Kids playing at school in the classroom

Kids Immunity

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By Brooke Whitman-Roberts

Kids have barely settled into their back-to-school routines, and we are already hearing sniffles and coughs. It doesn’t take long for germs and the common cold to spread. The good news is there are effective natural ways to boost your child’s immune system and help treat cold symptoms.

Starting to build your immune system now, sets you up for stronger resilience as cold + flu season sets in. A healthy nutrient rich diet including vitamins and minerals that support immunity is crucial. Avoid processed foods, they contain chemicals, preservatives, and dyes which promote inflammation. Sleep is important for immunity; it helps fight infection and boosts the immune system’s response. Encourage a restful sleep by maintaining a regular nighttime routine, limiting screen time before bed, and supporting your child through times of worry. When diet and sleep aren’t enough, supplementation can help fill in the gaps.

A great supplement to take to build immune resiliency or to recover after a cold is St. Francis Deep Immune Kids. It contains adaptogenic herbs crucial to immune responses against illness and infection. Astragalus strengthens both innate and adaptive immunity for a robust defense system. Codonopsis is immune restorative, it supports the body through fatigue and defends against frequent infection. This preventative tonic tastes great and is easy to take.

Other supplements that are helpful include;

  • Vitamin D is essential for immune function. It is required for innate immunity, which is your child’s first line of defense from microbes. Studies have shown kids who supplement with vitamin D have a 58% reduced risk of the flu. Recent studies also show vitamin D to improve gut bacteria in the upper GI tract which helps immunity.
  • Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that helps protect cells from oxidative damage. Its anti-inflammatory properties help to fight infections reducing the duration and severity of colds.
  • Zinc is critical for the development, function, and mediation of immune cells. Low zinc levels can contribute to increased susceptibility to infections, and slow recovery time from illness. Zinc is also needed for lung health and function.
  • Elderberry syrup is rich in immune boosting nutrients, including vitamin C and the proanthocyanidins that give it its dark hue. Proanthocyanidins have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. They promote immune cell signaling and a healthy mucosal intestinal barrier which are critical functions of the immune system.

Echinaforce Junior is clinically shown to help prevent and relieve symptoms as well as shorten the duration of upper respiratory infections. Echinacea is antiviral and is used in herbal medicine to support the immune system. It can be taken long term for prevention or at the first sign of infection for treatment.

Herbaland Immune Bears contain vitamin C, vitamin D, zinc, echinacea and elderberry to support immune system function year-round by providing vital nutrients and antioxidants. Immune Bears protect your child from infection. These tasty little gummies are non-GMO, vegan, and sugar-free.

There are many ways to boost your child’s immune system and it can be overwhelming. Just remember that small changes make a big impact. Focusing on nutrition, sleep and hygiene are great places to start then you can incorporate the supplements that work best for your family from there.

Brooke Whitman-Roberts
Wellness Manager