What nutrients your growing children need
A child's superior learning begins with brain-building nutrients such as DHA. But it's also important to maintain his physical well-being, because sickness can compromise a child's brain development. Thus, a well-functioning immune system is crucial in young children. Below is a list of nutrients that support your child's immune health in three important areas: respiratory health, gut health, and prevention of other common infections.
Prebiotics
are non-digestible food ingredients that selectively stimulate the growth of "good" bacteria in the intestines, which may help improve immune development and function in the intestinal tract. They also help prevent the growth and attachment of pathogenic bacteria in the intestinal lining¹.
Proteins
are important for the development and growth of immune cells and the production of protein compounds that support the immune system. Protein deficiency could result in weaker resistance to infections².
Vitamin A
helps maintain healthy skin, as well as the linings of the respiratory and digestive tracts. It strengthens immune responses by supporting the growth of immune cells. It makes a child less susceptible to diarrhea and respiratory infections³. It also helps children recover from measles.
Vitamin B Complex
has different functions. Vitamins B1, B2 and B6 aid in the growth and function of white blood cells, including the production of antibodies. An adequate amount of Vitamin B12 is important for phagocytes' ability to kill bacteria. Folate (Vitamin B9) decreases the risk of lower respiratory tract infections in young children.
Vitamin C
is important for the function of certain white blood cells and wound repair. It also helps maintain lung health and normal function of the airways¹¹. Vitamin C is needed for the proper function of the immune system.
Vitamin D
stimulates the development and function of white blood cells to help strengthen immunity¹³.
It may also act as an important immune system regulator¹³.
Vitamin E
helps protect cells from oxidative damage during infections and enhances immunity and resistance to disease¹.
Iron
plays an essential role in the production of red blood cells, helping prevent anemia¹. It also helps maintain sufficient number of immune cells¹ and decreases the risk of infections in children².
Zinc
plays a central role in the growth of cells and tissues, including those of the immune system¹.
It promotes the function of all types of white blood cells¹. It also helps reduce the severity of diarrhea in children¹.
Protecting
your child from sickness should certainly be one of your top priorities, especially because children, in addition to not having a fully-developed immune system, are often exploring their surroundings, where infection-causing agents may abound.
References:
1. Ouwehand, A., E. Isolauri and S. Salminen. (2002). The role of intestinal microflora for the development of the immune system in early childhood. Eur. J. Nutr., 41(Suppl 1): I32-I37
2. Scrimshaw, N.S., and J.P. SanGiovanni. (1997). Synergism of nutrition, infection and immunity: an overview. Am. J. Clin. Nutr., 66:464S477S.
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5. Bloem, M., M. Wedel, R.J. Egger, A.J. Speek, J. Schrijver, S. Saowakontha and W.H.P. Schreurs. (1994). Mild vitamin A deficiency and risk of respiratory tract diseases and diarrhea in preschool and school children in northeastern Thailand. Amer. J. Epid., 131:332-339.
6. West, K. (2000). Vitamin A and measles. Nutr Rev., 58:S46-54.
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11. Fischer H, Schwarzer C, Illek B. 2004. Vitamin C controls the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator chloride channel. Proceedings of the National Academy of Science; 101 (10):3691-3696
12. Hatch, G.E. (1995). Effect of antioxidative vitamins in immune function with clinical applications. Int. J. Vitamin Nutr. Res., 68:133-141.
13. Cantorna, M.T., Y. Zhu,, M. Froicu and A. Wittke. (2004). Vitamin D status, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, and the immune system. Am. J. Clin. Nutr., 80:1717S-20S
14. Moriguchi, S. and M. Muruga. (2000). Vitamin E and immunity. Vitam. Horm., 59:305-336
15. Meydani, S.N., M. Meydani, J.B. Blumberg, S. Kekal, G. Siber, K. Laszewski, et al. (1997). Vitamin E supplementation and in vivo immune response in healthy elderly subjects. A randomized controlled trial. J. Am. Med. Assoc., 277:1380-1386.
16. Beard, J.L. (2001). Iron biology in immune function, muscle metabolism and neuronal functioning. J. Nutr., 131:568S-579S
17. Shankar, A.H. and A.S. Prasad. (1998). Zinc and immune functions: the biological basis of altered resistance to infection. Am. J. Clin. Nutr., 68:447S-463S
18. Fraker, P.J., L.E. King, T. Laakko and T.L. Vollmer. (2000). The dynamic link between the integrity of the immune system and zinc status. J. Nutr., 130:1399S-1406S
19. Baqui, A.H., R.E. Black, S. El Arifeen, M. Yunus, J. Chakraborty, S. Ahmend and J.P. Vaughan. (2002). Effect of zonc supplementation started during diarrhea on morbidity and mortality in Bangladeshi children: community randomized trial. Br. Med. J., 325:1059-1062
20. Bhandari, N., R. Bahl, S. Taneja, T. Strand, K. Molbak, R. Ulvik, H. Sommerfelt and M.K. Bhan. (2002). Substantial reduction in severe diarrheal morbidity by daily zinc supplementation in young north Indian children. Pediatrics, 109:e86.
