Supporting your child’s immune system health

The sun's out. The kids are on holiday. Winter's a distant memory. At times like these, immune system support and healthy food choices may not be top of mind.This year, try supporting your kids' immune system health over the summer, so they're well prepared when they return to school.

While the sun shines

Summer's a great time to support your kids’ general health.

The good weather means more outdoor activities and exercise. As a bonus, vitamin D from exposure to the sun helps support immune system health.

And some of summer's most delicious seasonal foods are also the healthiest.

> Beautiful berries: You won't have a hard time getting your kids to eat strawberries (for vitamin C), cherries (for potassium) and blueberries (rich in antioxidants).

> Summer citrus: Summer's a good time for citrus fruit - lemons, limes and Valencia oranges are all chock-full of vitamin C.

> Veggies for vitamins: The Vitamin K in beans and zucchinis is great for bone health.

It can be easy for kids to overload on junk food over the Christmas break, so while fruit and vegetables are fresh and readily available, make them your secret weapon. Fruit makes a great dessert throughout the summer months.

Be sure to work some meat or tofu into their holiday diets too. The zinc and iron they provide play an important role in immune system function.

Daily support

Pentavite supplements provide another useful way to help maintain the health of your child's immune system throughout the year. Pentavite Immune Support Daily Kids Powder is a premium formulation containing vitamins A, C, D3 and zinc, to support healthy immune system function in children.

The powder form is ideal for young children, dissolving easily into food or drink, and has a delicious tropical flavour which appeals to the fussiest eater. It contains no artificial colours, flavours or sweeteners. Of course, just because it's summer doesn't mean your kids can't catch a cold. Pentavite Immune Support Daily also contains elderflower, which is traditionally used in Western herbal medicine to reduce symptoms of the common cold.

Think long-term

When supporting your child's immune system health, remember that you're running a year-long marathon, not a sprint.

Returning to school or day-care after the holidays - and the inevitable exposure to a whole variety of new germs - can be a shock to any child's immune system. Don't wait until your kids get sick. Feed them plenty of healthy fruits and vegetables and try to be active with them. Why not head out to the local park or kick the footy in the backyard?

If your child does catch a cold after returning to school, you could consider Pentavite Immune Support Daily Kids Powder to complement their healthy eating and exercise routine. A well-functioning immune system means they'll have a better chance of relieving symptoms when the colds come calling. Remember, the best thing you can do is teach your kids about making healthy exercise and dietary choices that will help maintain their immune system health throughout the year.

Always read the label. Follow the directions for use. Vitamin and mineral supplements should not replace a balanced diet. If symptoms persist, talk to your health professional.