How our family takes to support our immune systems
During cold and flu season it is extra beneficial to support our immune systems so we may be better able to ward off the many bacterial and viral infections so common between October and February, peaking in December and January. Even for those who have had a flu shot, you can still contract the flu, but supporting the immune system can help reduce severity and duration.
Ways to support immune system:
- warm lemon water daily
- vitamin C (acerola juice or from foods - red pepper, grapefruit, kiwi, oranges, broccoli...) (3)
- 1 Tsp manuka honey daily (1)
- vitamin D3 daily (4)
- eating a well balanced, whole foods diet
- daily exercise
- staying hydrated
- avoiding sugar
- nutrient IV therapy
*Aside from nutrient IV therapy, the above recommendations are safe for children but be sure that manuka honey (or any honey) is not given to children under 12 months of age. The recommended dosage of vitamin D3 for babies is 400IU daily (4)
My son is 8 years old and every morning between September and May/June he takes liquid vitamin D3 (under the tongue), a probiotic, fish oil, half an ounce of acerola cherry juice and a tsp of manuka honey. On paper that seems like a lot but during the school year I find he's better able to ward off all of those school germs. And he enjoys all of them!
The products we use include:
- Finlandia Brand Liquid Vitamin D3 (1000IU - daily for adults)
- Salus Acerola Juice (1/2 oz daily)
- Nordic Naturals - childrens DHA and baby vitamin D3
- Wedderspoon Manuka Honey
(1) https://draxe.com/manuka-honey-benefits-uses/
(2) https://www.nordicnaturals.com/consumers/
(3) https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-608/acerola
(4) https://www.aafp.org/afp/2010/0315/p745.html
(5) tps://draxe.com/the-healing-power-of-bone-broth-for-digestion-arthritis-and-cellulite/ht