A 7 year old is most likely in school and surrounded by germs daily. According to an article from Parenting.com, because a child's immune system hasn't reached its full maturity yet, it is easier for a child to pick up germs and get sick. You can improve a child's immune system, however, and most of the methods to do so are effective for all ages. Certain foods, drinks, vitamins and supplements, along with daily healthy habits, work to improve the immune system.
Instructions
1. Make sure the 7 year old gets a full night of sleep. It will be easier for him or her to fight off infections at school and at home if he or she is well rested. People of all ages are three times more likely to catch a cold if they don't get adequate sleep. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, children ages 5 to 12 need 10 to 11 hours of sleep each night.
2. Make sure your 7 year old gets his or her full serving of fruits and vegetables per day. Colorful choices are best, such as mangos, oranges, cantaloupe and blueberries for fruits and carrots, avocado, tomatoes, asparagus, broccoli, pumpkin and squash for vegetables. If your child is a picky eater, disguise these healthy foods in creamy pasta sauces or stir-fry mixtures.
3. Get rid of as much sugar in the diet as possible. Sugar destroys the ability of white blood cells to kill bad bacteria. Replace candy and cookies with healthier snacks such as reduced-sugar pudding, yogurt and graham crackers with peanut butter.
4. Herbs that boost the immune system include echinacea, ginger, garlic and oregano and can be given in the form of pills, as tea or as spices in foods. These are especially important to take when your child starts to feel the signs of a cold or flu.
5. Vitamins are important in boosting the immune system, especially vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin B and zinc. If your child isn't receiving these vitamins through healthy eating, mix the pills up into a breakfast smoothie or make sure your child is drinking orange juice and getting plenty of sunshine.
6. Make sure the child is as active as possible. Get him or her involved in sports, dance or plain neighborhood fun with friends. Take him or her rollerblading or ice skating. Get involved with your child so that both of you can fight off infection more easily.
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