Vitamin C and Zinc are Important in Battling ‘Immunity Gap’ Among Kids

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Ascorbic Acid + Zinc (Ceelin® Plus) strengthens children's immunity,

whether they're sick or healthy.

Here’s Why Vitamin C and Zinc are Important in Battling ‘Immunity Gap’ Among Kids

Constantly worrying over your child’s health is not an overreaction, but simply a natural manifestation of parental love. When there is more than one valid cause for such concerns, however, it may be time to check and see if it’s a case of “immunity gap.”

Studies suggest that more and more children deal with “immune debt,” also known as the “immunity gap,” or the state of insufficient immunity response regardless of their health condition. When sick, for instance, the gap refers to children’s decreased levels of essential nutrients like Vitamin C and Zinc due to infections, affecting their ability to naturally recover from illnesses. Meanwhile, when children are well, the gap refers to an underdeveloped immune system resulting from the lack of proper nutrition, timely vaccination, and exposure to pathogens. This results in children’s higher susceptibility to infections while hindering optimal growth and development across all key growth stages and milestones.

Several factors contribute to the “immunity gap” phenomenon. One of which is the deprioritization of vitamin intake, wherein parents instead give their children therapeutic medications when they are sick, and other perceived alternatives such as milk and probiotic drinks when they are well.

The drop in vitamin usage and the rise in "immunity gap" among kids point to one thing: Vitamins matter, and so does the right choice. As the #1 doctor-prescribed immunity vitamin for kids, Ascorbic Acid + Zinc (Ceelin® Plus) serves as a partner of moms in helping address children’s immunity gap. The brand aids in strengthening kids’ immunity for their overall growth and development while keeping them healthy when well, allowing them to recover faster when sick.

Ascorbic Acid + Zinc (Ceelin® Plus) helps provide children with strong protection with the powerful combination of Vitamin C and Zinc, which play important roles in nutrition and immune defense. A meta-analysis by scientific journal BMC Public Health shows that Vitamin C can reduce severe cold symptoms by 26%, while research by the United States National Library of Medicine found that Zinc helps kids with pneumonia recover faster and shortens hospital stays.

Moreover, Ascorbic Acid + Zinc (Ceelin® Plus) is the only brand made with patented unique ZincPlus® Technology that presents the stable combination of Vitamin C and Zinc, ensuring that kids get the right dose they need, regardless of how they are feeling. It also helps speed up recovery by boosting immune cells to fight viruses and bacteria when kids are sick. When they're healthy, it helps strengthen their immunity, supporting their growth and development during crucial stages.

If you feel your child suffers from an immunity gap, go for Ascorbic Acid + Zinc (Ceelin® Plus) to help strengthen their immunity to maintain overall health when they are well and quicken the recovery process when they are sick, together with proper diet and exercise.

Know more about Ceelin by following its social media accounts on Facebook,

https://www.facebook.com/UnilabCeelin; Instagram, @ceelin.ph; and TikTok, @unilabceelin.

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References:

● https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4949856/

● https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38082300/

● Calder, P. C., Berger, M. M., Gombart, A. F., McComsey, G. A., Martineau, A. R., & Eggersdorfer, M. (2022). Micronutrients to Support Vaccine Immunogenicity and Efficacy. Vaccines, 10(4), 568. https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines10040568

● Cohen, R., Levy, C., Rybak, A., Angoulvant, F., Ouldali, N., & Grimprel, E. (2023). Immune debt: Recrudescence of disease and confirmation of a contested concept. Infectious diseases now, 53(2), 104638. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.idnow.2022.12.003

● Hemilä, H., & Chalker, E. (2013). Vitamin C for preventing and treating the common cold. The Cochrane database of systematic reviews, 2013(1), CD000980. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD000980.pub4

● Hemilä, H., & Chalker, E. (2023). Vitamin C reduces the severity of common colds: a meta-analysis. BMC public health, 23(1), 2468. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-17229-8

● Qasemzadeh, M. J., Fathi, M., Tashvighi, M., Gharehbeglou, M., Yadollah-Damavandi, S., Parsa, Y., & Rahimi, E. (2014). The effect of adjuvant zinc therapy on recovery from pneumonia in hospitalized children: a double-blind randomized controlled trial. Scientifica, 2014, 694193. https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/694193

● Rerksuppaphol, S., & Rerksuppaphol, L. (2019). A randomized controlled trial of zinc supplementation in the treatment of acute respiratory tract infection in Thai children. Pediatric reports, 11(2), 7954. https://doi.org/10.4081/pr.2019.7954

● Zhang L. (2024). From imprecise "immune debt" to nuanced "immune shortage"?. Infectious diseases now, 54(5), 104894. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.idnow.2024.104894

Ascorbic acid (Poten-Cee) Is Fifty, Fortified, and Forging Forward

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The top adult plain vitamin C brand¹ pays it forward on its 50th

To celebrate 50 years of supporting Filipinos’ varying Vitamin C needs and to thank its customers for their continued support, the top Vitamin C brand (adult, plain category) Ascorbic acid (Poten-Cee) Vitamin C,¹ launches its milestone campaign, Fifty, Fortified, and Forging Forward. 

 

Poten-Cee Is Fifty 

Poten-Cee, proudly from PascualLab, one of the top pharmaceutical companies in the Philippines,¹ traces its humble beginnings to the post-war era, supporting the Vitamin C needs of Filipinos. Today, it has evolved into one of the top Vitamin C brands offering variants that help fulfill different needs and that support different lifestyles. 

From Poten-Cee's early ventures to its latest products, the brand consistently showcases a commitment to innovation. Poten-Cee Sugar-Coated which was launched in 1974, was designed with a shell coating to mask the sour taste of Ascorbic acid. This coating with its candy-like taste and appearance, also made the tablet smoother and easier to swallow. 

 

Through the years, Poten-Cee has also formulated adult to pedia variants to suit Filipinos’ diverse needs and preferences: 

• Ascorbic acid as Sodium Ascorbate (Poten-Cee NA)² and Poten-Cee Plus for adults and children who prefer a vitamin C in non-acidic format³  

• Ascorbic acid (Poten-Cee Chewable), a convenient format for those who are always on the go 

• Ascorbic acid (Poten-Cee Forte) 1000 mg with 8-hour time release for those who prefer a higher dose of Vitamin C        

• Ascorbic acid (Poten-Cee Sugar-Free) for those watching their blood sugar.   

Poten-Cee's Beauty of Immunity 

In 2016, Poten-Cee introduced the tagline “The Beauty of Immunity.”  Aside from Vitamin C helping to fortify immunity which is vital to good health, it is also essential in collagen production to help support healthy skin.  Still in line with this message, PascualLab’s flagship brand launched Poten-Cee + C in 2022.  Poten-Cee + C is a food supplement which combines Vitamin C and Hydrolyzed Collagen.  

 

Poten-Cee Is Fortified 

 

Among Poten-Cee's newer variants are Poten-Cee + Zn (Ascorbic acid + Zinc) and  Poten-Cee + Zn Advance (Ascorbic acid + Zinc + Cholecalciferol) which were both launched in 2021. Poten-Cee + ZN combines Vitamin C that supports immunity and Zinc that helps protect cells from viral infections, among other benefits.  Meanwhile Poten-Cee Zn Advance combines active ingredients that play critical roles in immune function, inflammatory response, and collagen synthesis.^4-9 

Poten-Cee Is Forging Forward 

This year, as part of the brand’s forging forward, Poten-Cee unveiled a new offering of Poten-Cee + C. Poten-Cee + C Marine Collagen has Sodium Ascorbate (Vitamin C in non-acidic format)³ and Hydrolyzed Marine Collagen sourced from fish. ¹⁰ With this introduction, Poten-Cee + C now has options that offer consumers type 1 collagen sourced from fish (marine collagen) and type 2 collagen, from bovine or animal sources (original variant). 

Poten-Cee is Paying Forward 

And to thank Filipino families for all the years of support, Poten-Cee is also paying it forward.  Through the years, Poten-Cee has been making sizeable donations to sectors in need including survivors of the recent Typhoon Carina.

As Poten-Cee celebrates 50 years of providing consumers with trusted Vitamin C products, it wishes to extend its deepest gratitude for the unwavering support given by Filipinos. This has been the cornerstone of its success, inspiring the brand to continually innovate and improve, more so in the years to come. 

 

Poten-Cee is available in all leading drugstores and supermarkets nationwide and at PascualLab’s official TikTok, Shopee, & Lazada stores. Follow us on PotenCee_PH, FB & IG. 

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*IF SYMPTOMS PERSIST, CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR. 

**"MAHALAGANG PAALALA: ANG POTEN-CEE + C AY HINDI GAMOT AT HINDI DAPAT GAMITING PANGGAMOT SA ANO MANG URI NG SAKIT 

References: 

¹IQVIA 2022 Data 

²Per FDA-approved CPR DRP 8842 

³National Library of Medicine. Sodium Ascorbate. PubChem. In: https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/com pound/sodium_ascorbate#section=Top. Accessed August 2020. 

⁴Aranow C. Vitamin D and the Immune System. J Investig Med. 2011; 59(6): 881–886. doi:10.231/JIM.0b013e31821b8755.  

⁵Pullar J, Carr A, Vissers M. The Roles of Vitamin C in Skin Health. Nutrients. 2017; 9(8): 866. DOI: 10.3390/nu9080866  

⁶The Nutrition Source: Zinc. Harvard School of Public Health. In https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/ nutr itionsource/zinc/". accessed August 2020. 

⁷Wessels I, Rolles B, Rink L. The Potential Impact of Zinc Supplementation on COVID-19 Pathogenesis. Front Immunol. 2020; 11: 1712. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.01712  

⁸Pugh, Nikki. Collagen-boosting effects of zinc. In https://organixx.com/benefits-of-zinc-collagen/ accessed May 2024 

⁹Bickle, Daniel. Vitamin D Regulation of Immune Function. In https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9065668/ Accessed July 2024 

¹⁰Campos P, Franco R, Kakuda L, et al. Oral Supplementation with Hydrolyzed Fish Cartilage Improves the Morphological and Structural Characteristics of the Skin: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Study. Molecules. 2021; 26(4880): 1-15. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26164880 

Get Ready for Cecon Vitamin C Day: Here Are Five Things You Need to Need to Know About Vitamin C

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Over a year into the new normal, Filipinos continue to adapt to the various changes due to the current pandemic situation. For most, one of the biggest concerns is to keep their family protected against harmful illnesses, viruses, and even stress.

Despite this growing concern, a huge percentage of Filipinos still lack the daily recommended nutritional intake to fortify their immunity. In 2020, 87.3% of Filipino working adults were reported to be getting an inadequate amount of Ascorbic acid, more commonly known as Vitamin C.[1]

Ensuring right levels of Vitamin C is more important than ever, as vitamin deficiency is often associated with poor immunity and a higher risk of getting infected by illnesses and serious diseases like pneumonia.[2]

To address this, Abbott launches the very first Ascorbic Acid Cecon Vitamin C day on May 2, 2021. Abbott joins forces with leading influencers in the Philippines, such as super mom Bianca Gonzales, to help shed light over the importance of regular vitamin C intake for overall health and immunity.

But what makes Vitamin C so essential? Here are a couple of facts you probably do not know about Vitamin C:

1. Vitamin C can be found in foods aside from oranges

Admit it, when you hear Vitamin C, the first thing that comes to mind are oranges. Though the citrus family has long been the poster kids of anything related to Vitamin C, higher concentration of the vitamin can actually be found in other food sources.

For instance, one green chili pepper can provide 55% more vitamin C compared to a medium-sized orange.[3] Other great sources of Vitamin C include guavas, broccoli, kale, and herbs like parsley and thyme.

2. It fights off memory loss as you age

As we get older, it is more challenging for various nerve cells to protect themselves against free radicals, or damage-causing atoms. When free radicals get out of control, cells get damaged faster than they can be repaired.

The good news is that Vitamin C is such a powerful antioxidant that regular intake can help protect our nerve cells and improve cognitive functions even as we age.[4]

3. Vitamin C can aid in weight loss

Did you know that taking an adequate amount of Vitamin C can help in managing body fat? A study done by nutrition specialists reported that the amount of vitamin C in the blood stream is directly related to fat oxidation.[5]

Of course, best results are achieved with a healthy regular Vitamin C habit combined with a balanced diet and an active lifestyle.

4. It accelerates healing

Before antibiotics, Vitamin C was the go-to in terms of curing various diseases. Due to its ability to regenerate collagen in bones, joints and the face, Vitamin C speeds up wound healing as well.[6]

With its role in collagen regeneration, Vitamin C can also reduce skin aging as well as ease arthritis.

5. Humans cannot store Vitamin C

While extremely essential, the human body does not have the ability to produce Vitamin C. The nutrient cannot be stored either and instead gets flushed out of our system within 24 hours.[7]

This makes eating more fruits and vegetables as well as building a habit of taking Vitamin C daily even more important.

Abbott’s Medical Director in the Philippines, Dr. Joel Lao, also stressed the importance of supplementing a healthy diet and active lifestyle with the intake of Vitamin C: “With the increased health risks around Filipinos need to be more aware of the role a daily intake of Vitamin C can have in supporting overall immunity. As an effective antioxidant, a good supplement to retain other nutrients in the body[8] [9], Vitamin C should be an essential part of our daily routine. Cecon Vitamin C Day is a great opportunity to underscore that, along with the importance of having a healthy diet and lifestyle.”

“Abbott’s driving force is to support people live their lives to the fullest. With Cecon’s wide range of products, it is now more convenient for families to maximize their immunity potential through Vitamin C. Whatever your age or lifestyle, there is a Cecon product that can play a role in enhancing one’s overall well-being to help people keep doing what they love and live a full, healthy life,” Dr. Lao added.

Ascorbic acid (Cecon) is a chewable, non-acidic Vitamin C and has a full range of products that address the Vitamin C need of each family member: Ascorbic acid (Cecon 500mg) for adults, Ascorbic acid (Cecon Junior 100mg) for kids, and Multivitamins+Zinc (Cecon Plus) for the added protection needed by adults.

 

To know more about Cecon Vitamin C Day on May 2, tune in to Bianca’s Instagram @iamsuperbianca for announcements and exciting giveaways.

Ascorbic acid (Cecon) is available online via Lazada and Shopee.

 

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[1] Angeles-Agdeppa, I. (2020, March 2). Food Sources and Nutrient Intakes of Filipino Working Adults. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32268583/

[2] Carr, A. (2017, November 3). Vitamin C and Immune Function. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29099763/

[3] https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/vitamin-c-foods#TOC_TITLE_HDR_6

[4] Perrig W.J. (1997, June 4) The relation between antioxidants and memory performance in the old and very old

[5] https://news.asu.edu/content/vitamin-c-depletion-has-links-lower-fat-oxidation-not-weight-loss

[6] https://www.woundsource.com/blog/vitamin-c-do-daily-mega-doses-accelerate-wound-healing

[7] https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/219352#why-we-need-it

[8] https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/219352#other-benefits

[9] https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002404.htm