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You’re probably used to hearing people in the wellness world rave about antioxidants, and you probably know they are good for you. But do you know exactly the role they play in our health? It’s actually quite impressive… so let me get a little bit science-y here… What do antioxidants do? Antioxidants are tiny molecules that act as a defense mechanism in our body in many different ways. However, one of the most important roles that antioxidants have is to fight free radicals. Free radicals are other tiny compounds that can promote premature aging and that can damage our health in the long run if they get out of control. So a great way to understand this is by picturing antioxidants like the superheroes 🦸‍♂️ in the story that want to keep everything in peace and in harmony; and the free radicals are the bad guys that start a riot that can lead into a war if they’re not stopped at the right time. These free radicals, our "bad guys," are found in many places, such as: pollution, chemicals in cleaning and personal care products, pesticides, cigarette smoke, excess cardio workouts, tap water, processed foods and fast foods, just to mention a few. As you can see, we are always surrounded by them no matter what we do. They’re literally inevitable! Therefore, they’re constantly being formed in our body. That’s exactly why antioxidants play such an important role in our life and our health. Where do antioxidants come from? Now that you know this, you can see how important it is to keep up with our body’s increased demand for these tiny antioxidants. And a great way to do so is to get them from whole foods such as fruits and vegetables, and also some animal products. You’ve probably heard the term “superfoods”; they are foods that are considered antioxidant powerhouses, such as blueberries, lemons, dragon fruit, ginseng, kale, açaí and carrots, just to mention a few! But let’s be honest, not everyone eats superfoods or the rainbow (mixed fruits and veggies) 🌈 every day. In fact, sometimes we don’t even come close to eating enough veggies, am I right? In this case, we need an extra boost from our supplements. Which antioxidants are the best? There are different types of antioxidants with different roles aside from fighting free radicals, such as vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc and selenium, among others. However, you’ve probably heard about Vitamin C more than a thousand times, and for good reason. You see, Vitamin C has positioned itself at the TOP of the antioxidant family thanks to its multiple health benefits. These benefits include: Boosting the immune system; Maintaining a healthy looking skin (especially when mixed with collagen!); Promoting cardiovascular health; Decreasing oxidative stress caused by too many free radicals; Delaying signs of premature aging; Preventing iron deficiency. No wonder it is so popular, huh? So now you know why it is so important for your health to keep free radicals in check by making sure you give your body the right amount of antioxidants! To make it easier on you, Organika has created a vitamin C line to support all kinds of lifestyles. From classic vitamin C capsules to on-the-go Instant-C effervescent tablets, plus a couple of powder options that can be added to your fave drink anytime: vitamin C powder and Superfood C+!

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

Bone Broth vs. Collagen Peptides—What's the difference? New to bone broth and collagen peptides? Fear not, because we are here to answer all the big questions. We are in love with these super powders and their amazing health benefits, and want to share them with the world, starting with you! What are collagen peptides? Collagen is the “glue” that helps hold the body together and is the most abundant protein in the body. Collagen keeps your skin firm and elastic, your joints strong and stable, and your digestive system healthy and working. However, as we age and use our bodies for movement, the collagen levels in our body naturally decline. Organika’s Enhanced Collagen is a high-quality source of collagen peptides: the readily absorbable pieces that make up collagen, so you can easily enjoy its whole-body benefits. Collagen peptides support healthy skin The loss of collagen as you age contributes to wrinkles and poor skin quality. While spending money on expensive creams can help your skin externally, your diet has the biggest influence on your skin health, which means skin beauty literally starts from the inside out! Chronic exposure to the sun can also damage the collagen fibers in your skin. Supplemental collagen has been shown to reduce the harmful UVB induced skin damage to support better skin quality. [1] Collagen peptides help alleviate joint pain Chronic pain and arthritis are often treated with ointments and drugs that help ease the pain, but do not address the root of the problem. The building blocks of healthy joints come from your diet. These include key amino acids like proline, lysine, and glutamine, which support the natural production of collagen in the body. Recent studies show improvement in pain and physical function after supplementation with hydrolyzed collagen (see Figure 1.0) [2]. Ensuring you eat enough quality protein or easily digestible supplemental collagen is fundamental to healthy joints in the long run. Collagen peptides may help maintain a healthy gut Digestive complaints are on the rise: gas, bloating, heartburn, constipation, and abdominal discomfort seem to be the norm these days. These are all signs of dysbiosis, the medical term for the accumulation of too much bad bacteria in the gut, which can lead to damage of the intestinal lining. This scenario is often described by the term “leaky gut.” People with leaky gut can also have silent, non-obvious symptoms. In this case, you may struggle with fatigue, allergies, poor immunity (or an autoimmune condition), joint pain, or brain fog. Collagen provides a source of the amino acid glutamine, which has been shown to be highly effective in preventing leaky gut and the subsequent chronic inflammation that can wreak havoc on the body. [3] What is bone broth? A type of broth made by simmering animal bones for extended periods of time, bone broth is featured in the traditional cuisines of many different cultures - and for good reason. Through the process of simmering, bones release beneficial nutrients such as collagen, gelatin and amino acids (such as glycine, glutamine and proline, to name a few). Alongside those nutrients are many key minerals that are often hard to absorb in our body; bone broth is an excellent way to up your intake. Organika’s Bone Broth line brings all the nutrition from chicken and beef bone broth in powder form – the ideal kitchen staple to give your home cooking that extra touch of health! Why should I take bone broth? Consuming bone broth daily has been anecdotally linked to significant improvement in allergies, asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel conditions, chronic fatigue, stress, skin conditions, bloating, weight gain, thinning hair, food sensitivities and auto-immune disorders. These amazing reported results are likely linked to its nutrient profile: by decreasing the inflammatory response in the body, glycine improves the integrity of your digestive tract. This plays a vital role in the absorption of nutrients found in our foods, potentially helping with a number of conditions. So, what’s the difference between bone broth and collagen peptides? You can think of bone broth as general overall support for the body. It contains a wealth of key nutrients, including proteins like collagen that are rich in important amino acids like glycine and glutamine. It also contains an array of minerals (i.e. calcium, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, and zinc) as well as joint friendly glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). Collagen is a protein which is isolated via a process called hydrolyzation, making it a more concentrated source of the nutrient. This can be hugely beneficial because you get much bigger doses of collagen-specific amino acids like glycine, glutamine, proline, hydroxyproline, and arginine. These amino acid “all-stars” are terrific for keeping joints healthy, your digestive system running on all cylinders and supporting post-workout recovery. Which one should I take? As you’ve learned above, they are slightly different. Like choosing between a hammer and screwdriver, the tool best suited for the job depends on what YOU need. Bone broth is a fantastic general tonic to support overall health. It delivers a range of key nutrients to support overall health and is also a fantastic addition in the wintertime to nourish the body and feel your best in the colder months. Collagen can also be used as a general tonic, but it truly shines is when it is used for more specific concerns. If you want to support your sore joints, help soothe a leaky gut or improve skin health, collagen-specific amino acids will likely be very helpful. Of course, you don’t necessarily have to choose just one. For example, mixing some Ginger Chicken Bone Broth and Enhanced Collagen in the evening is a great way to wind down before bed! We’re all about that superfood life – browse our blog for tips, tricks and recipes to make collagen and bone broth an effortless part of your healthy routine. References Tanaka, M et al. Effects of Collagen Peptide Ingestion on UV-B-Induced Skin Damage. Biosci. Biotechnol. Biochem, 73 (4), 930–932, 2009. Bello A, Oesser S. Collagen hydrolysate for the treatment of osteoarthritis and other joint disorders: a review of the literature. CMRO. Vol 22, 2006 – Iss 11. Rao, R. Samak, G. Role of Glutamine in Protection of Intestinal Epithelial Tight Junctions/ J Eptihel Biol Pharmacol. 2012 Jan: 5(Suppl 1-M7):47-54. Rennard, B & Ertl, R & Gossman, G & Robbins, RA & Rennard, Stephen. (2000). Chicken soup inhibits neutrophil chemotaxis in vitro. Chest. 118. 1150-7. 10.1378/chest.118.4.1150.