6 Supplements To Boost Your Child’s Immune System

HFMD: 6 Supplements to Boost your Child’s Immune System

Hand-Foot-Mouth-Disease (HFMD) is contagious. This viral infection spreads from person to person by direct contact with nose and throat discharges, saliva, fluid from blisters, or the stool of infected persons. Children are more susceptible to HFMD as children have a less developed immune system as compared to adults.¹

Below are a few immunity boosting ingredients available at your local pharmacy. This article explains how they function.

Vitamin C²

• It is a potent antioxidant that acts against oxidative stress that may lead to cell damage
• It supports the cell walls of cells, thereby creating a stronger barrier against pathogens
• It enhances the ability of white blood cells (i.e. neutrophils) fight against harmful organisms
• It can prevent and treat respiratory infections

Probiotics ³

• It can improve the function of immune cells i.e. dendritic cells, macrophages, T and B lymphocytes
• It is able to increase the production of cytokines needed fight off infections
• Antiviral properties have been observed in strains such as Bifidobacterium Breve, B. Longum, L. rhamnosus, L.acidophilus & L. casei

Lactoferrin ⁴

• It has iron sequestration abilities (it can “remove” iron from harmful organisms)
• It can bind to the cell membranes and protect the host cells from the entry of virus
• It can increase maturation of immune cells such as T cell and B cells and improve antiviral activity
• It is shown to be resistant to low PH therefore will not degrade easily when passing through the stomach

Colostrum ⁵

• Sourced from cow milk (within 16 hours of a calf birth)
• Contains lactoferrin which has antiviral abilities
• It is rich is immunoglobulin, growth factors and antibodies that improves the immune system

Metabolites (for probiotics) ^{6, 7}

• Metabolites are substances required in a biological activity
• The mechanism is based on creating a “friendly” environment for probiotics to grow and thrive
• In the context of boosting the immune system, metabolites can increase the effects of existing probiotics
• It therefore can improve the antiviral effects of existing probiotics

Black Elderberry Extract ^{8, 9}

• It is shown to increase production of inflammatory cytokines
• It activates the immune system by increasing production of TNF-alpha
• Supported by strong clinical studies – one study showed it was able to reduce duration of flu symptoms to 3-4 days
• It is also contains flavonoids that has antioxidant properties