Antioxidants: The Superhero Nutrient

The World Health Organization has declared COVID-19 a global pandemic. While this is unprecedented in modern times and sounds really scary, medical experts around the world are working to slow the spread while a vaccine is created. To help protect ourselves and our loved ones, let's remember to follow their recommendations and make small changes to our daily routines and interactions, including: Washing your hands frequently with soap and water Practicing social distancing (6 feet distance between yourself and others) Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth Covering your mouth and nose with a tissue or bent elbow when you cough or sneeze Because of the nature of this virus, those who are most at risk are the elderly and those with compromised or weakened immune systems. For the greater good, it is important for all of us to be vigilant about both contracting the virus and spreading it. For more information on the latest from the WHO, visit their website. What can I do to protect myself? At Organika, our goal is and has always been to help people live their healthy best. While scientists are working tirelessly to mitigate the spread and eradicate the virus, we don’t know how long that will take. During these uncertain times, your best shot at protecting yourself and your loved ones is to follow the WHO's recommendations listed above. In addition, now more than ever, we should be taking the steps to living a healthy life and supporting our immune system, our bodies' line of defense, as best as we can. Here are some of our products that can help keep your immunity going strong. Quercetin Quercetin is a type of flavonoid. Flavonoids have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties. Quercetin in particular, once absorbed, stays in circulation a long time – which allows it to act as protective for a longer period of time during the day [1]. Some other properties that make Quercetin a great immune support are: It is anti-inflammatory: Quercetin can modulate the expression of pro-inflammatory factors, one major one being TNF-alpha. By doing this, it causes an anti-inflammatory effect by suppressing inflammatory markers [2]. It's shown promise as an antiviral: Quercetin stays in circulation for an extended time while providing protection. Past research has shown quercetin to inhibit entry of a virus into human cells, including such viruses as Influenza A [3]. Mushrooms You know we love a good 'shroom. While we can go on and on about them for days, let's keep it to the top 2! Shiitake: Shiitake mushrooms have been proven to build blood cells [4]. Production of white blood cells in particular (aka. what is in your immune system!) is aided by shiitakes. Cordyceps: Like shiitake, these are great for building immune cells in the human body [4]. Cordyceps have antiviral, anti-inflammatory, AND antioxidant properties. They can also help combat fatigue. Summing it up, if your immune system is strong, you are more likely to be able to fight off viruses! Bee Propolis When we breathe in pathogens (like bacteria or viruses), they come into contact with our tonsils. Our tonsils, along with enzymes in our oral mucosa, will fight off pathogens and protect the body from them. A spray like Bee Propolis is the perfect companion on a flight! Use it to help fight bad bacteria and viruses, especially when stuck on a plane breathing in recycled air. Bee Propolis is antiviral, antifungal and antibacterial. Used in a tincture or a spray, it will help support the body during times of sickness threats [5]. Thanks, bees! NAC NAC is a precursor for glutathione, one of the most potent antioxidants in the human body, which helps support any stress the body is going under. It has been shown to improve signs of upper respiratory distress and lung functioning. If you've been following the news, you'll remember respiratory distress is one of the main concerns related to COVID-19. Bone Broth A good diet is probably the number one defense against anything viral. Good diet, exercise and sleep is key. Bone Broth provides our bodies with the vitamins and minerals we need to keep everything working well. So while you're practicing social distancing: Netflix and sip Bone Broth – doctor’s orders! Garlic Garlic is a potent source of allicin, known for its benefits to heart health and traditionally reducing infections of the respiratory tract. It’s a commonly used antiviral and antioxidant. Things might feel a little bit out of our control, but what we can stay on top of is our own actions and doing our best to keep our immune systems in tip-top shape. This can be a nerve-wracking time. It is more important than ever to take care of yourself and those around you. Stay well! Resources Morand C, Crespy V, Manach C, Besson C, Demigne C, Remesy C. Plasma metabolites of quercetin and their antioxidant properties. American Journal of Physiology-Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology. 1998 Jul 1;275(1):R212-9. Nair MP, Mahajan S, Reynolds JL, Aalinkeel R, Nair H, Schwartz SA, Kandaswami C. The flavonoid quercetin inhibits proinflammatory cytokine (tumor necrosis factor alpha) gene expression in normal peripheral blood mononuclear cells via modulation of the NF-κβ system. Clin. Vaccine Immunol.. 2006 Mar 1;13(3):319-28. Wu W, Li R, Li X, He J, Jiang S, Liu S, Yang J. Quercetin as an antiviral agent inhibits influenza A virus (IAV) entry. Viruses. 2016 Jan;8(1):6. Guggenheim AG, Wright KM, Zwickey HL. Immune modulation from five major mushrooms: application to integrative oncology. Integrative Medicine: A Clinician's Journal. 2014 Feb;13(1):32. Lotfy M. Biological activity of bee propolis in health and disease. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2006;7(1):22-31.

Lockdown life ain’t easy: we’re all doing our best to stay sane, fit and healthy through it all, but it sure can be challenging. Not to worry: as usual, we’ve got your back. 😉 Meet a super-nutritious whole food blend: Superfood C+! A wholesome mix of nature’s best superfoods, for a daily vitamin and antioxidant boost - including 146% of your daily recommended vitamin C intake. Serve cold for a fresh new way to get your nutrition in and feel your best every day. Keep reading for a breakdown of this vitamin-rich superfood blend! VITAMIN C We all know it as a vital immune supporter. Who hasn’t taken a vitamin C supplement to get over a flu or cold? (Shout out to our Instant-C effervescent tablets, which deliver a BLAST of natural vitamin C for those times when it’s extra needed). Vitamin C benefits go far beyond just your immunity: it is important for connective tissue formation, helping with things like wound healing and the maintenance of healthy bones and teeth. Last but not least, it is also an antioxidant (more on that later!). This refreshing nutrient is famously found in citrus fruits, but there are many other delicious sources out there! We went with tropical superfoods high in vitamin C: acerola berries, golden bamboo and lemons are our picks to deliver additional whole-food sources to ensure you’re getting all the vitamin C you need on the daily – and more! VITAMIN D AKA the sunshine vitamin! Why? Our bodies are actually able to produce vitamin D with a bit of help from the sun. Sadly, many Canadians are sorely lacking in this nutrient. Factors affecting your ability to get adequate amounts of vitamin D include: Lack of exposure to sunlight (ahem, lockdown) High levels of melanin in the skin Using sunscreen on a daily basis If you check any of those boxes, you might want to consider supplementing your natural vitamin D production by switching up your diet or incorporating vitamin D supplements. Vitamin D plays many different roles in the body, from helping with the absorption of calcium and phosphorus (essential for bone health!) to maintaining a healthy immune system. ANTIOXIDANTS These are molecules that protect your body from harmful free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules that cause wreckage and damage all over the body when left unchecked (this is called oxidative damage, and it’s similar to the chemical process that causes metal to get rusty). Free radicals need a buddy to stabilize them and stop them from causing harm - and antioxidants are great at that! We love our antioxidants! They’re a must for overall health and a great beauty secret. As long-time fans, we picked the crème de la crème of antioxidant superfoods: astaxanthin, sourced from algae, provides some of the most potent antioxidant activity out there!

Did you know that bees give us more than honey? You may already know that honey has many immune-boosting benefits. However, you may be surprised to learn that bees also give us something called Propolis. In fact, bee propolis hosts a whole other list of superfood properties that you should know about! Propolis may also be referred to as “bee glue” because it is actually used to line the walls of the hive. It is collected from parts of plants and buds, but has a waxy texture that helps with the construction of the hive. In fact, the name propolis comes from the greek words “pro”, meaning “at the entrance”, and “polis”, standing for “city” or “community" (1). Today, we mainly use propolis for its antimicrobial properties, for everything from colds to wound treatments, and even skin repair. Historically, it has even been used by ancient Egyptians to embalm cadavers, and Greeks and Romans used it as a mouth disinfectant and an antiseptic in wound treatments (1). Propolis also acts as a potent anti-inflammatory because of its naturally-occurring components, including: Vitamins A, B1, B2, B3 and B7, amino acids, fatty acids, and minerals like magnesium, calcium, potassium, and sodium, etc. (1). So how can bee propolis help us in our daily lives? 1. Colds and throat infections At Organika, many of us swear by a few sprays of our Bee Propolis Throat Spray to ward off the first signs of a cold. With both antioxidant and antimicrobial benefits, Bee Propolis can help to boost immunity. This lets us fight off colds a little easier and possibly keep us from catching it altogether! Alongside this, propolis is composed of a compound called caffeic acid phenyl ester (CAPE) (1), which shows anti-inflammatory properties. With a cold, this inflammation can show up as a puffy face, stuffy nose, and irritated throat. 2. Allergies If you suffer from seasonal allergies, you may think that there is no hope. Sure spring flowers are beautiful, but a runny nose and watery eyes don’t feel so great. While there hasn’t been a lot of scientific research around this, many people find that bee propolis, honey and pollen are beneficial for allergies. By incorporating locally harvested honey, or bee propolis (Organika’s comes from the Okanagan in British Columbia!), you can expose yourself to some of the things that cause seasonal allergies to start with. You can also help to prepare your immune system for when allergy season hits. 3. Oral Health Our mouths are actually pretty gross. While it does a pretty good job on its own to clean everything out, bacteria and infections can be stronger than we think. This is especially important if our immune system is down. Bacteria can cause issues like halitosis (a nicer way of saying “bad breath”), gingivitis, and can create infection if you have any type of surgical procedures on your teeth or gums. Due to the antimicrobrial and antibacterial properties of propolis, it can help reduce our risk of mouth diseases and infections. 4. Wound Healing Bee propolis has long been used in skin care products. It has been used in both first-aid treatments and in our beauty care. With high levels of antioxidants, it works against free-radical activity that occurs in wounds, ultimately assisting with healing. There have also been studies that have shown propolis’ role in assisting with collagen production in the wound (2). There is still significant research to be done around the use of propolis to truly understand its various benefits. However, looking back on our history can give us a few clues like they have above. Try for yourself and see the effects of bee propolis!