This time of year brings sniffles, colds, coughs and more into the home. Nothing is more important to a parent than keeping their children healthy. Luckily, there are two very simple things that have proven extremely effective at improving kids’ immunity and substantially reducing illness. Those two things are vitamin D and probiotics.
Vitamin D – Super Protection
Vitamin D is getting a lot of press these days, as low levels have been linked to numerous disorders including rickets, depression, pain, cancer and immune suppression. Even more telling is that research is showing that the Recommended Daily Intake (RDI) is nowhere near high enough to protect against a majority of these illnesses. For example, an analysis of the medical literature found that at least 1000-2000 IU of vitamin D3 per day is necessary to reduce the risk of colorectal cancer.1
One of the challenges with taking the necessary amount of vitamin D is the outdated acceptable upper limit for vitamin D3 consumption, which was set at 2000 IU. However, researchers point out that more recent studies have shown that 10,000 IU is the safe upper limit.2 Sunshine is a great source of vitamin D – research shows that you need at least 30 minutes of sunshine on your bear arms, legs and face without sun block at least 3 times per week to get adequate vitamin D3. For most of us, this simply isn’t possible from autumn to spring, so high quality vitamin D3 supplements can fill in the gaps.
Vitamin D levels can and should be monitored to insure optimal levels and to adjust supplementation. This is a simple blood test that can be done at any hospital or clinic. The test you should request is called 25 (OH) Vitamin D and ideal levels are between 40-60 ng/ml.
Probiotics to Supercharge the Immune System
Most people don’t think of probiotics or the health of their gastrointestinal system (i.e., GI tract or gut) as an integral part of their immune system. However, it is probably the MOST important component. Research has shown that as much as 70% of your immune function originates in your gut, and a major component of that system is the organisms that live in your GI tract. These organisms (mainly bacteria and yeasts) not only help you digest and absorb nutrients, they protect you from most of the bacteria and viruses you may be exposed to.
In fact, research has shown that daily probiotic supplementation is a safe, effective way for children to reduce fever, runny nose, cough duration and incidence and antibiotic prescription use, as well as the number of missed school days due to illness.3 The numbers are even more amazing.
Relative to placebo, kids taking a combination probiotic reduced their incidence of fever 73%, coughing by 62%, and runny nose by 59%. Antibiotic use was reduced 84% relative to placebo, and kids taking probiotics missed almost a third fewer days of school than those that did not.
What this all means is that you can help your kids be much healthier, especially during the cold and flu season, by giving them the right amount of vitamin D and a high quality, multi-strain probiotic. Here’s what we use:
Micellized D3 – 1 drop (1200 IU) every other day for children 3-5 years of age; 1 drop daily for children 5-12 years of age; 1 drop twice daily for kids older than 12 years old as well as for adults.
Suppys Probiotic – 1 scoop daily (mixed with juice or water on an empty stomach) for kids between 15-60 lbs.; 1 scoop twice daily for kids 60-100 lbs.; adults should use Probiotic Complete – 1 capsule 1-2 times daily on an empty stomach.
Please feel free to contact Dr. Chad if you have questions regarding this post. Be healthy – be happy!
References
- Gorham ED, Garland CF, Garland FC, Grant WB, Mohr SB, Lipkin M, Newmark HL, Giovannucci E, Wei M, Holick MF. Optimal vitamin D status for colorectal cancer prevention: a quantitative meta analysis. Am J Prev Med. 2007 Mar;32(3):210-6.
- Hathcock JN, Shao A, Vieth R, Heaney R. Risk assessment for vitamin D. Am J Clin Nutr. 2007 Jan;85(1):6-18.
- Pediatrics. August 2009;124(2):e172-9.