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Parents often wonder: What can we do to keep our children healthy? Are there ways to boost the immune system and ward off illnesses?
The answer is yes — but there are no magic wands or magic supplements. The best way to keep the immune system healthy is, basically, to take necessary steps to keep healthy. As boring as that sounds, it's tried and true.
Here's what you can do to help keep your children healthy this school year.
Give them a healthy diet
By healthy I mean a diet with lots of fruits and vegetables (five servings a day are recommended, and they should take up half of every meal plate), whole grains, and lean protein. A healthy diet also has dairy or another source of calcium, and healthy fats like vegetable oils.
The foods to avoid are processed foods, foods with added sugar, and foods with unhealthy fats, like the saturated fats found in animal products. That doesn't mean your child can't ever eat cookies or ice cream. But if you want to your child to be healthy, they shouldn't eat those foods every day. (The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics has suggestions for healthier baked goods and other ways to make your family's diet healthier).
There are many supplements that claim to boost your immune system. While the jury is still out as to whether most of them make a real difference, none of them take the place of a healthy diet. If you have a child who refuses vegetables or otherwise has a limited diet, a multivitamin with iron may make sense; talk to your doctor about whether vitamins or supplements are a good idea for your child.
Make sure they get enough sleep
We all need sleep to refresh and recharge our bodies, and that includes children. The amount of sleep a child needs varies by age (from 12 to 16 hours a day for infants to eight to 10 hours for teens), and also from child to child (some just need more than others). You can encourage healthy sleep by limiting screens — for teens, devices really should be shut off an hour or two before bedtime, and preferably not be in the bedroom at night — and keeping to a regular schedule.
Get them active
Exercise keeps us healthy and less likely to get sick. Children should really be active for an hour a day. "Active" doesn't have to mean playing a sport or going to the gym; it could be playing at the playground or going for a walk. More is not necessarily better; if you have a child who is a serious athlete, exercising several hours a day, make sure that the exercise isn't eating into sleep or causing burnout, both of which could cause problems with the immune system.
Manage stress
Stress makes us less healthy and more prone to infection. Make sure that kids have downtime to play, and access to activities and people that make them happy. Spend time together as a family, and create opportunities for your children to talk about anything that might be worrying them. If you have concerns about your child's moods or emotional health, talk to your doctor.
Make sure they are up to date on important vaccines
Immunizations protect us from all sorts of illnesses. Check with your doctor to see if your child is up to date on immunizations. The flu shot is recommended yearly for all people 6 months of age or older.
Don't forget the simple precautions
Everyone in the family can take simple precautions to help stay healthy. Wash your hands. Cover your coughs and sneezes with your elbow. Stay away from sick people to the extent that you can. Masks can help, too, especially in crowded indoor spaces.
If your child has a health problem that could make it harder to fight off an infection, talk to your doctor about any extra or different precautions you should take.
Source: Harvard Health Publishing
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The Action Peoples Party has secured 22 out of 23 chairmanship positions in the recent local government election in Rivers State.
Justice Adolphus Enebeli, the Chief Election Officer of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, announced the results on Saturday in Port Harcourt.
He noted that the results for Etche Local Government Area are currently on hold due to ongoing collation efforts. Enebeli indicated that the Etche LGA results will be released alongside the outcomes for the 319 councillorship seats at a later date.
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Major U.S. indexes were on the rise at midday Friday after a report showed employers added more jobs than economists expected in September. The S&P 500, Nasdaq, and Dow were all higher.
Shares of United Airlines (UAL) and other rival airlines advanced following a report discount carrier Spirit Airlines (SAVE) is considering a bankruptcy filing. Spirit shares cratered.
Shares of Abercrombie & Fitch (ANF) gained as JPMorgan added the apparel retailer to its "Positive Catalyst Watch" list and raised the price target, pointing to strength in the company's Hollister brand.
Albemarle (ALB) shares rose following a report Rio Tinto (RIO) may be looking to make an acquisition in the lithium sector.
Shares of D.R. Horton (DHI), Lennar (LEN), and others in the home building sector tumbled as the yield on the 10-year Treasury note climbed following Friday's strong jobs report, raising concerns about mortgage rates.
Shares of Rivian (RIVN) tumbled as the electric vehicle (EV) maker missed third-quarter delivery forecasts and cut its full-year production forecast because of a parts shortage.
Oil futures and gold prices climbed. The U.S. dollar rose versus the euro, pound, and yen. Most major cryptocurrencies traded higher.
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Police operatives in Adamawa state have arrested an Islamic teacher, Malam Idris Abubakar, for alleged misconduct with two of his pupils.
The 22-year-old teacher from Gaya Ward, Mubi South LGA, was arrested following a report made by the parent of one of the boys.
According to the police, the victims, aged 12 and 10, stated that the teacher involved them in chores after lessons before engaging in inappropriate behavior.
The suspect, however, denied the allegations, admitting only that he used to engage the boys in domestic work
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The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has sheds light on why Jesus and his apostles didn’t collect tithes.
Speaking during the October edition of the RCCG Holy Ghost Service, Adeboye said: “One of my pastors went online and preached a sermon on why people should not pay tithes. I watched the sermon, thinking I would learn something profound.
He said we shouldn’t pay tithes because Jesus didn’t collect tithes. I said, ah, Jesus was not a parish pastor, He was a world evangelist.
Forgive me for saying so, but it was a very shallow sermon. Jesus was not a parish pastor; He was a world evangelist.
The Bible in Luke 8:1-3 tells us that certain women, including Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Susanna, supported His ministry financially.”
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