Enzyme Help?

[Brandy Lance]

I'm hoping that some of you in the smoothie arena might be able to help me out.  My eldest is having a hard time w/ his reading.  I spoke w/ our chiro yesterday and he said that he's testing deficient for nutrient absorption and that's affecting a bit of his brain function.  It's not like it's a MAJOR thing but it's definitely a sign that it could be if we don't correct it.  It's not surprising since he has food sensitivities.  I keep trying water kefir and kombucha w/ him but he fights me half the time on it.  It has to be really sweet or he won't drink the kefir and he doesn't care for the kombucha.

 

Our chiro said that he needs enzymes but he can't swallow pills and he can't eat gummy vitamins because they usually have cane syrup or corn.  He said that I may be able to find a liquid form of it that we could try.  Firstly, does anyone know of such drops?  Secondly, it seems that green smoothies would help w/ the enzymes.  How can I get him to take them?  There are really only a couple of recipes that I have tried that he has liked in the past and he doesn't like any others.  :(

 

Any help would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks!

[Kathy]

Green smoothies would definitely help.  If there is one recipe he likes then stick with that one.  It's great to have variety but one is better than none.  You don't mention what that recipe is but my kids like spinach the best.  It's the mildest tasting.  Use as much fruit as it takes to make it taste good to him. 

 

You could try adding a green powder.  Vita-Mineral Green is full of minerals, as the name suggests.  I put it in my smoothies.  I started with a small amount and kept increasing the dosage.  I don't take near the recommended amount because the taste is not to my liking.  If I use a tablespoon or so I can't tell the difference in the taste of my smoothie. 

 

Greens are not the only foods that have enzymes.  Any truly raw food will have enzymes.  That would include fruits and nuts.  You could make some almond milk and then make fruit smoothies.  I think most kids would love that. You could also make smoothies with the kefir as a base.  Adding more fruit might make it tastier for your son plus you would have the added enzymes from the fruit. 

 

Small amounts of raw nuts would make great snacks, although you really have to search for nuts that are truly raw.  And remember to soak the nuts to get rid of the enzyme inhibitors.  Sprouts are another great source of enzymes although the flavors are strong and your son might not go for that at all. 

 

That's about all I can think of right now.  Good luck.

 

Kathy

[Kathy]

While I was sitting waiting for my son to take his guitar lesson I was thinking about your question.  You  didn't say how old your son is.  While nutrient absorption is an issue you may want to address it may not be related to the reading issue.  One of my children did not read well until 12 years of age but then quickly caught up with her peers.  Three of my other children did not read until after the age of 7.  If your son is in school he may just be being pushed to read before his brain and eyes are ready. 

 

Kathy