As a former educator married to an early childhood education specialist, I understand the frustration from teachers and parents when their child (teachers do refer to the young children they teach as ‘theirs’ until the school term is over) is absent from school because of a fever, flu or stomach ache.
When they are absent, lessons go on and when they cannot catch up they fall behind in their studies.
I also know of parents who, in the event that their child has been exposed to a sprinkling of rain, would be homebound with sniffles.
They may fall further behind when they become ill frequently due to a weak immune system.
Children falling sick are not just expensive (think paediatrician and medication bills), their time away from school and from going outside also hinders them from lessons and adventures with friends. Fewer sick days mean more days for learning and exploration.
Therefore, as a parent, how can you help strengthen your child’s immune system so their learning opportunities are not taken away from them when their brilliant minds are cognitively flexible, especially in the field of language (Rosselli et al., 2014)?
Here, we will focus on diet to strengthen your child’s immunity to help reduce sick days.
A Balanced Diet and More
A balanced diet, which includes all 5 main food groups in our daily diet—Grains, Vegetables, Fruits, Protein foods (poultry, meat, fish, egg and legumes) and Milk and dairy products, is crucial for stimulating immune function and overall growth and development in children.
Yes, we know they should have enough protein, complex carbohydrates and good fats in their diet.
There is new research that shows that incorporating foods rich in important nutrients helps to stimulate the immune function in children (Verduci & Köglmeier, 2021).
One particular star in this list of nutrients is docosahexaenoic acid (more famously known as DHA) which helps with brain development.
Based on a cumulation of studies in this review by PubMed Central DHA plays important roles in supporting a child’s brain..
Children who consumed more DHA seemed to get better at reading and spelling. However, regular tests didn’t always show clear improvements.
This might be because the DHA helps in many small ways that are hard to measure with these tests, especially among children who are already healthy.
However, all parents should note that all the studies reviewed point to the idea that not enough DHA may cause problems with learning and behaviour in healthy children.
DHA, along with minerals like zinc, iron, copper, and selenium, play vital roles in supporting immune response and overall wellbeing. Vitamins including D, A, E, C and those in the B group are also essential for bolstering the immune system (Verduci & Köglmeier, 2021).
Zinc, iron, copper, and selenium are found in fish, meats, nuts and legumes while vitamin D is found in many dairy products, Vitamin A is found in carrots and sweet potatoes, Vitamin E in nuts and seeds, Vitamin B in grains, vegetables, poultry and milk, while citrus fruits are good sources of Vitamin C.
Providing children with a variety of these nutrient-dense foods helps ensure they receive the comprehensive nutritional support necessary for robust immune function and healthy development.
Food Portion Control
According to the Ministry of Health (MOH), up to 30% of Malaysian children are overweight/obese.
Now, obesity affects more than just weight; it also dysregulates immunity through differing mechanisms, which contribute to a range of secondary complications, especially when it comes to influenza infections. (Shaikh, Maclver & Beck, 2022).
Therefore, reducing foods high in sugar and fat in your child’s diet is very much encouraged.
However, food portions for children are not necessarily known to many parents.
A study in the UK saw first-time parents using their ‘instinct’ to portion foods for their children aged one to two (Porter et al., 2023).
Below are the dietary guidelines for recommended servings based on food varieties according to food groups, as shared in the Malaysian Dietary Guidelines for Children and Adolescents 2013.
Introducing Probio DR10
Have you heard about Probio DR10
Probio DR10
The combination of Probio DR10
Study showed that Probio DR10
Then there are Gangliosides that contribute to the formation of connections between brain cells and facilitate the transfer of messages among them which assist with memory and learning.
DHA and Gangliosides play a pivotal role in supporting brain development, which is the foundation for IQ development2 and memory formation3,4, setting the stage for your child’s future.
DHA is a critical omega-3 fatty acid that plays a vital role in brain and visual development, especially during toddlerhood, when they experience rapid brain development.
Introducing Anmum Essential Gold
Anmum Essential Gold is scientifically formulated to help support the nutritional needs of growing kids together with the highest DHA level# and Gangliosides plus Probio DR10
Anmum Essential Gold is the World’s only brand^ with Probio DR10
The New and Improved Anmum Essential Gold contains 50mg/serving and 150mg/day (based on three servings a day) of DHA, which is the highest level compared to the product label of major brands of formulated milk powder for children in the market as of July 2023.
A glass of Anmum Essential Gold provides 50mg of DHA. Just by having three glasses a day, your child is fed 150mg of DHA a day, meeting the recommended daily intake of DHA for children aged 2 to 6 years.
It also comes with No Added Sugars** definitely a good choice of growing-up milk powder for your child.
On this journey to nurture brighter minds and healthier bodies in our children, it is crucial for parents to grasp the interconnectedness of the two.
When the two aspects are balanced, it ensures our child blossoms well.
So, are you ready to make the change?
Together, let’s Build Your Child Stronger & Smarter* today!
Get your free Anmum Essential Gold sample by clicking here now.
Disclaimer:
*With proper stimulation & good nutrition. | ~Bifidobacterium lactis HN019
#Compared to the product label of major brands of formulated milk powder for children as of July 2023.
▲35% reduction is applicable to respiratory infection only.
^Referring to the product label for major brands of the same product category in the market.
**Sucrose, Glucose Syrup Solid, Corn Syrup Solid, Brown Sugar, Dextrose, Lactose, Fructose, Honey and White Sugar are defined as ‘sugars’ and ‘added sugars’ under CODEX Standard 212-1999 and CAC/GL23-1997. CODEX develops harmonised international food standards guidelines and code of practices. Under Malaysia Food Regulations 1985, Sucrose, Brown Sugar, Dextrose, Glucose, Fructose, Honey are defined as sweetening substances.
References:
- Sazawal et al. (2010). PLoS ONE. 5(8): e12164.
- Kuratko et al. (2013). Nutrients. 5, 2777-2810.
- Palmano et al. (2015). Nutrients. 7(5), 3891-3913.
- Mulder et al. (2022). Curr. Dev. Nutr. 6 (7), nzac099.
Footnotes:
1Gutiérrez, S., Svahn, S. L., & Johansson, M. E. (2019, October 11). Effects of omega-3 fatty acids on immune cells. International journal of molecular sciences. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6834330/
2Kuratko, C. N., Barrett, E. C., Nelson, E. B., & Salem, N. (2013, July 19). The relationship of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) with learning and behavior in Healthy Children: A Review. Nutrients. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3738999/
3Porter, A., Langford, R., Summerbell, C., Tinner, L., & Kipping, R. (2023, September 13). A qualitative exploration of food portion size practices and awareness of food portion size guidance in first-time parents of one- to two-year-olds living in the UK. BMC public health. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10500748/
4Rosselli, M., Ardila, A., Matute, E., & Vélez-Uribe, I. (2014, December 18). Language development across the life span: A neuropsychological/neuroimaging perspective. Neuroscience Journal. https://www.hindawi.com/journals/neuroscience/2014/585237/
5Shaikh, S. R., MacIver, N. J., & Beck, M. A. (2022, August 22). Obesity dysregulates the immune response to influenza infection and vaccination through metabolic and inflammatory mechanisms. Annual review of nutrition. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10880552/
6Verduci, E., & Köglmeier, J. (2021, September 1). Immunomodulation in children: The role of the Diet. Journal of pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9770123/
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice from Motherhood. For any health-related concerns, it is advisable to consult with a qualified healthcare professional or medical practitioner.
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