Son's Constant Colds and Viruses Etc. --> Natural Remedies?

Lysine is an over-the-counter supplement that might be helpful in warding off viruses but I would not know what dose you would give a child - maybe Google it?

HI Jilly,

Peg's right about the Elderberry. It works incredibly well. We keep it stocked for healing and for prevention. It's just food so it can be taken all the, or any, time. Just FYI, echinacea is ineffective if there is any sugar in his diet. He have to come completely off of it (including white potatoes, breads and white rice) for it to do any good. Digestive enzymes are good for viruses. They eat the outer lining of the cell so that the immune system can actually get to the trouble maker.

Make sure his multi is absorbable. Most are not. If it's not, it could possibly be adding free radicals to his system that will keep his immune system down.

I know the Pediatricia recommended it but I would really advise talking to an ND or a Naturopath/Clinical Nutritionist before removing his tonsils. They are supposed to gather and stop the infections from getting to the rest of the body, specifically the heart. I know it's hard to have so much going on with his respiratory system but it's really a small price to pay to protect his heart. It may take some time, but you can get the infections and viruses under control. I believe it would be best for him long term.

My two cents :)

M.

Brands matter. If you have been giving your son all these vitamins and he still is getting sick then it's time to do some research on the vitamin companies. I sell a tried and true brand that I trust and you can see on my profile.

You have made great choices for building immunity, and someone suggested c, which would be good too. In your research check to see if the company tests their products (quality control). You don't just want a vitamin. You want one that is safe and works. for example (acidolpholus) the delivery system of the vitamin matters. Probiotics need to make it all the way to the stomach live. If you are buying a powder.... I just don't understand how that could happen.

You're already doing most of the things I would suggest, in addition to frequent hand-washing. I have heard that samubcus (elderberry) syrup can be helpful, both fending off respiratory infections and possibly reducing symptoms when they occur.

Research is happening on probiotics, too, which suggests that they can be highly protective against all sorts of infections, and oddly enough they may even help mood. Nothing definite yet that I've learned about, but extra acidophilus or a mix of probiotics might be worth trying.

My grandson was sick frequently after he started daycare. His doctor assured his parents that he'd have a pretty strong immune system by the time he got to first grade. He's now in kindergarten and seems able to fight off most exposures.

What are tonsils for?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tonsil
http://surgery.about.com/od/glossaryofsurgicalterms/g/Ton...
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=2008081423595...
http://www.entkent.com/tonsils-adenoids.html

Is it being removed, because of Tonsilitis?

Removing tonsils, does not guarantee that a child will not get sick, anymore.
If it were my children, I would not do this. Unless it was the Tonsils itself, that was debilitating.

Miracle Mineral Solution. Google it. You may need to purchase the book in order to use it properly. It's incredibly inexpensive (maybe $25 for a year's supply) and it takes a small amount of training to use correctly.

Recently there was a bad cold going around. My co-workers were out for a few days and everyone around me was sneezing and coughing. My daughter and I caught it on the same day.

Now, she won't take anything that doesn't taste awesome so I didn't give her Miracle Mineral Solution (also known as MMS) even though I mix it with Lemonade she can't swallow it. But I took it as suggested in the book.

My cold lasted TWO days. I barely sneezed, I barely coughed and the only day I felt really sick was that first day. I had a runny nose for 2 days, and not even that bad.

My daughter's cold lasted a week and she was home sick for two days, same as my co-workers.

MMS works on everything. I cures malaria in hours. It kills the common cold virus and other illnesses. But you have to read about it in order to believe it.

Don't believe the propaganda that says it's bleach (it isn't, it's Sodium Chlorite) or that you'll harm yourself using it. I've been using it for 3 years. Get Jim Humble's book and read it immediately! If you start him on it right away, you may be able to avoid getting his tonsils out. It works VERY quickly.

Just for a quick example, it cured my ear infection in TWO HOURS. We're talking I was lying on the bed with a heating pad on my ear crying because of the pain and in two hours after taking a dose the pain was gone and I actually felt my ear drain.

Message me if you have ANY questions at all!

Sorry, I didn't read the other answers! My kids almost never get sick. This is what I try to do:

1. an apple a day (keep's the doctor away!)
2. orange juice if they start to seem sick (sore throat, cough)
3. lots of blueberries (we eat 'em several times a week. We buy frozen because it's cheaper. Either put 'em in smoothies or atop pancakes. I have THE BEST whole wheat pancake recipe. message me if you want it!)
4. wash hands after playing at friend's house, park, (basically any public place), always before eating.
5. avoid processed foods. if your body is spending lots of energy/anti-oxidants "fixing itself" from the chemicals in the food, it'll have less energy/anti-oxidants to fight of viruses.
6. we do not eat trans fats, artificial dyes, artificial sweeteners, artificial flavors (sometimes this is a pain in the butt but I think it helps to keep the kids healthy!)
7. stay away from sick children!!
8. 12 hours of sleep per night (possibly the most important thing, in my opinion.)

I don't give vitamins, but I'm not saying that you shouldn't. I just never have. We eat very healthy & well-balanced diets.

Good luck with everything. :-)

Elderberry and regular chiropractic care, in addition to the supplements you are already doing. Also limit hand sanitizer use and leave a little dirt here and there (don't be a clean freak!). My kids only get like one cold a year, no ear infections, nothing else. (knocking on wood of course now!)

He can have echinacea daily to boost his immune system, also add zinc.

One thing though if your house is too clean, or you use only antibacterial cleaning solutions you son will be sick more often and develop allergies.

Maybe an additional supplement of C. Given at a different time of day than the multi.
Make sure the D is D3.
The other stuff you listed is great.
I also give my kids colloidal silver when they are getting sick. It is another immune system support.
I use this brand: http://www.sovereignsilver.info/
Seems to help!
Also you might get some of this: http://www.amazon.com/Natures-Way-Sambucus-Berry-Flavored...
HTH! GL!!! :)

How much vitamin D? And how much vitamin C? These two are MAGIC together, but if he's not getting enough, it won't make a difference. My boys get 500mg of C a day in the form of calcium citrate (1g if a cold is looming), and 1000 IU of D in the form of cholecalciferol (the best).

Also, ensure that he's properly hydrated. I require that the boys each drink a glass of water before each meal.

ETA: I'm so silly...my boys are ages 9 and 10. Yours will definitely need a smaller dose. Talk to your pediatrician or a naturopathic phyician about how much is right for his size.

I would make sure the multivitamin is a good, whole food based one. I use Nutristars by Rainbow Bright. Cod liver oil is supposed to increase immunity too if you want to swap that out for your omega 3, but you probably have your bases covered there. Have you tried elderberry syrup? I think you can take it daily or add it in when he's sick. Good luck! I only know these b/c we had a horrendous winter 2 years ago and I swore I'd find what I could to stave that off again.

The tonsils should help greatly! My daughter had tonsils and adenoids out at 3.5 and is a different kid. I think the main issue is the tonsils/adenoids were keeping her from sleeping well... and we all (esp kids) need sleep - the worlds best natural remedy. Best of luck with the surgery... lots of jello and pudding, scrambled eggs, yogurt... : )

You may want to see if your child has some allergies and/or food intolerances that are draining his immune system... as far as supplements go I would recommend in addition to what you already use to include colostrum and vitamin C from organic sources, and when there is an active infection a low dose of MMS (miracle mineral solution). Having a natural foods diet with plenty of fruits and veggies and reducing stress can also help.

It's ok to have tonsils and adenoids out.
My son had his out when he just turned 4.
They weren't infected.
They had swelled till they almost touched each other across the back of his throat and they became an obstruction.
He snored something awful and had trouble eating and swallowing.
There was no question they had to come out.
His recovery was quick and we have no regrets about having them out.
Besides the vitamins, try to make sure he gets a little fresh air and sunshine when you can.
He'll get through this and be fine!