| Rickets also known as osteomalacia are two terms for the disorder caused
by vitamin D deficiency. In children, this disease is called rickets, and
results either from inadequate intake of vitamin D or from too little
exposure to sunlight (sunlight causes vitamin D to be synthesized in the
skin). The lack of vitamin D in turn affects the body's ability to absorb
calcium and phosphorus. Early signs include nervousness, painful muscle
spasms, leg cramps, and numbness in the extremities. Ultimately, bone
malformations may develop due to softening of the bones-bowed legs,
knock-knees, scoliosis (abnormal curvature of the spine), a narrow rib cage,
a protruding breastbone, and/or beading at the ends of the ribs as well as
decaying teeth, delayed walking, irritability, restlessness, and profuse
sweating.
|
Nutrient / Supplement |
Importance
( 1 - 10 ) |
Helpful notes |
|
Multi-vitamin and Mineral supplement |
10 |
contains vitamin D
and vitamin B complex, folic acid, vitamin E, vitamin A, vitamin C,
manganese, vitamin B complex, calcium, copper, and zinc. These help in
both the treatment and the prevention of anemia as well as good general
balanced health. |
|
Boron |
10 |
aids with calcium absorption |
|
Calcium |
10 |
needed to re-mineralize the
bones |
|
Phosphorus |
9 |
mineral needed for bone and
teeth formation |
|
vitamin B12 |
10 |
also known as cyanocobalamin,
Often needed when malsorption is a problem. It aids folic acid in
regulating the formation of red blood cells, and helps in the
utilization of iron. |
|
Carotenoids |
10 |
needed for good growth |
|
Pyridoxine |
9 |
is also known as vitamin B6,
It is required for cell reproduction and it also helps with the
absorption of vitamin B12 in the body. |
|
vitamin D |
10 |
Needed for the proper utilization of
phosphorus and calcium |
|
vitamin A |
9 |
vitamin A is an important
antioxidant that helps boost the immune system and aids in tissue
repair. It also works well with vitamin C in a vitamin and mineral
supplement. |
|
Dandelion |
9 |
herb the help bone growth |
|
Nettle |
8 |
works with dandelion building bones |
|
Zinc |
8 |
required for calcium absorption |
|
Bioflavonoids |
8 |
work well with carotenoids |
In adults, vitamin D deficiency disease is referred to as osteomalacia,
and is usually related to the body's inability to absorb vitamin D properly.
It is most likely to occur in pregnant women and nursing mothers, whose
nutritional requirements are higher than normal, or in people with
malabsorption problems. It may also affect individuals who do not get enough
exposure to sunshine or those whose diets are so low in fat that adequate
bile cannot be manufactured and vitamin D cannot be absorbed. Osteomalacia
is difficult to diagnose, and is often misdiagnosed as
osteoporosis.
Note if the child has severe allergies,
celiac disease,
asthma,
bronchitis, or colon disturbances.
These type conditions can result in absorption problems. This maybe
difficult to detect at first because the child's growth and weight will
appear normal. However, absorption problems will over time cause poor growth
and the child possibly having low energy or being tired all the time. The
Proper nutritional supplementation combined with diet changes can help heal
and/or prevent rickets.
Other Changes To Make
-
drink 6-8 glasses of steam distilled or
filtered water a day
-
eat 50% raw fruits and vegetables (organic is best)
-
nuts, seeds, and whole grains are good
-
juice is good (make your
own with a juice machine)
-
do not worry as much about calories as eating the right foods
-
carrot and celery sticks are good to use as a snack
-
a colon cleansing can be very helpful - (do several times each year)
-
do not drink coffee, alcohol, soda pop, other junk food drinks
-
do not eat processed foods white sugar, white flour, etc...
-
use stress relief like going for walks in the park
(or the 10/90 rule - see
Stress)
-
brown rice is good to eat
-
avoid red meat and animal fats
-
reduce dairy products cheese, milk, and others
-
fast a few days a month
-
get at least 8 hours of sleep
-
exercise light to moderate amounts
-
avoid artificial sweeteners like Aspartame and NutraSweet
-
do not smoke and avoid second hand smoke
-
do not skip meals - just eat better and not as much at each meal
-
do not chew gum - it can cause you to feel hungry
-
do not watch too much TV try reading a book or something else
|
