Natural Therapies for Down Syndrome

Natural Therapies for Down Syndrome

Often parents of children with Down syndrome are told that their child has a genetic condition and that there is nothing that they can do to change or improve their health, other than surgeries to repair any congenital defects and medications to affect mood or focus. They are then encouraged to accept their child's medical struggles exactly as they are and sent out the door!

The reality is that there are many things that doctors can do to improve the lifelong health of children and adults with Down syndrome. Holistic medicine has unique advantage in improving these kids’ lives because so many of their greatest health challenges can be met through diet, nutrient support, herbs, and homeopathy. These amazing therapies can help decrease oxidative stress, prevent cancer, increase mental function, extend the lifespan, and prevent Alzheimer’s disease.

Why Worry about Oxidative Stress?

Our bodies are constantly creating free radicals. We then neutralize those free radicals with antioxidants.

Some of these antioxidants work in a team, like on a production line. One of the body’s main antioxidant teams is SOD, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase. SOD turns oxygen free radicals into hydrogen peroxide. Glutathione and catalase then break hydrogen peroxide down into harmless water and oxygen.

In Down syndrome, SOD is overproduced because it’s code is on chromosome 21. The codes for the two other members of it’s team, however, are located on other chromosomes, so they are not produced enough to keep up with the overproduction of SOD. That means that the assembly line for removing free radicals is constantly being overloaded by hydrogen peroxide, a highly damaging substance that causes cell death, rapid aging, and a shorter lifespan.

Decreasing oxidative stress by balancing the three enzymes SOD, glutathione, and catalase is just one way a child or an adult with Down syndrome can have better lifelong health.

Preventing Alzheimer’s Disease

One of the major genes that contributes to Alzheimer’s disease is the amyloid precursor protein, or APP gene, which is on chromosome 21. Because this gene is over-expressed in Down syndrome, kids and adults with DS are especially at risk for developing dementia due to Alzheimer’s. In fact, this is so prevalent that the majority of people with Down syndrome show some signs of Alzheimer’s onset as early as age 40, and by age 50 more than half of adults have some signs of dementia from the disease.

​Alzheimers’s disease causes memory loss, loss of skills such as writing or reading, and can increase anxiety and behavior issues. Prevention is key - but even people who are already showing signs of Alzheimer’s disease can benefit from herb and nutrient therapies targeted at reducing beta-amyloid plaque formation and decreasing inflammation in the nervous system.

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What Else Can We Do?

There are many other ways integrative or holistic doctors can help people with Down syndrome lead healthier, happier lives. These include:

• Protection from leukemia, a life-threatening cancer common in DS
• Prevention and treatment of upper respiratory infections
• Support for depression, anxiety, and other mood issues
• Support for individuals with other diagnoses such as autism or ADHD
• Neurotransmitter balancing
• Improving thyroid function
• Identifying and improving common vitamin and mineral deficiencies
• Support for GI problems like Celiac disease, constipation, and GERD
• General support for the whole family!

​Why let your child or your loved one’s diagnosis prevent them from getting the best medical support possible? With the right care and the right therapies, people with Down syndrome can lead happier, longer, and healthier lives than ever before. ​
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Further Reading

Articles and Blog Posts

• The Benefits of Having a Sibling with Down Syndrome
• New Research for Treating Down Syndrome, Dr Erica Peirson, Naturopathic Doctor News & Review.