Organic Camu Camu (Vitamin C)

The camu camu tree (Myrciaria dubia) grows deep in the Amazon rainforest where its fruit and leaves have long been used by the indigenous people as medicine. Not only does camu camu have proven anti-viral properties, but its small tart berries contain one of the highest levels of natural vitamin C on the planet. A single 100 gram serving of camu camu provides around 2,200 mg of vitamin C – almost 50 times the amount of vitamin C found in orange juice!

Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is an essential water-soluble micronutrient. “Essential” means that your body cannot live without it and since vitamin C cannot be made by or stored in the body, it must be consumed regularly through food or supplementation.

When it comes to immune system support, vitamin C plays an intricate role in dozens of immune functions. This includes cytokine production by white blood cells, nitric oxide production, detoxification, antioxidant protection, and boosting Natural Killer (NK) cell production. Vitamin C is also used in the production of special signaling proteins called interferons, which are released by cells when harmful bacteria and other pathogens are present.

Vitamin C acts as an essential cofactor in at least eight important enzymatic reactions in the body. These include the production of collagen (the structural basis of skin, tendon, bone, cartilage, and all connective tissue) as well as neurotransmitters – chemicals that play a critical role in signaling between various nerve cells in your brain and nervous system.

Along with being a cofactor, vitamin C is also a powerful antioxidant. In this role it helps to protect against inflammation and aging generated both by the normal daily workings of your body, as well as from exposure to toxins and pollutants.

Beyond its impressive vitamin C content, camu camu is a bioactive-rich food containing other important nutrients including beta-carotene, potassium, calcium, zinc, magnesium, manganese, and copper. While awareness of camu camu is relatively recent in North America, various studies have demonstrated that camu camu may have benefits for weight loss, improved blood sugar levels, and healthier blood pressure.

Organic Elderberry

In addition to being a superfood packed with vitamins & minerals, elderberry is also one of the oldest and most commonly used medicinal plants in the world for natural immune support. The “Father of Medicine”, Hippocrates, even proclaimed that “This plant of God heals anything it touches!” For thousands of years folk healers have relied on elderberry for treating viral illnesses including the common cold and influenza as well as its associated symptoms such as congestion, cough, and sore throat.

Elderberry refers to several varieties of the Sambucus tree, which has clusters of white flowers and black or blue-black berries. The best-studied variety for health purposes is Sambucus nigra L, also known as European elderberry or black elderberry. The species of elderberry more commonly seen growing in North America is Sambucus canadensis, which has sweeter fruit than its tart European cousin. Both types of elderberry are popularly used for making tea, jam, syrup, pie, cordial, and even wine, among other uses.

As a food source, elderberry packs a strong nutritional punch. It’s a very good source of vitamin C and dietary fiber and a good source of vitamin A, B6, iron, and potassium. The berries also contain exceptionally high levels of anthocyanins, a type of flavonoid that is also a powerful antioxidant. Anthocyanins have been shown to help protect against cardiovascular disease, cancer cell growth, neurological and inflammatory conditions, and much more.

While elderberry is perhaps best known for its anti-vital activity, it has also been shown to kill bacteria such as H. pylori, a common cause of stomach ulcers. And elderberry has a definite edge over antibiotics when it comes to treating certain kinds of infections. Both viruses and bacteria cause infections, but antibiotics are only effective against bacterial infections – not viral. Common illnesses caused by viruses include colds, influenza, and most sore throats and coughs. Taking antibiotics for viral respiratory infections is both ineffective and can cause long-term damage to your gut microbiome.

According to a 2018 meta-analysis (review of multiple studies) published in the journal Complementary Therapies in Medicine, “Supplementation with elderberry was found to substantially reduce upper respiratory symptoms” and that elderberry is “a potentially safer alternative to prescription drugs for routine cases of the common cold and influenza.”

Zinc

Zinc is an essential trace mineral that is vital for human health. It has many important roles in the body, especially for immune system support and the brain. It helps to keep a type of white blood cell known as “T cells” working properly and proliferating for good immune function, while nearly every enzymatic process in the brain requires zinc.

Zinc also assists in cell growth & repair, heart health, nervous system function, energy production, reproductive health, digestive health, and even some metabolic functions such as balancing blood sugar. The highest concentrations of zinc are found in the eyes and ears, and it is critical for maintaining a sense of taste and smell. Your skin and mucous membranes also require zinc for their maintenance and integrity.

Even though zinc is the second most abundant mineral in the body behind iron, your body cannot produce or store zinc, and it must be replenished daily through diet or supplementation. A zinc deficiency can lead to increased activity of free radicals‚ harmful molecules that damage cells and speed up the aging process.

The zinc in Organixx Immunity 3 comes in two forms: zinc arginate and zine glycinate. Arginine and glycine are both important amino acids which are used as building blocks for protein in the body and have their own unique health benefits. Glycine is the smallest amino acid and is able to cross the blood-brain barrier. It’s best known for benefits relating to sleep, brain, and skin health. Arginine, on the other hand, is recognized for its role in wound healing, immune system operation, and hormone regulation.

Zinc arginate is zinc that has been bonded (“chelated”) to arginine, while zinc glycinate is zinc that is bonded to glycine. Chelating zinc to these amino acids results in a kind of “pre-digestion” which allows the zinc to be much more easily absorbed by the body, especially compared to common inorganic types of zinc such as zinc sulphate. Using two different types of chelated zinc also enhances bioavailability as each chelator has an affinity in the body to certain cells, tissues, and organs.