6 Tips to Keep Your Kids Healthy

For children, the start of the school year is filled with excitement and anticipation of new adventures, learning new things, and reuniting with friends not seen all summer. For parents, the start of the school year means children will be exposed to a lot of germs and viruses.

 

By Health First
4 min read
maintenir vos enfants en santé

For children, the beginning of the school year is filled with excitement and anticipation for new adventures, new learning experiences, and reconnecting with friends they haven't seen all summer. For parents, the beginning of the school year means children will be exposed to many germs and viruses.

Below are 6 easy-to-follow recommendations to help your children stay healthy throughout the year:

1) The Rainbow Diet – Daily Portions of Colorful Fruits and Vegetables

Make sure your children eat fresh fruits and vegetables. They contain antioxidants that the body needs to fight germs. Try to avoid mucus-forming foods such as dairy products, oats, white flour, and bananas. Reduce your intake of refined sugar as it can inhibit the immune system's effectiveness.
 

2) Bedtime Routine

Sleep is necessary to keep the immune system strong, and putting children to bed on time is good for you too! Young children need at least 10 hours of sleep per night.

3) Hand Hygiene

Tell your children not to put their hands on their face. In most cases, the flu virus enters the body through the eyes, nose, or mouth! Teach your children to wash their hands properly.
 
Tell them to count to 20 or sing "Frère Jacques" while washing their hands with soap and water.
 
Tell them to wash their hands:

  • Before and after eating
  • After being in a public place: the classroom at school, a friend's house
  • After using the restroom
  • After coughing and sneezing
  • After touching surfaces that may have been contaminated.


4) Let your children play outside whenever possible

Fresh air and exercise strengthen the lungs and muscles.
Exposure to soil bacteria helps maintain a healthy immune system.
Children sleep better after being active.
Sun exposure increases important vitamin D production.

5) Make sure they drink enough water

Drinking more water allows the immune system to function better and fight bacteria and viruses.

4 to 8 years: 1 liter (about 5 glasses)
9 to 12 years: 1.5 liters (about 7 glasses)
13 years and older: 2 liters (about 8 to 10 glasses)
 
Water-rich foods (especially fruits and vegetables) can help provide the body with the water it needs.


6) Offer additional support to your child's immune system

Use Echinaforce® Junior, a safe and effective cold and flu treatment and prevention remedy for children aged 2 and over.

  1. Although echinacea has been known and used for centuries to prevent colds and flu, a recent study presented in May 2018 at the University Hospital in Zurich demonstrated that Echinaforce® Junior tablets contain a fresh purple coneflower extract that can successfully prevent respiratory tract infections and related complications (including sinusitis, bronchitis, and pneumonia).

  2. This new research indicates that Echinaforce® Junior reduces symptoms, duration, and risk of complications by 64% and cuts the need for antibiotics by 73%!

  3. Previous research conducted in 2012, on the same type of echinacea, showed that it is safe to take for up to 4 months and, if taken preventively, can strengthen your child's immune system and help avoid colds and flu by over 50%. 

Not all echinaceas are the same

The difference between Echinaforce®, an extract of the aerial parts and roots of the purple coneflower, and other echinacea products lies in the research conducted on Echinaforce and the fact that it is prepared from whole fresh plants (never dried). As a result, the product offers toddlers more valuable active ingredients throughout the year. 

Echinaforce®'s active substances potentially modulate immune system activity, relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and offer several antiviral and antioxidant effects.

This year, when preparing your school supplies list, be sure to include Echinaforce® Junior – that way you'll send your child to school ready for the start of the year and ready to face germs.

Echinaforce® Junior

  • It has been clinically shown to help prevent and relieve symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections (common cold and flu) and reduce their duration.
  • It supports the immune system, especially during periods of stress and lack of sleep.
  • It is 100% natural and clinically proven.
  • It is prepared from fresh, organic, non-GMO plants.
  • It does not cause drowsiness.
  • It does not contain gluten, lactose, or added colorings.
  • It does not contain sugar and is not harmful to your teeth.
  • It has an excellent natural orange flavor! 

References: 

  1. Bächler A, Feldhaus S, Lang G, Klein P, Suter A, Schoop R. Dose-dependency of Echinacea in the treatment of acute common colds in children 4 – 12 years. Swiss Society of Pediatrics (SSP, Poster), 24th May, Lausanne, Switzerland.
  2. Ogal M, Klein P, Schoop R. Echinacea for the Prevention of Respiratory Tract Infections in Children 4 - 12 years: A Randomized, Blind and Controlled Study. Swiss Society of Pediatrics (SSP, Poster), 24th May, Lausanne, Switzerland.
  3. Safety and Efficacy Profile of Echinaforce® for long-term prevention of colds and flu Jawad M1), Klein P2), Eccles R1) Common Cold Centre and Healthcare, Cardiff University, United Kingdom