Top Immunity Boosters: Vitamins and Supplements That Work

What is the traditional approach to immunity in Chinese Medicine? Traditional Chinese Medicine focuses on restoring the body's balance of Qi's harmony, specifically yin and yang. Acupuncture, diet, herbal therapy, meditation, physical exercise, and massages target the body's vital Qi energy that flows along meridians channels.   Medicinal herbs are used to support the immune system, along with other forms of traditional care. Due to constitutional differences, it is crucial to identify your body constituent type as it transitions from one season to another.  Some herbs should be consumed and taken with caution, while other ingredients are very safe and can be eaten freely as food.  Aside from stand-alone applications, herbs are also widely used to apply to food therapy and paired with complementary and seasonal ingredients to support and nourish the body and mind. Common immunity remedies in Traditional Chinese Medicine Tremella fuciformis Mushroom Adaptogen herbal medicine uses natural substances that help the body adapt to stress and exert a normalizing effect on bodily processes. A well-known example is the Tremella fuciformis mushroom.  This dried fungus is used to help tonifiy Yin deficiencies. It is believed to promote meridian affinity by moistening the stomach, kidney and lungs. In beauty, Tremella Fuciformis is said to enhance skin hydration, and has been shown to have antioxidant effects, which generally prevent cell damage by free radicals, reduce inflammation and increase vitality.  Tremella fuciformis is typically is used in nourishing soups, desserts and beauty elixirs. Organika offers organic tremella in powder form – a great addition to a beautiful morning routine! Cordyceps Mushroom Chinese Medicine has used Cordyceps sinensis for centuries. In recent years, it has experienced a surge in demand in the West. This "magic mushroom" native to northern provinces in China is believed to have a wide range of health benefits like increasing virility and energy levels, regulating blood sugar, strengthening the immune system, detoxing kidneys, removing dampness, providing antioxidant and treating hemorrhoids. Chinese Medicinal Food Therapy also uses cordyceps in recipes such as steamed chicken and seasonal nourishing soups. Cordyceps sinensis wild harvesting is unsustainable and very expensive. It is only suitable from late April to June and is dependent on how many caterpillars get infected by a fungus called Ophiocordyceps Sinensis.  Instead of harvesting "caterpillar parasite zombies," Organika's Cordyceps Mushroom Extract is a potent vegan-friendly strain made from the fermentation of the Paecilomyces hepiali strain on organic brown rice. This process preserves the active ingredients that possess pharmacological and nutritional properties compared to the naturally occurring Cordyceps sinensis. Plus, it is packaged in vegetarian capsules.  Reishi Mushroom Perhaps one of the most well-known ingredients in Traditional Chinese Medicine, due to its association with immortality, longevity and the miracle of life, is Reishi (also known as Ling Zhi). Reishi is believed to target the meridians of the heart, lung, liver, kidney and spleen. It is also considered a protector from chronic illnesses. Reishi is said to be an excellent herb to consider for times of stress when the body and mind is overworked and require enhanced immunity support, reduced anxiety, anti-allergenic effects, etc.  Traditional preparation of wild-harvested reishi, like many other herbal remedies, is often complicated and time-consuming. Fortunately, modern science has made the extraction of beneficial compounds and the breakdown of indigestible cell walls possible. Modern techniques allow access to the beneficial compounds found in reishi through a process of steam extraction, which breaks down the fungi' indigestible cell walls, aka chitin. Delivery is also convenient and easy – Organika offers both reishi capsules and an organic reishi powder for increased digestibility and absorption.  If you are interested in supporting your health with the help of Traditional Chinese Medicine, please consult a professional TCM practitioner. They will be best able to guide you.

In the last decade or more, vitamin D deficiency is becoming more prevalent among Canadians. As more people avoid the sun for fear of premature aging and other health concerns, we find we are covering up our skin more than ever, whether it be with clothing that blocks the sun or by applying layers of sunscreen every day. 70 – 90 % of North Americans do not get enough vitamin D daily, and this includes sunshine, food sources and supplements. We must test our vitamin D levels annually because if we are not getting it naturally, from the sun, we must supplement to keep healthy. The big question is what is vitamin D – the sunshine vitamin and are you getting enough? Shop Vitamin D3 Vitamin D is a nutrient that the body needs in small amounts to stay healthy. Vitamin D combines with calcium and phosphorus to make strong bones and teeth. It is found naturally in foods such as oysters, liver, egg yolks, red meat, and oily fish. Like all fat-soluble vitamins, vitamin D is best absorbed with fats. Skin exposed to sunshine can also make vitamin D and it is the best source. 10-20 minutes per day between 10 am – 2 pm is the best way to safely absorb the sunshine. With under 20 minutes a day, skin won’t burn, and your body will naturally absorb the sunshine and you can manufacture vitamin D in the body. “We each have vitamin D receptor cells that, through a chain of reactions starting with conversion of cholesterol in the skin, produce vitamin D3 when they're exposed to ultraviolet B (UVB) from the sun,”  Some experts recommend avoiding the sun by seeking shade between 10am – 4pm or by wearing UV protective clothing and using sunscreen that is 30 SPF or higher. The problem with this is that it causes our absorption to go down. If we are not getting those 10-20 minutes of healthy sun exposure to naturally produce vitamin D in the body, it affects our health. In the summer our biggest surface area, the back and chest, can safely absorb the sun for under 20 minutes daily. Because we have phobias that the sun is aging us prematurely and causing other health concerns like cancer, we are lathering sunscreen on and affecting our natural absorption of vitamin D. Studies show that safe amounts of sun exposure help us to manufacture vitamin D naturally and it helps to prevent cancer. For longer periods in the sun, be sure to apply natural and chemical free sunscreens that will provide protection and keep you from burning. What is surprising is that research done in northern California, which has more sunnier days than we do, found that the normal adult is deficient and 70-80% of the adults tested were deficient. We cannot know for sure where we are at without getting tested. In Canada, the normal range for vitamin D is between 75-250. The ideal range you want to be between is 125-175. You should be able to go into a lab and get your blood tested and get your results online the next day. Getting tested is important because it’s not just about exposure. It has to do with how you process it in your skin, liver, and kidneys. Recently, Health Canada increased the maximum amount of vitamin D supplements sold over the counter to 2,5000 IU for adults “As of February 24, 2021, Health Canada increased the maximum amount for vitamin D supplements sold over-the-counter to 2,500 IU per dose for adults. The previous maximum was set at 1,000 IU per adult dose” Health Canada increases non-prescription limit for Vitamin D. Genuine Wellness.  When supplementing with vitamin D, the best form of vitamin D is D3. Vitamin D2 is a synthetic form of vitamin D, and it is not absorbed well in the body. Vitamin D3 is naturally sourced from sheep lanolin. Wondering how much vitamin D should be given to children? The minimum is 400IU every day up until age one. Because vitamin D is a storing vitamin, you could give it daily or a few times a week at larger doses. Until we have the test to see where we are at, we stick with the recommended dose for children. For those of us living in Canada, because of our geographic location, the rays of the sun are too weak in the winter to generate the reaction that leads to the creation of vitamin D and supplementing with food and D3 supplement drops is a great way to keep your levels optimum to stay healthy. Shop Vitamin D3

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