Supporting your Child’s Immune System
An infants immune system is immature at birth and carries passive immunity from the
mother for the first 3 months of life. Breastfeeding helps to provide the infant with maternal
antibodies and immune enhancing factors. A baby’s lymphocytes are not yet capable of
producing all the antibodies necessary to fight disease, it acquires this ability over the first year
of life. Starting at 6 months, additional nutrients are needed in foods.
Nutrition
o Vitamin A maintains the protective mucus barriers. It is high in orange and green
vegetables. Carrots, yam, squash are all great for babies’ first foods. Dose is 2000iu up to
age 2, 2500 up to age 5, and 3000iu up to age 7.
o Vitamin C helps to kill viruses, maintains tissue repair, & is an antihistamine. It is high in
tomatoes, carrots, citrus fruits, peppers, & berries. As a supplement: kids up to age 6 can
take 250 mg per day. Older kids can take 500 mg per day. Breastfeeding mothers can
supplement 1.5gms. Available as a powder, chewable, or capsule.
o Vitamin E is an antioxidant. It is high in wheat germ, nuts &
seeds. Nut butters can be a great way to boost Vitamin E and
zinc.
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o Zinc maintains the immune system and generates new white
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blood cells. A vital mineral for enzymatic function, blood sugar
metabolism, protein metabolism and DNA formation. Found in
pumpkin seeds, wheat germ, & seafood. Important to include in
foods for babies starting at 9-12 months. Children up to age 6 years can take 10 to 20 mg
per day. Older kids and adults can take 20 to 40 mg per day. Children that suffer from
recurring ear infection, allergies or respiratory infections have an increased demand for
zinc. Diets high in milk and cheese are often low in zinc.
o Selenium increases thymus activity. Found in seafood, brazil nuts, & whole grains.
o Iron. Very important in babies first foods 6-9 months. Animal sources of iron are the most
absorbable, 10 times more than plant forms. Chose organic beef, chicken, dark turkey
meat, eggs. Plant sources of iron include dark green leafy vegetable, sunflower and
pumpkin seeds, organic unsulfured dried fruits (raisins, prunes, figs, apricots, cherries),
blackstrap molasses, beets, red beans, quinoa, almonds. Iron stores can be depleted during
periods of rapid growth, such as puberty.
o Vitamin D is used for regulation of gene expression and so affects health in many ways. It
is helpful in acute illness and to prevent infections. Recent studies show that deficiency is
common and is a risk factor for many chronic diseases like cancer, autoimmune reactions,
and diabetes. Supplementation is recommended for all ages, including breastfed infants.
1000iu per day for children up to age 12, 2000iu age 12 and up.
o Avoid sugar! It can paralyze white bloods cells starting at 30 minutes after ingestion and
lasts for up to 5 hours.
o Overall: Focus on whole foods, organic, and stay well hydrated. Wash all produce with a
veggie wash to remove pesticides and bacteria.
Probiotics
These are healthy bacteria that live in our intestines and help with our immune system.
They inhibit colonization of pathogens in the intestinal tract, degrade toxins, stimulate local
and peripheral immunity, promote enzyme activity, and produce antimicrobial substances.
Probiotics are considered safe and well tolerated, making it a great supplement for kids.
The most studied include Lactobacillus acidophilus, L. casei, L. sporogenes, Bifidobacterium
bifidus and Saccharomyces boulardii. 3-8 billion twice daily depending on age.
Herbal Medicine
Echinacea is used to boost immunity to prevent illness and also to decrease the severity of
colds and flus.
Prevention: Ages 4 to 12 500 mg / day. Ages 6 months to 3 years – 250 mg / day
Treatment: Ages 4 to 12 – 1000 mg 3 times a day for 2 days, then 500 mg 3 times a
day for 7 more days. Ages 6 months to 3 years – 500 mg three times a day for 2 days, then
250 3 times a day for 7 more days
Elderberry (Sambucus nigra): Found in a palatable syrup. Extract inhibits influenza virus
replication and enhances inflammatory and anti inflammatory cytokines in human cells.
Reishi mushroom (Ganoderma) is used to boost antibody response and antiviral activity. It can
also be used to boost recovery after illness.
Astragalus Common in Chinese Medicine, this herb has the ability to enhance natural killer cells
and increase white blood cell immune activity. Can be used to increase resistance to infection.
Found as a piece of bark that can easily can be added to teas and soups.
Homeopathics
o Homeopathic Influenzinum / Oscillococcinum : This remedy can be taken prophylactically or
at the onset of cold or flu symptoms and is very safe and easily taken by children. This
remedy decreases duration and severity of influenza infections without side effects.
o Thymulline is used to support thymus activity.
o Nosodes are homeopathics from a pathogen and can be used for homeoprophylaxis. These
can be used to increase the body’s response to a specific disease, such as whooping cough.
This is not equivalent to a vaccine.
o Acute remedies can be used during illness as prescribed by your ND.
Vaccinations
Options include no vaccination, selective vaccination, delayed vaccination, or full vaccination as
scheduled. In the office visit we can discuss disease prevalence, risk, severity, as well as
vaccine efficacy and safety to aid you in making an informed decision.
Factors that increase exposure to disease or decrease immunity are:
o Formula feeding
o Large family, daycare, playgroup exposure.
o Stress: emotional and physical (such as recent illness, move, colic)
o Nutrient deficiencies, can be due to limited diet, malabsorption
Support during vaccination
o Before the vaccination. Be well rested, hydrated and take probiotics. Take Vitamin C the
day before and the day of the vaccination. Thymulline. Increase dietary intake of Vit A,
Greens. Dosing Ledum 12 or 30c alleviates local reaction to the vaccine.
o After the vaccination. Thuja homeopathic helps prevent fever and irritability. Continue
vitamin C for 2 weeks. Rescue remedy just after the shot to relieve stress.
o Dr. Mikhael Adams ND recommends Cheldonium plex (5 drops babies, 10 drops kids, 15
drops adults) and UNDA 2 (10 drops) hold in mouth for 1 minute. 1 hour prevaccine, 1
hour post and again later that day. Then three times a day for 9 days.
Dr. Jese Wiens
Okanagan Wellness Centre
250-276-9485