With the seasonal transition and the opening of schools, the dangerous period for children began; especially in terms of upper and lower respiratory tract infections and flu.
Fever, sore throat, cough, runny nose and earache problems are frequently observed in children in the autumn season. The way to protect children from diseases during this period is to strengthen their immune systems. Stating that the most important step to take for this is to feed them balanced and regular, Acıbadem Ataşehir Surgical Medical Center Child Health and Diseases Specialist Dr. Hakkı Kemal Erdinç explained his warnings and suggestions about foods that increase children's immunity in these critical months.
The temperature change during seasonal transitions paves the way for the emergence of some bacteria and viruses. Dr. stated that there is an increase in upper and lower respiratory tract infections in particular, and that children infected with these infections consult a doctor with complaints such as fever, sore throat, earache, cough and runny nose. Erdinç says, "Communal living spaces that emerge with the opening of schools cause microbial factors to multiply and spread faster through contact."
These diseases are more common in children who will start school for the first time. Because the child's immune system is introduced to infections that it has not known before and in fact, a natural immune system is formed in this way. Dr. Erdinç said, "Just as we, as physicians, aim to ensure that the child's immune system encounters some infectious agents and strengthens it by creating an immune response, thanks to vaccination applications, children should not be exposed to them in school environments." Thanks to the infections they encounter and the diseases they experience, their immune systems are getting stronger day by day. "As a matter of fact, as the years progress, we see that the number of illnesses decreases as the body meets microbes," he says.
It is also important to investigate children with frequent lower respiratory tract infections, especially in terms of their immune system. p>
THE PROCESS IS LONGER IN CHILDREN WITH ALLERGIC STRUCTURE
Autumn and winter season is a must for families whose children are allergic. It can pass through the humidity much more difficult. Because when these children are infected, symptoms such as cough and runny nose, which begin due to this foreign structure entering the body, may be prolonged due to the triggering of the allergic structure. Dr. Erdinç said, "Children with an allergic nature may cough for a long time after many respiratory infections, their symptoms may be prolonged, and they may be prone to some respiratory diseases such as croup, laryngitis and bronchiolitis. Another important point is that antibiotics should not be used in every respiratory infection, and there should be no rush unless deemed necessary by the physician, because children who use antibiotics frequently "There may be an increase in the risk of asthma." Here's how they can strengthen their children's immunity naturally. Dr. states that products known as immune boosters in children and available on the market should never be started without the approval of a physician. Erdinç says, "Unless there are some special circumstances, I recommend strengthening the immune system with natural methods and balanced nutritional support. Naturally acquired immunity is always the strongest defense mechanism." Emphasizing that children starting school for the first time should not start using a product on their own with the thought of "they get sick very often, I need to get immune support", Dr. Erdinç said, "This is definitely a wrong practice. If the physician needs it, it can already be used. The immune system is an experience. Each disease experienced takes its place in the immune system's memory cells, and a stronger response and protection emerges in the next encounter. The system becomes more experienced as the child grows.
FISH SEASON IS A GOOD OPPORTUNITY
So, which foods are among the natural resources that strengthen children's immunity? Natural foods such as honey, molasses, lemon, mint, radish and ginger stand out as natural stimulants of the immune system. The use of these foods makes children stronger in their fight against diseases. Fish oil is rich in Omega-3 fatty acids. So useful. Therefore, it is of great importance to feed children fish twice a week. Dr. Erdinç said, "In addition to its protective properties against many diseases, from cardiovascular diseases to diabetes and cancer, when its restorative and regenerative effect on the body's immune system building blocks and its positive effects on mental development and brain cells are evaluated together, it is an important ingredient in terms of both development and a healthy life." "It appears to be a molecule," he says.
The oils obtained from the body and liver of the fish contain Omega-3. The fattier a fish is and the more it grows in the northern seas, i.e. cold waters, the more Omega-3 it contains. Salmon comes first among these fish.
FISH, WALNUT, EGGS, VEGETABLES
Dr. Erdinç said, "In addition to salmon, you can also feed children Black Sea fish such as bluefish, bonito, horse mackerel and anchovy, which also contain Omega-3. Since everything natural will be more beneficial, it is extremely important to feed fish to children. On the other hand, natural meat and milk, which contain omega-3." "A balanced diet with eggs, walnuts, flaxseeds and green leafy vegetables will also be of great benefit," he says, adding that fish oil pills can be used in children who cannot eat a balanced diet and whose omega-3 intake is insufficient, if recommended by the physician.
An important point is that when consuming both fish products and ready-made fish oil products, these foods should not be products of seas polluted with heavy metals. Because a food or product that contains heavy metal products such as lead and mercury is not beneficial for the body, but harmful.
Read: 0
