Here are a few supplements that either didn’t work out, I found a better source, or Jake simply didn’t need anymore. In my opinion, they were all good, high-quality products.
First, epsom salt baths …
A doctor recommended Aaron Industries Epsom Salts to me. Jake’s eczema finally cleared up and at the beginning of the year and I started giving him epsom salt baths a couple of times a week.
A few interesting things happened. On a positive note, Jake’s first bouts with imaginative play happened in these baths with the jets in my jacuzzi tub going full blast. But, there are cons to my story as well. While I had read that these baths should chill a kid out, it had the opposite effect on Jake. My child who loves to sleep got really hyper at bedtime and went to sleep much later than usual.
Also, he got extremely stuffy when his body hit the water. At first, I thought it was me being over-analytical, but then after a couple of weeks of the exact same results, I decided that my highly allergic child must in fact have a little bit of an intolerance to magnesium sulfate. In the grand scheme of things, I decided a reaction of this nature couldn’t be good for his overall health and I stopped the baths.
Second, Nature’s Secret Fish-Free Omega Plant-Based Oils …
Jake has a severe fish allergy and cannot take fish oil, so this was my attempt at trying to get omegas in him. The adult serving size for this supplement is 3 soft-gels, so I gave him 1. I poked a hole in it with a safety pin and squeezed it on his tongue. Jake is a little strange because he loves oily supplements that look nasty and will lick his lips to make sure none escapes!
Long story short, I stopped giving it to him after a couple of weeks. It may have been my imagination, but I felt like his speech would get worse on days that he took it.
I have done so much research on fatty acids and I know they are important, but I also know that there needs to be the right balance of the anti-inflammatory omega-3s and the pro-inflammatory omega-6s. Fortunately, when he received his NutrEval test in August of 2012, his omega-3 and 6 levels were within normal range and although he was deficient in omega-9, for the past year I have given him olive oil every day to make up for his shortage in this area.
Update: I ended up taking this supplement for a year or two. It gave me energy and an overall sense of wellbeing. I eventually stopped taking it because it made my menstrual cycles irregular.
Third, a calcium supplement …
All of a sudden this year it hit me that Jake probably needs a calcium supplement. He hasn’t had milk since he was 1.5 years old (he HATES it) and has been casein free for the past year. I’ve never had this recommendation from a doctor before, which I am actually kind of puzzled by, but figured it couldn’t hurt, so I put him on this yummy supplement …
It is vanilla flavored and he loves it! It is very allergy friendly – free of wheat, soy, yeast, milk, and gluten.
Update: Jake only took calcium for a short period of time. Instead, now he eats foods that are high in calcium. We have found this approach works better for us than supplements.
Fourth, a quercetin-rich, natural anti-histamine …
Jake has a severe allergy to grass. So, when the spring hits and all that green grass starts appearing, his symptoms begin and don’t stop until the grass dies in the fall/winter. If he stays outside for a while, he gets itchy feet that have the potential to turn into nasty sores, a stuffy nose, coughing, and slight wheezing.
To help alleviate these symptoms, our doctor recommended that he try Springboard D-Hist Jr. Quercetin is the main ingredient, which Jake took when he was two years old and did great with. I am a fan of this flavonoid, which is a natural anti-inflammatory found in fruits and veggies, and give it a thumbs up!
Update: Jake took this supplement off and on for about two years. He no longer has seasonal allergies so it is not needed.
Disclaimer: All data and information provided on this site is for informational purposes only. Supplement statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or disorder. Always consult with a doctor before beginning any diet or supplement program.
Jake's Journey with Apraxia 
Jake may have a CBS mutation which makes Epsom salt baths not a good idea because of the sulfur. People with that mutation have difficulty with foods that are high in sulfur as well as high sulfur supplements. If you have $99 you can do the 23andme test (it’s a spit test) and then input the raw data into a website which processes it and tells you what mutations you have (it’s called geneticgenie). Geneticgenie is free – although the guy is open to donations. 🙂
Then you can download Amy Yasko’s book (also free) and read about how to nutritionally and/or with supplements support those mutations.
I did it on myself and my husband. There’s no question who is the real contributor to my son’s issues, genetically speaking. I’m a hot mess of methylation mutations.
Candace – How very interesting!! I didn’t know a test like that existed, nor have I ever heard of a CBS mutation and those people not being able to have sulfur. Don’t some meds have sulfur in them? Jake hasn’t been been on antibiotics since he was 2, but that would definitely be something I would need to know for his future. And genetically speaking, epsom salt baths make my heart race and wire me too. Also, when I was trying to dry up my milk shortly after Jake was born, I did the cabbage leaf trick and it made me crazy, scary sick. I always joke about my near death experience with cabbage leaves! Thank you so much for sharing. I appreciate it and will look into the test.
It’s kind of like excess sulfur clogs up the system, so to speak and doesn’t allow the process of methylation to proceed as smoothly as it should. It might manifest itself a irritability or other behaviors.
Honestly, I did the 23andme test for my husband and myself on a whim. I saw the price went down from what it was about 6 years ago (when it was $200) and thought what the heck. And it’s definitely been interesting. I need more time to study what all the mutations I have mean.
And there are quite a few supplements that I will make sure to avoid now that I know about that mutation. I don’t have any need for them now, but if you ever thought of Andy Cutler chelation, many of those have sulfur. MSM is another one. That’s more for joint issues, I think. And I am sure there are more. And medicines are another source as well. I don’t think the CBS mutation would make a person exhibit an allergy type response, so I am not sure you need to be concerned in that way. That being said – I don’t know that as fact.
Definitely look into it. I would have Preston do it in a heartbeat – if I could get him to spit. I may work with him on that because I am really curious as to what it might show.
Have you heard about Magnesium Chloride? Different than sulfur. I use Ancient Minerals. Read the book by Mark Sircus, Ac., OMD” Transdermal Magnesium Therapy”
Hi Dr Feingold explains why children who are severely magnesium deficient react to Epsom salts baths in this way. It’s on page 5 and 6. According to him, this is not a sign to stop the baths. It’s a sign that they are deficient and need more baths or magnesium supplementation. But sure I would consider other possibilities too. Just wanted to get the information out there – some of the kids who need magnesium the most, react the worst to it at first. Then the parents never give it to them again, sadly. http://www.feingold.org/DOCS/EpsomSalts.pdf
Thanks for sharing, Katy. I’ll check it out.
Sorry in the post I just left, regarding your negative experience with the Epsom Salt bath, I said that it was the magnesium overwhelming magnesium deficient cells, actually read the link more carefully and it’s the sulfate overwhelming cells because cells have not had enough. And it starts on page 4 not page 5. 🙂 http://www.feingold.org/DOCS/EpsomSalts.pdf
Thank you Katy! 🙂