Staying Healthy
It's possible you think of good health as a gift over which you have little or no control, but in truth (chronic illnesses and disease aside) you can actively adopt many strategies to keep your child and yourself healthy. In fact, what works for one of you will work for the other. To assume that all you need do to ensure your child's health is simply relieve illnesses as they strike is insufficient. Prevention is the way to avoid having to subject your two-year-old to repeated cycles of antibiotics or other medications, most of which have side effects. Overuse of antibiotics is a concern of doctors because both children and adults can develop resistant bacteria.
The keys to good health for both your two-year-old and you include:
eating well
getting enough rest
getting enough exercise and sunshine
having a little stress in your life
keeping clear of — and fighting off — germs as much as possible
It is impossible to germ-proof your child. Germs are everywhere, and being exposed to germs is part of life. As a matter of fact, exposure to different viruses and bacteria can actually strengthen a child's immune system.
There are a number of ways your two-year-old can pick up germs: from her diaper or in the bathroom, by touching toys or playing with children who are sick, or when out and about and near strangers who are sick and still contagious.
To diminish the risk of infection, wash your child's hands as often as possible and teach her to wash her hands. You may need to carry wipes with you when your child is this young because some of the places where she plays, such as the playground or the park, do not have convenient places to wash up.
Fact
There is a difference between dirt and germs, as well as something that looks clean but is actually dirty. If someone has a cold and touches your child's face, he can get a cold. If your child plays in dirt, he most likely won't get sick. You want to protect your child from anyone who is sneezing, coughing, or sniffling.
Your two-year-old is too young to be expected to keep her germ-ridden fingers out of her eyes, ears, nose, and mouth, which are precisely where germs can enter her system. For this reason, it is very important to keep your child's hands clean.
The immune system fights disease-producing organisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. Just because your child is exposed to these organisms doesn't mean she will get sick. Some people have powerful natural defenses against disease, while others are more susceptible to the colds, flu, and other illnesses caused by these germs.
Bacteria and viruses find it easier to take hold in your body when your system is lacking important nutrients. Nutrients that bolster the immune system are vitamins A, C, and E, and essential fatty acids. The most important minerals include manganese, selenium, zinc, copper, iron, sulfur, magnesium, and germanium.
Consuming too many processed foods, sugar, and soda can weaken the body's immune system. Eating the wrong type of fats (hydrogenated oils, as found in deep-fried foods, margarine, and baked goods) can predispose your two-year-old to recurrent infections and inflammatory conditions. Sugar has also been shown to reduce the cell count of white blood cells, which fight and destroy germs that can cause disease.
The most nutrient-rich diet is supplied by organic whole foods, which include organically farmed meats and fish, fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts, seeds, beans, and whole grains. Essential fatty acids (the good fats) are also essential to normal immune and nervous system function. These are found in flaxseed oil, evening primrose oil, hemp seed oil, borage seed oil, and fish oil.
