Down's Syndrome Natural Treatments

Supplements that may be helpful in people with Down's Syndrome

There is a lot of information available on nutrition and Down Syndrome. I will not attempt to explain the particulars about nutritional abnormalities and deficiencies in people with Down Syndrome, as this type of protocol should be individualized. I do however, want to make a few points. Most of my recommendations focus on adults.

1. Good nutrition is important for everyone. It can impact your energy level, mood, immune system, strength, growth, etc.
2. Putting additives, preservatives, colors, chemicals, excess fats and sugars into your body negatively impacts so much and makes your body work extra hard to process and detoxify. .
3. Individuals with Down Syndrome tend to have a weaker immune system and get colds, infections and viruses at a greater rate and intensity than the general population.
4. Individuals with Down Syndrome tend to have certain nutritional deficiencies.
5. Individuals with Down Syndrome tend to have an excess of free radicals (oxidative stress) in each body cell causing imbalances.
6. Individuals with Down Syndrome tend to develop symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease as early as their 30'S. Alzheimer plaques and tangles in the brain can be helped with antioxidants.

I do not have a particular protocol for patients with Trisomy 21, but I do like to offer vitamin and mineral testing to find and address nutritional gaps. Please discuss any nutritional supplements with your physician.

Coenzyme Q10 is a powerful antioxidant and immune system enhancer. Antioxidants play an increasingly important role in maintaining health by reducing free radicals in the body. Free radicals are unstable molecules that researchers have linked to no less than 60 diseases and disease processes. By utilizing Coenzyme Q10’s free radical scavenging capability, we may be able to reduce the effects of or actually prevent certain diseases affecting cognitive skills.


Essential Fatty Acids- Two types of fatty acids are considered essential to the human diet. Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids cannot be synthesized in the body and must be obtained from the diet. Omega fatty acids support brain and eye development. Researchers link low levels of omega-3 fatty acids to attention problems and learning disabililties. Improvements in immune function, blood pressure, cholesterol levels and constipation have also been seen with essential fatty acid (EFA) supplementation.

Flaxseed Oil (organic cold pressed in the refrigerated section) or Fish Oil (pharmaceutical grade) supplements seem to be the best sources of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.

Body bio balance oil- A blend of Omega 3&6 recommended by the changing minds foundation. Most North Americans and Europeans now get far too much of the omega-6s and not enough of the omega-3s. Spectracell does offer a blood test to assess Omega levels prior to supplementation if you want.

Phosphyatidylcholine emulsifies and breaks down fat deposits in the body which makes it an effective prevatative against atherosclerosis, gallstones, heart disease, and liver problems. The most important function of phosphyatidylcholine is that it acts as a supplier of choline which is required to maintain cell membrane integrity. As a component of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, phosphyatidylcholine is essential in maintaining normal brain functioning, particularly in infants. Recent medical research has also linked phosphatidylcholine as a useful treatment to depression, memory loss, and neurological disorders. Each tablespoon (7.5 grams) of lecithin granules contains about 1700 mg of phosphatidyl choline, 1000 mg of phosphatidyl inositol, and about 2,200 mg of essential fatty acids as linoleic acid. It also contains the valuable fish-oil-like, omega-3 linolenic acid. The dose for adults according to changing minds for adults is 1-2 Tbsp (1 Tbsp = 9 pills)


B vitamins- Studies have shown that there is a tendancy in Down syndrome to have low levels of B12 and Folinic (or Folic) Acid. Replacing B12 and Folinic Acid helps to normalize metabolism. Specifically, B12 and Folinic Acid are used in a metabolic cycle called the SAM cycle. The dose of folinic acid recommends ranges between 800-2000 micrograms per day, and B12 1000-2000 micrograms per day.


Ginkgo Biloba has been used in Chinese medicine for about 5000 years. It has no major side effects. If you put Ginkgo Biloba into a search engine, you will see that they say it improves memory by increasing blood flow. Recent research on animals also suggests that Ginkgo works as a GABA antagonist. According to changing minds foundation, the dose is 3mg per pound three times per day

Ashwagandha-Known as a revitalizing tonic for the brain and body, ashwagandha is also a herb becoming recognized for its ability to enhance cognition and rebuild components of the neuronal network in damaged brains.

Several studies have shown zinc and selenium serum levels are decreased among children with Down syndrome.

I haven't seen alot of conclusive studies regarding digestive enzyme and antioxidant supplementation in Down's Syndrome but they are useful in selected cases in people without Down's Syndrome so the usage of these supplements should be evaluated on a case by case basis.