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.

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 zinc 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.