My son has Downs and low white cell count

[Imani]

Does any one know what food helps build white blood cell count?
My son was schedule for a heart surgery VSD. He had his labs and his white cell count was low, too low for surgery and has been dropping. He is not sick, he is 4 months, and has never been sick. He is a HAPPY GUY. He aslo has low vitamin D. We live in chicago, no sun, he is totally breast feed. the doctors are a little baffled becuase he is not sick, and he is in great spirits. Any foods for vitamin D other than the sun?

[Carlsbad]

I don't have any helpful advice on the Vitamin D thing, but I just wanted to say what a gift your little guy is! My younger sister has Downs, and she is the most amazing person. She is pure love and light, and everyone who knows her has been incredibly blessed. I know it can be very challenging raising a Downs baby, but the gifts they bring are priceless!! And it's so amazing that you are on the raw path, especially since weight gain can be such a hazard with this population. Congrats to you!!

p.s.
Also, don't know if this helps, but my lil sis was born with a hole in her heart, and it healed on its own. Not sure if that's the issue your guy has, but wanted to share.

[Raspberry4]

Both of my boys are on Vitamin D supplements. The youngest cannot swallow pills, so he is on Vitamin D drops (doctor prescribed). Does your son eat fruits/veges - while blood cells help to fight infection. I would imagine the phytonutrients from fruits/veges would help build up his immune system. Also, the doctor told me that Vitamin D (low) affects the immune system. Ask about supplementation if needed. Good luck to you!

[GypsiAnsara]

I'm no expert, but for such a young babe, I would be cautious about looking for "foods" with vit. D. If he is being breast-fed, I don't know if upping your Vit D would help? Everything I have heard for years says that getting your D from sunlight is the absolute best. I would discuss with your doctors - there might be light therapy that can be used for his situation. Don't take "I'm baffled" for an answer!!
Good luck!!! and Hugs too!

[Imani]

Since he is four months he does not eat anything we are giving him the prescribed supplemts vitamin D and calcium. I just thought I could do something extra. He does not like food at all. I puree it and try somethings and he responds yuck. OF course I can take in more cold liver oil and things. I just needed some support.
Thank so much everyone.

[unbent]

There was a great article in Mother Earth News magazine a couple of issues ago about vitamin D. If your local library has a section on magazines and keeps back issues like mine does you should be able to find it. A new one comes out every quarter. I believe it was the winter issue that came out at the beginning of this year. They mention several foods that are very high in vitamin D and I remember Shiitake (sp) mushrooms were very high in it, especially if they were sundried with the gills up. I would definitely try to get your hands on that issue. I will look when I get home to see exactly which one it was and get back to you.

Andy

[Raw Angel Mom]

So sorry to hear this.

Make sure that he isn't B12 deficiency.

Greens. They are riched in chlorophyle which are known to be almost identical then our blood cell. This is like receiving a blood transfusion.

Try green smoothies, they are so delicious. (Blend, greens with water and fruits together) What qualify as greens is spinach, kale, dandelion, salad (not the iceberg), greens of beets, greens of any vegetables.

Try this receipe.

1 small pack of spinach
2 cup of water
1 cup of fruit could be frozen (any fruits such mango, pinaple, blueberries, etc... ORGANIC)
2-5 ripped banana to sweet it


Blend gradually your greens, add your fruits and bananas and blend until smooth


If you have a good blender, use kale, they are very rich in chlorophyle (Remove the stem). If you don't have a good blender, then blend your greens with water then filter them with a nut bag to remove the fiber and proceed to blend the juice with fruit in your blender.

Enjoy

[unbent]

OK. First of all Mother Earth News magazine comes out every other month. It just seems like it's three months. ;-}) The issue I referred to above was the February/March issue.

Andy