My 8 year old son seems healthy. He eats amazing food, would rather be outside than in, and knows his body well....(sleeps 8-12 hours a night, stretches to keep his muscles healthy, knows why he needs to drink lots of water and always wears his sunblock) He's great! However, he gets sick alot! Colds, sore throat, fevers, coughs that seem to go on forever. I need to find ways that I can boost his immune system. He has daily vitamins, emergen-c, and he'll even drink Noni juice and wheatgrass whenever I give it to him. Does anyone have any suggestions, what am I missing in his diet that can keep these colds and flues away?
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Los Angeles
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Re: Boosting a child's Immune System
Tue, July 1, 2008 - 6:07 AMMy first response is to wonder whether he is sensitive to something he is eating.
I know so many people who have suffered with various unpleasant symptoms for decades, only to discover a food intolerance in adulthood.
My little brother frequently complained of stomach aches in the morning right as he was supposed to be leaving for school, so we thought he didn't like school. He realized around age 20 that he feels terrible whenever he eats OATS! One of the most benign foods around, or so we thought. Poor guy ate either oatmeal or Cheerios for breakfast every morning for years.
I have several friends with Celiac, and they say that a whole family can have this problem, but symptoms can be completely different for each person. The range of possible symptoms is staggering- it's amazing when someone can sort them out and find the problem.
My second thought:
He always wears sunblock? Is he getting enough Vitamin D? I've been reading more about how D from sunlight is the best, so unfiltered sunlight is important -in small doses.
Third:
How's his stress level? Does he get the level of social stimulation that is right for him?
What is his school situation like?
Could these sicknesses be his way of expressing a need for more snuggling than he thinks is manly to ask for directly?
It's a tough question, not knowing him personally, but that's my brainstorm. Best wishes :) -
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Re: Boosting a child's Immune System
Tue, July 1, 2008 - 7:00 AMI will have him checked for food allergies that is a good idea! The sicknesses he usually contracts are cold-like...all are real with very clear symptoms, and the need for extra snuggling, he's a love bug so he always get those. The Vitamin D is not a problem, we live in Cal where there is too much sunshine, if anything we overdose on it....... Thank you so much for all the suggestions. -
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Re: Boosting a child's Immune System
Thu, July 3, 2008 - 10:04 AMMy daughter is EXACTLY the same way and will be 8 next week. If theres a cold going around, its almost guaranteed that she will get it. She gets sick for everyone in the family I think. Her little sisters immune system is amazing though. SHe NEVER gets sick. They both eat the same, if anything my older one eats better. I'll be following this thread closely, can't wait to see more suggestions!
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Re: Boosting a child's Immune System
Sat, July 5, 2008 - 8:06 PMI have followed the Eat Right For Your Blood Type diet for 5 years. I have never been healthier. My daughter has been following it also and has an amazing immune system. Chiropractic, Catalyst, Acupuncture and other bodyworks have played important roles along the way. Of course she has never had vaccines nor anti-biotics and is still nursing. We'll see when she starts school in Aug. how it all plays out.
For me personally, I wish my family had had my blood work tested for food allergies. Once I did it as an adult so much shifted immune-wise.
I wish you all the best. Having a very compromised immune system as a child must have really taxed my family also.
