Strengthens immunity

One of the main reasons why people take vitamin C through dietary supplements is because they want to boost immunity. Vitamin C is involved in many functions of the immune system.

• Vitamin C helps stimulate the production of white blood cells known as lymphocytes and phagocytes, which help protect the body from infection.

• Vitamin C helps these white blood cells function more efficiently, protecting them from damage by potentially harmful molecules, such as free radicals.

• Vitamin C is an important part of the skin's defense system. It is actively transferred to the skin, where it can act as an antioxidant and help strengthen skin barriers.

Studies have also shown that taking vitamin C can shorten wound healing time.

Furthermore, low levels of vitamin C have been linked to many ill health conditions.

For example, people with pneumonia tend to have lower levels of vitamin C, and vitamin C supplementation has been shown to shorten recovery time.

Vitamin C can boost immunity by helping white blood cells function more efficiently, strengthening your skin's defense system and helping wounds heal faster.

Can help regulate high blood pressure.

Many suffer from high blood pressure caused by various conditions and diseases, among others due to being overweight. High blood pressure puts you at risk for heart disease, the leading cause of death globally.

An animal study found that taking a vitamin C supplement helped relax the blood vessels that carry blood from the heart, which helped lower blood pressure levels.

Further, an analysis of 29 human studies found that vitamin C supplementation reduced systolic blood pressure (upper value) by 3.8 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure (lower value) for healthy adults by 1.5 mmHg on average.

In adults with high blood pressure, vitamin C supplements lowered systolic blood pressure by 4.9 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure by 1.7 mmHg, on average.

May reduce the risk of heart disease

Heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide.

Many factors increase the risk of heart disease, including high blood pressure, high triglycerides or LDL (bad) cholesterol, and low HDL (good) cholesterol.

Vitamin C can help reduce these risk factors, which can reduce the risk of heart disease.

For example, an analysis of 9 studies with a combined 293,172 participants found that after 10 years, people who took at least 700 mg of vitamin C had a 25% lower risk of heart disease than those who did not take vitamin C.

Another analysis of 13 studies examined the effects of taking at least 500 mg of vitamin C daily on risk factors for heart disease, such as blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

The analysis found that taking vitamin C supplementation significantly reduced LDL (bad) cholesterol by approximately 7.9 mg / dL and blood triglycerides by 20.1 mg / dL.

In short, it seems that taking or consuming at least 500 mg of vitamin C a day can reduce the risk of heart disease.

Can lower blood uric acid levels and help prevent gout attacks

Gout is a type of arthritis that affects approximately 4% of adults.

It is incredibly painful and involves inflammation of the joints, especially the big toes. People with gout experience swelling and sudden, severe attacks of pain.

Symptoms of gout occur when there is too much uric acid in the blood. Uric acid is a waste product produced by the body. At high levels it can crystallize and settle in the joints.

Interestingly, several studies have shown that vitamin C can help reduce uric acid in the blood and, as a result, protect against gout attacks.

For example, a study of 1,387 men found that those who consumed the most vitamin C had significantly lower levels of uric acid in their blood than those who took the least.

Another study followed 46.994 healthy men over the age of 20 to determine if vitamin C intake was linked to gout. People who took a vitamin C supplement were found to have a 44% lower risk of gout.

In addition, an analysis of 13 studies found that taking a vitamin C supplement for 30 days significantly reduced uric acid in the blood, compared to placebo.

Helps prevent iron deficiency

Iron is an important nutrient that has various functions in the body. It is necessary for the formation of red blood cells and the transport of oxygen throughout the body.

Vitamin C supplements can help improve the absorption of iron from the diet. Vitamin C helps convert iron that is poorly absorbed, such as plant sources of iron, into a form that is more easily absorbed. This is especially useful for people who are on a meat-free diet, because meat is the main source of iron

In fact, simply consuming 100 mg of vitamin C can improve iron absorption by 67%.

As a result, vitamin C can help reduce the risk of anemia in people prone to iron deficiency.

In one study, 65 children with mild iron deficiency anemia received vitamin C supplementation. The researchers found that the supplement itself helped control their anemia.

If you have low iron levels, consuming foods richer in vitamin C or taking vitamin C supplements can help improve blood iron levels

Protects your memory

Dementia is a broad term used to describe the symptoms of poor memory.

It affects over 35 million people worldwide and usually affects older adults.

Studies suggest that oxidative stress and inflammation near the brain, spine and nerves (commonly known as the central nervous system) may increase the risk of dementia.

• Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant. Low levels of this vitamin are associated with decreased ability to think and remember.
• Several studies have shown that people with dementia may have lower levels of vitamin C in their blood.
• High intake of vitamin C from food or supplements has been shown to have a protective effect on thinking and remembering as you age.

Vitamin C supplementation can help with some conditions such as dementia, which can occur if you do not get enough vitamin C.

Low levels of vitamin C are associated with an increased risk of memory disorders such as dementia, while high intake of vitamin C from foods and supplements has been shown to have a protective effect.

• Ensures normal functioning of the immune system
• Contributions to energy production
• Contributes to the normal functioning of the nervous system
• Reduces feelings of fatigue and exhaustion.
  
  

NAC N-ACETYL CYSTEINE

Cysteine ​​is an amino acid, a basic component of body proteins. When taken as a supplement, it is taken in the form of N-acetyl-L-cysteine ​​(NAC) which converts the body into cysteine ​​and then into glutathione - a powerful antioxidant. NAC helps prevent the side effects of medication and exposure to toxic chemicals and helps reduce mucus in the body (help with respiratory diseases) .

NAC is an acetylated form of the amino acid cysteine, cystine and cysteine ​​are closely related and are considered a single amino acid, and NAC is a much more stable form of these amino acids. In addition to its important role in protein synthesis, NAC plays a significant role in being a component of the amino acid glutathione, the strongest antioxidant in our body , which every cell has, necessary for maintaining the immune system. Low levels of glutathione are associated with many diseases, especially liver disease, respiratory infections and colds ( deficiency of this form of amino acid is the most common cause of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) … when we die, we always die due to extremely low glutathione levels , when the liver is no longer able to synthesize it.

Taking NAC as a supplement raises the body's natural levels of glutathione, especially after illness and physical exertion.

• NAC helps with respiratory diseases such as (COPD): emphysema, fibrosis, chronic bronchitis, chronic lung disease, cough, sinusitis, chronic inflammatory degenerative diseases, malignant diseases, especially lung cancer and pancreatic cancer, or always when there is excessive mucus.
• NAC is important in the treatment of eye diseases because it raises glutathione levels.
• People with malignant diseases should definitely take it with other antioxidants.
• NAC provides protection against the toxic effects of drugs and chemicals, e.g.acetaminophen, carbon tetrachloride, ethanol, carbon monoxide, cytostatics, air pollution…
• NAC Deficiency of this form of amino acid is the most common cause of chronic lung disease
• NAC is a powerful antioxidant
• NAC increases the body's strength and endurance and reduces the level of homocysteine, an amino acid whose high levels cause heart disease, stroke and cancer
• Reduces bad LDL cholesterol
• NAC supplements help improve blood pressure (relax blood vessels).
• It is recommended to take after meals with vitamin C that Self Omninutrition Vitamin C Pro contains in an ideal ratio.
• Due to its effect on biofilm degradation, it is also used for Helycobacter pylori infection, as well as urinary tract infections.
  

VITAMIN D

Proper function of the immune system protects us from bacterial, viral and fungal infections and malignant diseases. In contrast, in conditions in which the immune system is stronger than necessary, allergic reactions and autoimmune diseases such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, psoriasis and the like occur. In the defense and protection of the immune system, vitamin C comes first in terms of reputation, especially in the winter months. However, it would rarely occur to us to assess whether a person suffering from frequent infections may have vitamin D deficiency.

One of the approved health claims for vitamin D is that it states that it contributes to the normal function of the immune system. Although vitamin D is always associated with bone health, which is its main task since calcitriol helps maintain the balance of calcium and phosphorus in the body, in recent years there has been news in understanding its health benefits, so its deficiency is associated with autoimmune diseases, infections. with cardiovascular disease and cancer.

In vitro studies emphasize its immunomodulatory and anticancer effects, and are considered an important immunomodulatory hormone. The function of vitamin D is, in addition to stimulating the immune system when it is too weak, to alleviate the activity of immune cells when the system is too strong.

In 1925, it was discovered that vitamin D could be produced in the skin under the influence of ultraviolet rays, so it does not belong to the group of essential nutrients. In the kidneys, it is transformed into the active form of the steroid hormone calcitriol, whether it is ingested through food or created by ultraviolet rays.

Although the body's daily needs for vitamin D are not high (10 µg), its deficiency is common. The key source of this vitamin in the body is due to exposure to ultraviolet rays (UVB), so the deficiency is more common in the winter months. Very few foods naturally contain vitamin D. Fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel or sardines are rich in vitamin D3. Egg yolks, butter and cheese are also sources of vitamin D, but its values ​​are quite variable. That is why it is very difficult to meet the body's need for this vitamin from food sources.

The two heads of vitamin D precursors are D3 (colecalciferol) and D2 (ergocalciferol). Vitamin D3 is formed when 7-dihydrocholesterol in the skin is exposed to ultraviolet rays B. In a heat-dependent process, provitamin D3 is immediately converted to vitamin D. When it enters the liver, both precursors of vitamin D - D3 from sun exposure and dietary D2 - convert in 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25 (OH) D] (calcidiol). The main form of vitamin D is 25 (OH) D (calcidiol) and is used to determine its status. In order to become biologically active, an additional process of hydroxylation in the kidneys is required to form 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D [1,25 (OH) 2D] (calcitriol).So, in order to be activated, vitamin D that we get from food, the sun or through dietary supplements, must be hydrolyzed twice

Many interesting studies have pointed to the important role of vitamin D, specifically calcitriol on immunity. What is pretty clear is that it is important for boosting the immune system. The only question is how much vitamin D is needed to have enough calcitriol, which affects the function of the immune system.

Influenza

Colds, flu and other viral illnesses during the winter months may be associated with reduced UV exposure and vitamin D deficiency at this time of year. And this is related to the regulation of the expression of antimicrobial peptides by calcitriol in the fight against pathogenic microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, fungi). These active substances, in contact with the microorganism, increase the secretion of epithelial cells and macrophages and damage their lipoprotein membrane. This mechanism with a sufficient concentration of vitamin D in the serum is associated with better defense of the body against influenza virus, so it is concluded that the higher incidence of influenza in the winter months is associated with insufficient synthesis of vitamin D due to lower sun exposure. This is also shown by one of the studies with school children, in which vitamin D3 supplementation in the winter months reduced the incidence of influenza compared to the placebo group. Also, children with asthma had less severe attacks.

The role of vitamin D in the prevention of bacterial vaginal infections has also been proven. It is linked to the ability of this vitamin to regulate the production and functioning of antimicrobial molecules that then help the immune system fight unwanted bacteria. Pregnant women with low vitamin D levels are more likely to get bacterial vaginosis.

Because of the above, vitamin D plays an important role in activating the immune defenses, and without sufficient intake of cells of our immune system, it will not be able to fight serious infections.

Autoimmune Diseases

The active form of vitamin D - calcitriol - affects the growth and differentiation of cells important for immunity. That is why today it has found a place in the treatment of autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes. Namely, recent research suggests that the active form of calcitriol affects the beta cells of the pancreas, and vitamin D deficiency causes a disorder of insulin secretion. Animal studies show that in the absence of calcitriol, immune system cells are more likely to attack healthy cells in the body which is a risk for autoimmune disease. Calcitriol stimulates the production of an antimicrobial peptide that prevents the immune system from invading one's own body. Calcitriol is involved in the activation of T and B lymphocytes. T cell activation produces cells that recognize and destroy pathogenic microorganisms. An association has been found between vitamin D deficiency and overproduction of active T cells, which then attack cells in the body that they recognize as foreign.

Malignancies

In malignant diseases, patients with higher concentrations of vitamin D in the blood had a better outcome, which is explained by the role of vitamin D in the regulation of cell growth. Vitamin D receptors have been identified in many cells. These receptors can be activated by calcitriol and promote proper cell function, inhibit proliferation, invasiveness and metastatic potential, and promote differentiation - a trait that cancer cells lack. Inhibition of the process of blood vessel formation has also been observed, which prevents the flow of nutrients to the tumor mass.

It is interesting to note that multiple sclerosis and the incidence of malignancies are more common in countries with less sun, which has led scientists to suggest a possible link between vitamin D deficiency and autoimmune responses and cancer.

Vitamin D3 deficiency groups

High risk population for vitamin D deficiency is the elderly due to reduced levels of 7-dihydrocholesterol in the skin, which is a precursor to vitamin D synthesis under the influence of UVB rays. . It has also been observed that women who avoid sunbathing, who have frequent pregnancies, and whose diet is largely based on cereals, are more likely to be deficient in this vitamin. Those who cover most of their skin for religious reasons and people with darker skin are also at risk. Certain pathological conditions such as Crohn's disease, cystic fibrosis (CF), celiac disease, surgical removal of part of the stomach or intestines are associated with malabsorption of vitamin D, and thus its deficiency. Eg patients suffering from CF, depending on the degree of exocrine insufficiency, absorb about 50% less vitamin D than normal.

Moderate exposure to the sun can prevent a number of diseases, but it should be borne in mind that pre-invasive exposure to UV rays will not result in higher concentrations of vitamin D due to the feedback mechanism, thus preventing the occurrence of too high concentrations.

Interactions

It is advisable to take into account its drug interactions when taking vitamin D supplements. Namely, vitamin D increases the activity of drugs for lowering stomach acid (antacids) that contain magnesium, and reduces the effectiveness of beta blockers (in cardiovascular disease). On the other hand, anticoagulants and diuretics reduce the absorption of vitamin D. Care should always be taken to take the drug and vitamin D at least two hours apart. Long-term laxatives, like many antiepileptics, can also cause vitamin D deficiency.

Vitamin D3 is a fat-soluble vitamin and is produced under the skin after sun exposure. It is also found in foods like salmon, mackerel, sardines, eggs and milk but can be consumed in higher doses through dietary supplements. Vitamin D3 has many benefits such as: it helps with stable absorption and utilization of calcium and phosphorus, maintains stable calcium levels, helps maintain muscle and bone function, and maintains a strong immune system and cell division.

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