By Isabelle Nunn, Head Nutritionist

How Can we Give Our Children’s Immune Systems & Mental Health a Strong and Robust start?

During the holidays, we are often quite relaxed about our children’s sleeping routines as well as their dietary habits. With the term starting very soon, they will require all the energy, resilience and sleep they need, to support their learning and development in school.

How Important is Sleep and Nutrient intake?

Supporting the diversity (i.e. variety) of bacteria within their guts can help strengthen their immune systems. The key is to incorporate lots of variety of fibres and nutrients from fruits, vegetables, types of grain (brown rice, buckwheat or millet) or pulses (lentils, chickpeas or butter beans). Some of which can be hidden in sauces such as a tomato sauce, when cooking at home, and blitzing it all. Use it as a base for your bolognaise or pizza topping. You could try giving them some kefir, fermented foods, or simply some yoghurt with live cultures of bacteria. You will see the latter clearly at the front of a pack of yoghurt when it is present.

A ‘probiotic’ is also great to help re-balance the gut bacteria especially when children are run down, are given antibiotics, or simply need a stronger digestion and immune system.

Garden of Life - Microbiome Organic Kids+ provides a 3-in-1 option of a deliciously tasty, certified organic and non-GMO project verified chewable tablet, with 14 strains of bacteria, recommended daily dose of vitamin D3, and some added vitamin C all from natural sources.

Maintaining a good sleep routine is important. Enabling them to have good quality sleep and enough of it. It is recommended that pre-school children have about 10 to 13 hours of sleep and bedtime at ideally 7-8pm. Teenagers should aim for about 9 to 9 ½ hours but often only get 7 to 7 ½ hours.

Magnesium is nature’s calming mineral as they often refer to it. Add a cup of Epsom salt baths to a warm but not steamy bath- this can be very relaxing and calming especially when a child is feeling overwhelmed or distressed. Why not popping on an audiobook their favourite story whilst they are sitting in the bath. The ideal time is 20 mins, to optimise the calming effects.

Is Vitamin D3 intake necessary?

Everyone should be taking a vitamin D3 supplement on a daily basis, according to the Department of Health. Vitamin D supports the function of the teeth, bones, immune system to name a few. A supplement of vitamin D3 can be taken within a multivitamin, like Garden of Life - Microbiome Organic Kids+  or on their own. Depending on their age, these also provide options to late teens and adults Garden of Life - mykind Organics Vegan D3 Spray  or Nature's Answer - Vitamin D3 Drops

What’s all The Hype Around Elderberry Syrups?

Elderberries are packed full of anti-oxidants, flavonoids and vitamins and have been well-researched for their anti-viral properties. Elderberries and its related products are ideally started at the first signs of a viral infection, which can include snuffles, coughs and splutters, sore throats, aches and pains. Elderberry syrup can also be given daily for a few weeks, particularly if the children often get run down and catch anything that goes around from school or nursery.

Nature’s Answer Sambucus kids is suitable from the age of 4, provides a flavoursome combination of Elderberries, Astragalus and Echinacea, made only with natural ingredients and sugars.  https://www.kijaniliving.com/brands/sambucus-kids-formula.html

 

Nature's Answer - Sambucus Black Elder Berry provides a concentrated formula of wild harvested black elderberries. Using carefully controlled extraction techniques, Nature’s Answer retains the holistic balance of all their herb’s natural constituents. Each serving provides the hefty dose 2.5 grams of Sambucus nigra juice concentrate from 12, 000 mg of black elderberries.

Can Essential fatty acids from Omega-3’s Provide Cognitive Support?

These are well researched for their action on brain health and brain development from an early age. Aim to include sources of omega-3’s regularly in the diet. Examples include as oily fish, coconuts, avocado, nuts and seeds and their derivatives such as hemp seed oil, almond butter etc.

Meals or snacks can include ingredients such as Organic Traditions - Hemp Hearts 227g amongst many others we have within the range. Adults will find different omega 3 sources for their needs, on Kijani Living.

Further immune support for adults can be found here

Our expert team of nutritionists can help with anything else you may need advice for.

Any claims in this article are not intended to diagnose, prevent, treat or cure any diseases. A food supplement is not a substitute for a healthy balanced diet and lifestyle.