In the U.S., chronic health conditions in children are on the rise. According to a June 2019 study in the journal Pediatrics, 1 in 5 children has a chronic illness that affects their daily function. If your kid is always sick and has conditions like ear and sinus infections, chronic runny noses and colds, allergies, eczema, reflux, asthma, and constipation, chances are, you’ve been running from doctor to doctor and trying different solutions all to no avail. 

In this episode, I sat down with Dr. Sheila Kilbane, a board-certified pediatrician— who also trained in integrative medicine—and the best-selling author of the new book, Healthy Kids, Happy Moms: 7 Steps To Prevent and Health Common Childhood Illnesses. 

We talk about inflammation and gut health as the drivers of chronic illnesses, signs your kid may have high levels of inflammation, and the role that diet plays in preventing and treating chronic illnesses. We also talk about nutritional deficiencies in kids, picky eating, the best vitamins and supplements, and simple ways to make healthy eating a family affair. 

Welcome 

3:45 Tell us a bit about your story and what led you to pediatric integrative medicine!

8:11 What are the most common ailments you see in kids?

9:10 Why are chronic conditions in kids on the rise?

17:08 What is inflammation and what role does it play in kids’ health?

20:52 What research did you uncover about inflammation and gut health?

23:47 What are the signs a child may have high levels of inflammation?

25:02 What role does diet play in preventing and treating chronic conditions?

28:46 Pediatricians get only about 24 hours of nutrition education. Do you think more doctors are trying to learn about as food as medicine?

32:17 Where can parents find someone other than a pediatrician to help? 

34:24 What are some common nutritional deficiencies kids have?

39:24 Can picky eating be a sign of nutritional deficiencies?

40:50 Can you highlight the main ideas of the 7 Steps to Healthy Kids Happy Moms program?

42:53 Many parents struggle with food allergies. Can they be treated with food and supplements?

45:08 As parents, we all know our kids should eat healthy but there are so many barriers. How can we make it easier?

47:15 What are some of your favorite recipes in the book?

LINKS MENTIONED IN THE SHOW

Dr. Kilbane mentions the EWG study which showed newborns have 200 chemicals in their cord blood. 

Dr. Kilbane mentions The University of Arizona Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine and The Institute for Functional Medicine 

Get a copy of Healthy Kids, Happy Moms: 7 Steps To Prevent and Health Common Childhood Illnesses. 

Learn more about Dr. Sheila Kilbane on her website and follow her on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. 

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