Home		View our 'Article Archive' Healthy Tools for Back to School Everything must come to an end, and summer is no exception! After a fun-filled break, the kids are back to school. Make sure they get the most out of the year with these tips to optimize immunity, sleep, energy and learning. Back to School Bugs All those bodies packed into a classroom are bound to spread germs. It’s not the amount of germs, however, but how your body handles them that determines whether or not you get sick. Boost your child’s immunity with a quality probiotic supplement such as Bio-K+, or organic Pinehedge kefir. These provide the beneficial bacteria the body needs to fight incoming bacteria and viruses that can harm us. Cod liver oil or organic liver provide vitamin A, an essential nutrient for the immune system and a common deficiency. Herbal formulas, such as St. Francis Deep Immune for Kids, will provide ongoing protection against environmental and mental stresses. Adequate sleep and scheduled homework time can cut down on stress, which weakens our immunity and makes us vulnerable to illness. If your child seems to be coming down with something, extra vitamin C and liquid garlic can stop it in its tracks. A Hard Day’s Night A week before school begins, ensure your child’s bedtime is the same time it will be during the school week. This will provide a well-rested start to the year and avoid the first few days of grogginess so many children experience. Replace sugary and processed foods with whole foods to prevent kids from staying up later than they should - and the arguments because of it! Try a soothing drink made with Natural Calm magnesium before bed; it can help relax the body and mind and promote restful sleep. Also, don’t forget that the exercise from extracurricular sports can help burn off all that extra energy that children have. Straight A’s Yes, getting good grades requires doing your homework, but your mind has to be up for the challenge. Give your child’s brain the food it needs to function optimally with brain-developing omega-3 fats. Add a good multivitamin, such as Bio-Strath or Kindervital, to help your child keep focus sharp and fight fatigue. To boost energy, add green powders or green vegetables such as broccoli, kale and cabbage to the diet. These are important detoxifiers that will keep the body from becoming sluggish. They also provide a wealth of nutrients. It is important to avoid sugary and refined carbohydrate foods in the lunchbox as they give a short burst of energy at first, but rob the body of energy in the long run, creating a between-meals crash. Instead, eat whole foods including plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, quality protein at every meal and good fats to keep them going through the entire day. Aleksandra Gasinski is studying Nutritional and Nutraceutical Sciences at the University of Guelph. You can find her in the supplements department at our Upper Gage store.