captionFlu season is here, which means families need to take extra precautions to keep children from getting sick.sourceGetty
Flu season is here. But Im not all that worried. I have a PhD in immunology and have put that training to good use in protecting my now 5-year-old daughter from getting sick. I take all the standard precautions to safeguard against the sniffles, by vaccinating and practicing sensible hand washing (while still largely avoiding hand sanitizers), but theres still a lot more to do to keep sickness at bay.
One issue that may affect your childs ability to fight infection is a Vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D has a three-fold role in the immune system it fights infections and curbs autoimmune processes as well as inflammation. Vitamin D deficiency increases risks for a number of health issues, including repeatedly falling ill.
The main source of Vitamin D is exposure to sunlight. Vitamin D deficiency is somewhat common, and worsens in winter when people dont get outside as much.
Between 12% and 24% of infants, children, and adolescents are Vitamin D deficient, with breastfed babies being at a higher risk. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that in their first year of life, babies get 400 IU of Vitamin D daily. The AAP advises parents to give an oral Vitamin D supplement to breastfeeding infants and to those who consume less than 1 liter of infant formula a day.
By conservative estimates, children and adolescents need 600 IU each day. Its ideal for children and adolescents to get Vitamin D from natural sources, experts say.
If youre concerned that your child isnt getting enough from sunlight exposure, or is showing warning signs like being tired or falling ill often, consult your pediatrician about a potential Vitamin D deficiency.
I give my daughter the recommended dose all year round with a probiotic called BioGaia that is fortified with Vitamin D.
Omega 3s play a crucial role in brain and vision development, and were just beginning to understand the role they play in the immune system. As with most things, getting some but not too much is prudent. Ensuring your childs diet has some omega 3s, either regularly through food including wild-caught salmon and walnuts or supplementing periodically is a good idea. A breastfeeding mom should also eat a generous amount of foods containing omega 3s so that the nutrients are transferred to the baby.
Part of my childs regular maintenance protocol is taking a probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938, marketed as Biogaia. Originally discovered in breastmilk, part of its potential protective mechanism is the broad spectrum of antibiotic (reuterin) it produces, which may limit colonization by pathogenic bacteria.
In small research studies, it has been shown to protect against both GI tract and respiratory infections, reduce colic in breastmilk fed infants, and potentially protect against cavities. Taken together, the evidence suggests the probiotic microorganism may improve health in a variety of contexts.
Given the limited evidence, there is no recommendation for regular use. But since Biogaias safety is well-established and the cost is reasonable (about $30 for a two-month supply), I elected to give it regularly to my child since birth, and will continue doing so. (Be aware: the majority of probiotics have minimal to no research to back up their claims).
Turmeric has been used for medicinal purposes in India for centuries. As modern science is now discovering, its main component curcumin has anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, anti-microbial, and anti-cancer properties. It could potentially help in fending off both viral and bacterial infections and combat the deleterious effects of inflammation.
However, drinking a turmeric extract in water (in say, a latte or smoothie) is close to useless because it absorbs poorly when dissolved in water. What little is absorbed is then rapidly eliminated by the liver.
Turmeric should be dissolved in oil, ideally, for absorption. For maximum effect, pair it with piperine, a component of black pepper that prevents the rapid elimination.
When my daughter is ill, I serve her either a home-brew of turmeric in coconut oil with black pepper (taken with manuka honey, milk, or both), or a supplement that contains liposome-encapsulated turmeric plus piperine three to four times a day until her fever breaks.
Elderberry extracts have also been used medicinally for centuries. In studies in vitro, and in mice, and humans, elderberry has been shown to help reduce the severity and length of the flu, and can help in fighting other viral infections too.
Some parents go so far as to give elderberry to their children every day. However, this is both unnecessary and potentially dangerous: Elderberry has medicinal properties that could actually interfere with normal functioning. For example, elderberry extracts inhibit functioning of ribosomes, which are required for protein production. They may exacerbate autoimmune diseases and their long-term safety has not been studied.
Consult with your pediatrician to determine the appropriate dose for your child.
How has all this helped? While it is impossible to be sure, I can say for certain that my daughter has never had ear infections, colic, or constipation. Weve almost never had an infection that required antibiotics. Illness rarely strikes, and when it does, it subsides quickly. We have gone years without a fever, and when it comes, it usually resolves within 24 hours.
Thats good enough for me.
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I have a PhD in immunology and this is how I keep my daughter from getting sick during the winter - Business Insider