Immune System Boosters for Children

If your child is constantly catching fever, cold or cough, the reason could be a weak immune system. Our immune system acts as a defense mechanism against viruses, bacteria, pathogens and toxins that attack the body and cause illnesses. If the immune system becomes weak due to reasons such as a poor diet or lack of exercise, it can lead to a number of diseases. To prevent this, it is imperative for parents to undertake some remedies to strengthen their child's immune system.

Natural Immune System Boosters for Children

Get Sufficient Sleep
When we sleep, our body gets time to recharge and renew itself. If this sleep time is reduced or if a person gets a disturbed sleep, the body is unable to replenish itself. This affects the immune system and in turn makes a person vulnerable to a host of illness, diseases and health conditions. So, one of the most important immune boosters is to get adequate amount of sleep. This is applicable for children and adults alike. For toddlers, ten hours is what is the average requirement, while for older children and adults, seven to eight hours of sleep is compulsory.

Eat a Well-balanced Diet
Nothing even comes near to a well-balanced and healthy diet, when it comes to immune system boosters. A diet which contains all the required nutrients of the body helps in keeping the immune system strong, and thus, fight all infections and diseases. Here is a list of immune boosting foods.

Vitamin C Rich Foods
Vitamin C is very essential for the proper working of the immune system. Foods rich in vitamin C that should be included in the diet are lemon, oranges, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, guavas and all the other citrus fruits.

Fluids
Water, fruit juices, coconut water, energy drinks - all fluids should be included in the diet as they keep the body systems well hydrated and healthy, thus strengthening the immune system in the process.

Antibodies Producing Foods
Vitamin B6 foods such as bananas, lentils, salmon, tuna, carrots, sunflower seeds, and wheat help the body to produce antibodies, thus serving as an excellent immune system booster. Foods that contain zinc such as eggs, pumpkin seeds, seafood and wheat germ help in increasing the production of antibodies too, and hence, should be included in the diet.

Some other foods that boost immune system are green leafy vegetables and fruits, yogurt, which provides 'good' bacteria to the body; garlic, which is known for its anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties; and certain healthy fats such as those found in nuts and olive oil.

Exercise Daily
Exercising everyday has many health benefits for the body. It raises the ability of the white blood cells to fight any kind of infection or disease that might otherwise affect and weaken the body. And exercising no way means that it has to be some strenuous activity; even half an hour of simple, moderate exercise such as walking, playing or jumping, which all kids normally indulge in, is sufficient to strengthen the child's immune system.

Maintain Hygiene
It is very important that a child is taught the importance of hygiene from the very beginning. Some of the habits that should be inculcated in children to prevent the spread of bacteria and infection are washing hands after going to toilet and before eating food, covering the mouth when sneezing or coughing, taking a bath everyday and keeping one's room clean and germ free.

Along with these parents can give multivitamins to their children, after consulting a doctor, to strengthen their bodies. It is very important that a child maintains an ideal weight, which is in accordance to his age and height. Being overweight can actually depress a child's immune system and reduce its ability to produce antibodies, leading to infections and diseases. So, refraining from high fat foods, foods rich in sugar, processed foods, fried foods, high calorie foods such as soda, and exercising everyday is the key to normal functioning of the immune system and a robust health.