Swanson Vitamins Welcomes New Blogger with Family Connection to Natural Health

Posted by Tara:

Hello, my name is Tara.  I am the newest edition to the Swanson Health Products web communications team.  My role as Internet Public Relations Specialist is very appropriate not only because of my communications experience, but because I have a unique appreciation for the outstanding products Swanson Health Products produces and sells.  In my first blog post, I wanted to share how someone very close to my heart thrives because of vitamins and supplements. 
 

Newborn Screenings for Genetic Disorders:

It’s thrilling, holding your newborn baby for the very first time! There are so many emotions, so much love and the overwhelming need to protect your child from any kind of pain or discomfort.  So when a pediatric nurse visited us in the middle of our first night in the hospital, explaining that she needed to do a heel prick for the infant screening, I wanted to know as much as possible about why it was necessary to make my baby cry. She explained, “It’s just for the infant screenings.  Don’t worry; most people never hear anything back.”
 

Unfortunately, two days after we left the hospital, I received a call from his pediatrician. Bad news; the infant screenings caught a rare genetic disease called Medium-chain acyl-coenzyme A dehydrogenase Deficiency (MCAD). My perfect little baby boy is sick and will be sick for his entire life.  It was absolutely devastating.
 

BUT - there is good news for babies with MCAD.  Early detection makes this life-threatening disorder manageable!  MCAD treatment includes a restricted diet, medication and avoiding low-blood sugar levels caused by fasting. 
 

Developing and Managing a Routine
 
I took action immediately. The proper foods were introduced at the appropriate ages, medication will forever be part of his daily routine and a strict feeding schedule was established to avoid fasting.  Once I was confident that we had developed a successful routine, I started to look for any additional help I could give him. His nutritionist was passionate about the benefits vitamins and supplements—not only for him, but for me too.  I started him on a multivitamin, vitamin D (we live in the mid-west and therefore need the extra sunshine vitamin), and omega-3 fish oils.
 

Children with MCAD are prone to learning disabilities and Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). My son will be four years old in December; he is a very healthy, happy little boy. He is learning at the same pace as his peers. He participates in sports and shows no signs of ADD. I firmly believe his regime of vitamins and dietary supplements are the “it” factor in his development. Like any parent, I want to give my son every opportunity to be successful in life. I believe that supplementing his diet is as important as reading to him, giving him hugs and teaching him about being responsible for his actions. 
 

Just in the Nick of Time
 
Seven months before my son was born, legislation was passed in the state of North Dakota to include MCAD in the infant screening. I am eternally grateful for the infant screening.  It’s hard to think about how things could have been different if his MCAD had gone undetected.  The stories from families that have lost a child to MCAD are too real, too heart-wrenching.  But thanks to his doctors, my amazingly supportive family and the vitamins and supplements he takes, he leads a full life. I couldn’t ask for more.
 

Posted by Tara