Health Benefits

1. Supports Immune function- Shortens the duration of respiratory illness such the common cold, sinusitis and bronchitis.
2. Facilitates Iron Absorption- Facilitates iron absorption by chemically reducing the iron to a form that can easily be absorbed  into the body. I discuss this more in depth here
3. A Powerful Antioxidant- Can protect against damage caused from free radicals and reduce the risk of inflammation that contribute to the development of health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and arthritis.
4. Heart Health- Removes sodium and water from the body, which helps to relax the blood vessel walls thus lowering blood pressure. Modifies low-density lipoproteins which is a major cause of cardiovascular disease. Reduces vascular smooth-muscle-cell apoptosis, which prevents plaque in atherosclerosis. Helps synthesize L-carnitine in the liver and transported via the bloodstream to cardiac and skeletal muscle. L-carnatine plays a big role in the production of cell energy.
5. Skin and Joints- Is required for biosynthesis of collagen, an important structural protein that makes up connective tissue used to form skin, tendons, ligaments and blood vessels. Collagen also plays a vital role in wound healing, recovery from burns and scar tissue formation.
6. Enhance Cancer Treatment- Helps metabolize proteins and antioxidant activity reducing the risk of some cancers. Can also decrease symptoms associated with chemotherapy including nausea and fatigue.
7. Constipation- We mentioned Vitamin C is water soluble. That means it also pulls water into your intestines, which can help soften your stool.

Forms of Vitamin C

Vitamin C comes in many various forms in the food we eat, including supplements found in topical, capsules, powder, chewable tablets, liquids and gummy form.

Foods

• Strawberries
• Spinach
• Citrus fruit
• Red and green pepper
• Sweet potato
• Kiwi

Supplements

• Ascorbic Acid – Available in natural or synthetic form. May irritate the stomach.
• Mineral Ascorbates – Also known as buffered Vitamin C with mineral salts and is less acidic. Common mineral ascorbates include sodium, calcium, potassium and magnesium. Mineral ascorbates are generally more expensive but they are much easier on the stomach.
• Vitamin C with bioflavonoids – Bioflavonoids are compounds that increase the absorption of Vitamin C.
• Ester-C – This form contains mainly calcium ascorbate.
• Topical – Concentrated serums and creams that are applied to the skin are used as anti-aging formulas and antioxidant benefits. Most ingested Vitamin C does not reach the skin.

Make sure you read your labels to determine which Vitamin C is best for your family.

Symptoms of a Vitamin C deficiency

Around the end of the 15th century, a condition called scurvy, was cited as a major cause of illness and mortality among sailors due to malnutrition. This condition is caused by a severe-prolonged deficiency in Vitamin C. In 1747, James Lind conducted experiments aboard a naval ship utilizing lemons to aid in the treatment of scurvy. In the 1920’s, Albert Szent-Györgyi first recognized the correlation between Vitamin C deficiency and ascorbic acid treatments. If you’re deficient in Vitamin C, you could suffer from the following symptoms:

• Inflammation of the gums (gingivitis)
• Skin/hair- Slow wound healing, rough and dry skin, dry and splitting hair
• Weak immune system
• Swollen and painful joints
• Infants- Irritability, pain with movement, anorexia, slowed growth
• Children- Bone growth is impaired, bleeding, anemia

Prolonged deficiency can over time lead to other health related issues such as high blood pressure/atherosclerosis, gallbladder disease, stroke and certain cancers.

Common Side Effects

• GI- diarrhea, cramps
• Muscle cramps
• Stiffness of the joints

Vitamin C is one of the safer and more researched supplements out there and is unlikely to cause a problem. However, a high dosage or intake of Vitamin C can lead to a couple unwanted side effects. Vitamin C is absorbed in the intestines which can lead to gastrointestinal discomfort or have a laxative effect. Another poor side effect is the potential to increase urinary oxalate and uric acid excretion, which can inadvertently lead to kidney stones. People with hemochromatosis (too much iron in their blood) can lead to tissue damage from high iron absorption.

Drug Interactions

Lipid levels should be monitored in individuals taking both statins and antioxidant supplements

What tricks do you utilize to encourage your kids to take their daily dose of vitamin C? Comment below….

*Disclaimer- Please seek health advice from your provider before trying any of the above mentioned supplements. Only you and your provider understand your child’s health history. These supplements are not considered cures for any ailments

Having said that here is what we know and what We can DO to prepare in a calm-rational manner…

COVID-19 is a VIRUS and it can cause pneumonia. Pneumonia can be fatal for elderly and compromised individuals. Pneumonia is an infection that inflames the air sacs with fluid or purulent (pus) material in one or both lungs. For the most part, the body is capable of reversing the damage from inflammation and allowing the lungs to heal. However, inflammation can become too much that a “cytokine storm” can occur, which is the key mechanism for fatality. A cytokine storm is basically your immune system taking on more than it can handle.

The main symptoms of Covid-19 include some but is not limited to fever, cough and shortness of breath. If you have symptoms, call your physician or local health department and they will instruct you further. Do not leave your house unless you need urgent medical attention.

We cant control the media and we cant control this virus. What we can control is how we react and what we do to protect our family during this time to prevent and treat any virus.

• Stop the panic-buying-frenzy. Trucks are still delivering, grocery stores are still open, and restaurants are still doing their part to help the community. Only buy what you need for the week. You all are acting like Floridians do when a hurricane comes except the difference is, you WONT be stranded without running water or electricity.
• Utilize food delivery services/curb side pick up. Help keep your favorite local restaurants in business.
• Check on your elderly neighbor
• Check on your child’s emotional well being. Here is how to start this conversation
• Stay off social media. You don’t need to check numbers daily. It does nothing to change the situation.
• We are trying to “social distance” to protect our elderly and immune compromised. Lets be responsible and help this cause. Every one in this country has a parent, grandparent, Aunt, Uncle, cousin, child, friend and/or neighbor that fits this criteria. Statistically speaking, most experience mild symptoms but that’s not the case for everyone. Respect others. This is Preschool 101.
• Lots of people still have to leave their homes when necessary but please stay home if you can and most definitely stay home if you are sick.
• Practice makes perfect: Wash your hands, Cough in your elbow, Hand sanitize (recipe here), Avoid touching your face, clean your phone, sanitize your home regularly.

People are out buying endless supplies of toilet paper and I am over here buying ALL the immune supplements and cold remedies.

Here are things I have considered (and why) to protect my family in the event they get any illness during this time….

• Elderberry is used for flu, colds and other ailments by boosting immunity and reducing inflammation. Here is a more in depth explanation and usage.
• Vitamin D3 is known to boost immunity. This is a major reason why the flu season subsides when the weather gets warmer. Not only does the heat kill most virus pathogens but people go outside more and get their Vitamin D. We are all a little Vitamin D deficient to some degree (unless you work outside everyday) and this can pose as a small risk factor for sepsis and inflammatory disorders. Here is more Vitamin D info.
• Zinc is required for normal white blood cell functioning and is known to increase cell production that can boost immunity and reduce inflammation. It also is known to impair the replication of RNA viruses such as influenza and covid-19. Here is more information on how zinc works and acts on the immune system.
• Vitamin A helps make antibodies, a barrier against pathogens. Here is more information on the benefits of Vitamin A.
• Vitamin C is a powerful anti-oxidant and can help prevent oxidative damage minimizing the cytokine storms impact we mentioned above. Some studies suggest high dose of Vitamin C is beneficial during a virus. There’s much speculation on this treatment due to the lack of enough research but the benefit out weights the risk for me personally. Link to more Vitamin C benefits.
• Echinacea treats symptoms associated with cold and flu. It acts as an antimicrobial to viral pathogens. Here is more information for benefits and usage of Echinacea.
• Salt water rinse- If you experience a sore throat start salt water gargling. Here is why… A cold will sit in your throat and replicate. Ask yourself why do we usually start with a sore throat and then other symptoms proceed. Salt water is known to kill germs. Swish swish.
• Anti-pyretics- A fever is your body’s defense mechanism against an illness because it burns up the pathogen. Remember we said warm weather kills most viruses. I try to avoid giving my kids anything for fevers unless they are uncomfortable or their temperature goes above what their pediatrician recommends.
• Cough- If you start to experience a cough, be proactive and call your provider. Here is more information to my post regarding at home remedies for coughs.
• Hydration- Drink! Drink! Drink! This will help detox and flush all the bad out of your body. Salt baths are also beneficial to help with this process.
• Other- Rest, Decrease stress, Exercise, Balanced diet
• Face Mask..…. The only thing that will protect you from respiratory droplets is an N95. Our health care providers are in the front line of this mess. Save the mask for your health care providers.

We live in a highly developed, medically advanced country and we will get through this together. Stay home, stay calm, do your part and wash Yo hands!

Comment below what you use for colds and or/viral infections for your children?

*Disclaimer- Please seek health advice from your provider before trying any of the above mentioned supplements. Only you and your provider understand your child’s health history. These supplements are not considered cures for any ailments including influenza or Covid-19.