It is more or less "natural law" when we consider how immunity and antibodies develop. Children are often sick, battling about eight to ten colds each year before the age of two. While it may seem counterintuitive, getting sick can be an important part of a child's development and overall health.
When a child is exposed to viruses and bacteria, their immune system is challenged and learns how to respond to these pathogens. This process of building immunity can help to prevent future illnesses and strengthen a child's overall immune system. Additionally, when a child is sick, it can help them develop coping skills and resilience, as they learn how to manage discomfort and recover from illness. However, it is important to note that not all illnesses are mild, and certain infections can pose serious health risks.
This is why parents are nevertheless worried, especially if the child has had several colds and you have no explanation for why. This can sometimes lead to inappropriate or ineffective prescriptions, including antibiotics in certain scenarios. Antibiotics, however, should be minimized where possible because there is an increasing threat of resistance. This means that some bacteria learn to adapt and eventually resist the effect of the drugs. Resistant bacteria can multiply and spread from one person to another, making it more difficult to treat infections and increasing the risk of complications, disability, and death.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified antibiotic resistance as one of the greatest threats to global health, food security, and development today. The WHO has called for urgent action to address this growing public health threat, including improving infection prevention and control, reducing unnecessary use of antibiotics in humans and animals, and investing in research and development of new pharmaceuticals and phytotherapeutics.
However, up to 30 percent of viral respiratory infections in children result in bacterial complications, often associated with pneumonia, sinusitis, or otitis media - thus indicating the administration of antibiotics.
So, what to do? Focus on prevention!
A study on 203 children showed that the fresh plant extract of Echinacea purpurea (red coneflower) has a preventive effect against viral respiratory diseases and bacterial complications in children, reducing the rate of antibiotic prescriptions by 76%.
How Echinacea strengthens the immune system
Substances called alkylamides are partly responsible for red coneflower's anti-inflammatory and immuno-stimulating effect. They resemble cannabinoids and bind to the same docking sites (receptors) of the body's cells. Cannabinoids exert both inhibitory and stimulatory effects on the immune system by regulating the release of cytokines. These are the body's own substances that play a role in inflammation and the immune system, among other things.
As a result, Echinacea purpurea is believed to modulate the immune system by interacting with various immune cells and signaling pathways. This means that the cells of our defence system are better equipped to defend against pathogens.
Though the strength of the plant can vary, which is why consistent sourcing and testing are important. One study from the University of British Columbia showed that an extract of fresh Echinacea like Echinaforce is ten times more effective against viruses than the dried one. The reason is that in this form, the totality of all ingredients is available. Ingredients lost through drying include volatiles such as essential oils, terpenes, glycosides, and valuable secondary plant substances that cannot be replaced.
So, when you’re looking to prevent your kiddos from catching their next cold, consider the clinically proven remedy - Echinaforce. They’re sure to love its sugar-free, orange flavour and the best part is that it can be taken every day for four months to keep them healthy all season long.
