10 Ways to Boost Your Child’s Immune System (Part Two)

By Matthew Imerhion

The immune system is a network of cells, tissues, and organs working together to defend the body against the several harmful microorganisms like bacteria and viruses, encountered on a daily basis which cause infections and diseases. In children, this system is still immature, making them more susceptible to falling ill.

Here are ten simple ways to equip your child’s body with what it takes to guard itself against these foreign invaders:

Continued from part one

6. Minimize the Junk Food

Did someone ask “why?” Junk foods like meat pie, chicken pie, fries, chips and doughnuts, though irresistibly delicious, contain lots of fat and sugar, and excessive intake won’t do your child any good. A renowned researcher, Dr. Linus Pauling, discovered that the structure of Vitamin C looks very much like glucose.

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This resemblance makes it possible for glucose to sneak in disguised as Vitamin C which the immune system needs to be able to destroy germ invaders. This study also shows that it takes about 4 to 6 hours for the immune system to regain their Vitamin C strength and launch out to battle. Excess glucose makes your child’s immune system too lazy to defend his body. Do your child a favour; minimize the treats. Give more of healthier foods like fruits as snack. They’ll satisfy their sweet tooth too.

7. Sweet Honey, Sweet Health

Hey, did you know experts claim that natural honey can destroy at least 60 different types of bacteria, including fungi and viruses? An online review explains that raw honey contains enzymes, bacteria, natural vitamins and anti-oxidants. From way back, honey has been used as a sweetener, medicine for allergies and healing ointment for skin wounds. Add a few spoonfuls to your child’s beverage occasionally.

8. Alpha & Omega Oils

Coldwater fish, eggs, olive, walnuts and Sesame are rich sources of the Omega 3 fatty acid. These fatty acids or oils are usually deficient in children because the human body cannot produce fatty acids on its own. They keep the immune system healthy and also suppress the symptoms of auto immune disorder where parts of the body suddenly start to attack each other resulting in illness. According to Erica Jacques, Omega 3’s can be used to treat inflammatory bowels and arthritis and evidences are emerging to show that they prevent certain types of cancer like breast and colon cancer.

While you have to be careful not to overdo it, you can use olive oil (arguably the best cooking oil).

9. Vital Vitamins

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What are we ever going to do without our vitamins? From Vitamin A down to D, all are important in maintaining your child’s health and fostering growth. Cod Liver oil, available in most pharmacies, is rich in Vitamin A, honey is rich in Vitamin B complex (B1, B2, B3, B5, B6) and Vitamin C. I told you honey was a wonder, didn’t I? Vitamin C is an antioxidant that can be found in fruits and vegetables. White blood cells use it to swallow and terminate invading antigens. These vitamins can also be found in capsule and tablet forms and taken as supplements. Ask your doctor for appropriate prescriptions and dosage.

10. Live. Love. Laugh.

It’s often said that laughter is the best medicine. If you want your child to remain healthy, you must make the home a real home where the children can be comfortable, relax and be themselves. Studies have shown that when there is love, in terms of holding, hugging, touching, smiling, talking and having fun, the stress levels of the body fall to the barest minimum.

Also, research shows it’s better to laugh with other people than to laugh alone, so, creating lots of happy family times, fun activities with his peers or other people he loves being around also gives your child’s immunity an amazing boost.