Children’s Immune Support:
There are different ways of going about undertaking immune support. I like to err on the extremely conservative/safe side and aim to support the immune system in four main ways. We carry all these products at our office for your convenience.
1: Support the conductors of the symphony of your Immune System. Instead of stimulating the immune system, we aim to regulate and balance it. What I recommend is what are considered to be conductors of the immune system, directing all the different players involved how to work together in a coordinated and effective way. These are the fat-soluble vitamins (vitamin D and A especially, I use the Biotics Research Bio-Emulsion ADEK or the Vitamin D drops by Apex Entergetics) and Omega 3s Essential Fatty Acids. Omega 3s are called essential fatty acids because our body does not make them, we need to eat/ingest them. They are highest in oily fishes and historically have been taken through the form of Cod Liver Oil. Now we have many options of how to take them (besides eating fish, which many of us do not do often enough). There are even vegan forms of Omega 3s from algae. Omega 3s are something I ALWAYS recommend. There are so many health benefits and I consider them “forever supplements.”
2: Antioxidant Support. Support the immune system to clean up waste and free radicals with antioxidant support. The body makes its own antioxidants, and only when these internal stores become overwhelmed by the onslaught of invaders or toxins is there a problem. The body’s “master” antioxidant is Glutathione and we recommend that specifically in the short term. Apex Entergetics makes a lotion called Oxicell SE that is an easy way to get glutathione into babies and kids. Vitamin C is also a potent antioxidant. I am not a fan of ascorbic acid for Vitamin C, use another form (Pure Radiance as a food based one). You can also eat foods high in antioxidants. Think color! Blueberries, pomegranates and other brightly colored foods are high in antioxidants (google them!).
3: Amino Acid and Multi-vitamin/mineral Support. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins from which our immune cells are made. They are also essential for energy production, nutrient absorption, neurotransmitter health, tissue health and much more. This can be optional, though it is recommended again for the short term around immune insults and challenges or long term as a building block of proteins, hormones, neurotransmitters and more. It also helps support Phase 2 Liver detox. Apex Entergetics has great amino acid formulas that taste good and have detoxification support. Oxylent has great kids and adults multivitamins and also immune support formulas.
4. Probiotic support for gut health and overall wellness. There are so many probiotics to choose from and it is also good to rotate the type of probiotics used. Included here are Probiotic Synergy Powder by Designs for Health for general support and if there is any cold/sinus/flu/mouth sores issue use Children’s ENT Pro by Biotics Research. I do not usually recommend probiotics in my practice, I recommend eating probiotic foods such as whole milk yogurt, sauerkraut, kefir, kimchi, etc. But they are included here as people seem to think they are important. Definitely if there is a gut issue, antibiotics and around illnesses and vaccinations they are likely a good idea.
B Vitamins. It may also be important to support your child’s energy production/methylation/detoxification pathways with methylated B vitamins. It is very important not to give your children folic acid (synthetic B9) or cynocobalamin (synthetic B12). These are in many multivitamins as they are cheap. Please look for folate (B9) and either methylcobalamin, adenocobalamin or hydroxycolablamin for B12. Many of us cannot absorb the synthetic forms and it actually blocks our receptors to absorb the B vitamins we should receive from foods, etc. There are different B products that I like, and a few of them are liquid. Please inquire at our office for information. B vitamins can be very stimulating, so monitor your child and only give them B vitamins in the morning. An easy way to add the B vitamins is in the Oxylent multivitamin products.
Babies under 1 year of age:
General support that can be taken long term:
-Children’s DHA Xtra by Nordic Naturals in dropper- .50mL daily (half a milliliter) (about 550mg)
-Infant Probiotics by Klaire Labs- Ther-Biotic for Infants (dose on bottle)
If your child is sick, consider adding:
-Bio-ADEK-Mulsion (by Biotics Research)- 1 drop a day or an extra 1,000 IU of Vitamin D
-Oxicell SE Glutathione (by Apex Entergetics)- ½ to 1 pump of lotion on skin once a day
-Pure Radiance Vitamin C powder (by Pure Radiance)- ¼ to ½ teaspoon a day
- Oxylent Kids Multivitamin- 1 serving a day or Immune Support (adult product) 1/2 packet a day
Kids One to Two years of Age:
-Children’s DHA Xtra by Nordic Naturals in dropper- do full dose (about 900mg)
-Probiotic Synergy- ¼ teaspoon or Infant Probiotics (see above) or Children’s ENT Pro if there are respiratory symptoms or other probiotics of your choice
- Oxylent Kids- 1 packet a day or one packet a few times a week (this has B vitamins)
If your child is sick, consider adding:
-Bio-ADEK-Mulsion- 1 drop a day or an extra 1,000 IU of Vitamin D
-Oxicell SE Glutathione- 1 pump of lotion on skin once a day
-Pure Radiance Vitamin C powder- ½ to 1 teaspoon a day
-Oxylent Immune Support, 1 packet a day (split into two doses
Kids Three to Ten Years of Age
- Continue with DHA Xtra but up dose or switch to the capsules or ProOmega 2000 by Nordic Naturals (2 capsules) or DHA Junior Liquid or other Omega 3 containing about 600-1,000 mg oils
- Clearvite GL- ½- 1 scoop a day (optional). Can also use one of the other products if you want to add protein to the powder and achieve 10g of protein per serving. Clearvite CHC and CLA have collagen added and Clearvite PSF has pea protein. Same great amino acids, detox, multi-vitamin support with protein so it can be used as a meal replacement/supplement. Great for focus after school.
-Probiotic Synergy- ½ teaspoon or Children’s ENT Pro if there are any respiratory symptoms
-Oxylent adult formula, ½ packet a day or Kid’s Formula full dose
If your child is sick, consider adding:
-Oxylent Immune formula, 1 packet a day
-Bio-ADEK-Mulsion- 2 drops a day or an extra 2,000 IU of Vitamin D
-Oxicell SE Glutathione- 1 pump of lotion on skin once a day
-Pure Radiance Vitamin C powder- ½ to 1 teaspoon a day
-Oxylent Immune Support, 1 packet a day (split into two doses)
Children above 10 years of age
- 1,000 iu Vitamin D (use a product that has all fat soluble vitamins: A, D, E and K, like one drop of the ADEK) from September through April
-1,000 mg Omega 3s (ProOmega 2000 Junior) take forever
-1-2 scoops Clearvite GL or other Clearvite (optional)
-Probiotic Synergy- ½ teaspoon or Children’s ENT Pro if there are any respiratory symptoms
If your child is sick, consider adding:
-Oxylent Immune formula, 1 packet a day
-Bio-ADEK-Mulsion- 3 drops a day or an extra 3,000 IU of Vitamin D
-Oxicell SE Glutathione- 1 pump of lotion on skin twice a day
-Pure Radiance Vitamin C powder- 1 teaspoon a day
-Oxylent Immune Support, 1 packet a day (split into two doses)
Lifestyle Recommendations when Sick:
-Plenty of rest. No or few screens/movies. Listen to book tapes, read aloud and SLEEP!
-Do not suppress fevers unless over 103 or 104 degrees. Fever is the body’s natural defense to obliterate the germ invasion. Avoid Tylenol as much as possible (it lowers glutathione)
-Drink warm water with lemon and raw honey (no honey if under 1 year of age) through a straw (keeps acidic lemon off teeth)
-If warm and sunny lay kids in a sunbeam, but keep them warm or in a sunny window indoors
-Bone broths, chicken soups (Weston A Price website has recipes)
-Avoid: Neurotoxic additives – MSG, Aspartame, Genetically modified foods (GMO’s), Microwaved and irradiated foods, Sugar, refined flour and other processed foods
Omega-6 vegetable oils (Canola, corn, safflower, soy, etc.)
-I LOVE magnesium. It helps calm the nervous system, detoxifies, helps for stress and sleep. I recommend taking extra at night before bed if any muscle cramping, problems sleeping, increased stress or constipation. Magnesium Glycinate at 50-250mg/night. Epsom salt baths.
-Trust the process, a healthy immune system knows how to fight, and fighting off all these minor illnesses without medication/antibiotics can train our ninja warrior immune cells to fight well so as we age they will be better at fighting off real disease and more serious infections.
Follow this protocol two weeks before and two weeks after vaccinations, if your child is getting sick or is sick, for eczema, and more. If there is eczema, try applying the Oxicell SE directly to the affected area. If you use these recommendations for more long term wellness, discontinue the Oxicell SE and do the Vitamin ADEK only if you are not taking the kids Oxylent multivitamin. Your children do not need both. Omega 3s are my favorite long term support.