728x90
my iParenting
From Our Sponsors
e-newsletters
Sign up to receive our free weekly e-newsletters

new terms of use
new privacy policy
award-winning products
The iParenting Media Awards program helps parents find the best products for their families.
Home › Articles › Eating Right › Power Up!

Power Up!

Boost Your Immune System

By Leigh Brown Perkins

Pages:  1  2  3  

Try a Supplement

"Cushioning" your child's diet – even with a supplement in the shape of Pebbles Flintstone – is a good idea. Although the American Academy of Pediatricians recommends multivitamins only for picky eaters (whose kid doesn't qualify?), it also states that supplements are generally safe when taken as directed.

Zinc has been touted as a cold killer, but the evidence is mixed. The NIH's Office of Dietary Supplements reports zinc has been shown to reduce the duration of cold symptoms by half in adults, but other studies have found no benefit in children who took zinc lozenges. If you want to try zinc yourself – both lozenge and mist form are available over the counter – begin taking it at the first sign of a cold.

Vitamin C is another popular first response. In the recommended dosage (15 to 25 mg for kids under 8), vitamin C keeps the immune system working fine, but there is little evidence that megadoses help prevent colds. However, Amerine says, extra C – up to 1,000 mg for children – does reduce the severity and duration of cold symptoms. Too much C, though, causes diarrhea.

See a Doctor

Annual checkups, scheduled immunizations and avoiding unnecessary antibiotics are smart strategies for strong immune systems. And consider getting flu shots this year. According to the CDC, all children 6 to 23 months should be vaccinated, as well as anyone over 2 with a chronic medical condition (including asthma and diabetes), anyone who works with small children and all pregnant women. The best time to get a flu shot is October or November.

Preventing flu is a serious concern. Flu complications cause an average of 114,000 hospitalizations and 36,000 deaths each year. During the 2003-2004 flu season, the CDC reported 93 children died of complications of the flu. Almost three-fourths of them had not been vaccinated.

The Natural Approach

Many families swear by the natural approach. Amerine says eliminating foods with hydrogenated oils and artificial colors is the first step to a strong immune system. She also suggests families try four health-food store staples:

Flaxseed
Why? Its omega-3 fatty acids boost the immune system and its fiber eliminates toxins.
How? In powdered form, sprinkle into baked goods. In oil form, use in dressings. Also in capsule form. Can be used daily.

Elderberry
Why? Its antioxidants boost immune function, particularly helpful for respiratory illnesses.
How? In tincture form for children, may enhance resistance to a cold the rest of the family already has. Can be used at the onset or during a cold to alleviate symptoms.

Sea plants
Why? Pure, nutrient dense plants are virtually toxin-free, as beneficial as a multivitamin.
How? Crunch dried kelp like a snack. Mix powdered seaweed with water or soup or blend into a smoothie – although some parents have a tough time selling a green shake to their kids.

Echinacea
Why? Reduces symptoms and duration of colds and flu. Its effectiveness at preventing such illnesses is still unproven.
How? Take tinctures or supplements at the first sign of cold and continue until the illness has run its course. Children take half the adult dose. Can be used for up to six weeks at a time.

Always tell your physician about any herbal remedies or supplements you are taking. Some can interact with other medicines.


Pages:  1  2  3  


Want to see more?