In today's day and age, you really have to sift through the information that you find on the internet to see if it is relevant or even helpful. For example, in 2020, there was a lot of misinformation going around from the conventional medical establishment that said that perfectly acceptable herbs weren't good for certain viruses.
This frustrated me to no end. First, because the people disseminating this information wasn't even trained in herbal medicine (MDS don't get herbal medicine training, nor do they get nutrition training) and second, because the information was just plain untrue!
The confusion came from a 2001 article detailing the increase in inflammatory cytokines from an elderberry supplement. While elderberry does have the potential to increase inflammatory cytokines, it is actually extremely helpful in the initial stages of viral illness [1].
Because of this confusion surrounding herbs and supplements in general, I decided to write up an easy-to-use reference blog post for the top 10 kid-friendly supplements to boost the immune system.
These supplements were chosen for their ease in dosing, availability, safety profile in kids, and taste!
Please note: Dr. Candace Mathers is not affiliated with any of the below companies nor did she receive any compensation for writing and recommending these products.
Remember to talk to your local naturopathic doctor before starting any supplement regimen. To purchase any of these supplements, head on over to our online dispensary where you can make a free account to receive discounts on high quality professional supplements!
I absolutely LOVE this product! It has so many immune-boosting ingredients and is yummy to boot! Immunoberry Liquid contains elderberry as its base.
Elderberry has a strong proven track record of kicking virus butt especially the influenza virus by preventing flu virus replication [2]. Elderberry also has some antibacterial activity against certain strains of both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria [3]. This makes elderberry a perfect addition to any immune support routine.
Immunoberry Liquid doesn't just stop with elderberry. It also adds in astragalus, a powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant herb that also boosts both cellular (T-cells) and humoral (antibody) immunity [4].
But that isn't all. Immunoberry Liquid also includes heavy-hitting immune support like shitake, maitake mushrooms, and ß-glucans which stimulate the immune system [5]. It also contains wild cherry bark which contains powerful antioxidants, antimicrobial, and pain relieving properties [6].
Immunoberry Liquid mixes in some tasty glycerine and you have the perfect kid-friendly immune-boosting supplement!
Everyone knows that probiotics are good for gut health but did you know that they are also great for boosting the immune system?
Probiotics help to improve immune system function in a number of different ways. These ways include competing for nutrients that harmful bacteria usually use and preventing harmful bacteria from infecting cells by adehering to the body's cells. Probiotics also interact with immune cells like macrophages and T and B lymphocytes [7].
The Garden of Life probiotics includes strains of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. These strains are some of the most studied probiotics for immune system regulation and support [8].
Add in vitamin C, vitamin D, and some tasty whole cranberry fruit and you have a great tasting easy to chew probiotic that will help boost your child immune system year round!
Note: you should rotate probiotic strains every 3 months to prevent any adverse effects or overcolonization .
Speaking of vitamin D, Seeking Health Optimal Vitamin D liquid is a game changer for immune system boosting!
I've written of the virtues of vitamin D many times before on this blog. You can read some of the previous posts here, here, and especially here with my Vitamin D for Covid-19 in Down Syndrome post.
So I won't go into great detail about how beneficial vitamin D is for the immune system but suffice it to say that having a good quality easy to give vitamin D is essential for having healthy and strong immune system.
The Seeking Health Optimal Vitamin D Liquid comes in a lightly flavored carrier olive oil and is free from artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives and since it is in a liquid form, there's no fuss with pills, capsules, or soft gels when it comes to getting your kids to take this easy supplement.
Vitamin C is one of those vitamins that everyone immediately thinks of when it comes to immune health and rightfully so!
Vitamin C helps to boost immune function as an antioxidant, a co-factor in many enzymatic reactions, a phagocytosis enhancer, and in its ability to increase the maturation and numbers of B and T cells [9].
Vitamin C also has some protective effects against pneumonia and viral infections. For example, one study showed that older patients who were hospitalized for pneumonia and took vitamin C died at a less rate than the patients in the placebo group [10].
Chapter One Vitamin C Gummies have just enough vitamin C in them to make sure that no bowel distress occurs with our littles ones (too much vitamin C can cause loose stools and abdominal cramping). They also act as a treat since they come in a kid-attracting orange color and have some sugar as a sweetener.
My kids love these and so do I! These gummy multivitamins have an easy-to-chew soft texture that my daughter with Down syndrome can easily enjoy. They also come with a comprehensive range of vitamins and minerals that are sourced from whole foods.
I also love that these vitamins contain folate as opposed to folic acid, the synthetic form of folate. When folic acid is taken into the body it has to be converted to tetrahydrofolate by the enzyme dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR).
Some people with special needs, like those with Down syndrome, may have a lower functioning DHRH leaving unmetabolized folic acid in the body. The side effects of too much folic acid in the body can range from irritability and upset stomach to confusion and seizures [11].
It's also a huge plus that this gummy multivitamin has methylcobalamin (B12) instead of the sythetically produced cyanocobalamin (B12) that contains the harmful substance cyanide.
This yummy and easy to dose elderberry supplement works well for kids of all ages. It's great for adults too! It's main ingredient is elderberry which is a heavy-hitter in the immune boosting department and it also contains glycerin for a sweeter taste.
No list on immune support would be complete without zinc. Zinc is a powerhouse when it comes to immune boosting. Zinc is needed to improve immune system function, wound healing, create and maintain white blood cell levels [12].
But zinc has a notoriously disgusting taste and it can be hard to get kids to take zinc. With Biotics Research Aqueous Zinc, you can eliminate that hassle. This zinc comes in the form of a watery drink.
Those who are zinc deficient will take a longer time to actually taste the zinc in the solution. You can also mask the taste by adding this drink to juice or a smoothie.
Herb Pharm Kids Immune Fortifier has many of the same ingredients of the previous immune boosters with a twist! This yummy immune booster adds in Echinacea a powerful immune stimulant that has been shown to reduce the duration and severity of viral illnesses like the common cold [13].
This easy to use glycerite will help boost your child's immune system year round.
Douglas Labs VitaKids Immune is a yummy liquid that will can help boost any immune system. This liquid, unlike the others on this list, uses vitamin A and blueberry powder for immune system enhancement.
Vitamin A is an often overlooked vitamin that is necessary for immune health. In fact, vitamin A deficiency leads to countless respiratory infections and deaths worldwide. Vitamin A acts as a powerful immune system regulator improving T-cell mediated antibody responses as well as natural killer cell responses [14].
Blueberry acts a powerful lung support plant and also an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immune system regulator [15].
This tasty liquid is easy to use and a powerful immune system support.
Herb Pharm Kids Immune Avenger has a whole host of immune boosting herbs that will support your child's immune system! From echinacea and elderberry to the antimicrobial thyme and the flavorful anti-inflammatory ginger, your child will love this yummy glycerite while getting a powerful immune boost!
So there you have it! The top 10 kid-friendly immune system boosters of 2021! Which ones do you like? Which one have you tried? Which would you recommend or disagree with? Did I miss one that you absolutely think should be on this list? Let me know in the comments!
If you want to pick up any of these supplements, head over to our online dispensary where you can make an account to purchase these and many other professional grade products at a discounted price!
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