Instant C Effervescent - Raspberry

How both essential functions go hand in hand Staying well hydrated is a key factor in maintaining a healthy immune system. Your immune system depends on specific nutrients being transported in your blood stream, an important part of the body that is made up of 90% water. Hydration also helps with sending signals and biochemical reactions to and from your immune system. Reminder: Hydration = water + electrolytes (specific salts involved in the reactions we just talked about). Electrolytes and immunity Ever notice when you are sick, people may recommend electrolytes in your water? That’s because a deficiency in these nutrients compromises your immune health (amongst other things). It will help if you think about your immune system as a fighter jet, eliminating any invaders or intruders (the invaders being threats such as viruses, germs, and unwanted pathogens). Your immune system can fight off enemies from invading your body by using T-cells and antibodies as defence (its weapons if you will). To run properly, you need to maintain your fighter jet and fuel it to ensure it doesn’t run out of gas at a critical moment. Just the same, your immune system requires specific nutrients to run properly. These nutrients include electrolytes; specifically, sodium, magnesium, and potassium. Note: electrolytes have many purposes in the body, but for the purpose of this article, we are focusing on immunity. Sodium It’s been studied that sodium has been linked to having an anti-microbial effect and can fight infections. While you don’t want to consume a diet high in sodium which can have auto-immune and blood pressure effects, there is a required amount your body needs daily. In fact, there needs to be a balance of sodium and water in your body. Adding sodium into your water thorough a replenishing electrolyte beverage daily should be enough to meet your sodium needs. Potassium Potassium balances out the sodium and together they regulate immunity response. Specifically, potassium works in the membrane of the cells to turn it on and transmit signals between cells (think of it as communication) and direct activity of the immune system. Magnesium Magnesium does so much for your body in general, but for the immune system it’s essential to keep it strong. Your body needs magnesium to make its T-cells which fight viruses and kill them. Studies have shown that decreased magnesium levels are linked with the decline of these important “killer” T-cells and other cells crucial in the immune system. If you really want to boost immunity... You want to stay efficiently hydrated always and get water plus your key electrolytes daily. Doing so will ensure your immune system is ready to go when you need it. In addition to immunity, you may know there are other supplements that are catered to support cold and flu symptoms or prevent them all together. Get maximum hydration AND immunity support in ONE SHOT Electrolytes Defence™ with Elderberry & Echinacea contains essential nutrients that keep you optimally hydrated and provide powerful immunity support – all with 0 g of sugar! Accelerate your hydration, fight off infections and help with cold and flu symptom relief with this all-in-one immunity blend containing electrolytes (sodium, potassium, and magnesium), elderberry, echinacea and zinc. Elderberry is high in antioxidants and has antiviral benefits. Researchers reported after a 2011 study, that elderberry prevented the growth of certain types of strep bacteria and influenza viruses. Echinacea is loaded with plant compounds functioning as antioxidants. Numerous studies have found that echinacea may help your immune system combat infections and viruses. Zinc supports the growth and normal function of immune cells, helping to defend against infection. This article has been fact-checked

Vitamin C is an essential micronutrient. Without it, we are at risk for poor immune function, skin health issues, and joint problems. The many benefits of vitamin C consumption are well known and continuously studied, and its effects on the immune system are top-of-mind, especially in the past year. In this article, we’ll examine some of the ways vitamin C benefits your immunity. Shop Vitamin C What is our immune system? Our immune system is a massive network in our body, composed of organs, white blood cells and proteins that protect us from viruses, infection, and pathogens. There are also two types of immunity that we have, and it’s important to clarify. Innate immune system: this includes physical, chemical, or cellular defences against pathogens like our tears, stomach acid and mucous membranes. Adaptive immune system: also known as acquired immunity, it is marked by the expansion of T and B lymphocytes (a.k.a. our immune army) that set out to destroy the invader. Simply put, when we get sick once, our body learns what those pathogens look like, and can prepare for the next time. Does vitamin C improve immunity? There are a variety of ways that vitamin C works with our immune system to support, build and boost it. In fact, vitamin C works with both our innate and adaptive immune systems (1) Here are a few ways that vitamin C can support you. 1. Vitamin C helps reduce the length of the common cold and flu Vitamin C is commonly used during cold and flu season to help prevent or reduce the symptoms of these common ailments. One study has shown that supplementing with Vitamin C, beyond diet alone, reduced the number of colds as well as the length in those taking the supplement (2). The reduction in symptoms has been attributed to vitamin C’s antioxidant properties and ability to reduce overall inflammation (3). 2. Vitamin C can aid in wound healing It is important to remember that our immune system isn’t at work only when we get sick. Our immune system also helps us recover from injury and wounds. Vitamin C can help with everything from cuts and scrapes, to sports injuries and surgery. Studies have shown that dosing above the recommended daily allowance (RDA), of 500 to 3000 mg can accelerate recovery (4). 3. Vitamin C helps reduce symptoms from seasonal allergies As an antioxidant, vitamin C can help with general inflammation in the body, as is seen with seasonal allergies. In addition, studies have shown that supplementing with Vitamin C can be helpful to reduce symptoms of hay fever (7). One study shows that supplementing with high-dose vitamin C (2,000mg) daily can lower blood histamine levels. Histamine is typically known for its impact on seasonal allergies, hence the reason we reach for antihistamine medications when we feel the sniffly nose and watery eyes starting! 4. Vitamin C reduces oxidative stress Oxidative stress is when there is an imbalance of free radicals and antioxidants. This typically causes cell and tissue damage, leading to faster aging and illness, including conditions like diabetes, cancer, and heart disease. Vitamin C has been shown to reduce overall oxidative stress in the body (8). Overall, Vitamin C is an essential part of our daily routine, whether through food or supplements. It’s important to remember that under times of stress, if you’re taking certain medication or if you’ve been feeling under the weather, it can be helpful to supplement with vitamin C in higher doses. Many people can tolerate 1,000 mg of vitamin C with no ill effect on their bowels. If your vitamin C intake leaves you running for the washroom, try to halve your dose! Shop Vitamin C

So much of our health starts in our gut! We can attribute the health of our digestive system, immune system, mental health, hormonal health and more, to our gut. What Happens When the Gut Lining Is Damaged? Damage to the gut lining can occur as a result of inflammation, indigestion, and dysbiosis. Prolonged periods of any of these symptoms reduces the production of digestive enzymes, increases the potential of other digestive disturbances, and overtime causes physical damage to the intestinal walls. When the intestinal barrier weakens, food particles, hormones, and toxins leak through into the body. If these particles pass through, they are identified as invaders and can trigger further systemic disruption. How Bone Broth Repairs the Gut Bone broth is an amazing example of gut supportive nutrition! It is made by slowly simmering animal bones in water to extract nutrients into easily digestible and absorbable nutrition. This amino acid-rich broth assists the regeneration and repair of the tissues lining the digestive tract due to a high collagen and gelatin content. Collagen is a protein that is rich in 19 easily absorbable amino acids, most prominently; proline, arginine, and glycine. These amino acids are vital for maintaining the integrity of the digestive tract. Bone broth also contains the amino acid, l-glutamine. L-glutamine is especially good at rebuilding proteins and repairing the intestinal barrier, and is often supplemented on its own for this exact reason. Bone broth is known for it’s high l-glutamine content. The nutritional profile doesn’t stop there! Bone broth is rich in gut supportive nutrients like calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, selenium and zinc, as well as vitamins A, C and E. And it contains natural compounds, glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate and hyaluronic acid, which contribute to gut health by supporting the health of your microbiome. Bone broth is a great way to take in these nutrients due to its concentrated liquid form. And it is a clean source of protein, the essential macronutrient for cell regeneration! Choosing the Right Bone Broth Organika provides 3 delicious ways to support gut health. Our bone broths are clean, nutrient-dense and deliciously flavoured. Beef Bone Broth Organika beef bone broth comes in Original and Ginger flavours. It is a high protein, collagen-rich, low sodium alternative to regular beef broth. Always free of antibiotics and hormones, our beef broth comes from grass-fed cows in Sweden. We simmer the animal bones and connective tissues to extract the important gut supportive health benefits so that you don’t have to! 2. Chicken Bone Broth Our chicken bone broth comes in Original, Ginger and Turmeric flavours. It is a clean, single-ingredient broth powder sourced from cage-free USA chickens that are exclusively fed organic grain and are tested regularly for hormones, antibiotics, heavy metals or pesticides. It is a higher protein and collagen-rich alternative to regular chicken broth! As with our beef broth, it is rich in glucosamine, hyaluronic acid and chondroitin, compounds that reduce inflammation and joint pain, as well as support the repair of the digestive lining. 3. Veggie Broth For vegetarians and vegans, we have our veggie broth that is packed full of real organic vegetables, adaptogenic tremella mushrooms and nutritional yeast! Nutritional yeast is a source of complete protein. Protein is an essential macronutrient vital for enzyme and hormone production, as well as the repair and regeneration of every cell in the body. If you follow a vegetarian or vegan diet, you may be low in B vitamins. These water-soluble vitamins aren’t stored in the body and must be consumed on a regular basis. Our veggie broth is rich in B vitamins, vital for energy production, antioxidant action, and the building and repairing of DNA. Just like our other formulas, veggie broth also contains the gut supportive amino acid, l-glutamine, to maintain and support a healthy gut barrier! Heal Your Gut with Bone Broth Consuming this nutrient-dense, amino-acid rich product in a variety of dishes, on a daily basis, can help reduce inflammation, digestive disruptions and allergies, and thoroughly nourish your body in one quick scoop! Shop Broths About our Guest Author Alison Dowling HBA, NNCP Certified Alison is a Toronto actor and nutritionist. Through movement training and a love of food, she found holistic nutrition. When she's not writing or working with clients at the Clara Clinic in east Toronto, you'll find her catching up on auditions or brushing up her Shakespeare!