Children’s Daily Nutritional Program
For Optimal Health and Vitality
The key to a healthy child is a strong immune system. The immune system fights disease-producing organisms such as parasites, bacteria, and viruses. All children are exposed to these pathogens, but a strong immune system provides a child with natural defenses to fight them off. A child with a weakened immune system is more susceptible to colds, flu and other illnesses.
Germs are everywhere, they are unavoidable. That’s why as parents we should take steps to enhance our children’s immune system and make it as strong as possible. Prevention with nutritional supplements is the best way to keep your child healthy and avoid continuing cycles of antibiotics. Good nutrition is also essential to keeping the immune system strong and healthy. Nutritional deficiencies may be the cause of chronic immune problems because it is easier for bacteria or germs to invade the body when important nutrients are missing.
Giving your child meals that contain fiber such as oatmeal, whole grains, a myriad of fresh fruits and vegetables like berries, bananas, carrots, cucumbers, nuts, beans, and lean protein like baked fish and skinless chicken will help provide the nutrients they need.
Processed foods, sugar, and pop add nothing in the way of nutrition and actually contribute towards weakening the immune system. Sugary foods deplete valuable nutrients from the body. Did you know that a 12 ounce glass of cola contains 10 teaspoons of sugar? One tablespoon of ketchup contains 1 teaspoon of sugar, 4 ounces of ice cream contains 5 teaspoons of sugar, and even many flavored yogurts contain 7 teaspoons of sugar in an 8 ounce container.
We live in a world of nutrient-depleted soil, chemical-laced food, highly processed food, fast-food, convenience food, excess sugar and fat. So even if you believe your child does eat “healthy” most of the time – supplementing their diet with essential nutrients could make a big difference in their health for years to come.
Don’t be afraid to give supplements to your child. Many manufacturers have specific products geared to children. Always keep in mind your child’s activity level, their diet, and their overall health – energy level, mood, do they get ill frequently? Remember more is not always better, stick to the recommended dosage on the label and if using adult products cut the dosage at least in half or more depending on the weight of your child. We all have nutritional deficiencies - living fast paced, stressful lives in a world full of pollution, how can we not?
These high-quality, natural products outlined below have proven most necessary and beneficial in supporting healthy development and natural immune strength in children. We believe this group of products should be used daily for providing essential nutrients for good health and well-being throughout life.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is an antioxidant that is required for at least 300 metabolic functions in the body. It enhances and stimulates natural defenses, strengthens the immune system, produces energy, and it aids in the production of anti-stress hormones. Daily use may provide protection against infection and help reduce colds, flus, and allergies.
Supplementing with Vitamin C can help to maintain and improve overall health. The body cannot manufacture Vitamin C; it must be obtained through the diet or by supplements. Small dosages two times per day is better than one large dose because the body does not store Vitamin C. Giving extra Vitamin C a few days before and after Halloween, birthday parties, or other events when excess sugar is consumed is great to keep the immune system strong.
Colostrum
Colostrum is the pre-milk fluid produced by female mammals prior to giving birth. It is naturally rich in immune and growth factors and helps insure the health of the newborn. People of all ages can benefit from taking colostrum. Colostrum is obtained from bovine (cow) because research has shown it’s nearly identical to that of human’s. Ayurvedic physicians have prescribed it for thousands of years and still do to this day. Bovine colostrum was used extensively to strengthen the immune system, in Western medicine, before the invention of antibiotics.
The two main benefits of colostrum are to enhance immune system function and support cellular growth and repair. Colostrum heals and normalizes the digestive tract so that all food and supplements taken become more bioavailable to the body. It provides immunoglobulins (protein molecules that help the body defend against viruses and bacteria), growth factors, peptides, vitamins and minerals. Colostrum can be used everyday to boost natural resistance to illness and disease, improve athletic performance, increase energy and improve memory and mood.
Essential Fatty Acids
Essential Fatty Acids are called “essential” because the body cannot make them, they must be supplied by the diet and because they are required for so many important functions in the brain and body. They are as necessary as vitamins and minerals and are needed for immune function, cell growth, brain development, and healthy skin. All aspects of a child’s physical, emotional and mental growth and function are dependent upon EFAs.
There are two basic categories of essential fatty acids – Omega 3 and Omega 6. Omega 3 (alpha-linolenic acid) is found in fresh deepwater fish (cod, salmon), canola oil, flaxseed oil, and walnut oil. Omega 6 (linoleic acid) is found primarily in raw nuts, seeds, and legumes, and such unsaturated oils as borage, primrose, sesame, and soybean.
Supplementation is the only way to insure that children get sufficient EFAs. Look for a formula that provides both Omega 3 and Omega 6. A blend of flaxseed oil, borage oil, and fish oil is ideal.
Multi-Vitamin and Mineral
Vitamins and minerals will support healthy development and provide nutrients to strengthen the immune system. As stated earlier, depleted minerals in our soil as well as over processing of foods and cooking destroy many nutrients. It is essential to supplement your child’s diet to insure that all their nutritional needs are met. You still need balanced, nutritious meals – the better foods you eat the more effective your supplements will be.
Look for a complete blend of essential vitamins and minerals specifically formulated for children to help them grow up healthy and strong.
Liquid is best because it is well absorbed and you can mix it in juice. Freeze-dried whole food tablets are also a good alternative. Freeze drying conserves the original raw natural state of all the nutritious ingredients.
Probiotics
Probiotics are the friendly bacteria that inhabit the intestinal system. This good bacteria is easily destroyed by antibiotics and a poor diet. This can lead to an overgrowth of harmful bacteria known as pathogenic bacteria. Harmful bacteria have the ability to cause gastro-intestinal problems, an overgrowth of fungus and yeast, and parasites in the colon.
Supplementing with probiotics will promote proper digestion, improve bowel function, increase nutritional absorption, and increase immunity against harmful infectious bacteria.