Research Reveals Alarming Decline In U.S. Children’s Health

The 2025 JAMA study was led by Christopher Forrest and a team of researchers at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), along with Dr Neal Halfon of UCLA. It was an extensive study that examined the health records of over 2 million children. 

Here Are The Key Findings of This 2025 Study:

Areas that have significantly worsened are child mortality; chronic physical, developmental and mental health conditions; obesity; sleep health; early puberty; along with limitations in activity; and physical and emotional symptoms.

Overall, a child in the US in 2023 was 15% to 20% more likely to have a chronic condition compared with a child in 2011. 

Specific Health Issues: Significant increases were noted in major depression, sleep apnea, eating disorders, anxiety, autism, and obesity (rising to 20.9% in children aged 2-19).

Diagnoses of anxiety, depression, and eating disorders more than tripled.

The early onset of menstruation rose by over 60%. 

Children reported having physical symptoms like fatigue and pain, and feelings of loneliness and sadness greater than ever before.

The study found that many of these factors cause a profound impact on a child’s life and their ability to take part in daily activities.  

Good Health Starts With Strong Immunity

The gut in the human body refers to the entire gastrointestinal (GI) tract, a long tube from the mouth to the anus, including the stomach and intestines. It is crucial for digesting food and influencing overall health, immunity and mood. Specifically the gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) lines your intestines and works with the gut microbiome (your beneficial bacterial) that trains and modulates your immune cells (i.e, T cells and stem cells). T cells originate from stem cells located in the bone marrow. These stem cells produce progenitors that migrate to the thymus, where they mature into functional T cells. The primary roll of these cells is to fight off pathogens and regulate inflammation. 

Having a strong, robust immune system from birth puts you in very good stead in terms of overall health, especially in younger adult years. 

However, even with a strong healthy immune system, research shows subtle decline can begin in our younger adult years (i.e. in our 30s), and a significant, sharper drop tends to occur around 60 years of age.  This natural process, called immunosenescence, helps explain why infections become more severe and vaccines less effective as we age.

A TimeLine of Adult Immunity Changes 

20s and 30s: Early changes begin quietly as the thymus (the organ that produces new immune cells) starts to shrink.

Early 30s: Stem cell release rates start reducing, and in particular the thymus, which produces new immune T Cells continues to shrink and is replaced by fat tissue, by middle age.  This can lead to a significant decline in one’s cells proliferating and flowing freely in the bloodstream. 

Around 50: Many people notice more frequent illnesses and longer recovery times.

60 to 65: Immune aging accelerates. Inflammation increases, and the body’s cells and their ability to respond to new viruses and bacteria declines significantly.

Healthy Cells Are Vital

Maintaining healthy stem cells is critical in adulthood.  Stem cells play a central role in maintaining overall health as without intervention, a healthy lifestyle and supplementation, the natural decline has a dramatic influence on the biological processes that drive immune aging.   

Key drivers are:

Fewer New Immune Cells

As the thymus shrinks, it produces fewer “naïve” T Cells (that are specialized immune cells that originate from stem cells) that are found in the bone marrow. This change weakens the immune system and reduces its ability to recognize and attack new threats.

Chronic Inflammation
 

Increased oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction (especially in immune cells), accumulated cell debris, and increased gut permeability contribute to a rise in inflammation. This build up of inflammation interferes with healthy immune responses and contributes to overall wear and tear in the body.

Reduced Immune Diversity
 

With fewer new cells being made, and others being less mobile, the immune system relies on a smaller pool of older memory cells. This makes it harder to fight unfamiliar infections.

Cellular Wear and Tear
 

Over time, DNA damage, metabolic stress, and stem cells along with other cells become dormant and inactive. This leads to a significant reduction in the release, availability, and circulation of active stem and immune cells in the bloodstream, resulting in widespread impairment of essential physiological functions.

How To Rapidly Build and Strengthen Your Immunity

At any age, proactive choices can strengthen the immune system and support long-term immune health. 

Here are six effective, proven strategies.

1.   Eat a Nutrient-rich Diet

Prioritize fresh, minimally processed, sugar-free foods. Choosing whole foods grown in nutrient-rich soil and free from artificial additives help support a strong immune system.

2.   Exercise Regularly, Especially Outdoors 

Physical activity and moderate exercise contribute to better blood circulation. This naturally allows the immune cells and other necessary cells and substances to move freely throughout the body to efficiently conduct their many functions. Exercise also releases feel-good chemicals that stimulate the lymphatic system to increase leucocytes.

Hiking and other outdoor activities boost your vitamin D levels, reduce stress hormones and the fresh air and phytoncides (natural compounds released by trees and plants), provide anti-microbial benefits to support immune function. 

3.   Tap Into the Immune Benefits of Farm Life

Exposure to farms, particularly livestock, soil, and diverse natural microbes are proven to strengthen immune function. Early-life exposure supports healthy immune development and reduces the risk of allergies and asthma, while regular contact in adulthood can enhance immune defenses. Farming and gardening also promote mental well-being and provide physical activity that support long-term immune health.

4.   Get Good Quality Sleep  

Even if you are experiencing limited hours of sleep, the quality of your sleep is what's most

important.  Quality sleep is essential for physical and mental restoration, with research showing it is more critical for health than sheer duration. High-quality, uninterrupted sleep, characterized by proper sleep stages, particularly REM ensures recovery and reduces disease risks, whereas long but fragmented sleep is less restorative. 

5.   Don’t Isolate Yourself and Become Lonely

Loneliness has a direct impact on one’s immune system and overall health due to:

Increased Inflammation: Loneliness triggers the production of white blood cells that cause inflammation, which is linked to cardiovascular disease, cancer, and Alzheimer's.

Reduced Viral Defense: Research indicates loneliness impairs the immune system's ability to regulate gene expression, making it less responsive to fighting infections.

Chronic Stress Response: Loneliness acts as a chronic stressor, elevating cortisol levels which depress immune system responses over time.

Cellular Changes: Studies on older adults show that social isolation affects the production of immune cells, reducing the effectiveness of the body’s first line of defense.

Push yourself to get out and have some interaction with others. 

Connection starts any day, at any age. 

These tips can help you overcome loneliness and improve your social life.

• Start small and keep your expectations realistic. Name what is true without judgment. Acknowledge feelings of loneliness, and know that it’s okay. Embrace the process of gradual improvement, taking small steps to enhance your social environment. Appreciate the progress you are making along the way.
• Focus on one manageable moment rather than trying to create an entire, full-on action packed experience.  A smaller outing can be enjoying a short walk, catching up with a trusted friend or family member, or going out to a local restaurant to enjoy a simple meal you love.
• Make connection easier by lowering the pressure on yourself.
• Create a comfort plan with goals to help you deal with the hardest hours.
• Redefine the season to fit your life this year. You don't have to do the holidays and other events the way you've done them previously.  

6.   Take Stem Cell Worx Intraoral Spray – The World’s Rapid Immune Booster

Over 10,000 pub med studies show the ingredients in Stem Cell Worx (colostrum, fucoidan and resveratrol) all strengthen and build long lasting immunity. 

Of particular interest are the studies and work undertaken by the Mayo Clinic on these ingredients.

Current Mayo Clinic Research and Findings On Fucoidan 

The Mayo Clinic has long supported the use of fucoidan, to enhance immune function and combat cancer-related fatigue. Their most recent findings show:

• Immune Modulation: Fucoidan is known for its ability to stimulate immune cells (e.g., spleen dendritic cells) to produce specific cytokines like IL-6, IL-12, which are crucial for defending against viruses and tumor cells.
• Cancer Support: Research suggests fucoidan can enhance the body's immune response against cancer, acting as potential adjuvants in immunotherapy to improve patient outcomes. 
• Reduced Fatigue Incidence: A study of 20 patients with colorectal cancer found that general fatigue was reported in only 10% of the fucoidan group compared to 60% in the control group.

The Mayo Clinic continues to conduct studies that focus on the use of fucoidan to help cancer patients in a variety of ways.  

Current Mayo Clinic Research on Resveratrol

The Mayo Clinic emphasizes resveratrol as being a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent

Key Findings On Resveratrol From The Mayo Clinic

Mayo Clinic specialists and associated studies highlight resveratrol's immunomodulatory abilities as follows: 

• T-Cell Regulation: Clinical studies have shown that high, quality doses of resveratrol can significantly increase circulating T cells and Regulatory T cells (Tregs), which are crucial for immunosurveillance and controlling inflammation.
• Cytokine Reduction: Resveratrol has been linked to small but significant decreases in pro-inflammatory cytokines like TNF-α and MCP-1.

Current Mayo Clinic Research on Colostrum

The Mayo Clinic’s current focus in colostrum centers on its role in gut health and the prevention of specific infections.

• Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) Prevention: Mayo Clinic researchers have participated in studies (e.g., NCT04913077) evaluating the use of bovine colostrum to prevent the recurrence of C. diff infections. C. diff is short for Clostridioides difficile. It is a bacterium that causes an infection of the colon, leading to symptoms that range from mild diarrhea to life-threatening intestinal inflammation. The Mayo Clinic has found that the high concentration of antibodies (IgG) in colostrum can neutralize toxins in the human gut.
• Gut-Immune Connection: Mayo specialists often discuss the "leaky gut" theory. Mayo-affiliated research shows colostrum can strengthen the intestinal barrier that prevents leaky gut syndrome. 
• Lactoferrin Studies: The Mayo Clinic has examined lactoferrin (a key protein found in colostrum) and has recognized its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, particularly in neonatal care and its ability to sequester iron from harmful bacteria. Many harmful bacteria need iron to survive, grow, and multiply. By sequestering iron, your body effectively "starves" off the infection.

The Stem Cell Worx patented formulation contains extremely high levels of these three ingredients in unfiltered form. Its intraoral spray delivery of the 40% IgG Colostrum, 98%-99% Resveratrol and 95% Fucoidan enables 95% absorption of these nutrients to get directly into the bloodstream for the rapid onset of many immune benefits. 

Stem Cell Worx is available online at www.stemcellworx.com   

References:

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2836060

https://aafa.org/with-asthma-related-er-visits-increasing-aafa-names-2025-asthma-capitals/

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a physician concerning all medical advice.