A few weeks ago, one of the moms in our virtual community shared some fantastic news during our check-in. Her update was all smiles and virtual high-fives. Her little trooper hadn't missed a single day of school due to illness this year! The only absences were for a much-needed family vacation, which, let’s be honest, is the best reason to miss school.
Now, with the new school year just around the corner, I’m sure many of you are gearing up for the usual: books, homework, and—cue the dramatic music—runny noses and sick days.
As much as I’d love to tell you I’ve found a magic solution for making math homework fun or getting your kids to actually read that novel instead of just watching the movie (sorry, I can’t work miracles!). What I can do is help you give their immune system the boost it needs.
Because let’s be honest, the only thing worse than dealing with school projects is doing it while your kid is sneezing all over your favorite sweater.
Here’s the good news: a healthy, school-year-ready immune system is totally possible, and the right foundation of supplements is key. But, and this is a big but, it takes time—something I explained in detail in my article, What Nobody Tells You About Boosting Your Child’s Immune System.
That’s why now—yes, right now—is the perfect time to start!
Think of it as the back-to-school prep you actually want to do, because it means fewer sick days and more peace of mind for you.
So, without further ado, here are my top back-to-school supplement recommendations. And trust me, you don’t want to procrastinate on this one—whether it’s homework or your child’s health, getting a head start is always the way to go.
Let’s dive into the specifics and start laying the groundwork for a healthy, happy school year ahead!
My Top Back to School Supplement Recommendations
1. Probiotics: The Gut’s Superheroes
Did you know that 70% to 90% of the immune system resides in the gut? Yep, your child’s gut is like the headquarters of their immune function, and the gut microbiome is the key player.
Enter probiotics—the “good” bugs that keep everything running smoothly. These little guys help maintain a healthy immune response, support brain function (hello, better mood and focus!), aid in detoxification, and even produce antimicrobial and anticancer compounds. They’re basically the superheroes of the gut.
Probiotics are naturally found in fermented foods, which pack a bigger probiotic “punch” than any supplement you can find. In fact, one of my all-time favorite fermented foods—kimchi was found to kill the H1N1 influenza virus.That’s some serious power!
Now, if your kids aren’t exactly fans of fermented foods yet (and “yet” is the key word here), don’t give up. Keep trying because every forkful of sauerkraut or sip of kefir counts!
But let’s be real—getting kids to love fermented foods can be a challenge. If your child’s taste buds aren’t quite on board yet, a probiotic supplement is a must to keep their gut and immune system healthy.
One study found that children who took a specific combination of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium daily throughout the cold and flu season experienced a dramatic reduction in fever and upper respiratory symptoms.
If you’re not sure which probiotic supplement is best for your child, don’t worry—I’ve got you covered. Be sure to download my FREE Probiotics for KIDs Guide to get all the details.
2. Vitamin D3: The Sunshine Vitamin You Can’t Skip
Let’s talk about Vitamin D3, also known as the “Sunshine Vitamin.” There’s a lot of speculation that the reason we see so many more colds and flu cases in the winter is because of widespread Vitamin D deficiency. And guess what? The research backs it up.
Studies have shown that people who maintain adequate levels of Vitamin D3 during the cold and flu season have significantly lower rates of infection. One reason is that Vitamin D3 boosts the body’s production of cathelicidin, an antimicrobial compound that helps fight off viral and bacterial infections.
Vitamin D isn’t just good for fending off colds and flu. It’s a powerhouse for your child’s overall health. But that’s a topic for another article. 🙂
Now, can the sun really give us enough Vitamin D? In theory, yes. Ultraviolet-B (UVB) radiation from the sun is the main non-dietary source of Vitamin D. But there are a few hurdles.
If you live far from the equator, have darker skin, or deal with pollution, your body might not get enough UVB exposure to produce adequate Vitamin D. And let’s not forget that while we all love a good sunny day, too much sun can compromise skin health.
The current recommendation of 10-20 minutes of sun exposure daily during the summer isn’t usually enough to boost Vitamin D to optimal levels.
So, what’s the solution? Vitamin D supplements.
I’m pretty religious about giving my kid Vitamin D3, and here’s why: When supplementing, always opt for Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol), the form your skin makes when exposed to sunlight, as it’s more effective than Vitamin D2 at raising Vitamin D levels in the body.
The Vitamin D Council recommends a maintenance dosage of 1000IU of Vitamin D3 per 25 pounds of body weight.
If possible, get your child’s Vitamin D levels checked with a simple blood test and adjust the dosage as needed to reach optimal levels. But even without testing, sticking to the recommended dosages is a safe bet for maintaining healthy levels without risking toxicity.
Remember, Vitamin D toxicity is extremely rare, even at higher doses. The benefits of this powerhouse vitamin are well worth the effort to keep your child’s immune system strong and healthy.
3. Zinc: The Immune System’s Secret Weapon
Zinc might not get as much attention as some other vitamins and minerals, but when it comes to supporting your child’s immune system, it’s an absolute powerhouse.
Zinc is crucial for the normal functioning of white blood cells, which are your body’s front-line defense against infections. Just 15mg of zinc per day in adults has been shown to enhance immune cell function, helping them ward off infections more effectively.
Zinc deficiency is surprisingly common, and it’s known to increase susceptibility to a wide range of infections.
But here’s the exciting part: zinc doesn’t just support overall immunity; it can also inhibit the replication of several viruses, including the common cold virus (rhinovirus), the flu virus (influenza), and even more serious viruses like SARS-CoV and its close cousin, SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19.
Zinc-ionophores, compounds that increase zinc uptake into cells, have been found to prevent these viruses from multiplying and causing serious illness.
Given how common zinc deficiency is in both children and adults, ensuring your child’s zinc levels are optimal is a key part of any immune support plan.
My personal favorite way to boost zinc levels through food? Pumpkin seeds! They’re a delicious and kid-friendly source of this vital mineral.
Whether through food or supplements, getting enough zinc is essential for keeping your child’s immune system strong and ready to take on whatever comes its way.
Don’t Wait—Start Boosting Your Child’s Immune System Now!
I cannot stress this enough—please don’t procrastinate (whether it’s on homework or your child’s immune system!). 🤣
The new school year is just around the corner, and with it comes the inevitable exposure to all those germs in crowded classrooms.
But here’s the good news: you can give your child’s immune system the support it needs to stay strong and healthy.
The key is to start NOW. Giving the body time to build up its defenses before the school year kicks into high gear is crucial. I recommend starting these supplements one at a time, spacing them out by 5-7 days before introducing the next one.
This approach allows you to monitor how your child responds to each supplement, so if there’s any kind of reaction, you’ll know exactly which supplement is the cause—whether it’s a positive response or something that needs adjusting.
So, go ahead and get started. Your future self—and your child’s immune system—will thank you!
Much Love and Healing,
xx Bettina
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