Ignorance is bliss?

Back in June we did some blood tests for Liam to see if gluten was a problem for him as I'd heard kids with DS are more likely to have issues.  We were going to Europe  and I thought it would all turn out ok and we could eat cheese and croissants with no problem.  Well we did eat those things, and more, but not without possible long term problems.  Liam's blood test showed that he was intolerant to gluten and also sensitive to....eggs, soy, rice, corn, etc etc.  I simply have not been able to cut out those things, though after the trip I have gone back to 99% dairy and gluten free for Liam and 85% for me.  And everyone, with genuine love and concern for us asks, "well, do you notice a difference when he eats those things?  How is he reacting?"  The only thing I can tell he's reacted to is dairy. 

But here's the rub.  The pesky extra chromosome means that I think a lot more about my two year old's future.  I think about my two years old's high chance of early onset Alzheimer's. I think about how to provide for him after we are gone, or the fact that we may go around the same time, because his life expectancy is lower (though it is way higher than it  ought have been twenty years ago). 

From the Mayo Clinic:

"Life expectancy

Life spans have increased dramatically for people with Down syndrome. In 1929, a baby born with Down syndrome often didn't live to age 10. Today, someone with Down syndrome can expect to live to 50 and beyond, depending on the severity of his or her health problems."

So, this food stuff, as I understand it, affects his long term health, even if we don't see overt signs of these food Intolerances now.  I am his mom, and as many of you know, a mom will do anything for her kids.  

But I have to find a balance. If a food is not causing diarrhea or rashes, maybe I can be conscious of limiting it, but not 100% strict about it.  A happy, relatively stress free family life is pretty important.  I am trying yo figure it all out. If I would stop researching so much about my little guy, I'd be in blissful ignorance, eating pizza, but wondering about his constant congestion.  Educating myself is important, but so is letting go, and trusting my mama instincts.  

Wish me luck!