So my usual Monday morning mayhem was going on perfectly well. Vessels were clinging, tiny people were running around, voices were overlapping, and I was ignoring a very strong burning smell! Finally, the kids were off to school and I slumped into my sofa. An hour into my daily chores and I got the principal’s call saying my son was feeling unwell. I went to school hoping it was one of his ‘pretend sick’ tricks, but to my dismay, he had caught something that put me on an overdrive of countless hours of googling and home remedies. After a few days, he was finally himself, causing the usual chaos in the house and at school. I was glad! But after a week or so he was sick again. Was I being negligent? What has caused his immunity to become so weak?
Nothing pains a parent more than seeing their child fall easy prey to infectious diseases. So I gathered a few of my friends from different backgrounds. A doctor, a teacher, a working mom and me, the homemaker got together on a Sunday afternoon and discussed methods to ensure our children got a healthy childhood which directly depends on their own internal immunity system.
(find out more about our internal immunity system at http://bit.ly/immunity3)
“Kids need to be kids, Tina, they are bound to fall sick. Let them get dirty, play in the sand and mud, do not become over cautious. It’s a good reason to be slightly scared, I agree, but infections help in building their immunity.” Dr.Geeta a paediatrician herself told us about how an infection springs the immune system into action. The symptoms that we often get –fever, headache, rash – result from all the activities the immune system initiates to fight back the pathogen.”
“But of course we need to be prepared.” She continued.
“Maybe too prepared! Kids these days are bought up in such a tech savvy environment. We read so much on our wireless handsets but apparently, they are the root cause of many infections.It could be the most contaminated thing in your house and you wouldn’t even know! Besides they emit electromagnetic waves in the microwave range, which cause heating and is said to affect brain cells.(for more information, visit http://bit.ly/2dbhpAK)
No study has evidently confirmed the effects it has in the long term of course, but we need to be cautious. I have just started a strict no ipad and cell phone policy before bedtime. Believe me, my kids sleep much earlier and better through the night.”said Kaira, the working mother.
“Yes, that’s a great thing to do. Sleep deprivation affects the cognitive development of growing kids. But the question is how did you manage that!?” asked Dr.Geeta.
“I know, my kids insist on playing games right before bedtime, as we are occupied with it before that.” Said Gungun, the teacher.
“Kids learn what they see. Parents are partially responsible for this habit. When kids see parents on their phones half the day, they follow the same. But I also changed the WIFI password…that’s make it more full proof!” said Kaira with a quirky smile.
“Okay now, let’s get down to the shit business! Constipation is so common with kids nowadays. I think my gut is showing sympathy constipation too!” I interjected.
“Yogurt is the best probiotic in that case. It not only aids digestion but boosts mood and helps in building a stronger immune system. The good bacteria fight and stop the colonization of bad bacteria in the stomach. But sometimes you need help of probiotic and other nutritional supplements and it’s okay. Everyone has a different system so coping with constipation will be different for your child than mine.” Said Dr.Geeta.
She continued, “I think a balance between using old age home remedies and modern techniques is the best way to go. We need some critical vitamins and minerals to maintain a good immune system. When taken in appropriate quantity, these substances can boost our immune system and can help an immune system to fight extra hard when infected. These are known as Immuno-Boosters in today’s world. Vitamin C,B6 and Zinc are the most important immuno boosters when it comes to child’s immune system. Some of these critical substances are not produced or store in our body. Hence daily intake of them becomes necessary."
" But in this fast life, it becomes very difficult to prepare everything in the home and ask kids to eat them diligently. You know how kids are nowadays", said Kaira, the working mother.
"Also, even if we buy some readymade supplement like Immuno-Boosters, there is always a dilemma which product can be trusted and suitable for our kid", said Gungun, the teacher.
" I think I have an answer for that", said Dr. Geeta. "When buying such products, always go with the trusted brand in the market. Also, see whether the product is enticing enough for the kid to eat as many supplements come in a form which does not attract kid and he/she never eats it and the product remains on our kitchen shelf only."
"That is difficult ask to fulfil, Geeta. I have never found such a product in the market, which can fulfil all your requirements", said Kaira, the working mother.
"But I have already started using such product, Kaira", Dr.Geeta said with a mischievous smile on her face.
"What!...which one?", we all yelled in one voice.
"There is a product in the market which is in form of Choco-bite by a very trusted brand which fulfills all nutritional need for your kid in one bite and my kid loves to eat that. You can find details over the internet.(Visit http://bit.ly/ImmunoPack)
“Isn’t following a much more natural course of action better?” I asked.
“Yes. It is better. But the question is, is it enough? Fresh fruits and vegetables are a must. But with our consumption of processed food increasing at an alarming rate, chances of having vitamin and mineral deficiencies has been on the rise. Plus let’s not forget how fussy kids are with their food!” said Geeta.
“That is true,” said Gungun. “Although dry fruits are a great source of proteins, vitamins, minerals and dietary fibre, I have a tough time getting my kids to eat them. So I often sprinkle them in home-cooked sweets, twice as much needed just so they have it! Walnut brownies are a weekend delicacy because walnuts often called the ‘Brain Food’ contain omega-3 fatty acids that are essential for brain development.”
“That seems to work at my place too! Gajjarkahalwa is my way of making sure my kids eat carrots. It is often loaded with lots of ghee, which I have heard is very important for neurological toning.” I said.
“That is correct Tina. Not only that but ghee often condoned as being high on fats but in reality, it is rich in butyric acid. Research shows that adequate production of butyric acid supports the production of killer T cells in the gut and thus a strong immune system.”
“All this information has added a few more things on my shopping list and some changes in the menu!” said smiling Gungun.
So parents, in conclusion, few simple changes in habits and awareness can make a huge difference in your child’s immune system and overall well-being. Taking nutritional supplements has become must in this fast paced life where we are always short of time but be cautious of the brand of the product when buying such product as it is the question of your kid's health. Think Healthy, Eat Healthy and Be Healthy!
