British schools including my own children’s school are organising a nasal spray flu vaccination this and next week. Many people may have already heard about the low 3% according to a study efficacy rate of this vaccine, and also read Tom Jefferson, the lead author of Cochrane Review on Vaccines for Preventing Influenza in Healthy Children, recommending recently not to give children the flu spray because “the trials show a reporting bias” and that “influenza vaccines are about marketing and not science”. It is difficult to make an informed decision as the school systems and the NHS are still officially supporting the vaccine and, as the result, many children are signed up to receive it this month. But many parents who have decided not to take up the vaccine are somewhat unsure about the health of their children when in physical proximity to their freshly vaccinated classmates. Although the nasal flu spray contains weakened viruses, it is still possible for these viruses to be shedding for up to 11 days, with day 2 and 3 being reported as the time when the shedding may be at its most contagious.
My three children will all be in school next week – and our school is offering the vaccine on a Monday which means that all the children in school will be exposed to any potential shedding from the vaccine that whole week.
There is so much we can do to support our and our children’s immunity so that we are all healthy and thriving even if we are surrounded by people hosting and possibly shedding live flu viruses. The recommendations below can also be used for the children who will receive the flu vaccine, as it will help them deal with it better without developing any unwanted symptoms such as fever or runny nose.
Here are my 10 recommendation to keep your little ones healthy:
- eliminate SUGAR
Sugar is not only responsible for dental cavities – research shows that when children consume as little as 35g of sugar, their entire immune response goes down and the body is not able to fight of pathogens. As a point of reference, a can of Coke contains 35g of sugar, and a chocolate bar such as the Mars bar has 30g. While most parents know that Coke is not a real drink and Mars bars are not “food”, most refined and pre-packaged food products contain an extraordinary amount of sugar, even the ones that are marketed as “healthy” so it’s a good idea to always check the ingredients. Xylitol is a good option if you need to use a sweetener, or you could use several Medjool dates for making nutritious treats such as smoothies.
- increase FRUIT
Many people ask me if eating fruit is healthy seeing all the concerns also around fructose, the sugar it contains. Eating whole fruit is actually beneficial as fruit contains also fibre, anti-oxidants, and vitamins. Juicing the same fruit would not have the same positive effects on the body. There is also interesting research which suggests that adding a handful of berries to even sugary drinks can make these drinks a bit less harmful to our blood sugar levels. Because it’s October, best berries are now available frozen.
So do continue offering whole fruit especially apples, kiwis and berries which are now known to increase the levels of natural killer cells in the body, the cells of our immune system whose role it is to attack a previously unknown invader. The more they are vibrant in colour means an even higher power of their anti-oxidant properties – this is why you hear nutritionists recommending eating a “rainbow” – and they would be packed with Vitamin C.
- drink GOLDEN MILK
Drink healing and comforting Golden Milk in the evenings. It’s a delicious drink that your children will love and see as their special evening treat. Turmeric has been used for centuries in both Ayurvedic and Chinese Medicine, with curcumin – one of the bioactive compounds of turmeric -becoming increasingly researched established in modern Western medicine for its anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and immune-modulating properties. Turmeric becomes truly medicinal when combined with other ingredients of the Golden Milk – pepper and coconut oil. If you are short of time to make this, I recommend a ready-made powder such as “Turmeric Latte” by Sonnentor which can be mixed with almond or coconut milk.
- Add GARLIC
Garlic is anti-bacterial, anti-viral and some say anti-social as well though adding some freshly chopped parsley leaves can mitigate this and remembering that if you can smell garlic in your child’s mouth it is actually a good sign as it means that the therapeutic properties of garlic have circulated through the body and helped to clear the lungs from any potentially inhaled pathogens!
- MUSHROOMS
Mushrooms of all kind, even button mushrooms and especially shiitake, are great at helping fight infections and elevating antibody production. Half a cup a day will offer huge benefits – for delicious dish that your children will love try baked garlic mushrooms, add them as one of the ingredients in curries, or create a “pate” made from raw shiitake mushroom minced with raw chopped garlic. If your children do not like mushrooms, a “mushroom bolognese”, is delicious and very popular with even the most anti-mushroom diners.
- FERMENT
Feed the microbiome – 80% of immunity is in the gut, the home of trillions of bacteria which play a crucial role in the operation of immune system. These bacteria also help to digest and absorb the foods you eat, and control your weight and mood. It is important to eat prebiotic foods – the foods which friendly bacteria eat, and also probiotic foods – the foods which are full of friendly bacteria. Prebiotics are raw natural foods, and the best probiotic foods are fermented foods such as sauerkraut, kefir, miso, pickles, and kimchi if your children enjoy a bit of spice in their food. I do not generally recommend commercially available probiotic shots as these are full of sugar which is known to imbalance the very bacteria it is trying to feed you.
- Increase foods rich in VITAMIN C
Feed your children spinach, broccoli, and kiwi fruit as these contain more Vitamin C than oranges and can be made into a tasty smoothie especially if mixed together with frozen berries. Additionally, broccoli seems to contain and special phytonutrient which has the capacity to awaken our immunity when we eat it.
- SUPPLEMENT
I would also recommend supplementing with:
Vitamin C – enhances resistance against pathogens – small children can be safely given 250mg of vitamin C two times per day, and older children can have this dose doubled. I would increase this to four times per day at a sign of any infection.
Vitamin D3 taken in conjunction with K2– a light switch for the immune system – from 1,000 IU per day for smaller children to 2,000 IU for older children per day in winter months.
- CREATE
Every morning and before going to bed sit with your child, take several deep breaths together and centre yourself. Say 3 times “I am grateful for my healthy body. All is well.” Feel yourself filling up with the power of these words. This will literally open the door to feeling happy, fulfilled, healthy, and attracting the best in your and your children’s days. One affirmation can change an entire life.
- use ESSENTIAL OILS
I am a big fan of essential oils and have been using them as part of my treatment plans with clients, and also at home. Essential oils are so much more than their scents. It is important however to use only the oils which have the highest vibrational frequencies and are well researched for therapeutic properties. DoTerra have several wonderful oils that can be applied directly on the skin – with a drop placed on either soles of the feet, the wrists, or behind the ears. Always use a carrier oil such as almond or coconut oil and never add essential oils to your children’s food or drinks. Oils can also be diffused directly into the children’s bedrooms and even classrooms though please check first if anyone present has a respiratory condition as that may get aggravated.
The best oils for supporting immune health are Frankincense, Lemon, Oregano, Tea Tree, and the On Guard blend. 
If you can only get 1 of these oils, my favourite of the 5 is Frankincense – it is considered to be a sacred oil which has been used for thousands of years, including by the biblical Magi. Frankincense is a very versatile medicinal oil which boosts immunity and fights infections by increasing the number of our white blood cells, and is being seriously researched for its properties to eliminate cancer cells.
For anyone looking for a more detailed plan on boosting your child’s immunity, please contact me through my website.
References and reading
Axe J. (2017) Frankincense Oil: A Natural Treatment for Cancer? https://draxe.com/frankincense-oil-cancer/
BBC (Sept 2017) Flu vaccine: is it more effective if you’re in good mood? Available at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-41400513
DeNon, D.(2008) Kids may need 10 times more vitamin D. Available at: https://www.webmd.com/children/news/20080528/kids-may-need-10-times-more-vitamin-d#1
Dillner, L. (2014) Is the government wrong about giving children the nasal spray flu vaccine. Available at https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/oct/05/government-wrong-nasal-spray-vaccine
FDA (2017) Transmission Study: http://www.fda.gov/downloads/BiologicsBloodVaccines/Vaccines/ApprovedProducts/UCM294307.pdf
FluMist Quadrivalent Package Insert, pdf p. 15. http://www.fda.gov/downloads/BiologicsBloodVaccines/Vaccines/ApprovedProducts/UCM294307.pdf
Gorton HC, Jarvis K. (1999) The effectiveness of vitamin C in preventing and relieving the symptoms of virus-inducedrespiratory infections. J Manipulative Physiol Ther 1999 Oct 22(8): 530-3. Available at:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?orig_db=PubMed&term=The+effectiveness+of+vitamin+C+in+preventing+and+relieving+the+symptoms+of+virus-induced+respiratory+infection&cmd=search&cmd_current=
Krumbeck, E. (2014). When to NOT Use essential oils. Available at: http://naturopathicpediatrics.com/2014/09/08/essential-oil-safety-danger-essential-oils-seizures-children/
Myers, A. (2016) What You Need to Know About Vitamin D and Its Impact on Your Immune System. Available at: https://www.amymyersmd.com/2016/06/vitamin-d/
Wu, S. (2010) Protective essential oil attenuates influenza virus infection: an in vitro study. In BMC Complement Altern Med 2010 Nov 15;10:69. Available at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21078173
