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Supplements and Dosage for Children’s Immune Building

12 Sep 2011 05:29:33 AM

By Graeme Bradshaw

Probiotics
Probiotics are strains of bacteria that are beneficial to our body. They fight off the bad bacteria and maintain integrity of our gut. In children, probiotics can:

• Improve immunity
• Decrease allergies
• Reduce infection
• Facilitate digestion, absorption and elimination
• Decrease toxins

Lactobacillus Reuteri is the king of prevention therapies and reduces rates of infection by around half. Three studies, one of school children, one of office workers and another of factory workers concluded the same: half the days lost to illness (Weizman et al., 2005; Tubelius et al., 2005). For children L reuteri reduces frequency of fevers by up to 74% in one study of infants given the product in their drinks. One study concluded: "The L reuteri group, compared with controls, had a significant decrease of number of days with fever, clinic visits, child care absences, and antibiotic prescriptions".

• One capsule daily of Primadophilus Reuteri for children aged 3 - 6, 2 capsules for children over 7 years and above;
• Infants can use Reuteri powder, as listed on the package.
• It can be opened and added to a drink.
• It is not effective if taken during an infection, it is best taken daily as a preventive.

Elderberry Extract

The Scientifically Studied Natural Herbal Extract for Flu.

Elderberry Extracts have been shown in several studies to reduce the ability of influenza viruses, including swine flu, to enter cells (Zakay-Rones et al., 1995; Zakay-Rones et al., 2004).

The herbal remedy made from elderberry, was developed after lab studies by Dr. Madeleine Mumcuoglu, a world-renowned virologist, showed it to prevent and slow influenza viruses from reproducing. As viruses cannot replicate themselves outside of living cells, they have to invade cells to survive. "If you can stop them from invading cells, you've defeated the disease", says Dr. Mumcuoglu.

Dr Madeleine Mumcuoglu tested the black elderberry proteins against the Influenza B virus first, and discovered that "they actually prevent the virus from invading our cell". Evidence also showed that the elderberry protein also inhibits the enzyme covered on the influenza virus, which are the weapons to break down our healthy cells.

Scientific studies show that elderberry extract (Sambucus nigra L.) was able to cut the duration and severity of flu by up to half.

During the times of bird flu, Dr Mumcuoglu has tested many flu strains and commented that it didn't really matter where the flu originated, and elderberry was proven effective against all influenza virus tested.

Sambucus is pleasant tasting syrup, suitable for children and adults alike. Do take the recommended doses on the package for full effect.

IMI also stocks Berry Well, an every day Elderberry powder combined with other immune enhancers.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is a water-soluble compound needed to prevent scurvy. Scurvy is marked by bleeding gums, and increased frequency and severity of viral infections. Our body does not make or store vitamin C, so it must be obtained from our diet. Optimal levels of vitamin C for immunity are higher than the RDA level of 60mg; at least 200mg, at which level it reduces frequency of colds by about 20% over a year.

Vitamin C is also a powerful antioxidant that helps protect cells from damage. Vitamin C also is needed to make and repair collagen, move fat into cells where it can be converted into energy, and make neurotransmitters.

About one-quarter of the vitamin C content of vegetables is lost by brief boiling, steaming, or freezing and thawing. Canning fruits and vegetables reduce their vitamin C content by about one-third, as does longer cooking at higher temperatures.

• Vitamin C over 200mg for children only reduces the rate of infections by 20 per cent per year
• Diarrhoea will occur if excessive doses are taken, however, so just reduce if necessary.
• IMI recommends children to take the "drink your vitamins" product called Ola Loa KIDS MULTI. Each sachet contains 250mg vitamin C and is doctor-formulated product based upon up-to-date studies on nutrition and child development. It is much lower in sugar than Emergen-C. Ola Loa also contains higher levels of other important vitamins and minerals including zinc.

Zinc

• Zinc is found in meat, eggs, legume beans, sunflower and pumpkin seeds
• Similar to iron, deficiencies are common during growth phases, and in vegetarian diets
• White spots under the fingernails, slow wound healing, serious bronchitis and pneumonia are all indications of deficiency
• We can perform a simple "Zinc Taste Test" at IMI to determine your child's zinc status
• When a virus infection frequently turns into a bacterial infection then your child's immunity is probably short of zinc
• Zinc is effective when given during serious lung infections, e.g. it has been proven to be life saving in pneumonia infections in one study
• Therapeutic doses are 1mg for every year of age, up to 15mg daily, usually taken as liquid zinc sulfate
• A safe low-dose supplement of 5mg of Zinc daily can be used at any time there is a growth spurt, a time when children often run short of this nutrient
• Pumpkin seed butter is a good alternative to peanut butter and is a great source of zinc (IMI stocks it in the fridge)

Vitamin A

• Vitamin A is essential for the functioning of the immune system and the healthy growth and development of children.
• Vitamin A prevents a virus or bacteria from penetrating the mucous membranes - preventing infections from starting.

Examples of Foods rich in vitamin A are:

• Red pepper
• Sweet potatoes
• Carrots
• Green leafy vegetables
• Lettuce
• Dried apricots
• Cantaloupe

Iron

• The first sign of low iron levels in children is low immunity, and poor concentration, occurring before anemia (low hemoglobin). Your child may look pale, have pale lips and nails, and have dark rings under the eyes, which are common indications of the need for iron. Blood testing for Ferritin levels is advised to check for this.

Examples of foods rich in iron are:

• Red meat
• Egg yolk
• Dark leafy vegetables (e.g. spinach)
• Dried fruits (e.g prunes, raisins, apricots )
• Sardines and anchovies

 

When to give these supplements?

• One Primadophillus Reuteri probiotic daily as the strongest preventive, all year round.
• Vitamin C as powdered drink Ola Loa KIDS MULTI and liquid Zinc Solution are additional options for intensive needs, the flu season in November and May, and when virus symptoms start
• Berry Well can be taken through the flu season October to March as an immune support

The above are preventive and are considered sufficient for effective immune function.

During Viral Infections from Colds and Flu:

• Take Elderberry/Sambucus syrup if runny nose, sniffles, sneezing, sweating, and a cough with clear phlegm are the main symptoms. Be sure to follow the instructions
• Ola Loa Kids Multi and Zinc Solution can also be used at the same time

• Tubelius P et al. Increasing work-place healthiness with the probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri: a randomised, double-blind placebo-controlled study. Environ Health. 2005 Nov 7;4:25.
• Weizman Z et al. Effect of a probiotic infant formula on infections in child care centers: comparison of two probiotic agents. Pediatrics. 2005 Jan;115(1):5-9.
• Zakay-Rones Z, Thom E, Wollan T, Wadstein J. Randomized study of the efficacy and safety of oral elderberry extract in the treatment of influenza A and B virus infections. J Int Med Res. 2004 Mar-Apr;32(2):132-40.
• Zakay-Rones Z, Varsano N, Zlotnik M, Manor O, Regev L, Schlesinger M, Mumcuoglu M. Inhibition of several strains of influenza virus in vitro and reduction of symptoms by an elderberry extract (Sambucus nigra L.) during an outbreak of influenza B Panama. J Altern Complement Med. 1995 Winter;1(4):361-9.