One of the best ways to stay healthy is just to give you body what it needs to help you try to stave off any health problems on it’s own. These are simple things adults and kids can do to help boost your immune system and stay healthy…
Limit Added Sugars
Emerging research suggests that added sugars and refined carbs may contribute disproportionately to overweight and obesity. Obesity may likewise increase your risk of getting sick. According to an observational study in around 1,000 people, people with obesity who were administered the flu vaccine were twice as likely to still get the flu than individuals without obesity who received the vaccine
Get Adequate Sleep
Inadequate or poor quality sleep is linked to a higher susceptibility to sickness. A persistent lack of sleep has been associated with an increase in illness. Adults should aim to get 7 or more hours of sleep each night, while teens need 8–10 hours and younger children and infants up to 14 hours.
Reduce Stress
Finding a way to unwind and put your mind and body at rest can be helpful. Long-term stress promotes inflammation, as well as imbalances in immune cell function. If you enjoy yoga, long walks, meditation the important point is to turn them into practice by engaging in one or more daily.
Eat Healthy foods
In a 3-month study in 126 children, those who drank just 2.4 ounces of fermented milk daily had about 20% fewer childhood infectious diseases, compared with a control group. We all know what to eat matters. Making healthier choices that help decrease inflammation, as an anti-inflammatory diet is advisable. Consuming fish, avoiding processed food and simple carbs, and eating lots of vegetables and fruits are important. Vegetables and fruits with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents are onions garlic parsley, celery, apples, tomatoes, oranges, nuts, and berries. Spices such as curcumin and turmeric can also reduce inflammation.
Supplements May Help But Talk To Your Doctor First
Studies indicate that the following supplements may strengthen your body’s general immune response:
- Vitamin C – According to a review in over 11,000 people, taking 1,000–2,000 mg of vitamin C per day reduced the duration of colds by 8% in adults and 14% in children.
- Zinc – In a review in 575 people with the common cold, supplementing with more than 75 mg of zinc per day reduced the duration of the cold by 33%.
- Elderberry – One small review found that elderberry could reduce the symptoms of viral upper respiratory infections, but more research is needed.
- Garlic – A high quality, 12-week study in 146 people found that supplementing with garlic reduced the incidence of the common cold by about 30%. However, more research is needed.
While these supplements demonstrated potential in the studies that don’t mean they’re effective against COVID-19. Furthermore, supplements are prone to mislabeling because they aren’t regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Thus, you should only purchase supplements that have been independently tested by third-party organizations like United States Pharmacopeia (USP), NSF International, and ConsumerLab.
Contact Us (859-525-8181) if you have any questions!
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About Pediatrics of Florence
We believe that children are more than just “little adults.” They have unique personalities, challenges, and life circumstances and we have made every effort to make our offices and care as “kid friendly” as possible. We have an aquatic theme in the waiting rooms (separated for sick and well children) as well as themed examination rooms. All of our physicians are Board Certified Pediatricians and members of the American Academy of Pediatrics and our nurse practitioners are all licensed Pediatric Nurse Practitioners and are available to see both well and sick children.
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