Iron deficiency in my 5 year old- please help

[Veg4Life]

Hi Everyone,

I posted awhile back about my son who was diagnosed with leaky gut syndrome and we are midway through our 3rd month of a very stringent elimination/rotation diet. He eats almost completely vegan and high raw and following the blood results from the doc for his allergies, I'd say 80% or more of his symptoms are completely gone. :) Very cool. Of course, I have to really be ontop of his diet and feed him certain foods on certain days, etc. We aren't out of the woods yet, but his nausea, vomiting, dry itchy eyes, and ezcema etc. are almost completely gone.

The only symptoms that are really concerning me at this point is that he is very pale and he has circles under his eyes. The bloodwork said he was low on iron and I have been giving him iron supplements weekly (powdered). He eats some fish which has iron, and spinach, broccoli, lots of dates...I'm wondering if I should switch to a liquid iron and if so, does anyone know of any good brand? Or other foods that are high in iron? His doctor is not pro-vegan, and really would like me to give him a burger once a week. Any advice?

As far as the circles under the eyes go, I once read that that was a sign of the kidneys not functioning well. I also know people who are veggie deficient that have those. The latter is definitely NOT the problem. He eats more fresh, dark leafy greens and other veggies than any kid I know! He is a great eater...I'm wondering what that could possibly mean? I've asked his doctor several times, but haven't gotten a clear answer. Any thoughts would be great.

[Veg4Life]

Sorry, one more thing, has anyone had any personal experience with NAET for allergy relief? We are looking into that for our son as well.

[RawSar]

I used this brand when I was getting low on iron and it got me back up to a good level.

http://www.spatone.com/

Glad to hear that most of his symptoms have gone away :)

I recommend going to see a naturopath that uses EDS if you haven't.

[Veg4Life]

I used this brand when I was getting low on iron and it got me back up to a good level.

http://www.spatone.com/

Glad to hear that most of his symptoms have gone away :)

I recommend going to see a naturopath that uses EDS if you haven't.

Cool. I will check out that link! The NAET program uses EDS...I really would like to take him there, it's just a matter of the cost right now unfortunately.

[Suz58]

Floradix is one brand of liquid iron that I know of. Chlorophyl is another good option. Either as drops or green juices such as wheat grass. Glad he is generally getting better.

[Veg4Life]

Suz58- I looked into Floradix but there was something in it that he was allergic too.

RawSar- the spatone looks awesome but it was going to cost $45 to ship to the US!! Does anyone know of anything in the US comparable??

[Raw Angel Mom]

If you do supplement him consider to buy only angstrom size mineral. They can be absorb with our body and don't leave deposit in our blood stream.

Greens are rich in iron so this is good that he is eating this. Apparently vitamin c help absortion but vitamin c from food not supplement. Also, you do need B12 and vitamin D. Do your best so he gets outside. Even if this is cloudy, he will get the vitamin D he needs.

I recommend that you get rawsome book. It is very informative on nutrition.

p.s I was anemic from my childhood up to adult hood. I am now ok.

[Nightwalker]

I would really recommend (germinated) pumpkin and (sprouted) sunflower seeds for iron, I can't tell you which exactly did it for me--but I have been anemic my entire life and when eating a combonation of those 2 seeds I wasn't any longer. He also needs better than average of vit C.
I think the Iron sups are actually not a great idea in general, particularly with leaky gut. You also need to be supplementing with B12 because of the leaky gut, if you know a naturopath you can go and get a shot or (as my nd did) just send you home with a supply and you can give him the shots.
If you want more info on Leaky Gut, PM me. I have lived with it unknowlingly most of my life and am now battling to get well.

[Veg4Life]

Nightwalker- I just pm-ed you. Thanks for the info!

[Infinitus]

His doctor is not pro-vegan, and really would like me to give him a burger once a week. Any advice?

Get rid of the quack, for a start.

[michigan roman]

Get rid of the quack, for a start.

* and another vote for raw pumpkin seeds

[Veg4Life]

* and another vote for raw pumpkin seeds

okay, so germinated pumpkins seeds are just raw pumpkin seeds? I picked up some pumpkin seeds yesterday and soaked them. They are in the dehydrator right now with some sea salt. :)


Re: the quack. He has a definite flaw, I agree, but we've been seeing him for months and have spent literally thousands of dollars. He has given us some great info, so I guess I'll take the good and disregard the bad...I didn't know he wasn't pro-vegan until we had already began his healing protocol and I really don't want/can't afford to start over with someone else right now. Eventually, I will find a new holistic doc who is more aligned with my thinking. I'm on the Central Coast in California (near San Luis Obispo). Anyone have any referrals???:)

[detoxingmama]

I use fluorodix with my kids, too, and for myself sometimes. It's one of the few iron supplements that doesn't cause constipation and it's derived from natural sources. My kids love taking it.

[bsqmurphy]

You might also try adding blackstrap molasses to his diet - my natropath recommended this for my son for iron when he was slightly low. I don't know if it will give enough iron for your situation, but it's an idea to consider.

Bri.

[Veg4Life]

Thanks, Bri. I have some in my cupboard. I will do that!