Q: Besides taking multivitamins, what else can I do to boost my child’s immunity?

Answered by Dr Anthony James Mansul, Consultant Paediatrician & Clinical Head of Paediatric Service at Prince Court Medical Centre

It is currently very difficult to assess the effectiveness of supplements when it comes to boosting the immune system.

Most research done in this area does not appear to show any benefit.

So, the advice would be for children to get adequate nutrition – supplementation is not needed.

However, some advice to bear in mind when it comes to maintaining a healthy immune system is as follows:

• Probiotics (good bacteria) and prebiotics (the bacteria’s food) – which can be found in infant formulas, or in sachet and capsule form – have become increasingly popular in the last decade. As it currently stands, both are safe to give to children. However, while having healthy gut bacteria is beneficial, we will need to monitor exactly the effectiveness of the supplementation as new data is slow to come.
• Feed your baby breastmilk as it is very good for the immune system. Breastmilk contains immunoglobulins and prebiotics, which have been shown to protect babies from infections and allergies.
• Up your child’s intake of fruits and vegetables – the more colourful they are, the better. They contain vitamins, minerals, and flavonoids, which are natural antioxidants that have anti-inflammatory and anti- allergic properties.
• Cultivate a healthy lifestyle. Make sure your child gets plenty of exercise and takes part in outdoor activities. Children who play outdoors frequently have been found to fall sick less as it can help strengthen their immune system.