(ContentDesk) July 13, 2006 -- "Digestive Wellness for Children," the third book by nationally recognized nutritionist Dr. Liz Lipski, empowers parents by explaining the connection between childhood diet and lifelong health, drawing in many little known yet important factors that set the body up for disease. However, Dr. Lipski illustrates how these factors can be fully addressed on a day-to-day level.Dr. Lipski writes that Many of childrens health problems such as ADD, obesity, autism, asthma, depression, and diabetes actually stem from poor food choice and faulty digestion.

Much of this illness is preventable, controllable, and curable. The ability to digest food properly to access nutrients depends on the enzymatic balance in the digestive system, which is determined in the womb, and strongly influenced by childhood diet and lifestyle. In Digestive Wellness for Children she writes, We have over 2,700 known enzymes in the body. They are needed for every chemical reaction in the body and our cells cant work without them. While it was once thought that a childs bacterial and intestinal flora was balanced by the age of three, research is now showing that there is not actual balance until puberty is reached. When children are given foods which they do not have the sufficient enzymes to digest, a process of degeneration and stress in the system begins. This can appear as a deficiency of the vitamins and minerals they are having problems absorbing.

It can also appear as an immune system response such as inflammation, due to undigested food particles entering the blood stream. In the long run, both situations set the body up for disease. Many of our children are enzyme deficient, and these deficiencies play a pivotal role in the development of childhood disease, according to Dr. Lipski. The ability to manufacture digestive enzymes is determined when only 9-12 weeks old and still in the womb. Fresh foods are a great source of enzymes, and feeding children a wide variety of fresh fruits and vegetables every day is important.

A childs ability to digest food, accessing the nutrients to grow healthy and strong, is further supported by taking enzyme supplements. Possible helpful enzyme supplements for children include: " Papain & Bromelain -- Two examples of plant-based enzymes, useful for digesting protein and reducing inflammation and pain, as well as reducing food sensitivity and allergy issues. " Pancreatic Enzymes -- Derived from animal pancreatic tissue, these enzymes help with digestion and in stabilizing blood glucose levels, and are effective in treating children with cystic fibrosis." Aspergillus niger & A.oryzae -- Fungal-based enzymes effective for reducing food allergies and increasing lactose absorption About Liz Lipski:Dr. Liz Lipski has a PhD and is board certified in clinical nutrition. A 30-year practitioner, author, and speaker she appears frequently on TV and radio.

She is founder of Innovative Healing, author of Digestive Wellness, Digestive Wellness for Children, and many other publications. For more information visit: http://innovativehealing.com and http://www.digestivewellnessforchildren.com ..