When it comes to raising healthy children, many parents focus on balanced meals, outdoor play, and routine checkups. But one foundation often gets overlooked: the immune system. Early childhood is a critical window for building immunity, and the right nutrition can make a real difference in helping your child stay healthy and resilient.
Why Early Years Are Critical for Immunity
A child’s immune system continues to develop well into the preschool years. Interestingly, about 70% of immunity resides in the gut, making digestive health key to fighting infections and building long-term resilience. Supporting the gut through nutrition is therefore essential for overall well-being.
What Nutrients Are Important for Building My Child’s Immunity?
Once parents understand that immunity is closely linked to gut health, the next natural question is: what specific nutrients actually help support this development?
During the early years, when a child’s immune system is still maturing, nutrition plays a key role in supporting both the gut and immune system from within. Research shows that a combination of milk oligosaccharide (MOs), probiotics, and the right amount of high-quality protein, alongside key vitamins and minerals, helps lay a strong foundation for immune health and overall growth.
Below are three key nutritional components that work together to support your child’s developing immune system.
Milk Oligosaccharides (MOs) – A Crucial Component in Supporting Immunity
Milk oligosaccharides (MOs) play an important role in supporting a child’s developing immune system. MOs serve as nourishment for beneficial gut bacteria, helping to create a healthy gut environment during a child’s early years.
Immunity is heavily dependent on gut health. MOs help strengthen this immune foundation by shaping a gut environment that supports both digestive and immune function.
How MOs Benefit Your Child:
- Promote the growth of beneficial gut bacteria, helping to maintain a balanced gut environment
- Strengthen the gut barrier, which may help reduce the risk of infections
- Help prevent harmful bacteria and viruses from binding to the gut, supporting the body’s natural defenses
- Help modulate immune responses, which may lower the risk of allergies
Through these multiple functions, MOs, such as those found in the 5-MO Complex™ support gut health and play a key role in helping build a strong immune system during early childhood.
Probiotics – Good Bacteria for a Healthy Gut and Strong Immunity
Probiotics are live “good” bacteria that help support a healthy balance in your child’s digestive system by increasing beneficial gut bacteria and limiting the growth of harmful ones. Certain strains, such as Bifidus BL probiotics, have been studied for use in young children and, when included in the right type and amount, can help maintain digestive balance and support immunity. Children are first exposed to probiotics at birth and through breast milk, with additional sources available later through probiotic-rich foods and fortified formulas.
Having a consistent source of probiotics helps maintain a healthy gut environment, which is essential for immunity, digestion, and overall well-being.
Proteins – Essential Building Blocks for Growth and Immunity
Proteins also play an important role in a child’s growth and immune development, supporting everything from muscles and organs to enzymes and immune function. However, during early childhood, the quality and amount of protein matter more than quantity alone. Providing high-quality protein in the right amount supports steady, healthy growth without overloading developing organs, and helps set the foundation for long-term health.
Together, the right MOs, probiotics, and proteins form a complete approach to support growth and immunity.
Give Your Child a Strong Start with the Right Nutritional Support
Now that we understand how milk oligosaccharides (MOs), probiotics and proteins work together to support immunity and healthy growth, parents can make an informed choice in selecting a formula that provides these benefits.
NAN OPTIPRO Brings Breakthrough Science for Immunity
The New & Improved NAN OPTIPRO is now upgraded with 5-MO Complex™ and Immunity Guardians, supporting the immune system, and promote steady growth.
With more parents recognizing the link between gut health and immunity, formulas that include MOs, probiotics, immune-supportive nutrients, and optimized proteins offer a complete approach to building a strong foundation during early childhood.
"As a mom, nothing matters more to me than seeing my child grow confidently and enjoy every moment of his day — whether we’re travelling, exploring outdoors, or simply playing at home. That’s why I trust the new and improved NAN OPTIPRO.
It’s now upgraded with 5-MO Complex™ and Immunity Guardian, which gives me reassurance that I’m supporting his immunity from the inside. I also love that its optimized protein blend is gentle on his tummy, so he stays comfortable and active throughout the day."
(Valerie Ong, Mother to a 5 years old son)
Every choice makes a difference. Give your child the best start with the strong immunity they need, with NAN OPTIPRO, so you can nourish their every possible.
Request your free sample of NAN OPTIPRO Growing-Up Milk here.