Tips to Keep Your Family Healthy
This Holiday Season!
With the holidays on the way, that means
there’s plenty to do. Out and about with holiday gatherings, school parties, and shopping
excursions can expose us to more germs than
usual. And for most parents, there’s no time to
be sick — or worse — have a sick child.
There are several ways you can boost your immunity, and make it less likely that you will
catch any type of flu this season. And it should
be no surprise… the good, old common sense
stuff your grandmother told you, like washing your hands and not touching your nose
or mouth, really are the most effective ways to
avoid a catching a cold. “Some of the building
blocks for a strong immune system are good
food, good sleep and good physical activity,”
says Dr. Zak Zarbock, pediatrician and founder
of Zarbee’s.
“I recommend that my patients and their families protect their immune systems. Studies link
deficiencies in zinc and vitamins A, C, D, and E
to reduced immune function. This is why I suggest that children and their families make sure
they are getting immune-supporting vitamins,
minerals and nutrients they need with a quality
supplement.”
If your child does get sick this winter, these
natural solutions can help shorten the duration
of the illness and get him back to normal faster:
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Nutrition – Make sure your child is eating
a balanced diet of whole foods that are high in
vitamins like A, C, D, E, elderberry, and zinc.
Avoid grains, sugars, and other high-starch
foods to keep the immune system running at
peak levels. According to Dr. Zak, probiotics
have also been shown to reduce the incidence
of respiratory illnesses.
Hygiene – Teach your child proper hand-
washing and explain the importance of keeping
hands away from their eyes, nose and mouth...
the gateway for infection. When soap and water
aren’t available use a natural, plant-based hand
sanitizer.
Sleep - The body needs adequate rest to re-
new itself. Don’t wait until your child (or you)
gets sick to rest. Teach your child that when she
takes care of her body, it will take care of her. If
congestion or illness make it hard to sleep, keep
her as comfortable as possible during the night
and encourage naps during the day.
To help protect your little one’s sleep environment from accidents and extra germs use an
easily washable, organic mattress protector. We
recommend the Naturepedic Organic Cotton
Waterproof Protector Pad (seen right), which
features two layers of organic cotton flannel
with an ultra-thin waterproof membrane in
the center for an absorptive and comfortable