One of the biggest complaints we often hear from parents when school starts is how hard it can be to keep them well. This fall, don't be caught by surprise by passing germs. There are some important and relatively easy things you can do to boost everyone's immune system, to cut down on illnesses and keep everyone performing at their best.
1) Vitamins, Vitamins, Vitamins! It may sound redundant, but Vitamin C and Vitamin D are super important for optimal health, especially when fighting off invaders! These should be a part of our daily routine in the cold season and the entire line of Children's Sunshine Heroes covers all of your child's needs. NSP's Chewable Vitamin C is easy to digest, delicious and great for adults and kids alike. Vitamin D is best consumed by going outside every day, but especially as it gets colder that's not always possible. In those cases, here are a couple of options. For kids, consider Calcium Plus D3. For adults (or kids who can swallow pills), there's also a Calcium Plus D, but for extra protection Vitamin D3 is highly recommended.
2) Clean, Colorful Eating. Whatever goes into your body either adds or takes away from the health of your immune system. The cleaner and more colorful your diet is, the better position you are in to fight off colds and viruses. When children avoid eating fruits and vegetables or will only eat one thing, it can be a much bigger deal than parents realize. Without a wide variety of nutrients coming from their food, the immune system suffers. When the body consumes sugar and inflammation inducing grains for too long, sickness is just a matter of time. Eating well is hard, even when you are actively seeking it. It can be even tougher for kids who don't realize the importance. Try introducing a new uncommon food every week. Or make a morning smoothie loaded with spinach (since it doesn't change the taste of anything it is mixed with).
3) Silver Shield Liquid/Gel - NSP's Silver Shield is a wonderful safe and effective product that reduces exposure to disease-causing agents while leaving the good bacteria in tact. Taken internally before and after a day spent with the latest bugs passing around can cut an illness time in half or even better prevent infection all together. The Silver Shield Gel takes immune boosting to another level! This gel can be safely place in any opening of the body so in or around the nose would be great protection from airborne invaders. It also works as a great hand sanitizer!
1) Vitamins, Vitamins, Vitamins! It may sound redundant, but Vitamin C and Vitamin D are super important for optimal health, especially when fighting off invaders! These should be a part of our daily routine in the cold season and the entire line of Children's Sunshine Heroes covers all of your child's needs. NSP's Chewable Vitamin C is easy to digest, delicious and great for adults and kids alike. Vitamin D is best consumed by going outside every day, but especially as it gets colder that's not always possible. In those cases, here are a couple of options. For kids, consider Calcium Plus D3. For adults (or kids who can swallow pills), there's also a Calcium Plus D, but for extra protection Vitamin D3 is highly recommended.
2) Clean, Colorful Eating. Whatever goes into your body either adds or takes away from the health of your immune system. The cleaner and more colorful your diet is, the better position you are in to fight off colds and viruses. When children avoid eating fruits and vegetables or will only eat one thing, it can be a much bigger deal than parents realize. Without a wide variety of nutrients coming from their food, the immune system suffers. When the body consumes sugar and inflammation inducing grains for too long, sickness is just a matter of time. Eating well is hard, even when you are actively seeking it. It can be even tougher for kids who don't realize the importance. Try introducing a new uncommon food every week. Or make a morning smoothie loaded with spinach (since it doesn't change the taste of anything it is mixed with).
3) Silver Shield Liquid/Gel - NSP's Silver Shield is a wonderful safe and effective product that reduces exposure to disease-causing agents while leaving the good bacteria in tact. Taken internally before and after a day spent with the latest bugs passing around can cut an illness time in half or even better prevent infection all together. The Silver Shield Gel takes immune boosting to another level! This gel can be safely place in any opening of the body so in or around the nose would be great protection from airborne invaders. It also works as a great hand sanitizer!
Also, Essential Shield is a terrific topical essential oil blend that contains pure essential oils of clove, cinnamon, thyme, eucalyptus, grapefruit, lavender, rosemary, lemon, pine and peppermint that could be used to keep the air around you boosted with proactive forces!
4) Don't forget to SLEEP! When activities begin to pile up and homework gets behind, adequate sleep often gets the boot. If you're trying to avoid illness, losing sleep is the worst thing you can do! Sleeping helps the body fight infections and can determine how fast you recover if you do get sick. If you struggle with sleep or expect some stress surrounding a specific week that might affect your sleep, here are a few supplements to consider:
- Valerian Root - This single herb helps with relaxation and supports sleep.
- STRESS-J - Great for kids - it comes in capsules AND liquid! This herbal formula promotes feelings of calm and helps with occasional stress. A racing brain or overstimulated body can certainly prevent sleep. STRESS-J can help with that!
- 5-HTP Power - Drinking a lot of caffeine? Caffeine wipes out serotonin and can definitely disrupt sleep patterns. Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) is an important neurotransmitter that is converted into serotonin in the body. Improve your appetite, mood and sleep!
- Melatonin Extra - Melatonin encourages restful sleep and helps fight jet lag by promoting the body's natural sleep rhythm.
5) Elderberry - The health benefits of elderberries are powerful! Anytime you expect to be or fear you were exposed to something contagious (cold, virus, flu, etc.) we recommend Elderberry D3fense or Elderberry Immune (chewables for the kids). It's a power punch to whatever is lurking in the air!
6) Probiotics for Everyone! If you (or your child) have taken antibiotics, you can suppose with certainty that their friendly bacteria has been compromised.
In the gastrointestinal tract, there is a very delicate balance that exists between the host and the intestinal bacteria--at least 400 different species of microflora live in the human gastrointestinal tract. These intestinal bacteria alter the chemical composition of foods and drugs, break down dietary toxins, produce and break down vitamins, create toxins and antitoxins, and inhibit the growth of certain disease-producing organisms. When we upset this balance of intestinal microflora with antibiotic use, diet, and disease, we negatively affect the benefits of these microorganisms.
This is why probiotics are so important in our daily supplement regime. Lack of good flora in the gut has been linked to all kinds of disease, including brain dysfunction.
