Back to School Immune Support
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:
Dr. Green Mom this link gives $ off
Mary Ruth code NATURALMINDED
Just Ingredients this link gives $ off
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!
Revitalize Wellness powder this link gives $ off
Magnesium spray this link gives $ off
Earthley magnesium lotion this link gives $ off
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
Dr. Green Mom this link gives $ off
Earthley this link gives $ off
These Vitamin C immune boosters also contain a few other vitamins:
BKN Kids Vitamin C - 1 packet is 500mg + D + elderberry + propolis
Revitalize Wellness Immune Defense (20% off link) - Contains C, A, B, D, K
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