How to Build up a Child’s Immune System
The immune system is a very complicated mechanism which we have so that our organism can protect us from various ‘violators’. Children are born with one element of immunity but need to build up the next one.
Protecting a child against the dangers of the surrounding world is a task which the majority of parents take on automatically and responsibly. However just as there are parents who neglect their child in various ways, there are also those who over-protect them, thus harming them in the long run. This also concerns the child’s immune system and health.
“The main task of this complicated system which we call immunity, is to preserve the balance of the organism’s internal environment and protect it against external harmful elements, that is micro-organisms, and against internal influences, that is tumours and dead cells” explains paediatrician Dr. Zora Szitášová. “The child’s immune system develops during pregnancy, gradually forming individual elements of so-called non-specific and specific immunity, which continue to develop after birth. Because of the lack of maturity of their immune system, small children are more susceptible to infections.“
Put simply, it is common for small children to be ill and suffer, for example, from infections of the respiratory tract, diarrhoea, urinary infections or skin infections. Recently, allergies with a wide range of clinical symptoms have come to the fore. “It is always important to assess with great precision whether the infection is the result of an immature immunity, or its temporary weakening, or whether it is an immune deficiency. This is diagnosed by a paediatrician and then by an immunologist,”It is always important to assess with great precision whether the infection is the result of an immature immunity, or its temporary weakening, or whether it is an immune deficiency. This is diagnosed by a paediatrician and then by an immunologist,” says Dr. Z. Szitášová.
Help from Supplements
After the first six months, when young babies are protected by the valuable substances contained in their mother’s milk, come the first colds, coughs, blocked noses and other medical complications related to immunity. But this isn’t an immediate reason to take medicine and various strengthening substances. “During the period from six to twelve months, it is better to refrain from giving extra support to the immune system, but in unavoidable cases, it is possible to support it carefully with chosen products. Of course, after consulting with your doctor“ says Adrián Doboly from the biotechnology company Natures, which also works on research into the impact of polysaccharides on the health and immunity.
From Fungus to a Body
The polysaccharide from oyster mushrooms, called Beta Glucan, appears to be of great benefit in fighting illness and supporting immunity. “In our company, we swear by it, because it has been shown on many occasions that it works not only as prevention, but also helps quickly get over a nascent illness“ explains A. Doboly. “High purity Beta Glucan is non-toxic, does not cause addiction or allergic reactions, overdoses are impossible. In many cases it has been proven that it works with other medicines, it helps improve their effect and reduces undesirable side effects. Beta Glucan can also be administered during the use of antibiotics, which often also act against the beneficial micro-organisms in the body. Intestinal bacteria are most frequently affected, which can lead to diarrhoea and other weakening of immunity. In this case, Beta Glucan can work by supporting the immune system to better eliminate micro-organisms causing diseases as well as supporting so-called good bacteria (lactobacilli). The supporting impact of Beta Glucan on these probiotic bacteria has been scientifically proven in our research, too.“
As far as the effect of Beta Glucan in children is concerned, general experience shows that the child’s organism reacts very well and fast to it. There are several observational studies which prove that in children taking a beta glucan supplement, the number of infections of the upper respiratory tract fell during the studied period. More detailed studies which might measure various parameters from the blood are in the case of children impossible on ethical grounds.