and then prob on to a gastroenterologist. She could have celiac, maybe aggravated by trace amounts of gluten? They may just diagnose her with IBS; I wouldn't accept that (I think it's a BS diagnosis), but that's just my $.02 I hope she feels better soon!

Answer by Angelo - Latest in Paleo for Digestive issues in Paleo kids

2011-04-18T19:22:59Z

I have no business answering a medical question...but the very first thing that popped into mind was "fecal transplant."

I covered in LiP, Episode 7: http://www.latestinpaleo.com/paleo-podcast/2011/3/15/episode-7-taubes-oz-poop.html

The Freakonomics clip I play is from this: http://freakonomicsradio.com/the-power-of-poop.html

Here's a thread in PaleoHacks: http://paleohacks.com/questions/14120/fecal-transplant-the-magic-pill#axzz1Ju6LyfFz

This is still a relatively new area of research...but it does sound promising. I would definitely not go the DIY route -- but I thought you'd be interested in the information if you haven't heard of this yet.

Answer by Kathy for Digestive issues in Paleo kids

2011-04-18T20:43:55Z

My 4 year old daughter has been suffering from chronic constipation, and abnormal and painful bowel movements her whole life. Potty training was very difficult and is still stressful for her. Unfortunately doctors led us down the wrong road when they tried to put her on a hypoallergenic formula and acid reflux medicine as a baby. The pediatric gastro did some tests which revealed nothing, and they told me to increase her milk intake as a toddler so that she would gain weight. Unfortunately for our family we had not discovered the paleo way of eating. Finally, a pediatric nutritionist helped us. She ended up have an allergy to cows milk and corn. (Corn is the first ingredient in hypoallergenic formulas). We still have a ways to go as far as getting her to enjoy and appreciate eating as she associates it with painful bowel movements, but we have found that increasing her fat (fish oil, turkey bacon, flaxseed), and a probiotic supplement helps. I can go on and on about this subject as I feel very strongly about how stressful and serious chronic constipation is for little ones. I would not rule out a possible allergy or try a probiotic supplement. Good luck!

Answer by Egk for Digestive issues in Paleo kids

2011-04-19T00:41:17Z

Also check out the failsafe/feingold/raph diet to rule out other food intolerances, salicylates for example. You're over half way there since you've cut out the processed stuff.

http://www.fedupwithfoodadditives.info/factsheets/FactIBS.htm#diarrhoea http://www.suite101.com/content/sneaky-poos-a170926

Answer by dsohei for Digestive issues in Paleo kids

2011-04-19T06:01:04Z

i had chronic constipation and/or diarrhea for years and years, stomach aches, IBS symptoms etc. what has helped me is high fat, moderate protein, and enough starch from yams, no dairy, LOW to NO vegetables unless steamed but they cannot be on the FODMAP (google it, if child feels natural aversion to these foods its a pretty sure sign) seriously, veggies are not some kind of godsend for people. if you do alright with them on a case-by-case basis, thats cool, but children needn't suffer these modern myths. i eat a small bit of raw grass fed liver for my vitamins and minerals, and add celtic sea salt to my water.