Back to School with Super Immunity!

Back to school and the challenges of immunity

If your child happens to be one of those who gets sick more often than you'd like, or if you just want to boost their immune system, here are some tried-and-true cold and flu prevention recommendations for children.

Boosting immunity doesn't just happen during the winter, so you can start adopting these strategies at the start of school and then continue safely throughout cold and flu season (fall through late winter/early spring) to build optimal immunity, prevent illness, and keep your child healthy year-round. These tips are scientifically proven, safe, and you'll be happy with the results!

Children's immune systems under construction

The truth is that while some children simply need a more natural, less processed diet, full of colorful fruits and vegetables, play, and love to be healthy year-round, others are prone to flu, tonsillitis, bronchitis, ear infections, and all the other "itises" out there. This whole process of child illness adds a good deal of stress and fatigue to parents, and to children's metabolisms, resulting in sleepless nights and missed work and school.

It's much easier to prevent disease than to spend time visiting the doctor and undergoing countless doses of antibiotics that often don't work and have medium- and long-term side effects. So, take the time NOW to establish healthy habits for life and start with these basic "requirements" for any effective immune system plan. Some nutrients are considered SUPER IMMUNITY nutrients because they have a significant impact on the immune system. So, how do we provide these nutrients to our children? First, through food. Food is always the best source of nutrients for children. Follow the rainbow diet.

These nutrients come from including certain foods in our diet, as well as eliminating others:

• Eliminate sugar: Did you know that just 30 minutes after ingesting simple sugars (such as glucose, white sugar, and fructose), the ability of white blood cells (called macrophages) to "eat" viruses and bacteria that try to invade our body DECREASES by 50%? Yes... It's true, and this effect lasts for at least 5 hours! Maintaining healthy blood sugar levels has been shown to improve immune system activity. And when we say eliminate, we're also talking about fruit juices!
• Eat colorful fruits and vegetables: When we have an infection, it's NOT the virus or bacteria that makes us feel sick. It's our own immune response, with increased oxidative stress and free radicals, that makes us feel so bad. Each color in food provides a different antioxidant power to eliminate free radicals and help us feel better, faster—so eat a rainbow every day. If your kids aren't yet the biggest vegetable lovers, give them a good dose of antioxidants through a fruit-packed smoothie, or vegetables through soup, puree, or sauce, or any other form you know—get creative!
• Include quality protein in every meal: Protein shouldn't be overlooked (lean meats, wild-caught fish, eggs, beans, lentils). It's a crucial macronutrient for our immune system to function effectively. Protein is needed for the production of infection-fighting cells and for the detoxification process. This means your child needs larger amounts compared to micronutrients.
• Invest in natural antiviral foods: These include coconut oil, raw garlic, thyme, oregano, ginger, sauerkraut and other fermented foods, pomegranate, apple cider vinegar, and medicinal mushrooms (e.g., shiitake).
• Get enough sleep: Lack of rest directly interferes with your immune system's response, increasing your susceptibility to infections. Sleep actually increases the number and ability of your white blood cells to fight viral infections more effectively. On the other hand, sleep loss, even just a few hours a night, increases inflammation in our bodies, making us more susceptible to infections and more severe symptoms. Therefore, prioritize sleep and make sure your entire family gets enough sleep.
• Connect with nature and get moving: Moderate exercise can increase the production of macrophages, the type of white blood cells that "eat" bacteria and viruses. However, intense exercise can temporarily decrease immune function and increase oxidative stress—so don't overdo it! As you optimize the nutrients in your children's diet, you'll find that both you and they get sick less often. Isn't that fantastic? However, frequent illness can be a key sign that your child needs a little extra nutrient boost. This is where a good supplement is helpful to help us reach optimal levels. For children with long-term nutritional deficiencies, parents who no longer trust the quality of food due to impoverished soils, or those who don't eat a wide variety of foods—for example, young children, particularly picky children, or adolescents with a lot of daily activities who don't want to bring healthy foods to school—if they are under a lot of stress, supplementation can be essential help.

Discover the key nutrients for greater immune defense:

Multivitamin

Some particularly important vitamins are vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin D, and some minerals include zinc and iron. A multivitamin/mineral is a good way to cover the basics and ensure optimal nutrient intake for immune health.

Cod Liver Oil

Probiotics

Ther-Biotic Children's Chewable - Klaire Labs

Junior Omni Lactis® 6 60g - Biogena

Zinc

Zinc deficiency is known to increase susceptibility to many infections, and zinc is among the minerals most deficient in children. Zinc is known to inhibit the replication of viruses such as influenza, rhinovirus (a common cold virus), and coxsackievirus (foot-and-mouth disease virus).

Zinc Drops 30ml – Biogena

Vitamin D3

Sunlight is the best way to obtain optimal levels of vitamin D, however, conversion in the skin during the winter months is low and it is difficult to obtain sufficient doses through food alone, especially in winter, making supplementation necessary.

The "sunshine vitamin" is essential for regulating the immune system. Its deficiency is very common and is associated with a higher risk of respiratory infections in children. Studies have shown that people supplemented with adequate levels of vitamin D3 during cold and flu season had significantly lower infection rates.

Vitamin D3 K2 drops 10ml – Biogena

Vitamin C

A powerful antioxidant and antiviral, it contributes to the formation of new immune cells and protects the airway mucosa against microorganisms. Daily use of vitamin C has been shown to decrease the likelihood of colds and flu, reduce the need for antibiotics, and even reduce school absences in children. People who take vitamin C regularly experience shorter colds (about 8% fewer in adults and 14% fewer in children) and slightly less intense symptoms. Most importantly, the benefits come when vitamin C is used preventively and daily.

Echinacea

It has been scientifically shown to support the immune system, prevent the recurrence of upper respiratory infections and bronchitis, and also prevent secondary infections, preventing infections from developing into more difficult-to-fight bacterial infections.

Medicinal Mushrooms

As part of a daily protocol, the combination of medicinal mushrooms, including shitake, reishi and maitake, for example, strengthens the immune system and has been shown to prevent upper respiratory infections (colds with coughs, ear infections and sinusitis) due to their antiviral properties.

Dr Immune Five 250ml - Hifas da Terra

Elderberry

Elderberry has been studied and found effective in treating the flu in adults and children. And remember—immune resilience does NOT mean never getting sick. It's about recovering faster and being stronger for the next infection. Immunoberry is an organic liquid blend containing astragalus root, elderberry, shiitake mushrooms, and maitake. It helps prepare, strengthen, and restore immune system function.