sodium ascorbate safe for stomach acid?

[sbgrace]

I've been giving Caleb 2000 mg. of sodium ascorbate to try to help with histamine/his allergies. It occurred to me today--am I compromising his digestion by lowering stomach acid with the sodium ascorbate?

[mamafish9]

I give Griffin that much as well, so I think it's a good question. I've recently started separating his magnesium from meals, for the same reason - I figure if it's used in antacids, that's probably not a good sign...

[tanyalynn]

I have no idea, got to say it never occurred to me, but I'm subbing. I'm giving my kids a lot more.

Maybe it's time to re-read the long SA thread--but I'm not going to do it tonight, gotta say that up-front, maybe by the end of the week....

[momofmine]

The GAPS author recommends that people on the GAPS/SCD diets not use baking soda (a lot of the almond flour recipes call for baking soda) because it reduces stomach acid, and she says that most people with these kinds of digestive issues probably already have low stomach acid.

I never knew this about sodium bicarbonate, just read this on wikipedia:
[QUOTE]The natural mineral form is known as nahcolite. It is found in its dissolved form in bile, where it serves to neutralize the acidity of the hydrochloric acid produced by the stomach, and is excreted into the duodenum of the small intestine via the bile duct. It is also produced artificially./QUOTE]

So that makes a lot of sense then! But I am not sure if sodium bicarbonate and sodium ascorbate are in any way related. I mean, they have different structures and everything, unless it is the sodium part that does that?

[momofmine]

Also, just stumbled across this:

http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocente.../vitCform.html

that talks about the availability of different forms of Vitamin C. But they don't mention camu camu or acerola powder. I have been reading about vitamin C the past few days because I'm dealing with gum issues right now, and I am thinking I am going to switch from sodium ascorbate to camu camu.

[mamafish9]

Rachelle, have you considered quercetin for histamines? It might give you the same impact without the concern about stomach acid. I just got some, I'll try to remember to let you now how it works for DS.

[sbgrace]

Originally Posted by mamafish9

Rachelle, have you considered quercetin for histamines? It might give you the same impact without the concern about stomach acid. I just got some, I'll try to remember to let you now how it works for DS.

Please let me know. I've looked and I don't remember why I backed off!
I'm feeling desperate right now. Caleb's asthma is a mess. Last year this happened starting spring too and by June he was on oral steroids. I really thought we could be preemptive and do better this time (his asthma is entirely outdoor allergy related spring/summer particularly). I'm discouraged. Our pediatriican is recommending inhaled steroids though she gave a prescription for singulair (which scares me too). I'm upset about it all.

[mamafish9]

I have a friend who takes quercetin for her allergies. We're starting it for other reasons, but when I read that it's great for turning off histamines, I wondered if I'd be able to cut back on DS' vitamin C.

If you're in that bad a place already, it might be worth a try (or at least checking to see why you maybe didn't do it in the past!). Sorry, I know it's incredibly frustrating to watch them go downhill and not know what to do.

[momofmine]

Is he getting enough folate? I was just re-reading some supplement links I had saved today, and was reading this thread that Pat started about blood levels of folate and allergies:

http://www.mothering.com/discussions...d#post14208878

[sbgrace]

Originally Posted by momofmine

Is he getting enough folate? I was just re-reading some supplement links I had saved today, and was reading this thread that Pat started about blood levels of folate and allergies:

http://www.mothering.com/discussions...d#post14208878

He's at upper tolerable limits for age with folate (active form). I feel really uncomfortable going over that. I'll read the link...

[mamafish9]

How's his B12, Rachelle? (I'm focused on B12 - I just got back DS' Yasko genetics panel today and he has two MTRR mutations that means he needs outrageous amounts of B12 (hydroxy & adenosyl, not methyl) to methylate properly). Yasko says not enough B12 can cause a backup in the cycle that can elevate histamines.

[gigismom]

i've posted this before but i think our experience might be relevent again here. my dd2 also normally has severe seasonal allergies and asthma symptoms in the spring. this year (starting a few months ago) she started taking vit c (not sodium ascorbate though) that also has some quercetin, hesperidin and rutin in it. she also takes b12 (adeno and methyl) and folinic acid. we also removed dairy and gluten around the same time as she started these supps. she has not needed any antihistamine this year and no asthma symptoms. this is the first time in her life. her eczema is gone too. her allergy shiners are gone too. whatever is working, not sure but this combo is really working for her. i am curious about the sodium ascorbate though. my ds and i take this because he could not tolerate the bioflavins. i don't want to compromise his stomach acid for sure. i hope you find the right combo for your dc

jen

[lastrid]

I think I remember from the SA thread that all of the sodium was used up by the ascorbate somehow, so that it did not affect stomach acid. I couldn't tell you whereabouts in that thread I read that though....

[sbgrace]

Originally Posted by mamafish9

How's his B12, Rachelle? (I'm focused on B12 - I just got back DS' Yasko genetics panel today and he has two MTRR mutations that means he needs outrageous amounts of B12 (hydroxy & adenosyl, not methyl) to methylate properly). Yasko says not enough B12 can cause a backup in the cycle that can elevate histamines.

He takes 1000 mcg of hydroxy b12 per day. Were you told to take more? Do you give it all at once or spread it out?

I don't know his genetics and he's taking lots of methyl donors (the folate, carnitine, coq10) so I decided hydroxy was a better choice for him.

I'm going to try quercetin I think--any hints on dosing? He's 40ish pounds and six. gigismom, what's the name of the c with those other things she takes?

[gigismom]

Originally Posted by sbgrace

gigismom, what's the name of the c with those other things she takes?

c+ biofiz by designs for health

[mamafish9]

Originally Posted by sbgrace

He takes 1000 mcg of hydroxy b12 per day. Were you told to take more? Do you give it all at once or spread it out?

I don't know his genetics and he's taking lots of methyl donors (the folate, carnitine, coq10) so I decided hydroxy was a better choice for him.

I'm going to try quercetin I think--any hints on dosing? He's 40ish pounds and six. gigismom, what's the name of the c with those other things she takes?

For my son's mutations, he'll likely need at an absolute minimum 10mg a day. Yasko puts pretty much everyone on her protocol (mostly ASD kids) on at least 3-5mg a day. Hydroxy (and sometimes some adenosyl - it can help with fat metabolism, amongst other things) is her preferred form, to leave room for other methyl donors. I use these hydroxy drops from her site, they don't have many other ingredients in them, and I think palm is safe for Caleb? And they're much less expensive than sublingual tabs if you are going to up the dose. And yes, I spread it out through the day, but last dose about 5pm, so it doesn't mess with sleep.

For quercetin, I'm working my 30lb guy up to 250mg a day, and some genetics she puts on 500mg a day, so I'd think somewhere in there to start, and see what results you get?