09 Aug Tips For Building A Strong Immune System for Healthier Kids
Sharing is caring – a delightful virtue when it comes to little humans; but when it is a nasty cold or an awful tummy bug, it can be nothing short of a family catastrophe! Whilst these kinds of experiences can help children build a robust immune system, evidence indicates that recurrent bouts of infection may be associated with a reduced presence of beneficial bacteria living inside the gut.
The bacteria (and the trillions of other microorganisms) in the gut, are known collectively as the gut microbiome, the health of which is essential for immune resilience and resistance to infection. These beneficial organisms directly interact with the immune system (a large proportion of which is also housed in the gut), helping to boost the overall immune response against pathogens. In other words, a healthy microbiome helps to build immune function, whilst a compromised microbiome reduces immune resilience.
Cultivating Beneficial Bacteria
Babies inherit their microbiome initially from vaginal flora at birth, in addition to skin-to-skin contact via breastmilk. This exposes infants to a wide range of bacterial species and specific carbohydrates (from breastmilk) that feed these bacteria, helping to establish a healthy gut microbiome.
Babies inherit their microbiome initially from vaginal flora at birth, in addition to skin-to-skin contact via breastmilk. This exposes infants to a wide range of bacterial species and specific carbohydrates (from breastmilk) that feed these bacteria, helping to establish a healthy gut microbiome.
That said, not all babies share these microbiome-building experiences. For example, caesarean section, premature birth, limited amounts of breastmilk, and antibiotic use can all impact the diversity of the gut microbiome. This can have a flow-on effect, leading to reduced immune resilience and a greater chance of developing recurrent infections in childhood.
This is perhaps most obvious when kids face one of the greatest immune challenges, where there is no shortage of germ-sharing… daycare (or school). Additionally, kids that experience recurrent ear, chest and/or gut infections also tend to require a greater number of antibiotics; leading to a vicious cycle of poor microbiome health and impaired immune function. Fortunately, research reveals that probiotics may be the key to microbiome recovery; helping to improve digestive health and subsequent immune function.
Probiotics to the Rescue!
Probiotics are live bacteria, which offer beneficial effects on the microbiome and help to support childhood health in several ways including:
- ✅ Increasing the quantity and diversity of bacterial species in the gut;
- ✅ Enhancing immune activity;
- ✅ Helps reduce children’s antibiotic-associated diarrhoea
- ✅ Reduces the need for children’s antibiotics
- ✅ Reduces children’s acute respiratory infections
- ✅ Reduces children’s ear infections
- ✅ Reduces the duration of children’s sore throat symptoms
- ✅ Supports microbiome diversity
Probiotics strains demonstrated to boost childhood immunity
When it comes to boosting microbiome health in children, the immune building and gut strengthening benefits of probiotics have been shown in multiple studies. Several specific strains have been shown to help childhood health at different stages of life which are listed below.
- Lactobacillus rhamnosus
- Bifidobacterium animalis ssp lactis
- Bifidobacterium breve
- Bifidobacterium longum
FIONA STOCK | THE CHILDREN’S NATUROPATH | MELBOURNE NATUROPATH
MAKE A NATURAL THERAPIES APPOINTMENT TODAY TO SUPPORT YOUR CHILDREN’S NATURAL HEALTH
To make an appointment with Fiona Stock, naturopath in Melbourne, Contact hello@thechildrensnaturopath.com. I’m here to assist you and your child on your journey to better children’s health.
Online Learning | Children’s Health | Melbourne Naturopath
Would you like a consultation with me at a fraction of the cost? My online learning classes are jam packed with more advice than I provide in a face-to-face appointment. It’s evidence-based naturopathic wisdom coupled with the latest scientific research on kids health I’ve successfully shared with clients over my 20+ year career.
I’ve also included cheatsheets, checklists, nourishing recipes and 25 page book of class notes.
You will learn:
- ✅ Understand the cause if common childhood conditions (eczema, poor immunity, food allergies, food intolerances, poor focus & concentration, ADHD, behavioural problems).
- ✅. Supporting immune function to help support allergic conditions.
- ✅. Support optimal brain function.
- ✅. Healthy Eating Plan – including portion size for each age-group.
- ✅. Natural medicine recommendations,
- ✅. Plus much more…
Fiona Stock is a Naturopath Melbourne depends on.
Fiona focusses on natural therapies for children’s health.
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.