Q My 13-year-old son seems to be having growing pains. He has aches, especially in his legs, which is really affecting his sport. Aside from arnica, which he’s been taking after sports, could you suggest anything else? His diet is good as we’ve just seen a nutritionist. –Lissa
A Make sure your son has a diet rich in minerals as he’s growing and developing all his bones, muscles and nerves which will serve him well throughout his life if they’re built on a solid foundation.
In particular, include the minerals calcium, magnesium and potassium, but in addition, include trace elements such as boron, zinc and copper. He would do well to eat plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds as well
as ample protein from eggs, meat and fish. Get him to snack on pumpkin and sunflower seeds, which are also good sources of minerals, as well as almonds, Brazil
nuts, pecans and walnuts.
Sesame seeds are a particularly rich source of minerals – try making gomashio, roasted sesame seeds with sea salt. It’s a real winner with my
three boys (see www.good.net.nz/gomashio for my recipe).
Give your son a daily multivitamin or two and ensure he gets an omega-3 supplement in addition. If he’s very active I’d recommend taking additional calcium and magnesium as a supplement, as well as plenty of protein in the form of eggs or fish – these are the best biological protein sources for active people. Try taking tissue salts such as Mag Phos 6x and Calc Phos 6x, which can also help aching, active legs. –Eric.
Eric Bakker is clinical director of The Naturopaths.
He specialises in integrative medicine (combining conventional and natural medicine). www.naturopath.co.nz
