You try your hardest to provide nutritional meals for your children; you slave away and worry over their intake, only to have them push their bowl across the table and ask for another biscuit. Maintaining a healthy diet for your child is hard work. 

But here’s the deal:

Vitamins and minerals are not only essential for growth and development, but also for optimal immune function. Supplements, including multivitamins and probiotics, can help fill nutritional gaps and promote immunity, vitality and overall health and wellbeing in your child.

We’ve picked apart the key information you need to determine whether your child may benefit from supplements, which vitamins and minerals boost immunity and the best kids supplements to consider this winter.

So, How Does the Immune System Work?

The immune system is made up of organs, cells and proteins and protects your body from pathogens and cell change that could make you sick.

When antigens from bacteria, fungi and viruses enter the body and attach to receptors in immune system cells, the immune system activates and a sequence of processes are triggered within the body to prevent illness.

An immune system that is compromised or not functioning properly will result in you becoming ill.

How are Children’s Immune Systems Different to Adults?

There are two types of immune system; the innate immune system - an immediate, instinctive response - and the adaptive immune system - learned responses from previous exposures.

Children rely on their innate immune system, which automatically identifies which foreign pathogens are threats, and attacks them as they enter the body. If the virus is successfully fought off, the immune system expands its’ immunological memory in the adaptive immune system and is ready to fend off the virus in the same way if it were encountered again. An adult’s immune system is largely adaptive.

Children’s inexperienced immune systems leave them vulnerable to serious infectious diseases [1]. Developed countries have worked to combat this through childhood immunisations, however modern food preferences continue to impose a threat on children’s immune biology [2]

In addition, children typically have less than optimal personal hygiene and venture into close proximity with each other in social settings, allowing viruses and bacteria to spread between them more easily.

The Winter Effect

Winter brings several elements to the table that make a fully functional immune system all the more crucial.

Colder climates tend to see people gathered indoors more with less ventilation, enabling the spread of airborne viruses. Cold air can trigger asthma symptoms in children which can be life-threatening when mixed with a respiratory infection.

Reduced sun exposure can limit natural intake of Vitamin D, which is an essential vitamin for proper immune function.

Which Vitamins and Minerals Help Immunity and How?

1. Vitamin C
   Acts as an antioxidant, fighting inflammation and damage caused by free radicals. Your body does not produce its own vitamin C, nor does it store any. Vitamin C is necessary for cellular death, which is essential to clear our old cells and replace them with new, effective cells.
2. Vitamin B6
   Supports the production of white blood cells and T-cells (the cells that fight off invaders like bacteria and viruses).
3. Zinc
   Essential for immune cell development. It is also necessary in cell communication and the prevention of foreign invaders/pathogens entering the body by strengthening tissue barriers. 
4. Vitamin E
   Keeps T-cells functioning at optimal levels. It is also a powerful antioxidant, protecting the body from oxidative stress.
5. Vitamin D
   Supports white blood cell function and decreases inflammation, promoting immune system response.
6. Iron
   Assists with raising haemoglobin levels which supports healthy oxygen supply to damaged cells, tissues and organs.

Which Plant Extracts Help Immunity?

Echinacea
This powerful botanical is known as an immune modulator and boosts the immune system by activating white blood cells. It’s also a potent antioxidant and has anti-inflammatory properties.

Elderberry
Elderberries, as well as other parts of an Elder tree, have antiviral properties and are particularly useful in combating upper respiratory tract infections and are high in vitamin C.

Rosemary
An antiseptic, antiviral and antioxidant. Research shows rosemary to be effective in preventing viruses from entering the body and as a decongestant.

How do Probiotics Help the Immune System?

Did you know that 70% of your body’s immune cells reside in your gut?

A healthy gut interacts with immune cells and signals responses to assist in the case of injury or infection and to prevent immune cells attacking healthy body tissue [3].

In essence, balancing the gut microbiome is key to a healthy immune system, and probiotics supplements can assist in filling any gaps that diet alone may not fill.

Are supplements safe for kids?

You may be wondering: Does my child need vitamins and probiotics?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer. Supplements may fill nutritional gaps in the case of restricted diets (plant-based) or fussy-eaters but should not replace a balanced diet. Vitamins and minerals are important for healthy growth and development in children and inadequate diets can lead to consequential deficiencies [4].

But are they safe? While some unnecessary vitamins are filtered through the urine if taken in excess, others, such as selenium, are toxic in high doses. It is important to seek advice from your child’s GP before beginning any supplement regime and always stick to the recommended dosage.

Check the disclaimer on the product packaging for allergens. Many products utilise natural ingredients and flavours and boast the absence of extra additives and harsh preservatives.

Some Product Recommendations to speak with your child's GP about

In Summary

The best way to maximise your child’s immunity and overall health and wellbeing is through a balanced diet, rich in fruits, vegetables and wholegrains. Where nutritional gaps exist, supplementation with vitamins, minerals and probiotics may be beneficial to avoid deficiencies. Always consult your child’s GP before commencing a supplement regime.

References

[1] Healio Learn Immuno Oncology, 2023. https://www.healio.com/hematology-oncology/learn-immuno-oncology/the-immune-system/the-innate-vs-adaptive-immune-response

[2] Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2023. https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/food-nutrition/poor-diet/contents/poor-diet-in-children

[3] Wu HJ, Wu E. The role of gut microbiota in immune homeostasis and autoimmunity. Gut Microbes. 2012 Jan-Feb;3(1):4-14 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3337124/

[4] Royal Children’s Hospital, Nutrition: School-age to Adolescence, 2022.  https://www.rch.org.au/kidsinfo/fact_sheets/Nutrition_older_children/