Boost Your Baby’s Immune System

Your child is exposed to disease-causing germs every day. But it does not necessarily mean that your child will automatically get sick due to exposure to the elements and germs. Our bodies have this complex immune system that serves as a natural defense mechanism against viruses, bacteria, and fungi that can cause infection and diseases.

However, the immune system of infants is not yet fully developed and may not have the full complement of immune responses. Breast milk remains the best source of nutrition for the optimal growth and development of infants especially during the first year of life. It naturally contains a lot of nutrients and immunological benefits that help infants to develop a strong immune system, protect them from infections and diseases, and boost their immune responses in the presence of an infection or disease.

Among the micro-nutrients, the following nutrients are scientifically recognized to have a significant and important influence on the immune responses:

1. nucleotides
2. the anti-oxidants
a. beta-carotene
b. vitamin A
c. vitamin C
d. vitamin E
7. minerals
a. Selenium
b. Zinc

Nucleotides help increase the production of lymphocytes, which are activated in response to the invasion of foreign substances in the body thus boosting the body’s defense. They also optimize the metabolic function of immune cells, with the effect of further increasing immune responses.

Anti-oxidants and minerals control the potentially harmful activities of highly reactive molecules called free radicals. Free radicals are linked to damage to cell membranes, enzymes and DNA. Anti-oxidants are also responsible for promoting production of immune cells, stimulating their responses and speeding up their reactions. All of which result in increased resistance against diseases and infections.

A diet sufficient with immunonutrients will protect infants by warding off diseases and infections. During episodes of infection, these immunonutrients can significantly improve immune responses resulting into faster recoveries.

Over all, immunonutrients may help to create, increase and sustain periods of unrestricted growth and development in infants. Therefore optimal nutrition, particularly one that provides an adequate supply of immunonutrients, is essential in developing, maintaining and boosting an infant’s immune system.

Breast milk contains the immunonutrients babies need. In the event that breastfeeding is not possible, a scientifically formulate milk supplement with Nucleotides and antioxidants beta-carotene, vitamins a, c and e, and the minerals selenium and zinc, is a good substitute.

Parents can ensure that their babies are given the best level of protection against illnesses, to enable them to grow into young champions by reaching their maximum growth and development potential early in life. Proper nutrition and immunonutrients play a vital role in the shield of protection.