The Power of Vitamin C

*this is not medical advice

Immunity Support

Vitamin C helps the body produce immune cells, strengthens T cells, and helps healthy cells stay alive and active. It is also essential for growth and repair of tissues throughout the body. It can help heal wounds and fight free radicals in the body to prevent against cancers and heart disease. There is evidence that Vitamin C may help decrease the length and severity of cold symptoms, making it a great supplement for the winter months. 

0-6mo: 40mg daily

7-12mo: 50mg daily

1-3yr: 15mg daily

4-8yr: 25mg daily

9-13yr: 45mg daily

14-18yr male: 75mg

14-18yr female: 65 mg

source: NIH

*infants typically need higher vitamin C because their bodies are still developing and they have a higher need for growth support, immune function, and collagen production

Most child specific supplements will give an age range. These age ranges are based on the serving size, so most times you can use for any age you just might have to do some calculations to get the right dose.

this bottle is marked 6-12mo

2mL = 50mg

I wold personally be ok using 50mg for 0-6mo, but if you wanted to be “by the book” you could use 1.5 mL for 37.5mg.

this bottle’s serving size is...

4mL = 90mg

that would make 2mL = 45 mg

so if you wanted to be “by the book” you could do 1ml for a newborn; 1/4mL 1-3yr; 1/2 mL 4-8yr, etc.

Vitamin C & Vaccines

Vitamin C has strong antitoxin properties. It can even neutralize the toxic nature of mercury (NIH).

According to Dr. Thomas E. Levy, "Vitamin C has been documented to augment the antibody response of the immune system. As the goal of any vaccination is to stimulate a maximal antibody response to the antigens of the vaccine while causing minimal to no toxic damage to the most sensitive of vaccine recipients, there would appear to be no medically sound reason not to make Vitamin C a part of all vaccination protocols (1)."

A review of the world literature on Vitamin C and vaccine reactions in animals showed that supplementing with Vitamin C has a protective effect (2). Research has also shown that Vitamin C reduces the morbidity and the mortality following injection of bacterial and toxins in guinea pigs, rats, and mice. 

A 2017 study showed that Vitamin C supplementation improved the efficacy of foot-and-mouth disease vaccine in guinea pigs (3). Studies of aborigines in Australia by Kalokerinos have also reported on the highly protective effects of Vitamin C in children (4). 

Instructions & Dosage

recommended forms: liposomal vitamin c, sodium ascorbate, calcium ascorbate

Dr. Levy's recommended dosage (1):

in divided doses

>10 lb: 500 mg/day

10-20 lb: 1,000 mg/day

20lb-10 years: 1,000 mg for each year of life 

Our pediatrician recommends for 7 days before a vaccine and 7 days after. Dr. Levy recommends at least a minimum of 3-5 days before a vaccine, and at least 2-3 minimum following. If diarrhea occurs, reduce dosing as needed.

Read more about vaccine detox options HERE.

• Bulk Supplements (powder) - my personal fav vitamin c for vaccine detox

• Mary Ruth (liquid) - I find this one harder to give to little kids because it makes juice thicker and taste weird

• Bee Keeper Natural (liquid) - a much better liquid option, flavor wise. But it contains honey, so not suitable for children under 12mo. You can get 30 count on their website and code ALEXKELLY gets you 15%

"Even taking a one time dose of Vitamin C in the dosages suggested above directly before the injections can still have significant toxin-neutralizing and anti-body stimulating effects.  It's just that an even better likelihood of having a positive outcome results from extending the pre- and post-dosing periods of time.” Dr. Levy"

Vitamin C & Whooping Cough

There is evidence showing sodium ascorbate as an effective treatment against pertussis. Ascorbate is the antioxidant portion of whole Vitamin C. It is an electron donor and neutralizes toxins in the blood. It works by mobilizing the immune cells that process the infection (neutrophil and phagocytes). The bacterial toxin of pertussis forms a barrier to the immune system. Ascorbate clears this barrier, which allows the immune system to deal with it properly. 

The typical starting dose for children is 200-375 mg per kg over 24 hours (1kg = 2.2 lb)

(Weight in pounds / 2.2) x 375 = the 24 hour dose

Example for a child weighing 20 pounds: (20 / 2.2) x 375 - 3,409 mg ascorbate acid given in many small doses over the course of 24 hours

There is MUCH much much more information that should be understood before considering this protocol. Please visit tinyurl.com/PertussisVitaminC to read all the pertinent information. 

*Sodium ascorbate does not prevent or stop pertussis. It helps ease symptoms by clearing away toxins, making the coughing milder, increases the ability of the body to clear out the bacteria, and helps develop natural immunity.

Source: 5,6

Vitamin C & Chlorine

Chlorinated pools release chloramines due to the combination of chlorine with sweat, sunscreen, urine, and other chemicals. Chloramine is oxidized chlorine gas which can cause symptoms likes coughing and sinus irritation. It can also increase asthma symptoms. 

An AAP study of over 800 children (7) showed that chlorine exposure can have increased effects on children with allergies or asthma; and children without allergies or asthma were also effected by prolonged and regular chlorine exposure. Prolonged chlorine exposure can also cause dry hair/skin, dental erosion, bladder cancer, rectal cancer, and cardiovascular disease.

Vitamin C Spray: Vitamin C helps neutralize and undo the damage of chlorine exposure. You can take internally, as well as make a topical spray using Vitamin C powder to use after chlorine exposure (or Rowe Casa has a premade one). 1tsp Vitamin C to 8oz of water in a spray bottle. *Vitamin C degrades quickly in water, so the solution will only last 24 hours. 

Apply an Oil Barrier: To further protect the skin, you can apply an oil barrier (like coconut) with a mixture of the above Vitamin C spray before chlorine exposure.

Add Vitamin C Powder to Sunscreen: You can also add Vitamin C powder to your sunscreen of choice before application (2tsp powder for every 1c sunscreen).

Sources:

1 Levy, T. E. "Vitamin C Prevents Vaccination Side Effects; Increases Effectiveness." Orthomolecular Medicine News Service (Feb 14, 2012): http://orthomolecular.org/resources/omns/v08n07.shtml 

2 Clemetson CAB. Vaccinations, inoculations, and ascorbic acid. J

Orthomolecular Med 1999; 14:137-142

3 Minsheng Wu, Meina He & Youmin Kang (2018) Vitamin C supplementation improved the efficacy of foot-and-mouth disease vaccine, Food and Agricultural Immunology, 29:1, 470-483, DOI: 10.1080/09540105.2017.1406459

4 Kalokerinos A. Medical Pioneer of the 20th Century. Melbourne,

Victoria, Australia: Biological Therapies Publishing Pty Ltd; 2000.

5 Bozonet et.al 2015, Enhanced Human Neutrophil Vitamin C Status, Chemotaxis and Oxidant Generation Following Dietary Supplementation with Vitamin C-Rich SunGold Kiwifruit, Nutrients, PMID:25912037

6 Schorah 1996 Total vitamin C, ascorbic acid, and dehydroascorbic acid concentrations in plasma of critically ill patients.PMID:8615361

7 Alfred Bernard, PhD; Marc Nickmilder, PhD; Catherine Voisin, MSc; Antonia Sardella, MD. Impact of Chlorinated Swimming Pool Attendance on the Respiratory Health of Adolescents. October 1, 2009.