Natural Cures for Underweight Children
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"The term underweight refers to a human who is considered to be under a healthy weight. The definition is usually made with reference to the body mass index (BMI). A BMI of under 18.5 is usually referred to as underweight. It is important to note that the BMI is a statistical estimate and some individuals classified as underweight may be perfectly healthy. In fact, caloric restriction may be a viable means of increasing the lifespan, and it can easily lead to a BMI of less than 18.5. This medical definition of underweight may differ from other uses of the term, such as those based on attractiveness.
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Severely underweight individuals may have poor physical stamina and a weak immune system, leaving them open to infection. According to Robert E. Black of the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, "Underweight status ... and micronutrient deficiencies also cause decreases in immune and non-immune host defenses, and should be classified as underlying causes of death if followed by infectious diseases that are the terminal associated causes." People who are malnutrative underweight raise special concerns, as not only gross caloric intake may be inadequate, but also intake and absorption of other vital nutrients, especially essential amino acids and micronutrients such as vitamins and minerals.
In women, being grossly underweight can result in amenorrhea (absence of menstruation) and possible complications during pregnancy. It can also cause anemia and hair loss.
Underweight is an established risk factor for osteoporosis even for young people. This is a particular insidious consequence, because the affected persons do not notice the danger, they can feel fit and may be brilliant for example in endurance sports. After the occurrence of first spontaneous fractures the damage is often already irreversible." (Wikipedia)
DISCLAIMER
Our readers offer information and opinions on Earth Clinic, not as a substitute for professional medical prevention, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult with your physician, pharmacist, or health care provider before taking any home remedies or supplements or following any treatment suggested by anyone on this site. Only your health care provider, personal physician, or pharmacist can provide you with advice on what is safe and effective for your unique needs or diagnose your particular medical history.
1 YEA
11/02/2009: XH from JC, Ga, US writes: "Dear Ted, my son just turned 11 years old today but he has a bone age of 7 and body mass index of 12.5, about 1 percentile on the growth chart. The complete blood panel and comprehensive metabolic pannel all came back normal. He eats a balanced diet and is otherwise healthy and does well in school. But I am still extremely worried about his physical state. Should I? What can I do to help him? Thank you so much!"
11/03/2009: Ted from Bangkok, Thailand replies: "Increasing an underweight child is rather straightforward. A vitamin B complex, in the form of B50 would increase his weight, until it's discontinued, once the weight is about to reach normal weight. The second thing to build muscle mass and bone issue is the vitamin D2 or D3, the dose that's required, based on my estimates are usually between 10,000 i.u. to 15,000 i.u. of vitamin D taken for only one to two months, and is taken only 5 days out of a week. Magnesium gluconate, magnesium citrate is taken at 250 mg a day for 5 days out of the week also for at least two months period. Muscle mass should noticeably increase within about a month, and the bone mass also. Most tests of metabolic doesn't measure growth it just measures your energy level, so I guess a proper measurement maybe vitamin D levels, growth hormone and bone mass density. A metabolic rate is more ideally suited with people with low energy levels, diabetes, obesity and hypothyroidism. Vitamin C maybe needed by the child so that the collagen supplements can formed, some dipotassium phoshpate 250 mg, taken for a week or two should help building of the bones, as this is converted into Calcium phosphate, which makes up roughly 70-80 of the bone structure. What holds together the bone structure is a collagen matrix, so it helps if daily amino acid supplements are taken, usually liquid form or softgel form. The remedy requires about 2 months, but a vitamin B complex may needed to be taken for only the first two weeks, and that's only 5 days out of a week. I am assuming of course that the child's iodine level are normal, but this is unrealistic, as roughly (can't be exact) 96% of the U.S. population has subclinical iodine level. Hence, 1 drop of lugols solution is taken only once a week, also for about two months period, and it's dissolved in a half glass of water."
11/03/2009: Jamie from Lake Worth, Fl replies: "XH, I had the same problem with a child. by the way, who is now a strapping 18 year old young man. I found daily multi vitamins really stimulated his appetite. Noticed a huge difference when he took them and when he didn't. Although you did indicate his diet was healthy, maybe eating more would help him to plump up some.As we know some people just don't gain weight as easily as others. You did all the right things by consulting a doctor. I am thinking puberty may change all of that, but in the mean time try multi vitamins."
11/05/2009: XH from JC, Ga, US replies: "Thank you Ted for your full spectrum prescription. I just started to give my son the children's multivitamin. Should I subtract the dosage in that first before supplementing more B and D as you suggested?
Since he is eating a healthy diet in moderate amount, should I suspect or test him for any digestive system issues? I also recently started him on enzyme supplement. Are there tests to reveal any vitamin / mineral / amino acid deficiencies?
Jamie, it's really assuring to know your son has turned out strong and healthy. Because of my son's low bone age, I don't expect him to hit puberty in the near future, but I definitely look forward to it. Thank you so much for sharing your experience."
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07/03/2007: Sheryl writes: "Dear Ted, Thank you for being an active member on the earthclinic.com. So far I haven't seen any info about underweight kids. My son is 3 years old and he's been underweight since a year old..he has a low appetite and slow digestion. i can instantly tell that he has an upset stomach if he gets hiccups after eating some outside food...he rarely eats outside though... If catches common cold, he cannot get rid of it easily.I never give him antibiotics because at age 11 months, his body was resistant to most of antibiotics and had to hospitalized for diarrhea and vomiting.. He's irritable most times..and crying too..even when he's playing ....say legos and the tower of blocks collapses ...he gets very upset and starts kicking his legs and crying or yells you naughty boy... He eats most vegetables and fruits but in small quantities..i have tried homeopathy but the effect is only temporary..i have spent lots of money buying goji juice and glyconutrients..had to stop because i cannot afford it anymore.. need some economical solution .... i give him tulsi (holy basil) leaves intermittently....we are from India and beleive in holy basil.. He has no sickness and no allergies.. But I am sure he needs something for his appetite and irritable nature...he doesn't sleep much either.. Let me know if you have any more questions, to evaluate his condition. I am waiting to hear from you. Thank you"
07/03/2007: Ted from Bangkok, Thailand replies: "Sheryl: This is a fairly common problem, and usually 1/2 a lime (approx 4 teaspoon of freshly squeezed lime) with 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda in 1/4 glass of water is taken twice a day, once in the morning and once before bedtime. A drinking water with 1/4 teaspoon of sea salt in 1 liter of water and a twice or three times a week vitamin B complex (its usually called B50, where most B's are B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B8 are 50 mg, except for folic acid is 50 mcg and B12 50 mcg) should resolve the problems in a matter of 2-3 weeks. The issue whenever the body is in a mild state of acidosis, or autotoxication, the body rejects everything. Sodium ascorbate vitamin C is helpful if taken only 2-3 times a week. This also happens whenever vitamin B complex are lacking. Holy basil is fine, but some chinese parsley (taken only twice a week should remove the heavy metals, which in my experience is one of the cause of antibiotic resistant as well as the body lowered immune system. To increase some immune system, perhaps just once twice a month dose of zinc gluconate 25-50 mg should do it. Magnesium is fairly important as it is synergistic with both vitamin B complex, and aids the body in detoxification. The appetite is expected to increase on the second or third week if the remedy is taken. Glyconutrients are extremely expensive where a suitable replacement of kelp supplement will usually have most of glyconutrient without the expensive price."
[YEA] 07/14/2007: Sheryl replies: "Dear Ted, My son is doing well..i have started giving him lemon and baking soda regularly every night. I also give him Chinese parsely. I have been using it liberally in our food ...being Indians we love the flavor. However I didn't know its use. He also takes b50 complex twice a week. Just wanted to update you and say thanks for your remedies. I have spent hundreds of dollars in tonics and supplements without knowing the remedy is so simple..."
08/13/2007: Jojo from Dagupan City, Philippines replies: "i would like to ask if the dose is the recommendation (for weight gain) is the same for a 1 yr 9 mos old toddler? Thanks so much!"
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1 YEA
[YEA] 10/15/2009: Lisa from Coto De Caza, Ca writes: "natural cures for underweight children
Some children have a hard time eating if food upsets their stomach. Sometimes this is due to delayed food allergies. There is an expensive blood test for this, but it is not 100% accurate, but can be a good starting point. Food elimination diets can detect them, but don't use the ones that are too restrictive. Most popular food problems: gluten (wheat), milk, eggs or egg whites, corn, soy, nuts. Lots of books on this.
Celiac disease= no gluten. If your child is really underweight or short for their age, try the celiac disease blood test. The test is not 100% accurate as there are sometimes false negatives if the disease is in the early stage. Other symptoms of celiacs: stomach upsets, IBS, tooth enamel problems, skin problems.... Google for more info and symptoms. Celiac disease destroys the villi in your intestine and food/vitamins are not absorbed. Ergo, if your child is not absorbing their food, they don't grow. Once your child is off gluten, the intestines heal and food is absorbed.... weight is gained."
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