Why the Dark Circles Under Your Child's Eyes

Dr. Eric Berg DC

30 Jun 201903:16

Summary

TLDRThe video discusses the causes of dark circles under a child's eyes, particularly due to iron deficiency, which may or may not be linked to anemia. The speaker explains that iron deficiency can lead to symptoms like fatigue, pale skin, and cravings for non-food items. Causes include poor iron absorption due to digestive issues, certain medications, and a grain-heavy diet. The video recommends iron-rich foods like red meat, liver, and seafood over supplements, emphasizing the importance of consuming vitamin C to aid iron absorption.

Takeaways

👶 Dark circles under a child's eyes can be a sign of iron deficiency, even if they aren't anemic.
💤 Iron deficiency can cause symptoms such as fatigue, lethargy, dizziness, pale skin, irritability, and delayed growth.
🍽 Iron deficiency can result from a lack of iron-rich foods or the consumption of foods that block iron absorption.
🥗 Conditions like IBS, Crohn's, or the use of antacids and antibiotics can interfere with iron absorption in the digestive system.
🍞 Consuming grains, even whole grains, can block iron absorption due to the presence of phytates.
🥩 Heme iron from animal products like red meat, chicken, and turkey is more easily absorbed than non-heme iron from plant sources.
🐟 Foods like liver, clams, octopus, mussels, and oysters are excellent sources of absorbable iron for children.
🚫 Avoid iron supplements from drugstores, as they may not provide the type of iron the body needs; focus on food-based iron sources instead.
🍊 Vitamin C helps improve iron absorption and should be consumed alongside iron-rich foods.
🌱 While vegetables like spinach contain iron, it's more difficult to absorb than iron from animal products.

Q & A

Why might a child have dark circles under their eyes?
-A child may have dark circles under their eyes due to an iron deficiency, which can occur even if they are not anemic.
What other symptoms can iron deficiency cause besides dark circles?
-Iron deficiency can cause fatigue, lethargy, dizziness, pale skin, irritability, cravings for ice or dirt, and delayed growth.
Can a child have an iron deficiency without being anemic?
-Yes, a child can have an iron deficiency without being anemic, though they may also become anemic if the deficiency worsens.
What are some reasons why a child may be deficient in iron?
-A child may be deficient in iron due to not consuming iron-rich foods, consuming foods that block iron absorption, or having digestive issues such as IBS or Crohn's disease.
How can antacids and antibiotics affect a child’s iron levels?
-Antacids can reduce stomach acid, which is needed for iron absorption, while antibiotics can also block the absorption of iron.
What is the role of grains in iron deficiency?
-Grains, especially whole grains with bran, contain phytates, which are compounds that bind to iron and make it harder to absorb, contributing to iron deficiency.
What is the difference between heme and non-heme iron?
-Heme iron, found in animal products like red meat, is easily absorbable, while non-heme iron, found in plant sources, is harder for the body to absorb.
What foods are recommended for improving a child's iron levels?
-Foods recommended for improving iron levels include red meat, liver (or liver pills), clams, octopus, mussels, oysters, and other animal products rich in heme iron.
Why should iron supplements from drugstores be avoided?
-Iron supplements from drugstores should be avoided because they often contain forms of iron that are less absorbable; it’s better to get iron from food-based sources.
How can vitamin C help with iron absorption?
-Vitamin C enhances the absorption of iron, so consuming vegetables and fruits rich in vitamin C alongside iron-rich foods is beneficial.

Outlines

00:00

🩺 Understanding Dark Circles in Children

The video begins by addressing why children may develop dark circles under their eyes, linking this to iron deficiency. It is noted that an iron deficiency does not always equate to anemia, but it can still lead to symptoms like fatigue, dizziness, paleness, irritability, and delayed growth. Iron plays a crucial role in many bodily processes, which explains the variety of symptoms that can arise from its deficiency.

🍽️ Causes of Iron Deficiency in Children

The second part of the video discusses potential reasons for iron deficiency. A child might not be consuming enough iron-rich foods or could be eating foods that block iron absorption. Digestive issues like IBS or Crohn's disease may hinder nutrient absorption, and medications like antacids or antibiotics can reduce iron absorption. A common cause is grain consumption, especially whole grains containing phytates, which bind to iron and block its absorption.

🥩 Types of Iron and Food Sources

This section explains the two types of iron: heme (from animal products) and non-heme (from plants). Heme iron is easier for the body to absorb. Children who don't consume enough animal products such as red meat, chicken, or turkey may develop iron deficiencies. The video emphasizes avoiding grains and encouraging foods like red meat, liver, and seafood, which are rich in easily absorbable iron.

💊 The Right Way to Supplement Iron

Here, the speaker advises against using standard iron supplements from drugstores, which may not be effective. Instead, food-based iron or food-based iron complexes are recommended. Foods such as liver, mussels, oysters, and clams are highlighted as good sources of iron. Spinach and vegetables also contain iron, though it's harder for the body to absorb. The emphasis is on choosing iron from natural sources.

🥗 Supporting Iron Absorption with Vitamin C

The video closes by discussing how consuming vegetables and salads can help children absorb iron, especially since these foods provide vitamin C. Vitamin C enhances iron absorption and also addresses other potential nutrient deficiencies that may accompany iron deficiency. The video ends with a note of gratitude and a request for reviews.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Iron deficiency

Iron deficiency refers to the lack of sufficient iron in the body, which can result in various health problems. In the context of the video, it is discussed as the cause of dark circles under the eyes in children. The video also explains that iron deficiency doesn't necessarily mean the child is anemic, but it can still result in symptoms like fatigue, dizziness, and delayed growth.

💡Anemia

Anemia is a condition in which the body doesn't have enough red blood cells to carry adequate oxygen to its tissues, often due to iron deficiency. The video touches on how anemia could be a result of iron deficiency but notes that a person can have low iron without being anemic. It is one of the possible outcomes of prolonged iron deficiency.

💡Fatigue and lethargy

Fatigue and lethargy refer to feelings of extreme tiredness and a lack of energy. In the video, these are listed as symptoms of iron deficiency, particularly in children who are not getting enough iron. This concept is tied to how iron plays a role in oxygen transportation and overall energy production in the body.

💡Phytates

Phytates are chemical compounds found in grains that can bind to iron and block its absorption. The video explains how even consuming whole grains can inhibit iron absorption due to the presence of phytates, leading to iron deficiency in children who consume a grain-heavy diet. The presence of phytates is highlighted as a reason why grains, though often seen as healthy, can cause deficiencies.

💡Heme iron

Heme iron is the type of iron that comes from animal-based sources, such as red meat, chicken, and turkey. This form of iron is highly absorbable by the body. The video contrasts heme iron with non-heme iron (from plant sources), stating that heme iron is more effective in preventing and addressing iron deficiency in children.

💡Non-heme iron

Non-heme iron refers to the type of iron found in plant-based foods, such as legumes and spinach. According to the video, non-heme iron is harder for the body to absorb compared to heme iron from animal sources. This is why the video recommends that children consume more animal products to ensure they get enough easily absorbable iron.

💡Digestive issues

Digestive issues, such as IBS or Crohn's disease, can interfere with the body's ability to absorb iron. The video explains that children with these conditions may struggle to absorb minerals like iron, which can exacerbate iron deficiency. Digestive problems are presented as another factor that can block iron absorption, similar to phytates and antibiotics.

💡Antacids

Antacids are medications that neutralize stomach acid. The video points out that if a child has been on antacids for a long time, they may not have enough stomach acid, which is crucial for iron absorption. This highlights how the use of antacids can contribute to iron deficiency, particularly in children with digestive problems.

💡Vitamin C

Vitamin C is an essential nutrient that helps the body absorb non-heme iron more efficiently. The video emphasizes the importance of having children consume vegetables and salads rich in vitamin C to enhance their iron absorption, especially if their diet includes plant-based iron sources. The connection between vitamin C and iron absorption is an important point for preventing deficiency.

💡Animal products

Animal products, such as red meat, liver, and poultry, are highlighted as rich sources of heme iron, which is easily absorbed by the body. The video encourages incorporating more of these foods into a child's diet to prevent iron deficiency. It even suggests alternatives like liver pills if children don’t like the taste of liver, stressing the importance of iron-rich animal products.

Highlights

A child may have dark circles under the eyes due to iron deficiency, which doesn't necessarily mean they're anemic.

Iron deficiency can cause other symptoms like fatigue, lethargy, dizziness, paleness, irritability, craving ice or dirt, and delayed growth.

Iron is involved in many chemical pathways and enzymes.

Deficiency could be due to not consuming iron-rich foods or consuming foods that block iron absorption.

Digestive problems like IBS or Crohn's can prevent the absorption of minerals, including iron.

Use of anti-acids can lead to insufficient stomach acid, which is crucial for iron absorption.

Antibiotics can also hinder the absorption of iron.

Consumption of grains, especially the bran, can lead to iron deficiency due to phytates that bind iron.

There are two types of iron: heme iron from animal products and non-heme iron from plants and legumes.

Heme iron from animal products is more easily absorbed by the body.

To address iron deficiency, consume red meat, liver (or liver pills), clams, octopus, mussels, and oysters.

Iron supplements from drugstores are not recommended; instead, focus on food-based iron or complexes.

Spinach and other vegetables contain iron, but it's more difficult to absorb.

Vitamin C helps with the absorption of iron.

Children with iron deficiency often have other deficiencies as well.

Encourage the consumption of vegetables and salads for additional nutrients and vitamin C.

The video creator expresses gratitude for viewers and requests reviews.