The kids are back in school, and soon the lines will begin to blur between school season and cold season as kids pass around their germs. All told, an estimated 22 million school days are missed every year just because of the common cold (1).
When kids are home sick, parents must be home as well – time that not many can afford to lose from work. Then, it cycles through the family… wouldn’t it be better to simply boost your child’s immune system from the get-go?
Looking beyond the sniffles, a strong immune system in childhood is important for a lifetime of wellness.
While we can never guarantee our children will have perfect health, the importance of a well-functioning immune system cannot be understated.
Focusing on a few simple changes – controlled exposures, supplemented nutrition, reduced stress, and adequate rest – can make a significant difference in boosting your child’s immune system and positioning them for a lifetime of overall wellness.
Exercising the Immune System with Controlled Exposure
Research conducted by Thom McDade, PhD, associate professor and director of the Laboratory for Human Biology Research at Northwestern University, found that early exposures to animal feces and occurrences of diarrhea in toddlerhood were correlated with a stronger immune system in adulthood.
Since then, McDade and his team have expanded the body of evidence supporting beneficial exposures, including a study published in 2012 by the American Journal of Human Microbiology.
They evaluated over 1,400 participants and their early environmental exposures, finding similar results. It seems that by exercising the immune system with certain triggers, it can function better later in life. (2)
A “bored” immune system that has not been exercised is left to turn against itself. While basic hygiene is obviously important, we must be careful not to go overboard with sanitization and sheltering our kids from normal environmental exposures.
Supplementing a Strong Immune System with Beta Glucan
The gut plays a key role in the immune response, heavily influenced by the foods we—and our children—consume. A whole field called immuno-nutrition has emerged, studying how nutrient intake and specific foods affect immune system efficiency. (3)
As research continues to highlight the connections between food intake, gut health, and immune function, providing children with a varied nutrient intake is crucial for building a strong foundation for lifelong health.
Supplementing where dietary intake falls short can also be valuable, particularly with a micronutrient blend that improves recovery time. (4) Beta glucan stands out as one of the most well-researched micronutrient supplements for immune system support. A 2013 study conducted by researchers at the University of Kentucky demonstrated its benefits.
Beta glucan is noted in many studies for its ability to modulate the immune system. In this study, children who took beta glucan supplements showed both reduced stress and improved mucosal immunity. The “strong effects of glucan supplementation on the overall health status of all children in this group” indicate that beta glucan is a safe and beneficial supplement to support children’s immune systems. (5)
Reducing Stress to Free the Immune System
We often think of stress in terms of bills, work, and adult responsibilities, but children are not immune to its effects. A body weighed down by stress is limited in its ability to thrive, making it crucial to help children reduce stress and maintain both general health and the carefree feeling that childhood should bring.
Excessive homework is a major source of stress for children, beginning as early as kindergarten and increasing in workload into high school. Kids are expected to learn throughout the school day and then come home to continue working for hours each night.
A 2013 study from Stanford evaluated the effects of this kind of stress on kids, finding that 82% of respondents reported experiencing at least one physical symptom related to stress, including sweating, headaches, exhaustion, weight changes, stomach problems, and sleeping difficulties. (6) Helping children manage their time and expectations can significantly reduce stress levels and support immune function.
Sleeping the Sick Away
Kids aren’t getting enough sleep anymore—whether due to homework overload, excessive screen time, or other distractions. A stable circadian rhythm is essential for an efficient immune response, so when sleep is disturbed, the immune system suffers. (6)
Encouraging stable bedtime routines and ensuring adequate sleep give children’s bodies the recovery time they need before another long day of exposure to illness. Removing screens—including TVs, tablets, and phones—from a child’s bedroom while they sleep is one of the best places to start. (7)