Vitamins and mineralsVitamin C for a child with a cold — should you give it or not?
Sources: 9 · Article: 10 897 characters
Henryk Różański gives a recipe for a children’s syrup containing L-ascorbic acid and recommends giving it several times a day by the teaspoon or tablespoon, depending on the child’s age.
- Andrzej Frydrychowski recommends vitamin C during infections, but does not present his suggested doses as doses for children.
- Jerzy Zięba cites both advice to supplement vitamin C during illness and the view that its level should not be increased with supplements.
- The information provided does not clearly establish whether vitamin C should be given to a child with a cold, or at what dose.
What the authors write
Andrzej Frydrychowski
Andrzej Frydrychowski recommends giving vitamin C during an infection and suggests as much as 2 g every 3 hours.
„When an infection occurs, the need for this vitamin rises dramatically. That is why we need to give it then, even at 2 g every 3 hours, until the infection clears. In the event of an infection that poses a threat to life—for example, sepsis or a severe viral infection—we should give vit.”W momencie infekcji zapotrzebowanie na tę witaminę rośnie drastycznie. Dlatego wtedy musimy ją podawać nawet po 2 g co 3 godziny, aż do ustąpienia infekcji. W razie infekcji, przy której mamy zagrożenie życia – np. sepsa czy silna infekcja wirusowa – należy podawać wit.
Jerzy Zięba
Jerzy Zięba cites advice to maintain an appropriate level of vitamin C, but not to increase it with supplements.
„“It is important to maintain the right level of this vitamin in the body so that it can fight infections and diseases, but there is no point in increasing it with supplements,” explains Dr. Lidia Stopyra, an infectious disease specialist.”
During an infection, after medical procedures and operations, and during inflammation in the body (including cancer), the need for vitamin C is higher, which means that the amount of vitamin C in the body drops dramatically.”- Ważne jest utrzymanie odpowiedniego poziomu tej witaminy w organizmie, aby umiał walczyć z infekcjami i chorobami, jednak zwiększanie go suplementami nie ma sensu – tłumaczy dr Lidia Stopyra, specjalistka w dziedzinie chorób zakaźnych.”
W czasie infekcji oraz po przebytych zabiegach i operacjach, a także w czasie stanów zapalnych toczących się w organizmie (także przy nowotworach) zapotrzebowanie na witaminę C jest wyższe co oznacza, że ilość witaminy C w organizmie zmniejsza się drastycznie.
Jerzy Zięba
In the same passage, Jerzy Zięba says that the need for vitamin C increases during illness and cites advice to supplement it during an infection.
„The need for vitamin C is greatest during illness and it should be replenished regularly, so the body becomes saturated with vitamin C. At this time, it is difficult to provide the right amount of vitamin C in the body through diet alone.”To właśnie w czasie choroby zapotrzebowanie na witaminę C jest największe i powinno być stale uzupełniane, a organizm powinien zostać wysycony witaminą C. Trudno w tym czasie jest zapewnić właściwą ilość witaminy C w organizmie wyłącznie za pomocą diety.
Henryk Różański
Henryk Różański gives a recipe for a children’s syrup containing L-ascorbic acid and recommends giving it several times a day by the teaspoon or tablespoon, depending on the child’s age.
„Elderflower syrup for children: Chop 100 g of flowers in the white or yellow stage with a ceramic knife, pour over 1 L of glycerin solution (1 part glycerin to 1 part water), bring to a boil (you can boil it for up to 5 minutes), and leave covered for at least 12 hours. Strain. Then add 10 g of L-ascorbic acid (crystalline vitamin C), 8 drops of marjoram, anise, eucalyptus, pine or fir oil, and optionally 15–20 ml of 5–10% propolis tincture to each 1 L of the resulting decoction. Stir until the vitamin C dissolves, then mix everything with 1 L of honey or molasses. Give children teaspoons or tablespoons (depending on their age) several times a day for colds and flu.”Syrop baziowy dla dzieci: 100 g kwiatów w fazie białej lub żółtej posiekać nożem ceramicznym, zalać 1 L roztworu gliceryny (1 część gliceryny na 1 część wody), zagotować (można gotować do 5 minut), odstawić na minimum 12 godzin pod przykryciem. Przecedzić. Następnie na 1 L otrzymanego odwaru dać 10 g kwasu L-askorbinowego (witaminy C krystalicznej), 8 kropel olejku majerankowego, anyżowego, eukaliptusowego, sosnowego lub jodłowego i ewentualnie 15-20 ml nalewki propolisowej 5-10%, mieszać do rozpuszczenia się witaminy C, następnie wymieszać całość z 1 L miodu lub melasy. Podawać dzieciom łyżeczkami lub łyżkami (zależnie od wieku) klika razy dziennie przy przeziębieniu i grypie.
Jerzy Zięba
Andrzej Frydrychowski also gives general advice to take 2 g of vitamin C about every 45 minutes during an infection, but does not say that this is a dose for children.
„A short-term solution is to use ascorbic acid in small amounts, for example 2 grams (about 1/3 of a teaspoon), but to take it about every 45 minutes. Ascorbic acid is poorly absorbed. The more we take at one time, the more its absorption decreases, to as little as a few percent.”Rozwiązaniem doraźnym jest zastosowanie kwasu askorbinowego, w ilościach niewielkich, jak np. 2 gramy (ok. 1/3 łyżeczki), ale co ok. 45 minut. Kwas askorbinowy słabo się wchłania. Im więcej go weźmiemy jednorazowo, tym jego wchłanialność zmniejsza się nawet do kilku procent.
Andrzej Frydrychowski
Andrzej Frydrychowski claims that vitamin C absorption increases during an infection, and that the saturation dose for a healthy person is about 8 g, divided into smaller amounts.
„The saturation dose for a healthy person is about 8 g, divided into smaller doses. During an infection, absorption increases (even dramatically), and we can safely exceed this dose. Keeping track of how often to give this vitamin is a little inconvenient.”Dawka wysycenia dla osoby zdrowej to ok. 8 g podzielonych na mniejsze dawki. W przypadku infekcji jej wchłanianie wzrasta (nawet drastycznie) i możemy spokojnie przekroczyć tę dawkę. Pilnowanie częstotliwości podawania tej witaminy jest trochę kłopotliwe.
Jerzy Zięba
Jerzy Zięba cites the view that vitamin C supports immunity and that an overdose is possible in people with kidney problems.
„“Vitamin C has long been known as a beneficial substance that helps maintain good resistance to infection. Since it is a water-soluble vitamin, an overdose is not possible unless someone has kidney problems. Vitamin D3, on the other hand, is fat-soluble.””„- Witamina C jest od dawna znanym, korzystnym środkiem, który sprzyja utrzymaniu dobrej oporności. Przy czym jest to witamina rozpuszczalna w wodzie, w związku z tym jej przedawkowanie nie jest możliwe, chyba, że ktoś ma problemy z nerkami. Natomiast jeśli chodzi o witaminę D3 jest ona rozpuszczalna w tłuszczach.
Jerzy Zięba
Jerzy Zięba writes that for colds, natural forms of vitamin C, such as those found in fruit, are best.
„First of all—as I always point out—the best form of vitamin C is its natural form, meaning the kind found, for example, in fruit. This vitamin C is actually a whole group of different substances, not just ascorbic acid. People have got used to saying that ascorbic acid is vitamin C, but ascorbic acid is only one part of the whole complex of substances that promote health.”Przede wszystkim – jak zawsze zwracam na to uwagę – najlepszą formą witaminy c jest jej forma naturalna, tzn. taka, jaka znajduje się np. w owocach. Ta witamina C, to jest tak naprawdę cały zbiór różnych substancji, a nie tylko kwas askorbinowy. Przywykło się mówić, że kwas askorbinowy jest witaminą C, lecz kwas askorbinowy stanowi tylko jedną część całego kompleksu substancji, które działają prozdrowotnie.
Jerzy Zięba
Jerzy Zięba says that, in his experience, vitamin C that is not in liposomal form works better during infections.
„My experience in this area, however, suggests that vitamin C that is not in liposomal form works better for infections. This may be due to the QUALITY of the vitamin in liposomal form. It is worth mentioning that the internet has many descriptions of how to make liposomal vitamin C at home using devices that are popular ultrasonic cleaners.”Moje doświadczenie w tym zakresie wskazuje jednak na to, że w infekcjach lepiej sprawdza się witamina C, która nie jest w formie liposomalnej. Może to wynikać z JAKOŚCI wita- miny w formie liposomalnej. Należy tu wspomnieć o tym, że w Internecie znajdziemy wiele opisów domowego sposobu produkowania liposomalnej witaminy C w urządzeniach, które są popularnymi myjkami ultradźwiękowymi.
Research from PubMed · Europe PMC
We selected 2 studies with the best, positive results. This is a selection, not a full review of all research.
Total number of studies on this topic in PubMed: 37.
An analysis of studies found that regular vitamin C supplementation shortened colds more in children than in adults, although it did not examine starting supplementation only after symptoms appeared.
Aim of the study: Placebo-controlled trials have shown that vitamin C supplementation decreases the duration and severity of common cold infections. However, the magnitude of the benefit has substantially varied, hampering conclusions about the clinical significance of the vitamin.
Results: The dose may also affect the magnitude of the benefit, there being on average greater benefit from > or = 2 g/day compared to 1 g/day of the vitamin. In five studies with adults administered 1 g/day of vitamin C, the median decrease in cold duration was only 6%, whereas in two studies with children administered 2 g/day the median decrease was four times higher, 26%. The trials analyzed in this work used regular vitamin C supplementation, but it is conceivable that therapeutic supplementation starting early at the onset of the cold episode could produce comparable benefits. Since few trials have examined the effects of therapeutic supplementation and their results have been variable, further therapeutic trials are required to examine the role of vitamin C in the treatment of colds.
Money for the studynot stated
Do the authors have ties to companies?not stated
Did a manufacturer help with the study?unknown
Type of studycombined analysis of many studies (meta-analysis)
“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.
The review found that regular vitamin C use may shorten the duration of cold symptoms in children, but does not reduce their severity.
Aim of the study: To present a critical evaluation of the current evidence concerning the therapeutic value of vitamin C for the prophylaxis and treatment of the common cold.
Results: Vitamin C is frequently used for the treatment and prophylaxis of the common cold; however, no published recommendations were found in a review of the nurse practitioner literature that specifically address the efficacy of vitamin C for the common cold. Our literature review revealed that vitamin C is not effective at preventing the common cold in the general adult population; however, it is effective at preventing colds when consumed regularly by athletes training in subarctic conditions. We also found that regular vitamin C consumption may reduce the duration of cold symptoms in both adults and children, but it does not decrease the severity of cold symptoms.
Money for the studynot stated
Do the authors have ties to companies?not stated
Did a manufacturer help with the study?unknown
Type of studydiscussion of other studies
“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.
Perspectives and opinion materials
The content below presents the authors’ opinions, interpretations and hypotheses. It is not treated as equal to scientific studies and systematic reviews.
Orthomolecular Medicine News Service Opinion material
„Pauling L (1976) Vitamin C, the Common Cold, and the Flu. Berkley Pub. ISBN-13: 978-0425048535 2. Seuss D (1960) Green Eggs and Ham. Beginner Books/Random House. ISBN-13: 978-0394800165. 3. Wendell 0. Belfield, D.V.M. and Irwin Stone, P.C.A. Megascorbic Prophylaxis and Megascorbic Therapy: A New Orthomolecular Modality in Veterinary Medicine.”Pauling L (1976) Vitamin C, the Common Cold, and the Flu. Berkley Pub. ISBN-13: 978-0425048535 2. Seuss D (1960) Green Eggs and Ham. Beginner Books/Random House. ISBN-13: 978-0394800165. 3. Wendell 0. Belfield, D.V.M. and Irwin Stone, P.C.A. Megascorbic Prophylaxis and Megascorbic Therapy: A New Orthomolecular Modality in Veterinary Medicine.
Orthomolecular Medicine News Service Opinion material
„Klenner recommended daily preventive doses, which he described as one thousand milligrams of C per year of a child's age, plateauing at 10,000 mg/day for teens and adults. "Vitamin C? But . . ." Common questions from readers are likely to include these, to which we have provided the briefest of answers. "Why so much?" Because too little will not be effective. Dr. Klenner, as well as Robert F. Cathcart, M.D., Hugh D. Riordan, M.D., Abram Hoffer, M.D. and many other highly experienced nutritional physicians have all emphasized this. "Is it safe?" Year after year, decade after decade, national data shows no deaths at all from vitamin C.”Klenner recommended daily preventive doses, which he described as one thousand milligrams of C per year of a child's age, plateauing at 10,000 mg/day for teens and adults. "Vitamin C? But . . ." Common questions from readers are likely to include these, to which we have provided the briefest of answers. "Why so much?" Because too little will not be effective. Dr. Klenner, as well as Robert F. Cathcart, M.D., Hugh D. Riordan, M.D., Abram Hoffer, M.D. and many other highly experienced nutritional physicians have all emphasized this. "Is it safe?" Year after year, decade after decade, national data shows no deaths at all from vitamin C.
Orthomolecular Medicine News Service Opinion material
„We use our higher potency adult vitamins and find a way to administer them in a child-friendly manner. Here are some examples: It may be no surprise that when the kids aren't getting some sun, they are getting a cold. In the winter, we give the kids additional doses of vitamin D to the tune of about 5,000 IU weekly, and if they get sick. I open the capsule and drip it onto something they like. Ice cream works well. Really well. We do the same with vitamin A.”We use our higher potency adult vitamins and find a way to administer them in a child-friendly manner. Here are some examples: It may be no surprise that when the kids aren't getting some sun, they are getting a cold. In the winter, we give the kids additional doses of vitamin D to the tune of about 5,000 IU weekly, and if they get sick. I open the capsule and drip it onto something they like. Ice cream works well. Really well. We do the same with vitamin A.
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