Instead of waiting until someone in the family gets sick to start thinking about immune health, the weeks leading up to the school year are a great time to be proactive.
At Diverse Health Services, August is Immune Support Month, making it the perfect opportunity to focus on nutrition, healthy routines, targeted supplementation, and understanding what your body may need to maintain a healthy immune response.
A Strong Immune System Starts with Everyday Habits
There is no single trick for keeping your immune system healthy. Instead, immune function is influenced by many of the choices we make every day.
Getting enough sleep, eating a nutrient-rich diet, staying hydrated, managing stress, and remaining physically active all contribute to overall health. These habits become especially important as families transition from the more relaxed days of summer into busy school schedules.
Nutrition deserves particular attention. The immune system depends on an adequate supply of essential nutrients to function properly. When nutrition is lacking, a healthy immune response can be compromised. This is one reason establishing good nutritional habits before school begins can be beneficial for both children and adults.
Don't Overlook Vitamin D
Vitamin D is an important nutrient to consider when thinking about immune support.
Summer may provide more opportunities to spend time outdoors, but that does not necessarily mean everyone maintains adequate Vitamin D levels. Individual needs and Vitamin D status can vary considerably.
One of the supplements recommended by Diverse Health Services during Immune Support Month is Bio-D-Mulsion Forte, which provides Vitamin D3 in a micro-emulsified liquid form designed for absorption and utilization.
Rather than assuming how much Vitamin D you or your child needs, personalized guidance can help determine the most appropriate approach.
Supporting School-Aged Children's Immune Health
Children encounter plenty of new exposures when they return to school, so supporting their immune systems before the first day can help establish a strong wellness routine for the months ahead.
For school-aged children, DHS incorporates SP Children's Immune as one option for nutritional immune support. This chewable supplement provides nutrients such as Vitamin D, zinc, and antioxidant Vitamin C. It also contains whole food-based ingredients, bovine colostrum, and prebiotic 2'-FL.
Another option used for older children is Congaplex Chewable, which is designed to support a healthy targeted immune response and provide nutritional support for the thymus gland.
DHS has different immune support protocols for adults, older children, and younger children, allowing recommendations to be better matched to age and individual needs rather than treating the entire family the same way.
Immune Support Isn't Just for the Kids
Parents, teachers, and other adults experience many of the same increased exposures once school is back in session. Supporting the family's immune health therefore should not stop with the kids.
For adults, DHS recommends Immune Support Packs as part of its August immune support protocol. Each daily packet combines nutrients from nine Biotics Research products along with ingredients such as elderberry, green tea extract, astragalus, quercetin, and citrus bioflavonoids to provide immune and antioxidant support.
Pairing targeted nutritional support with good sleep, hydration, regular movement, and a balanced diet can help create a more complete approach to staying well as schedules become busier.
Extra Support for Younger Children
Younger children have different nutritional needs, which is why DHS has a separate protocol for children ages five and under.
One of the products incorporated into this approach is Buffered C Powder, a form of Vitamin C designed with a neutral pH to make it gentler for sensitive individuals. Vitamin C acts as an antioxidant and plays several roles related to healthy immune function, including supporting white blood cell function.
Complete Kare Spray is another product included in DHS's younger children's protocol and contains a combination of zinc, iodine, Vitamins A and D3, boron, and colloidal silver.
Because supplement needs and appropriate amounts can vary by age and individual health needs, parents should work with their healthcare provider rather than starting a new supplement routine based solely on general recommendations.
When Does Viral Testing Make Sense?
For some people, preparing for the school year may involve looking beyond everyday immune support.
Diverse Health Services offers a Viral Panel for patients concerned about their viral history or immune system. The panel evaluates antibodies associated with several common viruses, including HSV-1 and HSV-2, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), HHV-6, cytomegalovirus (CMV), and parvovirus B19.
Testing can provide additional information that may help DHS better understand a patient's history and determine whether more individualized support should be considered.
Learn More About Viruses and Immune Health
Understanding how the immune system responds to viruses can also help families make more informed decisions about their wellness.
As part of Immune Support Month, Diverse Health Services recommends watching Doctor's Seminar Part 2: “Viruses” by Dr. Tent for patients who want to learn more about the subject. The lecture is available through the DHS educational resources on YouTube.
Start Supporting Your Family Before the First Bell Rings
Back-to-school immune preparation does not need to be complicated. The goal is to give the body a strong foundation before schedules become hectic and exposure to seasonal illnesses increases.
Prioritizing sleep, nutrition, hydration, physical activity, and appropriate nutritional support now can help establish healthier routines for the months ahead.
At Diverse Health Services, we offer immune support options for adults and children as well as Viral Panel testing for patients who want to better understand their health. If you're preparing your family for another school year, talk with the DHS team about an individualized approach to immune support that fits your family's needs.
