Unlocking the hidden powers of a daydreamer

Daydreaming may be a sign that your child isn't getting the stimulation needed to stay involved in learning.
Daydreaming may be a sign that your child isn't getting the stimulation needed to stay involved in learning.Leah-Anne Thompson

Recent headlines have suggested that daydreaming is a sign of brilliance. True, as a young man, Einstein was accused of daydreaming, and according to a recent study published in Neuropsychologia, "mind wandering positively correlated with fluid intelligence and creativity." But really, how many daydreamers are Einsteins, Mozarts or even one of The Monkees? So let's back up a few steps and figure out "Oh, what can it mean?"

The study points out that if your child can't seem to keep his or her mind on something for an extended period of time, it may not stem from an attention deficit problem and in "certain instances … mind wandering may not be inherently harmful."

That's why it's important to have a trained professional make an evaluation.

It's possible that daydreaming is a sign your child isn't getting the stimulation he or she needs to stay involved in learning. Discovering what level of instruction in school will engage a child can transform his or her future. The National Association for Gifted Children can guide you toward testing at nagc.org.

Evaluation may reveal that your child has ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), and that's also info you want. Left undiagnosed and untreated, ADHD can cause intellectual, social and emotional problems that persist for a lifetime. Find an evaluation professional through Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder at chadd.org.

So stop monkeying around and discover if your daydreamer is the next Einstein, just bored or has ADHD. Finding out and treating the situation

Q: Can you explain the basics of having a healthy gut biome? You hear about all these bacteria that are good for you, but it sounds a little wacky and confusing.

Sandy G., Anderson, Indiana

A: If it's any consolation, you're not much more confused than the researchers who study the complex world of the intestinal microbiome. Some fascinating research is going on, and you can participate: Check out the crowd-ourced research project AmericanGut.org and become a citizen scientist! Also, take a look at the Human Microbiome Project for detailed info at hmpdacc.org.

What we do know is that your gut contains about 100 trillion microbes, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, archaea (a sort-of bacteria) and eukaryotes (little buggers that are built a bit differently than bacteria). That's 10 times as many microbes as there are cells in your whole body. We have these trillions of ride-along microbes to help extract energy from food, help in the production of neurotransmitters such as serotonin and to make sure we have enzymes and nutrients needed for a healthy immune system and regulation of blood glucose. (They also can create some compounds that damage your health.)

Diet appears to have the greatest influence on the composition of the microbiome (not just what bugs are there, but their proportions). The best diet for a healthy gut biome:

Is rich in high-fiber foods, such as 100 percent whole grains and fresh fruits and veggies. These are prebiotics that feed the health-promoting gut bacteria.

Eliminates red meat, egg yolks and cheese. The carnitine, lecithin and choline in these foods feed bacteria that produce their own waste products that fuel inflammation. That, in turn, increases your risk of heart attack, stroke, cancer, memory loss and kidney failure over time (like 40 years).

Avoids processed foods. Emulsifiers, for example (read the ingredient labels) can promote leaky gut, letting inflammatory and disease-causing molecules escape from your intestines into your bloodstream. Not good.

As for taking probiotic supplements, we like taking them because the gut needs all the help it can get! Our favorites are Culturelle and Digestive Advantage.