🔍 Episode Snapshot:
This episode explores epigenetics—how factors like nutrition, stress, and sleep can influence how genes are expressed without changing the DNA itself. For individuals with Down syndrome, this matters deeply. While the extra chromosome in Trisomy 21 affects gene activity, we can use functional medicine to help modulate that activity and support better outcomes.

🧬 Genetics vs. Epigenetics—A Quick Primer

• Genetics: Your DNA is like a cookbook. Each gene is a recipe passed down from your parents.
• Epigenetics: Influences which recipes are used and how often—affected by things like diet, stress, sleep, and toxins.

Why it matters in DS:
Genes aren’t destiny. Epigenetics gives us tools to help offset common challenges like inflammation, cognitive delays, and accelerated aging.

📚 Down Syndrome & Epigenetic Challenges

• Trisomy 21 = 47 chromosomes, ~300 extra genes
• Impaired DNA methylation affects detox, cognition, and cellular repair
• Overactive genes on chromosome 21 can drive inflammation, oxidative stress, and cognitive changes
  • Examples: DYRK1A, RCAN1, SOD1, APP, CBS, IFNAR1/2

🔧 How Functional Medicine Helps
A personalized, root-cause approach can support healthy gene expression:

• Nutrients: B12, folate, choline, zinc
• Antioxidants: Glutathione, NAC, vitamins C & E
• Anti-inflammatory foods: omega-3s, Mediterranean-style diet
• Detox & lifestyle: reduce toxins, improve sleep, manage stress

🛠 Takeaways for Parents

• Focus on what you can change—food, environment, daily habits
• Small steps can shift gene expression in powerful ways
• Work with a provider trained in functional or integrative medicine

💡 Q&A Highlights
Can you “turn off” a gene? Yes—epigenetics acts like a dimmer switch.
Are changes permanent? Not to your DNA, but some effects can last long-term.
Too late to start? Never—it’s always the right time to support your child’s health.

💬 Final Thoughts
Genes load the gun. Environment pulls the trigger.
You have more influence than you think—and you don’t have to do it alone.

🔗 Helpful links: www.downforgreens.co

Sources:

• Yu, Y Eugene et al. “Genetic and epigenetic pathways in Down syndrome: Insights to the brain and immune system from humans and mouse models.” Progress in brain research vol. 251 (2020): 1-28. doi:10.1016/bs.pbr.2019.09.002
• Donovan, Micah G et al. “Variegated overexpression of chromosome 21 genes reveals molecular and immune subtypes of Down syndrome.” Nature communications vol. 15,1 5473. 28 Jun. 2024, doi:10.1038/s41467-024-49781-1
• Chapman, Laura R et al. “Gene Expression Studies in Down Syndrome: What Do They Tell Us about Disease Phenotypes?.” International journal of molecular sciences vol. 25,5 2968. 4 Mar. 2024, doi:10.3390/ijms25052968
• Xu, Keren et al. “Accelerated epigenetic aging in newborns with Down syndrome.” Aging cell vol. 21,7 (2022): e13652. doi:10.1111/acel.13652

Many kids and adults with Down syndrome have thyroid problems — but these are often missed. In this episode, we explain what the thyroid does, why it matters for people with DS, and how functional medicine can help support thyroid health naturally.

👉 Full episode + resources: www.downforgreens.co

🌟 What You’ll Learn:

🔹 What is the thyroid?
A small gland in the neck that helps control energy, growth, and temperature.
Think of it as your body’s "speed dial."

🔹 Why is it important in Down syndrome?
People with DS often have low thyroid (called hypothyroidism), but symptoms like tiredness or slow growth can be easy to miss.

🔹 Common thyroid conditions:

• Hashimoto’s: The immune system attacks the thyroid, causing it to slow down.
• Graves’ disease: The thyroid is too fast — less common, but still possible.

🔹 How Functional Medicine Helps:

• Looks at the whole body to find and treat the root cause.
• Uses advanced lab testing for nutrients, gut health, and inflammation.
• Personalized care with food, supplements (like selenium & zinc), and lifestyle support.
• Helps reduce inflammation, support energy, and balance the immune system.

🔹 What to do:

• Ask for regular thyroid screenings
• Focus on a nutrient-rich diet
• Support gut and immune health
• Work with a provider who understands functional medicine

👉 Visit www.downforgreens.co for more info and resources.

Sources:

• Amr, Nermine H. “Thyroid Disorders in Subjects with Down Syndrome: An Update.” Acta bio-medica : Atenei Parmensis vol. 89,1 132-139. 27 Mar. 2018, doi:10.23750/abm.v89i1.7120
• Lavigne, Jenifer et al. “Thyroid dysfunction in patients with Down syndrome: Results from a multi-institutional registry study.” American journal of medical genetics. Part A vol. 173,6 (2017): 1539-1545. doi:10.1002/ajmg.a.3821
• Cebeci, Ayşe Nurcan et al. “Profile of hypothyroidism in Down's syndrome.” Journal of clinical research in pediatric endocrinology vol. 5,2 (2013): 116-20. doi:10.4274/Jcrpe.88
• Cattoni, Alessandro et al. “Thyroid Function Tests in Children and Adolescents With Trisomy 21: Definition of Syndrome-Specific Reference Ranges.” The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism vol. 108,11 (2023): 2779-2788. doi:10.1210/clinem/dgad333
• Szeliga, Kamila et al. “Subclinical Hypothyroidism as the Most Common Thyroid Dysfunction Status in Children With Down's Syndrome.” Frontiers in endocrinology vol. 12 782865. 4 Jan. 2022, doi:10.3389/fendo.2021.782865
• Piticchio, Tommaso et al. “Effect of gluten-free diet on autoimmune thyroiditis progression in patients with no symptoms or histology of celiac disease: a meta-analysis.” Frontiers in endocrinology vol. 14 1200372. 24 Jul. 2023, doi:10.3389/fendo.2023.1200372

In this enlightening episode, we explore the critical connection between systemic inflammation and health outcomes in individuals with Down syndrome. Emerging research points to chronic inflammation as a contributor to a variety of health challenges, including autoimmune conditions, cognitive decline, and cardiovascular issues.

Join us as we break down:

📚 Key studies highlighting the link between inflammation and Down syndrome

🥗 The role of anti-inflammatory diets like the Mediterranean or plant-forward approaches

🐟 How omega-3 fatty acids can support immune health and reduce inflammation

🧠 Practical tips to support overall wellness through nutrition and lifestyle changes

Whether you're a parent, caregiver, or health advocate, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you or your loved ones thrive.

🔍 Resources & Links:

Learn more and access helpful resources at: www.downforgreens.co

Sources:

• Huggard, Dean et al. “Increased systemic inflammation in children with Down syndrome.” Cytokine vol. 127 (2020): 154938. doi:10.1016/j.cyto.2019.154938
• Malle, Louise et al. “Autoimmunity in Down's syndrome via cytokines, CD4 T cells and CD11c+ B cells.” Nature vol. 615,7951 (2023): 305-314. doi:10.1038/s41586-023-05736-y
• Mara et al. “Down Syndrome Is a Metabolic Disease: Altered Insulin Signaling Mediates Peripheral and Brain Dysfunctions.” Frontiers in neurosciencevol. 14 670. 8 Jul. 2020, doi:10.3389/fnins.2020.0067
• Pecoraro, Luca et al. “Lipid Profile, Eating Habit, and Physical Activity in Children with Down Syndrome: A Prospective Study.” Diseases (Basel, Switzerland) vol. 12,4 68. 29 Mar. 2024, doi:10.3390/diseases12040068
• Joanna, and Dariusz Włodarek. “General Dietary Recommendations for People with Down Syndrome.” Nutrientsvol. 16,16 2656. 11 Aug. 2024, doi:10.3390/nu16162656

Explore the critical role of early gut health (first 1000 days) interventions and their effects on cognitive function, immune health, and overall well-being in individuals with Down syndrome.

In today’s episode, we explore the connection between gut health and Down syndrome, focusing on the first 1000 days of life. The gut microbiome plays a crucial role in digestion, immune function, and brain health. Early-life interventions, such as diet and antibiotic use, significantly impact the microbiome and long-term health outcomes, especially for individuals with Down syndrome (DS). Those with DS may have unique microbiome imbalances that affect gastrointestinal, immune, and cognitive health, but early interventions like prebiotics and probiotics can help promote a healthier microbiome.

Research shows that individuals with DS have lower microbial diversity, which may contribute to common issues like gastrointestinal disorders and cognitive delays. Proper nutrition and careful medical interventions can help improve these outcomes. As research continues, there is hope that enhancing gut health will improve well-being for people with Down syndrome.

Sources:

• Ferranti, Erin P et al. “20 things you didn't know about the human gut microbiome.” The Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing vol. 29,6 (2014): 479-81. doi:10.1097/JCN.0000000000000166
• Biagi, Elena et al. “Gut microbiome in Down syndrome.” PloS One vol. 9,11 e112023. 11 Nov. 2014, doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0112023
• Sorboni, Shokufeh Ghasemian et al. “A Comprehensive Review on the Role of the Gut Microbiome in Human Neurological Disorders.” Clinical Microbiology Reviews vol. 35,1 (2022): e0033820. doi:10.1128/CMR.00338-20
• Berding, Kirsten et al. “Diet and the Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis: Sowing the Seeds of Good Mental Health.” Advances in Nutrition (Bethesda, Md.) vol. 12,4 (2021): 1239-1285. doi:10.1093/advances/nmaa181
• Ren, Shimeng et al. “Altered Gut Microbiota Correlates with Cognitive Impairment in Chinese Children with Down's Syndrome.” European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry vol. 31,1 (2022): 189-202. doi:10.1007/s00787-021-01799-2
• Fasano, Alessio. “All Disease Begins in the (Leaky) Gut: Role of Zonulin-Mediated Gut Permeability in the Pathogenesis of Some Chronic Inflammatory Diseases.” F1000Research vol. 9 F1000 Faculty Rev-69. 31 Jan. 2020, doi:10.12688/f1000research.20510.1
• Leong, K.S.W., McLay, J., Derraik, J.G.B., et al. “Associations of Prenatal and Childhood Antibiotic Exposure with Obesity at Age 4 Years.” JAMA Network Open (2020); 3(1): e1919681. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2019.19681
• Lu, Yankun et al. “Early-Life Antibiotic Exposure and Childhood Asthma Trajectories: A National Population-Based Birth Cohort.” Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland) vol. 12,2 314. 3 Feb. 2023, doi:10.3390/antibiotics12020314

Mixed & Edited by Next Day Podcast

info@nextdaypodcast.com

Explore the basics of functional medicine and how it can be applied to individuals with Down syndrome to enhance their overall health and well-being.

In this episode of *The Functional Medicine Approach to Down Syndrome*, Dr. Blake Butler, DC, explores how functional medicine can enhance the health and well-being of individuals with Down syndrome. Dr. Butler introduces the concept of functional medicine, emphasizing its holistic, individualized approach that addresses root causes of health issues rather than just symptoms. He dives into common health challenges faced by individuals with Down syndrome, such as thyroid disorders, obesity, gastrointestinal issues, and congenital heart defects, and discusses how functional medicine strategies like personalized nutrition, gut health support, detoxification, and cognitive function enhancement can be powerful tools in managing these conditions. This episode aims to empower families and caregivers by providing practical insights on how functional medicine can support overall health, improve quality of life, and complement conventional care for individuals with Down syndrome. Tune in to learn more about this integrative approach to better health.

Mixed & Edited by Next Day Podcast

info@nextdaypodcast.com

Down For Health is a single-host podcast dedicated to empowering families of individuals with Down syndrome by exploring the transformative power of functional medicine. Hosted by an experienced practitioner, this podcast offers practical insights into disease prevention, wellness strategies, and the unique health challenges faced by those with Down syndrome.

Mixed & Edited by Next Day Podcast

info@nextdaypodcast.com