Keeping Kids Healthy: Building Immunity Through Nutrition

Ah, the joys of fall — the leaves are turning, the pumpkins are out and the kids are back in school.  During all those back-to-school preparations, did you remember to prepare your child’s immune system? Fall is also the start of cold & flu season and all the sniffling, sneezing and coughing that goes with it, putting our immune systems to the test.

Prevention: The Earlier, the Better

It’s important to remember with children that their immune systems are still developing and are not the same as an adult’s. The immune system strengthens over time. During the first few months of life, an infant relies partly on mother’s antibodies. We see that babies often get infections that are uncommon in adults and react differently to vaccines. It isn’t until a child is about five years old that they are able to make effective antibodies against certain antigens. A child’s immune system won’t resemble an adult’s until he or she reaches puberty.

That’s why it’s so important to teach our kids good habits now that support their developing immune systems and overall health.

• Eating well (fresh, whole foods including fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts, seeds, legumes, lean proteins and unprocessed whole grains)
• Limiting added sugar
• Getting enough quality sleep (10-14 hours depending on age)
• Having time to rest, play and get outside in nature (stress affects kids too)
• Taking supplements to fill any nutrient gaps

Feed Your Infection Fighters

Nutrition and the immune system are closely linked. Poor nutrition can lead to immune deficiencies. When we aren’t getting adequate nutrients, we’re leaving ourselves vulnerable to infections and diseases. Reliv Now® for Kids with LunaRich® contains many nutrients research shows play a key role in healthy immune function. These include:

Lunasin Boosts Immunity

Because it works at the epigenetic level — at the very root of gene expression and cellular function — lunasin impacts multiple aspects of human health, including innate immunity.

Immune cells in your body contain receptors that are genetically primed to respond to germs and other environmental toxins and remove them. If these receptors are slow to respond in your immune cells, your body’s innate defenses do not function properly.

Last month (September 2014), the peer-reviewed medical journal Vaccine published a study on lunasin at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis. The study found that lunasin enhanced the body’s response to vaccine antigens, making the vaccine more effective. Lunasin stimulated innate immune cells by regulating the expression of genes that are important to certain immune responses. (Click here to read the abstract.)

Now get back to those hot drinks and yummy soups. Stay healthy and enjoy your autumn!

A Note from Dr. Carl: Healthy from the Start 
Our immune systems are made up of many complex mechanisms. Researchers today are still learning about the intricacies of the immune system and how our lifestyles affect that system. We do know, however, the nutrition plays a central role.

Nutrition is important throughout our lives, but especially during the developing years of childhood. Reliv Now for Kids was formulated specifically with these developing years in mind. Essential vitamins, minerals and micronutrients give growing bodies what they need to thrive, and advanced ingredients boost energy and mental performance.

Most kids today don’t eat the way they should. You can help fill in the gaps with Reliv Now for Kids. I know we count on it in our family.

To your health,

Dr. Carl W. Hastings

Vice Chairman and Chief Scientific Officer

These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. Reliv products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Sources:

• What are the differences between the pediatric and adult immune systems? Read more. 
  

• Activation of dendritic cell function by soypeptide lunasin as a novel vaccine adjuvant. Read more.

• Nutrition and Immunity. Read more.