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Back to School Immune Support

Aug 2
3 min read

Updated: Aug 4

This post was collaborated with Jessica Bunkelman, FNP with Complete Renewal Health & Wellness, and is for educational purposes only. This is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before giving supplements to yourself or your child.


I don't give my kids a ton of daily supplements. But during higher-exposure seasons, like back-to-school, I have a special protocol. Here’s what I’m doing 1-2 weeks before school and 1-2 into school.


Vitamin A

Vitamin A supports the immune system and helps maintain the protective lining of the respiratory tract and gut, which act as the body’s first barrier against pathogens. It also helps regulate immune responses and supports antibody production, allowing the body to fight infections more effectively.


0-19lb: 200mcg

20-39lb: 400mcg

40-59lb: 600mcg

60-79lb: 900mcg

80+lb: 1,110mcg


I have found Mary Ruth’s Vitamin A to be one of the easiest to dose when you want smaller doses for the whole family.


200 mcg ~3drops

400mcg ~5-6 drops

600mcg 8 drops

900mcg 12 drops

1,110 mcg ~15 drops


Vitamin C

Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that protects immune cells from free-radical damage and enhances the function of white blood cells that fight pathogens. It also supports your body’s natural defenses and may help shorten the duration and severity of illness.


10-19lb: 250mg

20-39lb: 500mg

40-59lb: 1,000mg

60-79lb: 1,500mg

80+lb: 2,000mg


  • BKN Vitamin C (contains honey)

    • 250mg = 1/4 packet

    • 500mg = 1/2 packet

    • 1,000mg = 1 packet

    • 1,500mg = 1.5 packets

    • 2,000mg = 2 packets

  • Revitalize Wellness (link gives $ off)

    • 250mg = 1/16 tsp

    • 500mg = 1/8tsp

    • 1,000mg = 1/4 tsp

    • 1,500mg = 3/8tsp

    • 2,000mg = 1/2 tsp


Other options:


Vitamin D

Vitamin D supports the immune system by helping regulate immune responses and preventing excess inflammation during infection. It also supports the activation of T-cells, the immune cells that recognize and target infected cells, helping your body respond more effectively when you’re sick.


0-1yr: 500 IU

2-13yr: 1,000-1,500 IU

14-18yr: 1,500-2,500 IU

18yr+: 2,000-10,000 IU


Seeking Health (link gives $ off and free shipping) is my favorite. 1 drop is 500mg, so it's super easy to customize for any age/dosing. 

500 IU: 1 drop

1000 IU: 2 drops

1500 IU: 3 drops

2000 IU: 4 drops

2500 IU: 5 drops

5000 IU: 10 drops

10,000 IU: 20 drops


Zinc

Zinc supports immunity by helping with enzyme function, wound healing, and the production and activation of immune cells. It’s also one of the top antiviral minerals which can help limit viral replication and support a stronger, more effective immune response when you’re sick.


0-19lb: 10mg

20-39lb: 20mg

40-59lb: 30mg

60-79lb: 40mg

80+lb: 50mg

  • Trace Minerals (what we use)

  • BodyBio (another great option)

  • 10mg = 5 drops

    20mg = 10 drops

    30mg = 15 drops

    40mg = 20 drops

    50mg = 25 drops

  • These can also be added to water or electrolyte mix to help with fluid consumption, and get the necessary intake.


Magnesium

Magnesium supports immune health by helping regulate inflammation and supporting the activity of natural killer cells and white blood cells. Because magnesium is involved in hundreds of enzymatic processes in the body (and an estimated 48–60% of Americans are deficient) adequate levels are especially important for a resilient immune response when you’re sick. View my full magnesium guide.


We do daily mag lotion/balm on our kids, and when sick we do epsom salt or mag flake baths. This is an easy way to get in added magnesium without another oral supplement.


0-25lb: 100mg

25-50lb: 200mg

50-75lb: 300mg

75+lb: 325mg


For 0-25lb magnesium in bath water or topical magnesium cream is preferred, but if they are toddlers drinking water then don’t hesitate to add right to their water!




I prefer to separate everything, so I can get percise with my dosing. But if that overwhelms you, and you want to simplify...a good way to get a few vitamins without doing them all separate is cod liver oil. This will give you A, D, and omegas, which are helpful for the inflammatory aspect of illness. 


Cod Liver:

10-19lb: ¼ tsp

20-39lb: ½ tsp

40-59lb: 1tsp

60-79lb: 1 ½ tsp

80lb: 2tsp


These Vitamin C immune boosters also contain a few other vitamins:

 
 
 

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