Being a teen is a physically and psychologically challenging time. At Bioteen our mission is to help teens fight off infections by strengthening their immune systems and if they do get sick, to support their bodies to recover faster.
OptiMSM reduces inflammation and promotes muscle recovery, facilitating quicker recovery and less soreness post-exercise.
At Bioteen, we get it. Being a teen is tough work, both physically and emotionally. Which is why we are constantly working on creating high quality nutritional supplementation to help your teen get to where they need to be.
Shop all products here
We don’t stop there because we believe that supplementation alone is not enough. We also work really hard to bring you the most up to date, evidence based research on teen nutrition. Part of our mission is to support your teen’s immune system so that they have less down time and more time for the things that are important.
Read more about Bioteen’s origin story here!
We’re giving the immune system centre stage!
Many of us only think about our immune systems when we are already sick. Most of the time, this is too little, too late and overdosing on the traditional immune nutrient (vitamin C) (1) probably won’t help you get better any quicker. Life is unpredictable (the last few years have certainly shown us that) which means that we should take supporting our immune systems seriously every single day, not just when we think we may be at risk.
What exactly is the immune system?
Your immune system is made up of two separate but cooperative branches, the innate and the adaptive systems. They work together to protect you against the ever-present threat of invasion by pathogenic microorganisms like viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi. (2)
The innate immune system is their first line of defense and it’s there from the day that you’re born. It’s made up of a set of barriers that are designed to keep invading pathogens out and cellular components which effectively ‘eat’ pathogens that manage to get through. If the innate immune system doesn’t manage to contain the threat, it will activate the adaptive immune system. This system is made up of more specialized cells that have the ability to remember infections through the formation of antibodies. Once it has done this, if that specific infection happens again, it can step in and eliminate the threat more quickly. The more quickly your body can eliminate the threat, the less damage it can do to your body and the fewer symptoms you’ll experience.
We’ve got to support both these systems and their related pathways (like the gut, where 70-80% of the immune cells live) (3) if we really want to make a difference.
Learn more about Immunergy, our flagship immune support drink mix here
What happens when your teen gets sick?
Teens are constantly on the go and short-term stressors, like exams (4) or sports matches, can quickly lower their defenses putting them at risk of getting sick at these inopportune times.
​​
Image 2
Besides the fact that when they’re sick, they risk infecting others, being sick usually comes with unpleasant side effects. These usually happen as a consequence of inflammation which is the byproduct of the war that is taking place between the body and the harmful pathogen.
When feeling sick, it’s common to have physical symptoms like pain and fever as well as psychological and neurobehavioural symptoms like social withdrawal, depression, irritability, impaired attention, fatigue, and sleepiness. Basically, the body is deliberately trying to slow you down, and keep you in bed and away from others (5) so that it can focus on making you better. What do these symptoms mean for a teenager?
Reduced ability to concentrate at school
Feeling tired and not being able to concentrate is not conducive to high performance at school. The more time that you’re sick, the more time you may need off from school, which may have an impact on your academic results (and academic-related anxiety) in the long run.
Read our 10-point plan to help teens control their stress.
Missed sports sessions
Feeling tired and miserable is not the way great sports sessions start. Besides not feeling like taking part in the session, when your teen is sick they definitely want to steer clear of their teammates to prevent spreading the infection to others. Less training can be a big problem for teens who take part in competitive sports. Prolonged downtime means less time for training which may have an effect on your competitive edge.
Proper recovery using the right nutritional ingredients is also integral to supporting a healthy immune system. Read our article 4 reasons nutrition after training is important here!
Poor sleep
Being sick can mess with your teens’ sleep (6). At night time symptoms often get worse as the immune system is shifted into high gear and there is more energy available to fight the good fight. Less sleep means less energy for the next day.
Did you know teens have a different circadian rhythm than adults? Read this article about maintaining a healthy biological clock as a teen.
The bottom line
While your teen’s body tries its best to recover, they’re left feeling tired, irritable, and frustrated because they are unable to do the things that need to get done. While we’re never going to completely stop them from getting sick, we can help to support their immune system every day so that if they do get sick, it’s less frequent and less severe.
Being sick usually means losing valuable time and in the long run, this can affect their goals when it comes to school, sports, and social activities. This lost time doesn’t only have an effect on your teen’s performance but can also increase their levels of stress and they worry about not being able to meet their goals. In a twist of fate, this stress lowers their immunity and increases their risk of getting sick, it’s like a vicious cycle!
Being a teen is a physically and psychologically challenging time as it is, without this kind of added pressure. That’s why it is so important to help teen’s prevent illness and also to prime and prepare their bodies to react appropriately if they get sick and do everything we can to help them recover with minimal damage and related side effects. This means not just focusing on one preventative pathway, but rather using a multipronged approach to not only promote general; wellness, but also to support all facets of the immune system on a daily basis. It’s not enough to remember the immune system only when we’re sick, it needs our attention every single day.
Find out more about our unique immune support supplements range here
R350
Bioteen's DailyMulti is a specially formulated multivitamin designed to meet the unique nutritional needs of tweens and teens. Packed with 100% NRV of key vitamins and minerals, including an enhanced dose of 1000mg of Vitamin C, it supports growth, development, and immune health.
Its comprehensive blend aids in bone strength, cognitive function, and energy provision, while promoting gut health with added prebiotic Fibersol®-2. Ideal for supporting the high energy demands and rapid physical changes of adolescence, Bioteen's DailyMulti ensures that young individuals receive all the essential nutrients for their overall well-being.
R425
SuperTonic is a comprehensive daily supplement, meticulously crafted to provide a full spectrum of essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that support overall health and well-being. This powerhouse blend is designed to strengthen the immune system with 1000mg of Vitamin C and Zinc.
To enhance cognitive function and mood, SuperTonic includes stress-relieving ingredients such as GABA, L-Theanine, and Myo-Inositol. For digestive health, the supplement features Fibersol®, L-Glutamine, and Lactospore to support gut integrity and function.
A robust profile of B-Vitamins, along with magnesium and glycine, works synergistically to boost energy, metabolism, and cellular protection. Additionally, Vitamin D3 is included to support optimal bone health and immune function.
SuperTonic is the ideal daily supplement to optimize physiological functions and maintain peak vitality, helping your teen thrive every day.
R375
R375
Immunergy is a powerful daily immune support and energy supplement designed specifically for adolescents. Packed with 1000 mg of Vitamin C, Zinc, Echinacea, NAC, and Fibersol®-2, it helps to strengthen immunity, enhance recovery, and support digestive health.
The supplement includes key B-Vitamins that boost energy and metabolism, making it particularly beneficial for teens with busy lifestyles. Immunergy provides essential nutrients to promote mental focus, physical performance, and overall well-being.
R325
R325
Cold Buster offers a comprehensive approach to faster recovery from common cold symptoms, including runny nose and congestion.
By combining the power of immune enhancement, mucus breakdown, and respiratory support, this product, enriched with 1000mg of vitamin C, zinc, selenium, and N-acetylcysteine (NAC), supports your body's natural defenses, helps thin and clear mucus, and provides relief for nasal congestion.
With its multi-pronged action, Cold Buster expedites the recovery process, helping you find relief from cold symptoms and regain optimal health more quickly.
R330
R330
GutHealer is a dietary supplement designed to promote gut health and overall well-being.
It is made with a blend of natural ingredients, including L-glutamine, L-glycine, and Fibersol, which have been shown to have a number of benefits for the gut.
GutHealer is formulated with ingredients that can help to:
GutHealer is an all-natural, ready-to-mix powder that contains no artificial flavors or harmful sweeteners and is gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan.
GutHealer is a safe and effective way to support gut health and overall well-being.