8 Key Nutraceuticals For Every Parent or Caregiver to Have on Hand

When you’ve got a sick kid on your hands, helping them feel better is an urgent situation. You don’t have time to mess around, not only because a sick kiddo’s misery tends to be contagious, but because little immune systems are vulnerable, and don’t always hold up to lingering issues. When the kid in your life starts feeling symptoms, you want them gone YESTERDAY.

It’s true that prevention is a hallmark philosophy of Functional Medicine, and I focus many of my efforts on utilizing diet and lifestyle to get to the root of potential health and wellness issues before they even start, but some health challenges inevitably sneak through the cracks. You can’t help it that your kid’s desk-mate is constantly sneezing on them, and you can’t always predict when a stomach bug will strike. For that reason there are a few key products I always have on hand, stashed in my cupboard or in the fridge, so I can get on top of that cold, stomachache, or ear infection right away.

Because when ya need it, YA NEED IT NOW, amiright?

I’m sharing this list with you so you can stock your own “war chest” of helpful, high-quality, natural supplements for your kiddos, just in case. And you can check out my “Adult Version” of this list HERE!

Alright, here we go:

Kids Ear Oil & D-hist Jr. - because kiddos have itty bitty Eustachian tubes, congestion or mucous in the nose, sinuses, and throat can sometimes create the perfect environment for an ear infection. Talk about a recipe for disaster! Kids ear oil harnesses the antimicrobial power of garlic and puts it to work soothing and healing ear inflammation, and D-Hist Jr. helps clear congestion and reduce mucous production - it’s fantastic as a first-line defense against colds, flus, and even allergies.

UltraPotent C Chewable & Vira-Kid Chewable - it’s amazing how quickly targeted nutrition can turn around a viral infection. Ultra-Potent C Chewables go above and beyond regular ascorbic acid by improving the uptake of vitamin C by white blood cells and, more importantly, is gentler on the tummy, allowing for higher doses - for a sick kiddo, I often recommend 6-8 per day! And Vira-Kid combines high-potency elderberry extract with Vitamin A, Zinc, and Astragalus Root (a kid-friendly adaptogen) - excellent for helping kids overcome viruses.

MetaKids Probiotic & Probioplex Intensive Care - This combo is great for calming diarrhea, recovering from a tummy bug, or restoring your kiddo’s healthy gut microbiome after an antibiotic. My nieces LOVE the “purple pills” and I’m happy to sneak them an extra one or two if they’re feeling a bit off. And the Probioplex is flavorless, and can be mixed into a smoothie, applesauce, or yogurt easily.

MetaKids Multi Soft Chew & Kid-D Liquid Drops - Got yourself a picky eater? If your kiddo isn’t big on veggies, they could be missing crucial micronutrients to help them stay healthy and strong. And bargain-brand, chewable multivitamins don’t always have a high enough dose of quality micronutrients to be helpful - or they’re packed with artificial colors and sweeteners. The MetaKids Soft Chew is a cross between a Starburst and a Now and Later - I keep a bag around as a sweet treat I can feel good about. I’m also a big proponent of Vitamin D supplementation in kids, since it’s so crucial for bone development, hormone balance, and immune function.

So much about caring for kids is unpredictable and chaotic - but by having what you need to help your kid feel better on hand, and knowing that what you’re giving them is both scientifically validated AND holistically good for them, you can feel a little more in control and confident.

P.s. you can view all of these nutraceuticals HERE and, when you sign up for Fullscript using my link, you’ll get 20% off all your purchases, all the time! Hooray!