I am often asked: ‘Doctor, is there anything for immunity? Something to make my child less prone to illness?’
There are many products available on the market in various forms that claim to be a remedy for all infections.
Which ones should you choose?
If you want something that is proven and safe, I recommend:
- 60–120 drops (one minute each) of outdoor activity every day
(there is no such thing as bad weather for a walk) - 5 portions of fruit and vegetables a day
(preferably raw/pickled, whole, not juice/compote) - 2 portions of oily fish a week
- 9–11 hours of healthy sleep a day
(depending on the child’s age) - A daily dose of closeness
(stress has a very negative effect on immunity)
A child’s long-term immunity is the result of daily choices from an early age.
Our choices will shape the child’s habits for life.
‘What if they get cold and catch a cold on a walk?’
This may indeed happen, but it will be part of the process of building long-term immunity, from which the child will benefit for years to come. Don’t let the occasional cold ruin the habit of walking and playing outside, regardless of the weather.
