Best Vitamin C Supplement
One way to get very high doses of vitamin C is through intravenous, or IV, therapy. However, this can be very costly and isnt nearly as convenient or accessible as oral vitamin C.
On the other hand, conventional oral vitamin C supplements, often in the form of vitamin C capsules, lozenges, or gummies, can have some drawbacks. For instance, they might contain highly processed ingredients, artificial fillers, and natural flavorings. Some also contain added sugars. And as well, vitamin C is often derived from corn, which is one of the most common GMO-foods in the United States.
Additionally, digestive issues can accompany large amounts of vitamin C via supplements. Ascorbic acid the supplemental form of vitamin C has a very low pH, meaning that its highly acidic. When a supplement doesnt adequately buffer the ascorbic acid, it can lead to cramping, diarrhea, and other stomach-related issues in some people.
Liposomal Vitamin C
Liposomal vitamin C is another option to consider. This form is encapsulated in liposomes or double-layered, protective fat bubbles that deliver nutrients to cells in your body. Research shows that liposomal vitamin C is more effective and bioavailable than conventional oral vitamin C supplements.
Enhancing Your Immune System Through Food
Nutrition is a critical component of your immune response. Just like poor nutrition can deteriorate your immune system, quality nutrition can be the foundation for strength, says Charlotte Hunter, a registered dietitian at the LiVe Well Center in Salt Lake City.Balanced nutrition, can enhance your ability to resist infections and remain healthy.” Modest amounts of a combination of these 5 essential vitamins and minerals will keep your body healthy.
- Vitamin C has antibodies which help fight against bacteria and infections. Try consuming more oranges, grapefruit, broccoli, strawberries, red bell peppers and tomato juice to get your fill of Vitamin C.
- Vitamin D is used to fight off infections as well as works to maintain strong bones. Find Vitamin D in salmon, mushrooms, fortified milk, cereals and breads.
- Vitamin A helps to regulate the immune system and protects against infections by keeping your tissues and skin healthy. Vitamin A can be found in foods such as sweet potatoes, carrots, apricots and spinach.
- Vitamin E is another essential antioxidant whose job is to fight cell damage. Plant based foods such as nuts and peanut butter are filled with vitamin E.
- Zinc works as an antioxidant and boosts the metabolism along with helping to heal wounds. Meat, shellfish, beans/legumes and nuts/seeds are high zinc foods.
Limit Your Sugar Intake
We all know sugar isnt good for us, but sugar also inhibits our immune-system response to bacteria for several hours following excessive consumption. To prevent an overload of sugar, stay away from syrupy sodas and processed foods in general. Quick tip: If you see a food item marked as fat-free or low-fat, theres a high probability its loaded with sugar to make up for the lack in flavor.
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Want A Defense Against Covid
Your immune system is an intricate, codependent structure of white blood cells, antibodies, complex proteins, networks, and organs. Some parts of the system act as literal barriers, preventing viruses and bacteria from reaching organs like your brain, while others hunt and remove invaders from your body.
Though your immune system is effective against many disease-causing germs and viruses, it requires time to familiarize itself with the enemy. In many scenarios, it must be able to recognize an illness-causing pathogen as a danger before it can be removed from your body. This is typically only possible once youve developed specific antibodies after having been sick or receiving a vaccine. Here are some important words to know when understanding how your immune system works.
- Pathogens: Microbes that can infect the body and cause illness.
- Antigens: Proteins found on the surface of pathogens.
- Antibodies: Healthy proteins that can recognize and bind with specific antigens.
When an antibody recognizes the antigen of an invading pathogen, it binds itself to it tightly. Once attached it acts as a beacon, signaling other elements of the immune system to attack the invader.
Vitamin C And Immune System Regulation
Besides an extensive range of biochemical pathways in which vitamin C is involved, it also participates in the response of the innate and adaptive immune system . The intracellular content of vitamin C in immune cells depends on the plasma availability. In healthy adults the content of vitamin C in leukocytes can be saturated with an intake of at least 100 mg of vitamin C per day, through foods, obtaining a concentration of about 3.5, 3, and 1.5 mmol/L, respectively, in lymphocytes, monocytes and neutrophils . Leukocytes absorption of vitamin C from the blood is very efficient, through SVCT proteins , resulting in an intracellular content which is 50 to 100 times greater than the plasma concentration . As an effective antioxidant, vitamin C contributes to protecting neutrophils from oxidative stress during the early stages of an immune response, when neutrophils activate phagocytosis and produce reactive oxygen species to destroy antigens . Once the phagocytic capacity is exhausted and neutrophils start to die, vitamin C seems to regulate the process in favor of apoptosis, through the activation of a caspase-dependent cascade, inhibiting the transition to necrosis, and resulting in a more efficient resolution of inflammation .
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The Other Benefits Of Vitamin C
Vitamin C offers a lot of other health benefits, in addition to helping boost glutathione and protect immune function.
Health benefits of vitamin C:
- Improve skin health.Vitamin C is needed for the production of collagen, which keeps your skin healthy.
- Prevent cardiovascular disease. By reducing cholesterol, preventing plaque buildup, and improving circulation, Vitamin C can reduce cardiac disorders.
- Helps avoid cancer. As an antioxidant, Vitamin C can help to neutralize free radicals and toxins in the body, which could lead to the development of cancer.
- Boost eye health. Vitamin C protects the cells of your eyes, reducing the macular degeneration rate.
- Reduce immune system deficiencies. A lack of Vitamin C can lead to a serious immune deficiency called scurvy.
Taking Vitamin C can boost your overall health, and it will definitely help to heal your cold when it sets in. Just because it doesnt prevent you from ever getting a cold doesnt mean its not supremely important! To support optimal immunity and health, a combination of whey protein and vitamin C may be just what the doctor ordered.
Food Fix: Immune System Boost
Most people turn straight to vitamin C after theyve caught a cold. Thats because it helps build up your immune system.
Vitamin C is thought to increase the production of white blood cells, which are key to fighting infections.
Almost all citrus fruits are high in vitamin C. With such a variety to choose from, its easy to add a squeeze of this vitamin to any meal.
Popular citrus fruits include:
Garlic is found in almost every cuisine in the world. It adds a little zing to food and its a must-have for your health.
Early civilizations recognized its value in fighting infections. Garlic may also slow down hardening of the arteries, and theres that it helps lower blood pressure.
Garlics immune-boosting properties seem to come from a heavy concentration of sulfur-containing compounds, such as allicin.
Ginger is another ingredient many turn to after getting sick. Ginger may help decrease inflammation, which can help reduce a sore throat and inflammatory illnesses. Ginger may help with nausea as well.
While its used in many sweet desserts, ginger packs some heat in the form of gingerol, a relative of capsaicin.
Ginger may also
Spinach made our list not just because its rich in vitamin C its also packed with numerous antioxidants and beta carotene, which may both increase the infection-fighting ability of our immune systems.
Papayas have decent amounts of potassium, magnesium, and folate, all of which are beneficial to your overall health.
- oysters
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Intravenous Administration Of Vitamin C: A Potential Role In The Treatment Of Covid
While an extra dietary intake of vitamin C to counter pneumonia does not seem promising, several interesting data have emerged from the use of vitamin C through IA, providing an encouraging, but questioned, hypothesis on its potential pharmacological use for the treatment of pneumonia caused by SARS-CoV2 infection. In fact, as opposed to oral supplementation, in which the maximum peak plasma concentration that was achieved with a high-dose was 220 mol/L , the IA of vitamin C, bypassing the limitations induced by intestinal transporters , may lead to a higher plasma level .
Therefore, considering the aspects mentioned above, the infusion of vitamin C has recently been suggested to treat COVID-19 in ICU hospitalized patients . Below, we summarize the most substantial evidence obtained in critical illness studies based on IA of vitamin C regarding the most relevant outcomes which may relate to SARS-CoV2-induced ARDS.
The Immune System Depends To A Significant Extent On The Intake Of Nutrients
Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps prevent and treat the common cold.
Many infections lead to the activation of phagocytes, which in turn release oxidizing agents, also known as active forms of oxygen .
Vitamin C deficiency can lead to reduced resistance to certain pathogens, while a higher supply strengthens various parameters of the immune system.
Regular administration of vitamin C has shortened the duration of the common cold!
Vitamin C Fast Action is a fast-absorbing formula that contains the best forms of vitamin C as well as piperine!
Piperine effectively improves bioavailability in nutrients by increasing the absorption of many active and nutrients from the gastrointestinal tract by altering the potential of the membrane and increasing its permeability at the site of absorption.
See also…
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Food And Your Immune System
Have you ever taken Emergen-C or a similar supplement to boost your immune system? Many of these immunity-boosting supplements claim to enhance the immune system and ward off illness. However, scientific experts warn against the idea of boosting the immune system.
Instead, according to experts, it is best for the immune system to be perfectly balanced. Too much of an immune reaction could result in allergies or autoimmune disorders. Too little of an immune reaction could result in illness or infection. Lets change the vocabulary a bit here and focus on what we can do to support our immune system and work toward balance.
How Vitamin B12 Supports The Immune System
Vitamin B12 and folic acid are both vital for immune function. Both are necessary for producing a sufficient number of red blood cells to carry oxygen around the body. If you have a folate deficiency and/or vitamin B12 deficiency, your immune system may start to falter, and your body will struggle to ward off pathogens. Red blood cells are crucial immune cells which are part of your bodys immune response so its important to ensure theyre able to form and function correctly.
A lack of vitamin B12 in your diet or through supplements can lead to pernicious anaemia. Pernicious anaemia is an autoimmune disorder that causes the immune system to attack stomach cells, thus inhibiting the bodys ability to absorb vitamin B12. Although the cause of this condition is unknown, supplements can help with the symptoms of pernicious anaemia.
As you can see, vitamin B12 is a key vitamin for helping to maintain a healthy immune system and maintaining levels of both vitamin B12 and folic acid will help to prevent conditions such as pernicious anaemia and folate deficiency.
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Supplements And Immunity: Facts Vs Fiction
Most people have been told at least once to take vitamin C to speed up recovery after catching a cold or the flu. But do supplements help boost immunity? And if so, which supplements should people prioritize? This article takes a look at a few of the most popular recommendations for immunity-boosting supplements and highlights the truth behind the claims.
Be Wary Of Hype And Headlines
While vitamin C supplements pose little risk to consumers, other so-called “immune-boosting” products could be harmful.
Since the COVID-19 outbreak began in the United States, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Federal Trade Commission have already issued warning letters to seven companies for selling fraudulent products that promise to cure, treat or prevent the viral infection. “These warning letters are just the first step,” FTC Chairman Joe Simons said in a news release. “We’re prepared to take enforcement actions against companies that continue to market this type of scam.”
Note that no evidence suggests that other so-called immune-boosting supplements such as zinc, green tea or echinacea help to prevent SARS-CoV-2 infections, Dr. Mark Mulligan, division director of the infectious diseases and vaccine center at NYU Langone Medical Center, told New York Times Parenting. “I do not recommend spending money on supplements for this purpose,” Mulligan said.
“The medical profession still doesn’t know exactly how to influence the immune system, despite what supplement products may claim,” Julie Stefanski, a registered dietitian nutritionist and spokeswoman for the Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics, told The Washington Post.
Editor’s Note: This story was updated on Mar. 10 to include information about the Vitamin C infusion trial being conducted in China.
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How Much Daily Vitamin C Do You Need
Daily vitamin C amounts vary between 15 mg-120 mg per day. Pregnant and lactating women, and the elderly, should aim for the upper end of that range. The average adult requires 75-90 mg of daily vitamin C, which you can easily obtain from a healthy, plant-centered diet. For reference, one large orange contains approximately 100 mg of vitamin C. Truth in advertising from the Florida Department of Citrus!
When you consume vitamin C in moderate amounts , your body absorbs around 70-90% of it. When you start taking more than 1,000 mg per day , absorption rates decrease to less than 50%. Leftover vitamin C passes out of your body in urine.
Immunomodulatory Role Of Vitamin D
The influence of VD3 metabolites in the immune system, particularly of 1,252 VD3, has been known for more than 20 years,. In vitro, 1,252VD3 exerts a marked inhibitory effect on adaptive immune cells . It inhibits T-cell proliferation,, the expression of interleukin-2 and interferon- mrNA and protein in T cells,, and CD8 T-cell-mediated cytotoxicity. The decrease in the production of IL-2 and IFN by 1,252VD3 is partially mediated by binding of the VDRRXR complex to the VDRE in the promoters of genes encoding IL-2 and IFN . The anti-proliferative effect could be explained, at least in part, by the decrease in IL-2 production, as proliferation is partially rescued by adding exogenous IL-2 . These inhibitory effects of 1,252VD3 are most pronounced in the memory T-cell compartment, which is concomitant with the higher expression of VDR in effector and memory T cells compared with naive T cells. Moreover, 1,252VD3 enhances nonspecific T-cell suppressor activity, as measured by the ability of 1,252VD3-treated T cells to suppress primary mixed-lymphocyte reactions and cytotoxic T-cell responses.
Mechanisms of vitamin D immunomodulation
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Helps Prevent Iron Deficiency
Iron is an important nutrient that has a variety of functions in the body. Its essential for making red blood cells and transporting oxygen throughout the body.
Vitamin C supplements can help improve the absorption of iron from the diet. Vitamin C assists in converting iron that is poorly absorbed, such as plant-based sources of iron, into a form that is easier to absorb .
This is especially useful for people on a meat-free diet, as meat is a major source of iron.
In fact, simply consuming 100 mg of vitamin C may improve iron absorption by 67% .
As a result, vitamin C may help reduce the risk of anemia among people prone to iron deficiency.
In one study, 65 children with mild iron deficiency anemia were given a vitamin C supplement. Researchers found that the supplement alone helped control their anemia .
If you have low iron levels, consuming more vitamin-C-rich foods or taking a vitamin C supplement may help improve your blood iron levels.
SUMMARY
Vitamin C can improve the absorption of iron that is poorly absorbed, such as iron from meat-free sources. It may also reduce the risk of iron deficiency.
Vitamin B6 For Immunity
Vitamin B6 is in charge of keeping the immune system strong, making new red blood cells, and transporting oxygen throughout the body. Vitamin B has also been shown to improve migraines. Foods rich in pyridoxine are chicken, salmon, tuna, leafy greens, and chickpeas. Vitamin B6 deficiencies can cause mood changes and reduce antibodies needed to avoid infections. Vitamin B6 is responsible for producing white blood cells and T cells, which regulate immune responses. Vitamin B6 also helps the body make the protein interleukin-2 to direct white blood cell activity.
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On The Bright Side Vitamin D May Help
Vitamin D plays an important role in immune function several of our immune cells actually have receptors for vitamin D and this interaction can help transform these cells into more specialized defenses against viruses and bacteria.
Its been shown that having low levels of vitamin D is linked to a higher risk of acute respiratory infections, says Dr. Marino. Although there is no current scientific data proving that vitamin D specifically protects against COVID-19, a recent study found a possible association between low vitamin D levels, number of COVID-19 cases and deaths from COVID-19 in multiple European countries. In addition, researchers in the Phillipines found that COVID-19 patients with higher blood vitamin D levels had better clinical outcomes. Of all the supplements, Dr. Marino recommends vitamin D, since deficiency is quite common, even in healthy adults. In fact its estimated that 1 billion people worldwide have low levels of vitamin D in their blood. Taking Vitamin D daily or weekly has been found to be protective against respiratory infections as opposed to taking the supplement less frequently and researchers recommend taking 2000 IU of Vitamin D per day to support optimal immune function. This recommendation corresponds to Endocrine Society guidelines and is within the daily tolerable upper limit for adults.
