Childhood is a wild adventure—full of learning, exploring, and yep, the occasional sniffle. While it’s totally normal for your little one to catch a cold every now and then, there’s plenty you can do to help their immune system stay strong, so they don’t catch every bug that comes their way—or bounce back quickly when they do!
How the Immune System Works (It’s Like a Superhero Team!)
Your child’s immune system is like a squad of superheroes, made up of cells, organs, and chemical messengers all working together to keep them healthy. A lot of this team gets its start in the gut, where a healthy microbiome plays a huge role. Taking care of their gut is one of the best ways to help them fight off germs and stay strong!
Key Nutrients to Power Up Immunity
Vitamin A
This nutrient is like a sidekick for white blood cells, helping them protect the body and keep the gut strong. You’ll find vitamin A in foods like liver, eggs, oily fish, and colorful veggies like pumpkin, sweet potato, and capsicum.
Vitamin C
The ultimate immune booster! Vitamin C helps white blood cells battle germs and speed up healing. Pack their plate with citrus fruits, berries, capsicum & camu camu to give their immunity a little extra power.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is like the secret weapon that helps modulate the immune system and supports healthy mucous membranes. Sunshine, oily fish, and eggs are great sources. If your little one doesn’t get much sun, you can supplement with a good quality cod liver oil.
Zinc
This mighty mineral helps immune cells grow and repair, plus it keeps your child’s body running smoothly. Beef, lamb, nuts, seeds, and whole grains are packed with zinc.
Probiotics
A happy gut equals a happy immune system! Probiotics found in Clover Ferments, yogurt, kefir, and other fermented foods (plus strains like Lactobacillus rhamnosus) work wonders for keeping their gut and immune system in tip-top shape.
Quercetin
This antioxidant superhero found in apples, red onions, and berries reduces inflammation and helps keep the gut barrier strong. Go ahead and add some extra quercetin to their meals!
Iron
Iron might not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about immunity, but it’s super important! Iron helps immune cells do their job and supports red blood cells in transporting oxygen throughout the body. Want to learn more?
Fun and Tasty Immune-Boosting Foods
Chicken Soup
Grandma was onto something—chicken soup is pure magic! Bone broth, made from chicken bones, is packed with N-acetyl-cysteine to help clear mucus and support respiratory health. Add garlic, onion, and turmeric for an extra immune kick!
Odi Bone broth is liquid gold when it comes to gut health and immunity! It’s rich in gelatin, collagen, and minerals that help strengthen the gut lining (where so much of the immune system lives!) and keep those protective microbes happy. Plus, it’s soothing, nourishing, and easy for little tummies to digest.
Garlic
Garlic is nature’s secret weapon! It’s packed with compounds that fight off bacteria and viruses. Toss fresh garlic into their meals for a tasty and immune-boosting treat.
Eat the Rainbow
The more colorful their plate, the better! A variety of fruits and veggies provides a rainbow of nutrients that help support their immune system. Who knew eating the rainbow could be so fun?
Lifestyle Habits That Help Boost Immunity
1. Play Outside
Encourage your little adventurer to explore nature! Playing in the dirt (yep, you heard us right!) helps build a strong, diverse microbiome, which means a stronger immune system.
2. Sleep Like a Champion
Sleep is when their body does all the repair and growing. Make sure they get enough sleep for their age and create a calm bedtime routine to help them drift off to dreamland.
3. Drink Up
Water is like fuel for the body, helping transport nutrients and flush out toxins. Want to know how much water your child needs? Check out our blog on hydration tips when starting solids and beyond!
4. Keep Stress in Check
Stress isn’t just for adults—kids can feel it too! Keep their stress levels balanced by encouraging play, laughter, and some quiet downtime.
When to Call in the Experts
If your child seems to catch every bug in sight or takes forever to recover, or if you’re just feeling concerned about their immune health, personalised support can help them get back on track.
Mini immunity consultations available through Gina Urlich Clinic
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Personalised advice to boost your child’s immune health.
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Safe and effective supplement recommendations for both kids and adults.
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Practical strategies for tackling common health concerns like frequent colds or tummy troubles.
Let us help you and your little ones stay healthy and happy! Reach out to our online clinic for all the support you need.
Use code CLOVER at checkout for free shipping on your Odi order!
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