Breaking the Vicious Cycle of Ear Infections and Preventing the Development of Hyperactivity, Attention Deficits and Autism
by William Crook, M.D.
Here are my recommendations for breaking the vicious cycle of ear infections and preventing the development of hyperactivity, attention deficits and autism:
Don't rush to your physician and ask for an antibiotic when your infant or young child complains of mild ear pain. Instead, use simple home remedies to relieve his discomfort.
Change your child's diet ... eliminate all milk and dairy products ... and sugar containing beverages and foods. Instead, offer water and a variety of unsweetened fruit juices.
When your child develops a respiratory infection, give extra Vitamin C. You can purchase Vitamin C crystals or powder from a health food store. Add 1 tsp. to 6 oz of water. Offer to 1 oz. of this mixture every 1 to 3 hours ... unless it causes stomach ache or loose stools. You may safely sweeten the mixture by adding a few drops of liquid saccharin (Fasweet or Seeta). Or you can add it to orange/apple juice.
Purchase liquid Zinc sulfate from your health food store or pharmacy .. when taken along with the Vitamin C, it strengthens the immune system. Give your child one to two milligrams 4 times a day.
If your physician examines your child and suggests an antibiotic for an ear or other respiratory problem, ask him/her if your child could get along without the antibiotic.
If your child is given an antibiotic, ask your physician to prescribe oral Nystatin powder, 2 oz. Give your child 250,000 units (approximately 1/32 tsp.) by mouth with each dose of the antibiotic. I do not recommend Mycostatin (Squibb) or Nilstat (Ledele) suspension because they are sweetened with sugar.
Go to your health food store or pharmacy and ask for a probiotic powder or capsule. These products contain the friendly bacteria Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidocbacerium bifidum. Give your child one capsule or 1/4 tsp. of the powder with each dose of the antibiotic.
After the course of antibiotics has been completed, I recommend continuing the Nystatin and probiotic in the same amounts, two or three times daily for one or more weeks. Here's why: Nystatin discourages the growth of yeast in the intestinal tract and probiotics replace important friendly bacteria. These products help heal the "leaky gut" lessen the absorption of milk, wheat and other allergens and decrease the chances of your child developing repeated ear problems.
Links to other information relating to this subject
Leaky Gut Syndrome
Dr. William Crook