Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), an omega-3 fatty acid, is important in decreasing inflammation. Vitamin A is known as the "anti-infective" vitamin. We chose COD LIVER OIL because it contains both EPA and vitamin A. We used LEMON-FLAVORED cod liver oil because young children liked it better than unflavored cod liver oil.
Selenium, a trace metal, is an essential part of an important anti-oxidant enzyme that helps to "clean up" free radicals. We chose a marketed, chewable, children's multi-vitamin/mineral tablet that contained selenium.
(See the Summary for further details).
DISCLAIMER:
The information on this web site is provided for educational purposes only; it is a general reference for healthcare consumers and providers; it is not a prescription for any individual person. It is important that you consult your child’s qualified healthcare provider before implementing any of the research discussed on this web site.
ORDERING SUPPLEMENTS:
If you and your child’s qualified healthcare provider agree that it is appropriate for your child to receive the nutritional supplements used in our research, you may order these supplements directly from JR Carlson Laboratories (Dr. Linday has no financial affiliation with Carlson Laboratories).
We suggest starting with ONE bottle of EACH of the following:
CARLSON’S LEMON-FLAVORED COD LIVER OIL (manufactured in Norway); one small bottle (8.4 fl. oz. or 250 ml)
and
CARLSON FOR KIDS (formerly Carlson's Scooter Rabbit) chewable vitamins and minerals. The amount of pre-formed vitamin A has been decreased (see below). The tablets are still scored, making it easy to break them in half. One small bottle (60 tablets).
NEW: THE FOLLOWING DOSING TABLE USES CARLSON FOR KIDS CHEWABLE VITAMINS AND MINERALS
Children with a history of fish allergy were EXCLUDED from our studies.
Children as young as SIX MONTHS OF AGE were allowed to enter our last study, using the doses and administration instructions provided in the following table:
|
Age |
Dose: Lemon-Flavored Cod Liver Oil |
Dose: Carlson For Kids Vitamin/Mineral Tablet |
Administration |
|
6 months to 1 year |
½-1 teaspoon each day |
¼-½ tablet each day |
CRUSH the TABLET; MIX BOTH the crushed tablet and oil with food (such as vanilla YOGURT or applesauce; we do NOT recommend ice cream) or drink (use ORANGE JUICE or MILK; we do NOT recommend apple juice). |
|
1 to 3 years |
1 teaspoon each day |
½ tablet each day |
As above. |
|
3 years and older |
1 teaspoon each day |
½ tablet each day |
With the DIRECT SUPERVISION of an ADULT, a child this age may be able to CHEW the tablet; s/he may also be willing to take the cod liver oil from a spoon. |
PARENTS of the children in our studies agreed TO USE THE SUPPLEMENTS ONLY AS DIRECTED. They also agreed that they would NOT give their children any other vitamins or nutritional supplements containing vitamins A or D.
NEW: Do NOT give these supplements to a child whose diet includes large amounts of liver.
PARENTS of the children in our study were also advised to:
KEEP the supplements OUT OF REACH of children.
REFRIGERATE the cod liver oil after opening to maintain freshness, (preferably on a HIGH SHELF).
These instructions are IMPORTANT to:
- PREVENT AN OVERDOSE OF VITAMINS A AND D. Cod liver oil contains both vitamin A and vitamin D, as do most children’s vitamin supplements. Vitamins A and D are good for health when taken in the CORRECT DOSES. However, OVERDOSE WITH VITAMIN A AND VITAMIN D CAN CAUSE SERIOUS ILLNESS.
- PREVENT ASPIRATION. Aspiration occurs when a substance that someone is trying to swallow goes into the lungs instead of the stomach. Chewable vitamin/mineral tablets are SMALL PARTS; because of this, they MUST BE CRUSHED before giving them to a child UNDER 3 YEAR S OF AGE. We also recommend mixing the cod liver oil with food or drink before giving it to a child to prevent aspiration of the oil.
NEW: One teaspoon of Carlson’s lemon-flavored cod liver oil now contains about 850 IU (International Units) of vitamin A (it used to contain 2000-2500 IU of vitamin A); it still contains 400 IU of vitamin D. Half of a tablet of Carlson For Kids chewable vitamin/mineral tablet now contains 1250 IU of pre-formed vitamin A (as the palmitate) and 1250 IU of beta-carotene; it still contains 200 IU of vitamin D (as D3). Therefore, a child taking these doses will receive a TOTAL DAILY DOSE of 2350 IU of pre-formed vitamin A, and 600 IU units of vitamin D. These total daily doses are higher than the recommended daily allowances for children, but far below levels considered toxic for children.
NOTE:
The amount of vitamins A and D VARIES in different preparations of cod liver oil and children’s vitamins; even the same manufacturer can make changes over time. Particularly if you choose to use supplements other than those used in our research, it is essential that you READ THE LABEL and review the total dose of vitamins A and D contained that they contain with your child’s qualified healthcare provider.
J. R. Carlson Laboratories, Inc. (Arlington Heights, IL) donated the nutritional supplements used in our supplementation studies; Dr. Linday has no other affiliation with Carlson laboratories.
COPYRIGHT
The above dosage information and chart are copyrighted materials; the copyright is owned by Linda A. Linday, M.D., 2003, 2005 & 2006. The above materials are intended for individual use only; individuals may make a copy to share with their child's prescribing healthcare professional; the above materials may not be otherwise copied or distributed in any form without the express permission of Dr. Linday.
© 2003 by Linda A. Linday, M.D.; revised © 2005, 2006 & 2010 by Linda A. Linday, M.D.
DISCLAIMER:
The information on this web site is provided for educational purposes only; it is a general reference for healthcare consumers and providers; it is not a prescription for any individual person. It is important that you consult your child’s qualified healthcare provider before implementing any of the research discussed on this web site.
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Updated June 24, 2010