Experts Say: Flu Season is Now Year-Round — How to keep your kids healthy during the school season
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“Children occasionally picking up an illness at school is nothing new, but a new survey has found that this trend may be reaching a concerning level in 2022. A new poll finds that nearly half of parents say their children have already been sick this school year (1).
The survey of more than 1,000 parents with kids under 17, conducted by MyVision.org, reveals that 70 percent of moms and dads still fear their children will catch COVID-19. Nearly two in three (63%) worry about the flu and 46 percent are concerned that their kids will have to stay home with a cold (1).
Overall, the poll finds 48 percent of children have already been sick during the 2022-2023 school year. Three in four caught a common cold virus, but 22 percent actually contracted COVID, and another 10 percent had stomach flu (1).”
Thankfully even with these disheartening statistics, there are 4 key ingredients that are scientifically researched that promote overall immune health.
1. Vitamin C
“One of the main reasons people take vitamin C supplements is to boost their immunity, as vitamin C is involved in many parts of the immune system (11).
First, vitamin C helps encourage the production of white blood cells known as lymphocytes and phagocytes, which help protect the body against infection (2, 11).
Second, vitamin C helps these white blood cells function more effectively while protecting them from damage by potentially harmful molecules, such as free radicals (11).”
2. Zinc
“Zinc helps keep your immune system strong (12).
Because it is necessary for immune cell function and cell signaling, a deficiency can lead to a weakened immune response (4 12).
Zinc supplements stimulate particular immune cells and reduce oxidative stress.
For example, a review of seven studies demonstrated that 80–92 milligrams (mg) per day of zinc may reduce the length of the common cold by up to 33% (4, 12).”
3. Quercetin
“Research shows that high levels of free radicals may help activate genes that promote inflammation. Thus, high levels of free radicals may lead to an increased inflammatory response (5, 13).
While a little inflammation is necessary to help your body heal and fight infections, persistent inflammation is linked to health problems, including certain cancers, as well as heart and kidney diseases (6, 13).
Studies show that quercetin may help reduce inflammation.
An 8-week study in 50 women with rheumatoid arthritis observed that participants who took 500 mg of quercetin experienced significantly reduced early morning stiffness, morning pain, and after-activity pain (7, 13).
They also had reduced markers of inflammation, such as TNFα, compared to those who received a placebo (7, 13).”
4. Vitamin D
“Vitamin D may make severe flu and COVID-19 infections less likely. A recent review found that low vitamin D levels contribute to acute respiratory distress syndrome (8, 9, 14).
People who do not have adequate vitamin D levels might be at increased risk of infections and autoimmune diseases (10, 14).”
References
(1) Melore, C. (2022, October 27). Classroom epidemic? 48% of children have already been sick this school year. Study Finds. Retrieved March 1, 2023, from https://studyfinds.org/children-sick-this-school-year/
(2) Huijskens MJ, Walczak M, Koller N, Briedé JJ, Senden-Gijsbers BL, Schnijderberg MC, Bos GM, Germeraad WT. Technical advance: ascorbic acid induces development of double-positive T cells from human hematopoietic stem cells in the absence of stromal cells. J Leukoc Biol. 2014 Dec;96(6):1165-75. doi: 10.1189/jlb.1TA0214-121RR. Epub 2014 Aug 25. PMID: 25157026.
(3) Maxfield L, Shukla S, Crane JS. Zinc Deficiency. [Updated 2022 Nov 21]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK493231/
(4) Hemilä H. Zinc lozenges and the common cold: a meta-analysis comparing zinc acetate and zinc gluconate, and the role of zinc dosage. JRSM Open. 2017 May 2;8(5):2054270417694291. doi: 10.1177/2054270417694291. PMID: 28515951; PMCID: PMC5418896.
(5) Boots AW, Haenen GR, Bast A. Health effects of quercetin: from antioxidant to nutraceutical. Eur J Pharmacol. 2008 May 13;585(2-3):325-37. doi: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2008.03.008. Epub 2008 Mar 18. PMID: 18417116.
(6) Hunter P. The inflammation theory of disease. The growing realization that chronic inflammation is crucial in many diseases opens new avenues for treatment. EMBO Rep. 2012 Nov 6;13(11):968-70. doi: 10.1038/embor.2012.142. Epub 2012 Oct 9. PMID: 23044824; PMCID: PMC3492709.
(7) Javadi F, Ahmadzadeh A, Eghtesadi S, Aryaeian N, Zabihiyeganeh M, Rahimi Foroushani A, Jazayeri S. The Effect of Quercetin on Inflammatory Factors and Clinical Symptoms in Women with Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Double-Blind, Randomized Controlled Trial. J Am Coll Nutr. 2017 Jan;36(1):9-15. doi: 10.1080/07315724.2016.1140093. Epub 2016 Oct 6. PMID: 27710596.
(8) Grant WB, Lahore H, McDonnell SL, Baggerly CA, French CB, Aliano JL, Bhattoa HP. Evidence that Vitamin D Supplementation Could Reduce Risk of Influenza and COVID-19 Infections and Deaths. Nutrients. 2020 Apr 2;12(4):988. doi: 10.3390/nu12040988. PMID: 32252338; PMCID: PMC7231123.
(9) https://nutritionj.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12937-021-00744-y
(10) Martens PJ, Gysemans C, Verstuyf A, Mathieu AC. Vitamin D’s Effect on Immune Function. Nutrients. 2020 Apr 28;12(5):1248. doi: 10.3390/nu12051248. PMID: 32353972; PMCID: PMC7281985.
(11) Raman, Ryan. “7 Impressive Benefits of Vitamin C Supplements.” Healthline, Healthline Media, 19 Feb. 2020, https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/vitamin-c-benefits.
(12) Kubala, Jillian. “Zinc: Benefits, Deficiency, Food Sources and Side Effects.” Healthline, Healthline Media, 28 Nov. 2022, https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/zinc.
(13) Raman, Ryan. “What Is Quercetin? Benefits, Foods, Dosage, and Side Effects.” Healthline, Healthline Media, 9 Feb. 2023, https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/quercetin.
(14) Devje, Shahzadi. “Vitamin D: Benefits, Sources, Deficiencies.” Healthline, Healthline Media, 6 Feb. 2023, https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/benefits-vitamin-d.
