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So far Bradley Keys has created 115 blog entries.

The 3 Main Different Types of Magnesium

By |2023-06-07T03:35:04-08:00January 24, 2022|Anti-Aging Patch|

Magnesium is one of the body’s most crucial minerals. You can get the mineral from various foods, like cashews and spinach. However, because of its importance and numerous nutritional aspects, many people choose to take supplements. 

With so many to choose from, knowing which is best for you can be a little overwhelming. To help out, we have put three of the different kinds of magnesium supplements into one patch, so you don’t skip on getting the nutrients your body requires.

Three Different Kinds of Magnesium

Magnesium (Mg) is necessary for more than 300 of your body’s chemical reactions and so is instrumental in the healthy function of your immune system, bone strength, and heartbeat—just to name a few! Learn more about these benefits below as we break down the three different types of magnesium.

Magnesium Threonate

Magnesium Threonate is a supplement developed by neuroscientists at MIT over a decade ago. It is known as a brain enhancer that contributes to better cognition, boosts memory, and has been associated with cerebral metabolism changes in elderly people, meaning that it may be helpful for people with dementia or Alzheimer’s Disease. More research is still being done.

The supplement is also known to support many of the body’s most crucial processes—from creating insulin to forming proteins and fatty acids, bone and muscle function, and improving immune system functions. It is known to enhance some of the body’s natural killer cells, which in turn boosts their anti-tumor and L – Lysine capabilities.

It is particularly absorbable by the brain, and so is said to enhance brain cell connection and brain cell signaling pathways. Studies have also shown that the supplement works to improve memory. In trials, researchers found it restored memory and prevented memory loss in animals suffering from short-term memory loss because of chronic pain.

Because of all of these studies, trials, and reported benefits, Magnesium Threonate seems to be one of the most important types of supplements you can take to help your brain.

Magnesium Malate

Magnesium Malate is also a compound that has been created to enhance the mineral’s absorption by the body. This time the mineral has been combined with malic acid, which creates a special form of magnesium with its own distinct benefits.

It is best known for pain reduction, as it has been used in trials to decrease the severity of pain and tenderness in patients with Fibromyalgia. This chronic illness causes pain across the entire body. This suggests that the supplement could help with other chronic fatigue syndromes, and conditions that are related to the body’s neuromuscular system, although further studies are necessary.

Magnesium Malate may also aid in blood sugar control, exercise performance, and mood enhancement. Malic acid has previously been used in trials studying the treatment of depression. Research shows that the supplement is well absorbed by the body, making it a great option for those looking to replenish their magnesium levels.

Magnesium Glycinate

Magnesium Glycinate is formed using glycine, an amino acid. Amino acids are crucial to the body’s processes, such as growing, repairing tissues, and breaking down food, and glycine is one of these building blocks.

Glycine is used as a supplement to improve sleep quality, assist in liver protection and diabetes assistance, and protect against heart disease. It has also shown to be effective at both improving health and supporting growth. Because of this, combining glycine with elemental magnesium makes for a substantial supplement which is used by some to combat insomnia, and reduce levels of stress, anxiety and depression.

Of all the different kinds of magnesium, Magnesium Glycinate is used as a supplement because it is well absorbed by the body, meaning that it helps replenish the mineral’s levels. In one study, researchers found it to be a good alternative to other supplements for individuals with intestinal resection.

The Round-Up

The three different kinds of magnesium have distinct qualities with numerous health benefits. Magnesium Threonate aids brain function and memory enhancement, while Magnesium Malate reduces pain, improves mood, and regulates sugar levels. Finally, Magnesium Glycinate is used by some to manage emotional health such as anxiety and stress. 

Supplements of this essential mineral can be incredibly beneficial to your overall health. However, when combined, they make for a balanced and substantial super supplement. And now, you can get this powerful combo in one easy to use Tri-Mag patch

With a patch, you won’t have to worry about consuming a cocktail of supplements—you can get topical delivery of the minerals you need, all from the PatchMed Tri-Mag patch. Buy yours today and invest in your health for a lifetime.

Thyroid Support Supplements

By |2022-01-24T17:11:14-08:00January 24, 2022|Anti-Aging Patch|

Have you been feeling off lately? Perhaps you’re feeling more tired than ever, having trouble eating the way you used to, or you’re suffering from depression. Maybe, from the inside out, you’re just feeling aches, pains, and discomfort in ways you didn’t know were possible. 

All of these symptoms could be a sign of thyroid dysfunction. While many of us can enjoy a well-functioning thyroid gland, a diet lacking essential nutrients could mean our thyroid doesn’t have the vitamins it needs to function. And our thyroid has much more to do with our everyday health than we often give it credit for. 

Supporting your thyroid is a great place to start if you’re ready to enjoy a healthier lifestyle. Read on to learn more about how you can use thyroid support supplements like T-Synergy to help improve your overall health. 

Why Focus on Thyroid Health

You may not always think much about your thyroid, but it plays a vital role in your mental and physical health. That’s because your thyroid is responsible for producing hormones our body needs. 

Hormones are chemical messengers that tell your body how to function. For example, the thyroid specially produces hormones focused on metabolism. Your metabolism changes food into energy. Without the right amount of hormones, you may not be getting the energy you need, properly producing waste, or getting essential nutrients to your system. 

It might be easy to imagine how a dysfunctional metabolism may affect your body, but some symptoms may be more surprising. Here are some signs that you may need more thyroid support to get your metabolism in working order again: 

  • Fatigue and muscle weakness
  • Impaired memory
  • Depression
  • Weight gain
  • Constipation
  • Dry skin
  • Puffy face
  • Hoarseness
  • High cholesterol
  • Muscle and joint aches, tenderness, and stiffness
  • Irregular menstrual periods
  • Increased sensitivity to cold
  • Slowed heart rate
  • Thinning hair

If you’ve noticed these symptoms, this critical gland could be the cause. Thankfully, proper thyroid support could be the simple solution you’ve been looking for. 

The Benefits of Thyroid Support Supplements

Supplements aren’t just focused on one gland; they improve your overall health due to the ingredients. Some reduce stress levels, making way for hormones to be produced. Others may eliminate harmful hormones, allowing the beneficial ones to thrive. 

And then, of course, there are the benefits of a healthy thyroid. If you’re suffering from symptoms already, you may notice some benefits more than others. But supplements can help: 

  • Boost energy
  • Improve metabolism
  • Lower depression
  • Increase overall health  

Best Ingredients for Thyroid Support

A balanced diet will often provide the vitamins you need for adequate thyroid support. However, certain ingredients and vitamins are less common in the average diet, although they give the most thyroid support. Taking thyroid support supplements with key ingredients that promote proper gland functions ensures that your body has the support it needs. 

Some people are particularly at risk for complications. Taking supplements can prevent future problems before they arise for people at risk, which includes: 

  • Women
  • Anyone over the age of 60
  • People with a family history of thyroid disease
  • People with autoimmune disorders, diabetes, or celiac disease
  • Those taking anti-thyroid medications or radioactive iodine
  • Pregnant women or women who recently delivered a baby

If you’re at risk or experiencing the symptoms of hormonal dysfunctions, here are the ingredients you should look for in your thyroid support supplements. 

L-Tyrosine

Tyrosine is an amino acid that your body produces naturally. However, several factors may inhibit your body’s production of this amino acid, including a diet of too little protein. Low tyrosine directly correlates with stress, which may harm your metabolism and hinder your thyroid’s hormone production.

Based on studies showing that the artificial version of tyrosine, known as L-tyrosine, can reduce stress levels, many are using these effects to, in turn, aid the thyroid with tyrosine support. 

Schisandra

The connection between the thyroid and the adrenal glands has been well documented; supporting one means supporting the other. That’s why many use Schisandra for thyroid support supplements. Because it protects the structure of the adrenal cortex, scientists believe that it provides support for your gland as well. 

Coleus Forshkohlii

Coleus forshkohlii is a natural herb grown in India that’s been a part of traditional medicine practices since ancient times. So far, evidence is pointing to coleus forshkohlii as a provider of thyroid support by increasing hormone secretions. 

Kelp

Unlike tyrosine that the body produces naturally, iodine must be ingested, but it’s critical to proper thyroid function. Kelp could be the answer for those who don’t get enough iodine in their diet. It has high iodine levels, allowing people to ingest the necessary amounts of iodine to provide thyroid support. 

Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha is a natural plant that has proven beneficial for overall health in many ways, including improving blood pressure and boosting immune systems. Studies show that ashwagandha also improves thyroid function. Researchers are still investigating why, but it’s likely due to the plant’s ability to reduce cortisol levels and stimulate the body’s endocrine system. 

Bladderwrack

Bladderwrack is very similar to kelp in several ways. Also coming from the ocean, bladderwrack is a seaweed that is commonly used in traditional medicine but is most known for its benefits to the thyroid gland. And similarly to kelp, this is due to bladderwrack’s high iodine levels. 

Korean Ginseng

As we’ve seen with other ingredients, thyroid support doesn’t always come from directly impacting the thyroid. In the case of Korean ginseng, the benefits come from inhibiting the production of reverse T3. This deleterious hormone binds to healthy T3 hormones, hinders them, and thus reduces their metabolic activity. 

Korean ginseng has been shown to significantly limit the production of reverse T3, thereby protecting the T3 hormones produced by the gland. 

Guggul

Once Korean ginseng has reduced the deleterious reverse T3 hormone, it doesn’t hurt to have more T3 and T4 produced as well. That’s where guggul comes in. This resin of an Indian tree contains plant steroids, and studies show it increases T3 and T4 levels, providing necessary support to the hormonal gland. 

Molybdenum

The body requires small amounts of molybdenum minerals, but it is vital to your hormonal health. Evidence shows that molybdenum’s benefits include promoting hormonal health without toxic effects. 

Improve Your Thyroid Health 

The benefits of high-quality supplements are clear, and one of the easiest ways to get these ingredients is through a topical patch. Just put it on your skin, and let the patch do its work. You hardly know it’s there, but it gives you the support you need throughout the day. 

Don’t wait for problems to arise, and don’t suffer the symptoms of poor metabolic health. Instead, find thyroid support supplements that have the ingredients you’re looking for to improve your physical, mental, and hormonal health while getting the vitamins and nutrients your body craves.

Modern Man Male Virility Supplements all in One Patch

By |2022-01-24T17:18:42-08:00January 19, 2022|Anti-Aging Patch|

PatchMD combines the best male libido enhancing supplements into one 8-hour patch you place daily on your body to re-ignite your sex life.

What Should a Libido Booster for Men Do?

Getting a libido booster for men is not as simple as going to the store and picking up a product. You need to know how these ingredients work and what they can do for you. There are many reasons a man can lose or experience a depreciation in sexual libido or performance, aging being the most common reason. Though we can’t turn back the clock, there is hope through a regimen of time-tested supplements that offer results.

The point is that our patch is not going to bring your libido back in 20 minutes before the act of sex. Our approach is more long-term with longer lasting benefits. We want to bring the spontaneity back into the bedroom that comes through confidence that you can be ready when your partner is.

To rekindle a fun, healthy relationship with sex PatchMD has combined a special blend of natural supplements that address a variety of issues, including:

  •  Loss of libido
  • Erectile dysfunction
  • Inability to orgasm
  • Feelings of boredom or disinterest when it comes to sex

Unfortunately, there’s no “magical cure” targeted at specific areas of sexual disinterest or performance. Male libido supplements will not work the same for every man, and also note that while these compounds can substantially invigorate the libido, they have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration nor are they intended to cure or prevent any disease. Let’s take a closer look at the best male libido supplements and how they combine to create the best male libido booster patch.

The Best Male Libido Supplements

The ingredients listed below work in conjunction to potentially deliver significant libido-enhancing properties to men. Here’s what they do.

Tribulus Terrestris

Tribulus Terrestris, or puncture vine, is a small plant with yellow flowers. It’s found in many areas worldwide and has been used in traditional medicine for centuries to assist with:

  • Blood pressure
  • Sexual desire and performance
  • Reducing swelling
  • Urinary tract health

The roots and fruits of the plant are both used for these purposes, but does it work? 

Here’s what we know.

Tribulus Terrestris has been reported to enhance sexual desire in men, with a study finding that consistent use had notable effects. The same study pointed out that suggestions that it can be used to increase testosterone levels are unconfirmed, meaning that this component is unlikely to treat erectile dysfunction by itself – however, the noted increase in libido may offset this for some users. Other sources also dispute this. Clinical research doesn’t support purported muscular benefits and enhanced performance in exercise. However, as Tribulus Terrestris is a natural, nutritious plant, it likely has at least similar health benefits in this area to other plants. It is perhaps likely to increase sexual desire, with suggestions that it may assist with erectile dysfunction, which is so essential in any libido booster for men.

Asian Ginseng

Asian Ginseng has been used as an aphrodisiac in China for millennia. Studies have found that it can cause smooth muscle to relax. This may allow increased blood flow to the penis, making it a potential treatment for erectile dysfunction. The same study found evidence that Asian Ginseng can increase sperm count, making it an excellent double-action treatment for couples looking to have a child. It’s an established part of male libido supplements and an attractive, natural cure.

Yohimbe Extract

Yohimbe extract is taken from the bark of an African tree, the Pausinystalia Johimbe. It may help to increase blood flow to the penis, allowing men to achieve and maintain erections for longer. It’s also speculated to block receptors that can prevent men from getting erections, although the science in this area is questionable. It could be a potent player in helping men maintain erections and achieve greater satisfaction.

Cayenne Pepper

Cayenne pepper is probably more familiar to most people than some of the more exotic male libido supplements – it’s a common food cupboard item. Capsaicin is an active compound in the spicy pepper, which helps to improve blood flow. This has health benefits for your heart (and thus stamina) and allows men to achieve erections more easily.

Aspartic Acid

Aspartic is a critical ingredient in a patch that works as a libido booster for men. This is because it can aid in testosterone production both indirectly through stimulating brain activity and directly through increasing production in the testicles. Combined with blood flow enhancers, this can produce a powerful libido booster for men.

Maca (Root)

Maca root may increase both sperm count and sex drive in men. It’s a popular ingredient in tea and coffee but can also be taken directly as a male libido booster. This heady combination makes it an ideal component for couples looking to conceive and men looking to enjoy more active sex lives.

Tongkat Ali

Tongkat Ali is also known as longjack. It’s been used in South-East Asian remedies to treat erectile dysfunction for centuries, although current literature disputes its effectiveness in this area. What is better understood is that it has wide-ranging health benefits due to its potent antioxidants, which can improve general health and thus sexual performance.

Horny Goat Weed

The name might raise an eyebrow, but there’s a reason it’s also known as randy beef grass and rowdy lamb herb. Studies have shown that it can improve erectile function in mammals, making it a potent agent in the best patch libido booster for men.

The Best Choice of Male Libido Booster Supplements in One Patch

Trying to get a variety of potentially useful agents into your diet to stimulate sex drive is a hassle. But combining male libido booster agents in one effective patch makes treating erectile dysfunction or low sex drive much more accessible.  Building your sex drive shouldn’t be an unpleasant chore – a successful topical patch can make it the work of a moment. While these agents work harmoniously together, ask your physician if you’re unsure about your first dose.

Ultimate Training & Muscle Recovery Supplements

By |2022-04-07T02:30:56-08:00January 19, 2022|Anti-Aging Patch|

Recovery is just as important as the workout as body processes continue to work to keep up with the new progress. The best way to combat fatigue and soreness is to implement muscle recovery supplements into your diet and regimen. 

Workout recovery supplements like the Ultimate Trainer and Recovery topical patch help to boost recovery for muscles from exercise and support users to retain their gains when used as instructed. The Ultimate Trainer and Recovery topical patch is made from natural ingredients to support your workout and recovery time. 

Ingredients

Using the Ultimate Trainer and Recovery topical patch as your new workout recovery supplement will change the way you work out in 30 days. The ingredients in the patch detailed below have shown to help aid in recovery from exercise and muscle tissue repair, with other important benefits.  

Leucine

Leucine is an essential amino acid produced by the body to biosynthesize proteins. It is one of three acids or BCAAs that are used by skeletal muscles during workouts to produce energy while exercising. A higher dosage of leucine can help naturally stimulate muscle protein synthesis. 

The benefits of leucine in the topical patch include:

  • Increasing the production of HGH
  • Inhibiting protein degradation in skeletal muscles and the liver
  • Enhancing protein sensitivity to insulin
  • Help control blood sugar
  • Stimulating muscle protein synthesis

Muscle recovery supplements that include leucine aid in the healing of muscles and bones and can lead to an increase in muscle growth and a leaner body mass. 

Glutamine 

Glutamine is a naturally occurring amino acid essential for synthesizing proteins in body cells. Heavy workouts and rigorous training demand a higher need for replenishing amino acids. Glutamine supplements help boost the immune system, reduce fatigue, and ensure your body is producing enough during strenuous exercise.

The benefits of including glutamine in muscle recovery supplements include:

  • Replenishing low levels of naturally produced glutamine in muscles
  • Aiding in muscle development
  • A speedy recovery after intense workouts
  • Boosting the immune system
  • Promoting intestinal health

Incorporating glutamine into your recovery routine supports strength and endurance and your overall well-being when working out. 

Betaine

Betaine is an amino acid consisting of glycine and three methyl groups to maintain a healthy fluid balance in the cells. Betaine supports water being pulled into muscle cells to increase muscle volume after a workout. Muscle hydration and facilitated protein synthesis increase power and strength over time. 

The benefits of betaine in workout recovery supplements include: 

  • Enhancing the attraction of water to muscle cells
  • Improving cellular hydration
  • Improving power and strength
  • Supporting heart health

Betaine supplements can also help regulate the levels of homocysteine in the body to prevent bone and eye problems and reduce the risk of heart disease.  

Beet Juice

Beets are a nutrient-dense vegetable rich in antioxidants, including vitamin c, carotenoids, phenolic acids, flavonoids, and nitrate. Consuming beet juice can increase nitric oxide levels in the body, which leads to increased blood flow, improved lung function, and better muscle contraction. 

The benefits of beet juice supplementation include:

  • Enhancing aerobic performance
  • Improved oxygen capacity
  • Combats fatigue in duration exercises
  • Improves muscle contraction functions
  • Reduces hypertension

Beet juice as an active ingredient in workout recovery supplements can improve cardiorespiratory endurance and performance when regularly incorporated into the workout routine. 

HMB

HMB is a naturally produced chemical in the body and a metabolite of leucine. This chemical helps reduce protein breakdown in the body, leading to better muscle strength retention and helping to improve body composition. HMB is used in muscle recovery supplements to naturally increase muscle mass and strength. 

The benefits of HMB include:

  • Enhanced aerobic performance
  • Resistance to fatigue
  • Reducing muscle damage and injury
  • Improve regenerative capacity
  • Increase muscle mass and strength

HMB intake can increase muscle protein synthesis and can lessen the effects of age-related losses of strength and body composition. 

Choosing The Ultimate Trainer and Recovery Topical Patch

Incorporating leucine, glutamine, betaine, beet juice, and HMB into one topical patch used as a training and workout recovery supplement will help athletes increase performance and retain the progress made when regularly working out. All of these ingredients are natural, with the same chemicals being produced in the body.

Using the topical patch with these beneficial ingredients will enhance the body’s natural processes for a better and quicker training and recovery time. 

The Best Instant Pot Starter Recipes that’ll Also Up Your Vitamin Count

By |2021-01-05T03:29:10-08:00November 23, 2020|Anti-Aging Patch|

As you seek to lead a healthier lifestyle, it’s always best to be proactive with your choices. It implies that you actively seek out healthy choices, well before you face any issues. For example, if you live in an area with low hours of sunlight – like in the North – don’t wait to see signs of a Vitamin D deficiency. Instead, eat a diet rich in Vitamin D, or use a patch for it.

 

In the same vein, switching to cooking in an Instant Pot is a smart choice if you want to subscribe to a fitter way of life. The popularity of this device is spreading like wildfire, and the reasons for it are certainly convincing. They include:

  1. Since the cooking environment is closed, more nutrients are retained.
  2. The Instant Pot cooks food much, much faster. So, when you’re short of time, it’s always easy to cook something healthy instead of going for that greasy takeaway.
  3. Because you can cook in big batches, there are a plethora of healthy meal prep options available.
  4. Once you’ve set the pot to cook, you can do other things, while it does its stuff. 
  5. While the cooking takes place under higher pressure, the maximum temperature reached is not much higher than that of water boiling – again good for a higher nutrient value.

And just to prove that healthy cooking can be lip-smacking too, here are some delicious starters that are also rich in nutrients.

Boiled Eggs

Presenting the recipe for perfectly soft-cooked boiled eggs. Not hard. Not runny. Just melt-in-your-mouth soft! This dish is rich in lean protein, calcium, iron, zinc, vitamin A, vitamin D, and B vitamins.  

Ingredients

  • 1 to 6 eggs, large+ 
  • 1 cup of water

Instructions

  1. Pour in the water, and put in a trivet or steamer basket.
  2. Place the eggs in, and seal the lid.
  3. Select manual, and cook on low pressure for 3 minutes. (Make it 4 minutes for medium-cooked and 5 minutes for hard-cooked eggs)
  4. Let the pressure release naturally. Then, take the eggs out, and put them in a cool-water bowl for a minute.
  5. Peel and serve immediately.

Instant Pot Cabbage Rolls

Cabbage rolls with turkey in them are low in fat and high on deliciousness. The combination of turkey, cabbage, and avocado oil packs a punch in nutrients that reads like the who’s who of the healthfood niche. They include selenium, choline, zinc, niacin, the amino acid tryptophan, omega 3 fatty acids, manganese, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin B12, and vitamin B6. This cabbage rolls recipe from Corrie Cooks is sure to have you seeking seconds. 

 

Ingredients

  • 1 cabbage
  • 2 lb turkey, ground
  • 1 tbs avocado oil
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 onion, large, chopped
  • 6 ounces tomato paste
  • 2 tsp dried oregano
  • 2 tsp garlic powder
  • 28 ounces canned and diced tomatoes
  • Salt & pepper, as per taste

 

Instructions

 

To make the filling

  1. Put the Instant Pot into Sauté mode.
  2. Put in the oil, garlic, and onion. Cook for 2 minutes.
  3. Place in the turkey, thyme, oregano, pepper, and salt. Let sauté for an additional 4 minutes. Stir continuously.

 

To make the rolls

  1. Take the cabbage leaves apart gently.
  2. Ladle the mixture into large cabbage leaves and roll individually. Place these in a bowl.
  3. Add water and a trivet into the Instant Pot. Place the bowl containing the cabbage rolls upon the trivet.
  4. Set to high pressure, and cook for 18 minutes.
  5. Allow the pressure to release naturally.

 

To make the sauce 

  1. Remove the bowl, water, and trivet from the Instant Pot.
  2. Put into Saute mode, and throw in tomato paste, diced tomatoes, garlic powder, pepper, and salt. Stir for 3 minutes and switch off.


Pour the sauce onto a plate, place the rolls on top, and serve.

 

Instant Pot Hummus

Hummus is one of those super healthy dishes that taste out of this world too. It can be used as an accompaniment to a salad, as a dip, or even eaten just by itself. The main ingredients of this dish are all super nutritious – chickpea, tahini (a kind of sesame paste), and lime. As expected, hummus is brimming with minerals and vitamins. The prominent vitamins include thiamin, niacin, folate, choline, riboflavin, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K, and vitamin B6. Perhaps, the only better way to get more vitamins at one go is this proven multivitamin patch. In addition, the list of minerals includes calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, zinc, copper, manganese, and selenium. 

 

Hummus is at its fluffy best when made with Chickpeas that are cooked fresh, and using this Instant Pot recipe reduces the typical cook time drastically.

 

Ingredients

  • 1 cup dry chickpeas
  • 4 cups water (An additional 3 cups if soaking and draining the beans)
  • 1/2 cup tahini
  • 2 chopped cloves of garlic
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 1 lemon, juiced
  • 1/4 tsp cumin, ground

 

To serve (if you so choose)

  • 2 tbs extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp chopped parsley

 

Instructions

To cook the chickpea

If soaking the chickpeas:  

  1. Soak it in 4 cups of water and salt for 10 -12 hours (or overnight).
  2. Drain, and place in Instant Pot with 3 cups of water.
  3. Cook for 25 minutes under high pressure.
  4. Let the pressure release naturally for 15 minutes, and then do a quick release.

 

If you don’t have the time to soak the chickpeas:

  1. Place chickpeas in Instant Pot with 4 cups of water.
  2. Cook for 40 minutes under high pressure.
  3. Let pressure release naturally for 15 minutes, and then release the remaining steam quickly.

 

To make Hummus

  1. Put the drained chickpeas, with ¾ cup of the cooking liquid in a food processor. Add in the rest of the ingredients and blend well, till smooth and creamy.
  2. Add in the serving ingredients if desired.
  3. Serve.

 

The Instant Pot is more than just a utensil. It’s a lifestyle choice. It will help you sustain healthy eating habits. Combine it with the right supplements, vitamins, as well as minerals, and you could stay fit and healthy, even in your sunset years.

Benefits of Glutathione

By |2023-06-05T02:37:05-08:00July 13, 2020|glutathione|

The benefits of glutathione have been reported in scientific research studies. These range from antioxidant properties to preventing Parkinson’s disease, and slowing the ageing process to reducing inflammation. But are glutathione benefits really proven? And how exactly can one little compound be so powerful? In this article, we take a look at all of the claims and separate fact from fiction.

What Is Glutathione?

Glutathione is a protein that occurs naturally sometimes referred to as GSH. It protects your cells from free radicals which can cause serious damage as well as diseases. Maintaining high levels of glutathione can help to repair free radical damage caused by pollution, stress, and infection. This can be especially important as you age because your cells gradually lose their ability to repair themselves.

It is made from several amino acids; cysteine, glycine, and glutamate (also known as glutamic acid). Some supplement forms have a particularly high cysteine concentration and share several of the same proteins that give breast milk its immune-boosting effects. Glutathione is so important to our health that scientists have suggested that higher levels are associated with longer life expectancy.

Glutathione Benefits

Low glutathione levels have been linked with a range of diseases, including, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and cancer. Not only is it a powerful antioxidant but it also aids detoxification, supports liver function, and can prevent both cataracts and glaucoma. In this section, we look at glutathione benefits in more detail.

Antioxidant Properties

Clinical trials have shown that glutathione has antioxidant properties which reduce oxidative stress. This stress can damage cells and even cause harm at a DNA level, leading to issues with copying genetic data. Oxidative damage can be the underlying cause of many different types of disease but is most associated with cancer. However, glutathione can neutralize these oxidative compounds so they don’t cause issues.

It also provides additional antioxidant benefits in an indirect way. Glutathione can help to regenerate other antioxidants such as vitamin C and vitamin E. This multiplies its effects and ensures your body has sufficient levels to combat free radicals.

Reducing Inflammation

Certain types of cytokine can lead to inflammation however glutathione supplementation has been found to inhibit this. It also prevents the transcription of genes relating to inflammation, which means they are not produced in the first place. This can have a range of health benefits since inflammation is linked to several conditions such as pulmonary conditions, heart disease, and arthritis.

Animal studies have shown that glutathione can have a profound effect on inflammation. Mice that were deficient in the protein experienced inflamed airways, however, this was significantly reduced once they were given doses of the supplement.

Anti-Aging Benefits

One of the major contributors to aging is an increase in free radicals. These build up over the years through continual stress, pollution, and other external factors. The older we get, the less able we are to regenerate our cells, which combined with the build-up of free radicals leads to increasing damage.

Studies have found that glutathione production decreases as people age, especially when women go through menopause. It can also negatively affect the immune system and make the body more susceptible to diseases. However, maintaining your levels of glutathione may help to prevent age-related declines in cognitive function and physical abilities. It can also reduce the likelihood of brittle bones and osteoporosis.

Menopause Relief

One of the less-known glutathione benefits is menopause relief. Women often experience hot flashes, sleep problems, mood changes, and weight gain during this time due to changes in hormones. However, glutathione has been linked to a decrease in these types of symptoms.

It’s thought that glutathione helps to rebalance hormone production to normal levels without the need for HRT or similar solutions. However, it’s unclear whether it does this by directly boosting hormone production or removing toxins that disrupt this process. Either way, it’s clear that oxidative stress is at the root of many menopausal symptoms so it’s worth increasing antioxidant intake during this time.

Potential to Improve Memory in Alzheimer’s Patients

Although brain cells only make up a 50th of your body’s weight, they consume a fifth of your overall oxygen intake. The reactions that take place result in highly reactive oxygen compounds, also known as free radicals. These can play havoc with brain function as they build up and are a contributor to Alzheimer’s disease.

Research has shown that antioxidants can help to neutralize free radicals to the point that it slowed the progress of Alzheimer’s. In research studies conducted with mice, increasing glutathione helped to increase memory in those with the condition. This shows promise for human trials but it is not yet proven that it would have the same memory-improving benefits.

Beneficial for Parkinson’s Disease

One of the contributors to Parkinson’s disease is oxidative stress that affects the nervous system. Studies have found that people with the early stages of the condition also have low glutathione levels in a specific part of the brain. This is the part that is particularly affected by the disease (the substantia nigra) so there appears to be a strong link between the two.

Drugs that increase glutathione levels have been shown to help prevent Parkinson’s disease. It is thought that more trials are needed to establish long-term cause and effect beyond doubt. However, this shows promise for the future and could be a preventative measure in the meantime.

Cystic Fibrosis Improvements

Cystic fibrosis leads to free radicals being released in cells involved with inflammation. It also reduces glutathione levels so that there are fewer natural defences against them. However, supplemental glutathione has shown to result in some marked improvements.

Recent studies have found that treating cystic fibrosis patients with glutathione benefits lung function and overall capacity. It appears that inhaling the compound can rebalance antioxidant levels and help to reduce inflammation. Other forms can decrease the symptoms so that sufferers enjoy a better quality of life.

Health Benefits of Glutathione

The incredible range of glutathione benefits make it a promising supplement for all-around health. It has powerful antioxidant properties that may help to protect against free radicals and slow down the aging process. Since it’s naturally present in every cell in the body, supplementing your levels can benefit every area of your health.

There are few side-effects related to glutathione, however, it is not suitable for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Unfortunately, many people dislike the taste which makes taking it orally a problem. It’s also poorly absorbed by the digestive system which means you won’t get many of the benefits if you can manage to take it. This is where glutathione patches can be a practical solution. They bypass the digestive system and absorb directly through the skin so you don’t need to worry about low bioavailability or nasty flavors.

Try Our Glutathione Plus Topical Patch

Our Glutathione Plus Topical Patch can provide all the nutrients required for the body to enhance its own Glutathione production. It utilizes ingredients known to support detoxification and may assist in liver health as well as supporting healthy immune function. Plus, the carefully selected ingredient can support the recycling of glutathione within the cell itself.

Detoxification of damaging free radicals are key to optimal liver health, immune system functioning, and slowing energy production in the cells. This can lead to a build-up of toxins in the liver and other organs, damage to cells requiring more cellular repair, and the inability of energy production. Our Glutathione Plus Topical Patch can help to fuel your body with the essential nutrients it needs to maximize production. It also contains additional antioxidants such as vitamin C and Coenzyme Q10 to deliver a comprehensive dose and boost your levels. Simply wear the patch under your clothes or overnight to absorb everything you need to enjoy glutathione benefits without hassle.

Glutathione Plus

B12 Vape – The Good, The Bad & The Alternative

By |2023-06-05T02:31:43-08:00July 6, 2020|B12 Energy Plus Patch|

Vitamin B12 is a crucial nutrient for brain health, metabolic function, and energy levels. Unfortunately, many of us do not get enough to maintain optimal levels and optimal health. Supplementing with B12 is an effective way to ensure you are getting enough of this important nutrient. There are a plethora of options – pills, sprays, injections, topical patches, and even vapes.

Yes, you read that right – you can vape your vitamin B12.  Let’s dive a little deeper.

Are You Getting Enough B12?

B12 is essential to several body functions. It helps your body produce red blood cells, which transport oxygen that keeps your heart, brain and other organs healthy.

Vitamin B12 also helps regulate your metabolism, keep your blood sugar stable, increase energy levels, maintain fertility levels and keep your central nervous system healthy. It contains myelin, a substance that protects your nerves from damage.

If you think those are important functions, you’re right. We can’t function well without this vital nutrient.

What Happens If You Don’t Get Enough?

A B12 deficiency can cause serious symptoms including:

  • Tingling in the hands and feet caused by nerve damage.
  • Loss of coordination as muscles get numb.
  • Jaundiced or pale skin.
  • Fatigue.
  • Shortness of breath.
  • Fast heart rate.
  • Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

Over time, a lack of B12 can lead to serious physical and psychiatric disorders. Fortunately, the right product can deliver steady, potent supplementation when you need it.

When Do You Need B12 Supplementation?

There are times when it’s helpful to add more B12 to your life. B12 has no toxicity, so it’s almost impossible to take too much of it. Here are some situations where you should definitely increase your intake.

You’re Low on Energy

If you’re feeling low on energy and unable to concentrate, you might need a boost of natural energy from B12. You’ll really feel a difference, and you’ll normally notice it right away.

You’re a Vegan or Vegetarian

Vitamin B12 is present in meat, dairy products, fish and eggs. If you follow a strict vegetarian or vegan diet, you might not be eating enough of it. One study found that vitamin B12 deficiency affected 86 percent of all vegans. That doesn’t mean you’re off the hook if you’re a carnivore. It might surprise you to learn that almost half of all meat eaters are also deficient in B12.

You’re Older

Some older adults can’t absorb Vitamin B12 from food. This can happen if you’re 50 or older. In this case, B12 supplements can provide real benefits.

You’re on a Diet

Some nutritionists recommend taking B12 if you’re trying to lose weight. You’ll have enough energy to exercise. It may help regulate your metabolism enough to make losing weight easier.

You Want to Enhance Your Health

Even if you don’t have a specific health condition, a boost of B12 is a good way to enhance your health. You can always use strong red blood cells, better oxygen circulation, more energy and better mental focus.

Your body doesn’t store Vitamin B12, so you need to consume it regularly. When you can’t do that, you should consider using a supplement.

What’s the Best Way to Get Your B12?

Now that you’ve decided B12 supplementation is right for you, you’re probably wondering about the best method for getting it. There are four popular ways to do this:

  • B12 shots.
  • Pills.
  • B12 vape.
  • Patches.

Which is the best method? We discuss each one below.

What You Should Know About B12 Shots

Injections are a time-honored way to get supplements of all kinds. While B12 shots are fast and effective, they are extremely inconvenient. If you have a B12 deficiency, you will need to get an injection daily for several weeks or months.

That’s highly inconvenient, and the costs will be high since you have to visit a doctor or nurse each time you need an injection. You can give yourself the injections, but you may not like getting regular prescriptions, keeping a supply of clean needles around and learning how to inject yourself.

There are better ways.

What About Pills?

Oral vitamins can work, but choose your supplier with care. You must buy supplements that contain guaranteed levels of the vitamins or minerals you need. You can’t be sure what else the formula contains.

There is a lot of certainty about vitamins in pill form. You don’t know the source of the vitamins or anything about the company’s manufacturing process. You really don’t know their true potency.

Some people get upset stomachs after taking vitamins. Like shots, pills are inconvenient to carry around when you travel.

What About the B12 Vape?

Vaping is all the rage among former smokers and people who have never smoked. Vaping involves using a handheld device that heats a flavored liquid into steam. Some liquids contain nicotine at various levels. The user inhales the steam the way they used to inhale the smoke from a cigarette.

Vaping has become an alternative to smoking. Many people report dropping the smoking habit entirely by using vape devices that deliver nicotine. Among young people who don’t like cigarettes, vaping without nicotine is a popular hobby.

People have tried to develop new uses for vape devices that may not be as successful or as safe. Today, cannabis dispensaries sell vape devices that allow users to vape cannabis oils. These devices may cause dangerous lung diseases.

Really… Vaping Vitamins?

Pills and shots are out. Vaping is the hot, new way to get your vitamins in. The theory is that the tiny vitamin particulates are carried into the lungs and absorbed directly into the bloodstream. 

Companies providing vitamin B12 vapes promote them as having “4 times the amount found in a typical B-12 shot”, claiming that “if you would not ingest it, you should never inhale it.” to prove just how safe it is. (1, 2)

But is that really the litmus test for what we should put in our lungs?

Is it Safe?

Research on vaping safety is in its infancy, making long-term data limited, but studies have found a link between vaping and increased risk of heart attacks and COPD. The same effects as long-term exposure to small particulate air pollution. (4, 5, 6)

Heating vape liquid to produce the vapor can cause vape ingredients to become altered by the heat, resulting in new, potentially dangerous, chemicals hitting your lungs. (7)

Dr. Adam Lackey of Staten Island University emphasizes that “The lungs are not designed to breathe in anything other than clean air…why make it even harder by intentionally inhaling vapors and fumes?” (8)

Is it Effective?

The answer is, no one really knows. There is very limited research that supports the theory that vitamins in a bioavailable form enter the lungs through vaping or that they are absorbed by the lungs in any meaningful amount if they are there.

Vitamin B12 is a sensitive heat and/or steam. One study found that exposing milk to high-temperature steam reduced its vitamin B12 content by nearly 20%. This certainly calls into question just how effective vaping is as a delivery method for B12 to support your best health. (9)

The research relied upon by the companies promoting vitamin B12 vaping is questionable and outdated. Quoting studies featuring single-digit sample sizes and dating back over 50 years leaves many questions of safety and efficacy unanswered. (10)

Between serious safety concerns and very limited evidence of efficacy, save your money for something proven safe and effective.

A Proven Approach

For those who struggle to absorb adequate vitamin B12 through diet or oral supplementation, there is another option that has been proven safe and effective. Topical application of vitamin B12, like in our B12 Plus patch, has been shown to effectively reduce symptoms associated with B12 deficiency with no adverse side effects. (11, 12)

Is B12 Vape  Really Just Another Fad?

The B12 vape is part of another fad. Vape vitamins are the latest craze, but health experts are skeptical about their value.

As health writer Chloe Hall reported in Elle magazine, “Should you completely rule out vape vitamin? No, but treat it like a trend. It might work for you, but it’s not a medically sound alternative to meet your B12 demands.”

An article in Science Alert on vitamin vapes noted that, “While some companies claim the benefits are scientifically proven, experts have pointed out that actual studies are meager and extremely outdated.”

What to Know About the B12 Patch Product

Fortunately, there’s a way to get vitamin B12 supplementation that has none of the drawbacks of shots, pills or vaping. Wearing a patch is a safe, proven way to get the dosage you need. It also costs far less than those other methods.

A patch product can give you an even, reliable dose.

According to an article in Health Research Policy, patches are far more convenient than other methods. “Vitamin patches avoid the difficulty of swallowing many large pills each day,” the article notes. “Many people have difficulty in swallowing large supplement pills or in general because of preexisting health conditions. With vitamin patches, these difficulties and inconveniences are irrelevant.”

Using a vitamin patch is the easiest, most convenient way to get the vitamins you need.

  • You don’t have to carry around a bottle of pills.
  • There are no needles.
  • You’re not inhaling anything.
  • Patches are more affordable than pills or shots.
  • It only takes one quick step every morning.

Get the Benefits of B12 With a Convenient, Affordable Product

A patch product gives you a dose of vitamin B12 that remains even all day. You’ll feel the energy, mental clarity and enhanced well-being that only the right level of vitamins can give you. The 30-day patch product contains only pure vitamins with no additives or fillers. You never have to worry about the product’s potency, getting a prescription or carrying your supplements with you.

If you’re interested in the benefits of a safe supplementation product as an alternative to b12 vape, try the PatchMD 30-day energy patch. Get the B12 advantage today and every day.

3 Types of Collagen – A Full Breakdown

By |2021-01-05T21:48:00-08:00May 28, 2020|Collagen|

What is Collagen?

Chinese women have been using collagen for centuries. Americans are expected to spend nearly $300 million on collagen products this year alone. So what is collagen?

Collagen is the most abundant protein found in the human body. This fibrous, structural protein is a major building block of connective tissues. Think of it like the body’s scaffolding. The glue that holds our tissues together.

Tissues such as skin, tendons, ligaments, joints, bones, hair, and nails are particularly rich in collagen. It is what keeps skin supple, hair glowing, nails and bones strong, and allows you to hit that yoga pose.

Our bodies produce collagen from amino acids building blocks using vitamin C. Due to aging, chronic health issues, exposure to environmental toxins, lifestyle choices, or genetic disorders, collagen production in the body may decline and be less than optimal. This can lead to a host of health issues, including joint pain, reduced bone and muscle mass, poor gut health, and weak nails.

Thankfully, this can be slowed or even reversed with collagen supplementation. It’s little wonder collagen is catching the health world by storm.

What are the Benefits of Collagen Supplementation?

Collagen is a safe and effective way to reap some impressive health benefits. Just a few of the proven benefits of collagen include:

  1.     Improving skin health and appearance – Consuming collagen stimulates the body’s production of collagen in skin tissues. This leaves you looking younger and healthier. Several studies have found collagen supplementation to markedly slow the effects of aging and improve skin health. (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
  2.     Relieving joint pain – Collagen consumption protects and maintains the health of joint cartilage, tendons, and ligaments. The collagen you consume accumulates in joint cartilage, tendons, and ligaments. In response, the body boosts its production of collagen in these tissues. This increase in collagen improves joint health and effectively relieves joint pain. (6, 7, 8, 9)
  3.     Preventing bone loss – While we don’t often think of our bones as being rich in connective tissue, they are made up mostly of collagen. Collagen gives bones their structure and strength. A lack of collagen can lead to loss of bone mass. Increasing your collagen intake can help you maintain healthy bones and even increase bone mineral density. (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
  4.     Improving gut health – This is a key benefit for those of us struggling with leaky gut. Collagen is a superfood when it comes to helping heal leaky gut. It helps restore proper function to the gut wall and those all-important tight junctions. The anti-inflammatory effects of collagen really boost its gut-healing abilities. Inflammation goes hand-in-hand with leaky gut. Reduce inflammation, heal the gut. (15, 16)
  5.     Enhancing muscle mass – Collagen makes up to 10% of our muscle tissue. This makes it important for maintaining both your muscle strength and function. Consuming collagen, along with exercise, stimulates the growth of new muscle tissue. No wonder it’s popular with fitness enthusiasts. (17, 18)
  6.     Supporting cardiovascular health – Without enough collagen, cardiovascular tissues can become weak and stiff. This can lead to life-threatening complications, such as heart attack and stroke. Collagen is necessary to support the strength and flexibility of blood vessels. This improves markers of cardiovascular health. (19, 20)
  7.     Increasing hair and nail growth – Increasing collagen consumption can leave you with stronger nails and faster hair growth. Beauty starts on the inside with the right nutrition. (21)

 

Is All Collagen the Same?

There are at least 16 different types of collagen in the human body. The most prolific are Types 1, 2, and 3, comprising 80-90% of the collagen in the body. These types are also most commonly found in collagen supplements. Each type plays a specific role in the body.

 

What are the Different Types of Collagen?

 

Type I

This is the most abundant type of collagen found in the human body. It is also the strongest form of collagen, which makes it a major component in the structure of bone, skin, tendons, ligaments, eyes, and even teeth. It is an excellent choice for those looking to maintain or enhance muscle mass, strengthen eyes, and promote bone health and density. (22)

Type I collagen is most famous for its ability to improve the health and appearance of skin by reducing signs of aging and minimizing fine lines and wrinkles. Skin elasticity, moisture, and smoothness are also greatly improved with this type of collagen supplementation. (23)

This is also the type of collagen for hair growth to give you stronger, thicker locks and nails. If this is what you’re after, collagen can be stacked with biotin, a B vitamin known for its positive effects on hair and nails, to maximize their beauty boosting power together.

There is a great deal of overlap between Type I and Type III collagen, and many collagen supplements will contain both in some ratio, especially if it comes from beef collagen. Marine collagen contains high concentrations of Type I collagen with minimal amounts of Type III.

Type I collagen from marine sources is especially beneficial for healing the lining of the gut. It does this by protecting against dysfunction of the tight junctions of the epithelial lining of the intestines. (24)

Because Type I collagen is so important for skin structure and elasticity, it is the most important type of collagen for wound healing. It helps to improve the quality of the healing tissues and reduce the effects of scar tissue.

 

Type II

Type II collagen is the type of collagen in cartilage tissue, making it the most important type of collagen for joints, ligaments, and tendons. Cartilage is the firm connective tissue that forms the smooth, gliding joint surfaces and protects the bones in these high-friction areas. (25)

It is also a central feature of many structural features like the nose, ears, eyes, spinal disks, and ribcage.

Cartilage deterioration and injury is the source of much joint pain. Collagen has been proven to relieve joint pain. As mentioned above, when you supplement with collagen, it accumulates in the joint cartilage stimulating tissue regeneration. The increased presence of collagen stimulates the body to produce more of its own collagen. As a result, the cartilage quality and health in the joint is improved, improving function and reducing pain. Supplementing with Type II collagen may even help prevent pain and inflammation from starting in the first place.

 

Type III

Type III collagen is the second most abundant form of collagen in the body. This collagen type is usually found alongside Type I collagen in tissues. Type III collagen is important for organ function, such as in the intestines, lungs, liver, kidneys, blood vessels, and heart. (26)

Alongside Type I, Type III collagen is a very beneficial type of collagen for gut health and skin elasticity. It is also crucial in the health and function of blood vessels and heart tissues. Deficiency of Type III collagen is associated with increased risk of ruptured blood vessels and reduced lifespan as a result. (27)

 

Types of Collagen and Their Sources

Different types of collagen will be found in different sources. Beef (bovine) and fish (marine) are two of the most popular and common.

Bovine collagen comes from the skin, bones, and other tissues of cows. It is a rich source of both Type I and Type III collagen. If you deal with sensitivities to fish, bovine collagen is a clear choice.

Marine collagen comes from the scales and bones of fish and has a high concentration of Type I collagen. Marine collagen is smaller in size, making it easier to digest when consumed. If sensitivity to beef is a concern, then marine collage is certainly the better choice.

While bone broth sourced collagen contains all three types of collagen, it is a good source of Type II collagen since it concentrates on the inclusion of cartilage tissue where this type of collagen is found.

Increasing your collagen levels should always come through diet first. Look to your diet to add delicious collagen-rich sources to your meal plan.

Bone broth makes a delicious base for all kinds of soups and stews, and making your own is easy and cost-effective. Include lots of skin-on fish and poultry in your diet as fish scales and poultry skin are rich in collagen.

Eating a good variety of colorful fruits and vegetables every day will help ensure the body has a good supply of micronutrients. Micronutrient cofactors like vitamins C, E, and A and minerals like iron, copper, and zinc help your body build healthy collagen.

A clean, nutrient-dense diet provides the ideal base onto which you can add a quality collagen supplement to enjoy collagen’s many benefits.

 

What Type of Collagen Do I Need?

What type of collagen you should take will depend on what your goals are for collagen supplementation.

If you are looking to improve skin health and appearance or keep your bones strong, Type I or a combination of Types I and III will be what you want to look at.

If you are looking to address or prevent joint pain and inflammation, then you will want to be sure your collagen supplement includes Type II collagen.

If you are wanting to improve your gut health, you will want to be sure to include Types I and III in your collagen supplementation to help keep those tight junctions functioning well. Including Type II could also be a good idea for its inflammation-fighting benefits.

 

Which Collagen Supplement is Best?

No matter which collagen supplement you take, it is important to ensure your collagen is free from unnecessary additives. These can be detrimental to your health. You also want collagen sourced from animals who lived healthy, natural lives. Bovine collagen should be from pastured animals and marine collagen should be sourced from wild-caught fish.

Cattle raised conventionally eat a diet high in feeds treated with glyphosate. Due to the molecular similarities between glyphosate and glycine (an amino acid found in collagen), glyphosate can be incorporated into collagen in the body. This can contribute to significant health issues. Avoid collagen sourced from farmed fish if you take marine collagen. (28)

Do your own research. Support companies that have high standards for their collagen as well as for the animals from which they source it. Our Collagen Plus Topical Patch is absorbed topically through the skin and is latex, gluten and sugar free. Since it is a topical patch, no need to worry about off-putting flavors or texture here!

8 Symptoms of a Vitamin D Deficiency and What You Can Do About It

By |2020-05-18T00:55:01-08:00May 14, 2020|Vitamin D3 Patch|

What is Vitamin D?

Vitamin D, also referred to as the “sunshine vitamin” is a fat-soluble vitamin that is crucial for a host of vital functions in the body. Vitamin D is needed by every single cell in your body.

Our body typically synthesizes vitamin D in our skin when exposed to sunlight. Some foods, like fatty fish, oysters, and egg yolks, are natural sources of vitamin D.

Because most of us do not spend enough time outdoors or deal with other interfering factors, vitamin D deficiency is at epidemic levels. At least three-quarters of Americans are deficient in this important vitamin. (1)

What Does Vitamin D Do?

Supports Healthy Bones and Teeth

One of the most important functions of vitamin D is its role in regulating and enhancing phosphorus and calcium absorption and utilization in the body. These minerals, and the body’s ability to use them properly, are vital for the formation and maintenance of healthy and strong bones and teeth.

Supports Healthy Immune Regulation

Adequate vitamin D is necessary for optimal immune regulation. Vitamin D helps keep our immune system strong and active to ward off unwanted invaders. Research has shown that optimal vitamin D levels play a crucial role in their body’s resistance to seasonal pathogens like influenza. It also modulates the inflammatory response to ensure the body is responding appropriately thereby reducing the health risks of chronic systemic inflammation and autoimmune response. (2, 3)

Supports Mental Health

Vitamin D is important for healthy brain function and mood regulation. Optimal vitamin D levels have been found to be effective at reducing the risk symptoms of depression and anxiety. (4, 5)

What Happens If Your Vitamin D is Too Low?

Symptoms of a vitamin D deficiency can often be difficult to evaluate because they can masquerade as many other issues. As a result, the effects of a vitamin D deficiency can be insidious and debilitating. Here is a list of eight signs and symptoms of a vitamin D deficiency that are common but often missed.

1. Poor Bone Health

Bone loss (in adults) and poor bone formation (in children) can be symptoms of vitamin D deficiency. Calcium supplementation is one of the first things people think of to help ensure strong bones, but the body needs adequate vitamin D to be able to use the calcium consumed through diet and supplements for it to be useful.

Rickets, a condition resulting in soft and malformed bones, is a symptom of vitamin D deficiency in children. Research has shown a strong link between low bone mineral density and lower vitamin D levels in middle-aged and senior women, a group already at high risk of bone deterioration. (6)

2. Frequent Illness and Infection

Because vitamin D plays such a crucial role in healthy immune function, vitamin D deficiency can lead to frequent or recurrent illnesses and infection.

Seasonal illnesses like cold and the flu tend to come on during the winter, when we are exposed to less sunlight and our vitamin D levels are lower.

There is significant research to show a strong link between vitamin D deficiency and respiratory illnesses, especially influenza, and that maintaining optimal vitamin D levels reduces your risk of infection. (7, 8)

3. Chronic Pain

Joint and bone pain is a common symptom of vitamin D deficiency that often goes unrecognized or attributed to another cause.

Those with low amounts of vitamin D have been found to be twice as likely to experience generalized bone and joint pain, especially in women. When considering chronic back pain, vitamin D deficiency is a culprit there, too, with increased pain levels and greater interference in day-to-day activities. (9, 10)

4. Fatigue

Fatigue is such a general symptom that can be caused by so many things, it’s easy to miss as an effect of a vitamin D deficiency. Studies have shown that there is a strong correlation between fatigue and very low levels of vitamin D, especially in women. This leads to difficulties in daily living and reduced quality of life. Symptoms were found to improve with vitamin D supplementation. (11, 12)

5. Mood Disorders

A depressed or anxious mood can both be symptoms of a vitamin D deficiency. We have many vitamin D receptors in the part of our brain that regulates mood. When we are deficient in vitamin D, it makes it difficult for our brain to regulate our mood, leaving us more susceptible to mood disorders.

Research has found that vitamin D supplementation improves mood in those who are deficient and experiencing depression. Likewise, low vitamin D levels have been found in those dealing with anxiety disorders, as well. (13, 14)

6. Slow Healing

If you find that wounds and injuries take longer than they should to heal, you may be deficient in vitamin D. Vitamin D is important for regulating our inflammatory response to injury. Higher levels of inflammation make it more difficult for tissues to heal properly. Lack of vitamin D can interfere with the formation of new health tissue in wounds, and it can even impair dental surgery outcomes for up to a year later! (15, 16, 17)

7. Hair Loss

Hair loss can be caused by many issues, but hair loss is a symptom of vitamin D deficiency. Alopecia is an autoimmune disease that results in severe hair loss and is strongly associated with rickets. Vitamin D deficiency plays a role in both increased risk of autoimmune disease and is directly responsible for rickets. Research has found the lower one’s vitamin D levels, the worse alopecia hair loss is. (18, 19)

8. Neurological Issues

Chronic muscle weakness and nerve pain is at an all-time high and causes can be difficult to determine. One cause that is often overlooked is vitamin D deficiency. Muscle pain can be a sign of vitamin D deficiency in adults and children. The nerves in the body that sense pain contain vitamin D receptor sites. When vitamin D is lacking, these nerves can begin to become hypersensitive to stimulation resulting in increased pain levels.

In vitamin D deficient children with growing pains, vitamin D supplementation improved pain scores by over 50%. In another observational study, over 70% of adults with chronic pain were found to be vitamin D deficient. (20, 21, 22, 23)

Can Lack of Vitamin D Cause Weight Gain?

This is a common question, and the evidence suggests vitamin D deficiency can cause weight gain. Vitamin D deficiency is more common amongst overweight individuals and even modest amounts of weight loss improve vitamin D levels in the body. Vitamin D supplementation, together with diet and exercise changes, has been found to accelerate weight loss in women over diet and exercise changes alone. Maintaining optimal vitamin D levels is linked to less weight gain over time. So if your healthy living weight loss efforts are having difficulty getting off the ground, or you seem to have stalled out, addressing a potential vitamin D deficiency could have positive results on your weight management. (24, 25)

What Causes a Vitamin D Deficiency?

Now that we know what symptoms of vitamin D deficiency look like and how serious they can be, it is important to look at the causes of vitamin D deficiency.

The chief cause of vitamin D deficiency is lack of time outdoors with skin exposure to direct sunlight. This is especially a concern in northern climates where it can be very cold with very little or very weak sunlight for months of the year.

Our body’s ability to make vitamin D also declines as we age, which is a common cause of vitamin D deficiency in our elderly population.

Living in high-density urban areas with high air pollution can impede your ability to get sufficient vitamin D. Air pollution blocks sunlight from reaching your skin, not to mention that it is toxic in general. Living near tall buildings that block sunlight much of the day also contributes to the problem.

Regular use of sunscreen can also be a significant contributor to vitamin D deficiency. While sunscreen may be effective at helping prevent skin cancer, by blocking the sun’s rays, it also interferes with the body’s ability to manufacture vitamin D from sunlight.

Those of us with darker skin are at higher risk of developing vitamin D deficiency. The higher the melanin levels in your skin, the more sun exposure your skin needs to produce vitamin D. African Americans are at the highest risk for vitamin D deficiency for this very reason.

How to Correct a Vitamin D Deficiency?

If you believe you are suffering from a vitamin D deficiency, a good first step is to have your vitamin D levels checked by a healthcare professional. It is a simple blood test for vitamin D that measures the concentration of vitamin D in your blood. Current recommendations are for vitamin D levels to be between 50-100ng/dL for optimal health.

How can I raise my vitamin D level quickly?

Thankfully, there are several affordable and effective options that are readily available to help increase vitamin D levels and get you feeling your best.

Sun or UV Light Exposure

The most obvious option is to increase exposure to sunlight if possible. The body uses cholesterol in the skin to make vitamin D in response to ultraviolet B (UVB) light exposure. Direct sun exposure on the skin is one of the best ways to get the vitamin D your body needs.

The key here is to do so without the use of sunscreens that prevents the UVB rays from reaching your skin. Skipping the sunscreen or using some of these safe sunscreen alternatives will help your body make the best use of the sun exposure.

If adequate sun exposure is a challenge, treatment of vitamin d deficiency with UV light is also an option. Research has shown a UVB light to be a useful and effective tool to treat a vitamin D deficiency. (8)

Consume Vitamin D Foods

In parts of the world where it is impossible to get vitamin D from sunlight alone and the risk of vitamin D deficiency is quite high, traditional cultures have relied on foods rich in vitamin D to maintain their vitamin D levels.

Fatty fish is one of the best dietary sources of vitamin D you could ask for. Wild caught salmon is delicious and generally available. One 3.5oz serving of wild salmon will provide, on average, nearly 1,000IU of vitamin D. Herring provides even more at over 1,500IU of vitamin D per 3.5oz serving. Oysters, shrimp, pastured egg yolks, and grass-fed beef liver are also good choices to boost your intake of vitamin D. (9)

Supplementation

UV light exposure and vitamin D foods are not enough for most people in our society to reach optimal vitamin D levels and prevent vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D supplementation is a convenient, effective, and affordable way to help raise vitamin D levels fast.

The dosage for treatment of vitamin D deficiency will depend on the person, how deficient they are, and other underlying medical conditions that could be negatively affecting their vitamin D levels. How long it takes to correct a vitamin D deficiency will also be influenced by these same risk factors.

Vitamin D dosage is measured in international units (IU) or micrograms (mcg). Most functional health sources recommend 5,000IU or 125mcg of vitamin D3, the active form of vitamin D, per day to support optimal vitamin D levels and optimal health benefits.

When supplementing with vitamin D, it is important to also supplement vitamin K2, as well. Vitamin K2 is a cofactor of vitamin D, meaning they work synergistically together for best effect. The body needs K2 to be able to use supplemental vitamin D properly. The research is not settled on dosing for vitamin K2, but most sources recommend 100-200mcg per day.

It is best to take your vitamin D supplement in the morning or around midday. This is when the body is designed to make best use of the highest vitamin D levels. It coincides with when we would naturally have the strongest sunlight exposure if we were outdoors. Some sensitive individuals report a stimulating effect from vitamin D supplementation which can interfere with a good night’s sleep.

How to Choose a Vitamin D Supplement

Supplemental vitamin D comes in a variety of formats including pills, gel capsules, drops, creams, and topical patches. Whatever form you choose, you want to make sure it uses safe, quality ingredients free from unnecessary additives and fillers. Using a combination of vitamins D and K2 will eliminate the need to supplement each separately and save you money in the long run. Since the body is naturally designed to synthesize and utilize vitamin D from the skin, topical vitamin D supplements are a fantastic option. Our Vitamin D3 and K2 Patch contains the recommended 5,000IU of vitamin D3 and 200mcg of K2 making it a good fit for addressing your vitamin D needs.

If these strategies fail to meaningfully improve your vitamin D levels, you may want to work with your care provider to evaluate other potential underlying health issues.

This site does not provide medical advice It is intended for informational purposes only. The content is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Never ignore professional medical advice in seeking treatment because of something you have read on the PatchMD website. 2020 All rights reserved, this site uses cookies.

Vitamin C for the Immune System: What the Facts Say

By |2021-01-05T20:57:03-08:00May 13, 2020|Anti-Aging Patch|

Our body’s immune system protects us from infections, viruses, and autoimmune conditions. Keeping your immune system strong is a crucial factor in remaining healthy – this has never been more important than it is now amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

One of the most popular ways to boost your immune system’s defenses is the consumption of vitamin C. But, can vitamin C really work to improve immunity? Let’s examine the evidence.

Vitamin C and function of the immune system

Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is essential for our health and wellbeing. The importance of this micronutrient has been documented by scientists in countless studies. More recently, researchers have also been focused on the role vitamin C plays in our immune system.

A study from the journal Nutrients showed that vitamin C contributes to immune defenses by supporting numerous cellular functions, of both innate and adaptive immune systems. This critical micronutrient supports the epithelial barrier function against pathogens and invaders, such as bacteria and viruses.

Vitamin C functions as an antioxidant and supports oxidant scavenging activity of the skin, thus providing protection against environmental oxidative stress. Studies have also shown that vitamin C can accumulate in certain cells to kill microbes. Even though the complete role of vitamin C in the immune system function is not clear, one of its functions may include enhancing differentiation and proliferation of B and T cells (these are vital for immunity).

The results of the Nutrients study help explain why low levels of vitamin C in the body impair the function of the immune system and may increase susceptibility to infection.

Vitamin C and protection against viruses and infections

Most consumers take extra of vitamin C every winter, usually through a standard multivitamin, hoping to avoid flu and the common cold. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many people are now striving to take more if it year-round to strengthen the immune system.

Will vitamin C really help protect against COVID-19 related illnesses though? It’s a perfectly understandable question. A growing body of evidence confirms that vitamin C really can protect us against some viruses and infections. More research is needed to confirm whether vitamin C plays any role in protecting against COVID-19 specifically.

The Immune Network published a study that revealed that vitamin C exhibits antiviral immune responses at the early time of infection, particularly against the influenza virus through the increased presence of interferons, which play an important role in the prevention of viral pathogenesis. This particular study was conducted on mice.

The review of scientific evidence on this subject, published in the Nutrients, concluded that animal studies confirmed vitamin C played a role in preventing, shortening, and alleviating various infections. It’s evident the effect could be the same in humans, too.

Various studies have shown the favorable influence of vitamin C on the prevention and treatment of flu and common cold and pneumonia, but its role on other infections is insufficiently explored. Therefore, scientists concluded that the practical importance and effective doses of vitamin C for the prevention and treatment of infections are still unknown, but they’re worth exploring.

The Biomed Research International featured a study that found a new mechanism through which vitamin C could address virus-induced pneumonia. Vitamin C works in a synergic way that interacts with the virus and the body to keep everything in balance. That’s why it works differently than traditional antivirus drugs. This study was, like many others, conducted in mice but discovered that vitamin C inhibited influenza virus-stimulated pulmonary morphological changes and reduced structural damage in blood vessels and alveoli. In other words, vitamin C could ameliorate the progression of inflammation in the lungs.

A vast majority of studies revolving around vitamin C, and viruses or infections were focused on the common cold. A large review of studies involving thousands of participants showed that consumption of vitamin C shortened the duration of a cold by 8% in adults and 14% in children. The administration of vitamin C also decreased the severity of a cold. That being said, some studies also failed to confirm that supplementation with vitamin C reduces the incidence of the common cold in the general population.

On the other hand, other studies have shown that vitamin C in megadoses administered before or after the appearance of flu or common cold symptoms relieved and prevented the symptoms in participants. Extra doses of vitamin C could benefit patients who develop flu or common cold despite taking vitamin C supplements, evidence confirms.

When discussing the potential of vitamin C to prevent or treat the common cold, it’s useful to mention that not all studies have the same results. For example, some studies have shown that long-term daily supplementation with vitamin C in large doses doesn’t appear to prevent the common cold and only provides modest benefits in reducing symptoms. The lack of consistency in findings from different studies is the reason why the role and potential of vitamin C to prevent or treat viral infection needs to be further explored.

Are You Getting Enough Vitamin C?

While vitamin C is likely naturally present in many of the foods in your diet, if you want to make sure you’re getting enough of this essential micronutrient, you might consider a vitamin C supplement. One highly convenient option is our C Plus Topical Patch. Simply apply the patch daily, and enjoy the benefits of 100mg of vitamin C without the hassle of taking frustrating pills.

Final Thoughts

Vitamin C is crucial for your health and wellbeing. This micronutrient participates in the immune function and its defenses from pathogens such as viruses and bacteria.

Most studies focused on virus-induced pneumonia, common cold, and flu and showed positive results, but the impact of vitamin C on the prevention and treatment of other viruses still needs to be explored.

To strengthen your immune system, you need to adopt healthy lifestyle habits, modify your diet, exercise regularly, and try to manage stress. That being said, getting enough vitamin C is important. If you’re not sure if you’re consuming enough vitamin C in your natural diet, consider giving our C Plus Topical Patch a try.
 

References

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29099763
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3659258/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5409678/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4331320/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23440782
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10543583
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6057395/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10796569
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6124957/

Top 6 Indoor Exercises During Quarantine

By |2021-01-05T20:24:35-08:00April 22, 2020|Anti-Aging Patch|

COVID-19 has changed pretty much everything about the way we live, eat, work, play, and interact with friends and family. It’s completely upended our routines and habits, especially the good ones. Stay-at-home orders prevent access to gyms, pools, and fitness centers. This is bad news for our health and immune system in a time when we want to be in the best possible health with the strongest possible immune system. Thankfully, there are many easy and effective practices you can do at home to get your through.

Exercise to Reduce Stress

This is a stressful time for a variety of reasons. Disruptions to our routines add to our stress levels. Physical activity and exercise are important tools not just for our general health and well-being but also to reduce our overall stress levels.

This can lead to an improved quality of life and elevated mood, which can help us face challenging circumstances head-on. Exercise improves blood oxygenation and blood flow and boosts your body’s production of endorphins, nature’s feel-good chemicals. Optimal oxygenation is critically important when facing a virus of this nature that so often strikes the lungs.

Both the physical and mental health benefits of exercise on stress are cumulative, so it is important to stick with an exercise routine over time to reap the greatest benefits.

Exercise for Immune Support

Managing stress effectively is important for supporting healthy immune function. In addition to the stress-busting benefits of physical exercise, it also has a direct effect on the health of your immune system.

Regular moderate exercise has tremendous benefits for strengthening the immune system by enhancing the body’s ability to combat pathogens and reducing the risk of infections. The American Heart Association recommends a minimum of 150 minutes per week of physical activity. Self-care is a crucial part of staying fit and healthy through this quarantine. (1)

Quarantine Exercises to Do at Home

We know working out at home is not always ideal. Lack of space and equipment can be major deterrents to breaking a sweat. To help you get started, we’ve compiled our top six favorite body-weight exercises anyone can do at home during quarantine!

1.     Jump Rope

Get back in touch with your childhood with this fantastic cardio tool. This is a fantastic exercise that gets the blood pumping, the lungs puffing, and stimulates a lymphatic system that may be just as stagnant as that Netflix episode you’ve watched five times since this all started. If jumping rope is too high impact, consider a rebounder instead!

To jump rope, start with your feet together grasping the rope in each hand at your sides. As you swing the rope forward over your head and towards your feet, tighten your core and jump with your feet still together over the rope as it swings under you, landing on the balls of your feet. Repeat.

2.     Army Crawl Planks

Want to try a new twist on the classic plank? Try this Army Crawl Plank. It’s like a cross between a push-up and a plank and makes for an effective toning and strengthening tool in your exercise routine.

Begin in a standard plank position with your shoulders centered above your wrists, body in a straight line, feet together. Bend your right arm into a forearm plank position. Do the same with your left to get yourself into a full forearm plank. Lift your right hand and place it on the mat underneath your shoulder. As you push down to lift yourself, do the same with the left hand until you have returned to your starting position.

3.     Curtsy Lunges

This won’t get you tea with the Queen, but curtsy lunges are a lower-body work-out must for a well-sculpted booty. The curtsy lunge really targets hard-to-reach areas like inner thighs and the gluteus medius. Functionally, it helps stabilize your hips and pelvic floor and improves your posture as a result.

To master a kick-[ass/butt] curtsy lunge step your left leg behind and to the right so your thighs cross, bending both knees as if you were curtsying. Be sure to keep your front knee aligned over your front ankle as you sink down into your lunge. Return to standing, switch sides and repeat.

4.     Downward Dog Push-up

This is the perfect marriage between yoga and strength-building. It is a much more dynamic exercise than your standard push-up with more intensity than your average yoga pose. 

Start in a standard push-up position. Shift your hips up as you push your heels to the floor and your head between your arms into the classic downward dog position. Once you have reached that position, slowly and smoothly reverse until you have returned to the standard push-up position. Repeat.

5.     Tricep Chair Dip

This move targets your triceps and pecs, muscles that could almost always use a little special toning. This dip is a great way to do so without stressing your wrists and passively build core strength. 

Sit at the edge of a sturdy, stable chair with feet on the floor. With arms straight and palms on the seat of the chair, carefully slide your bottom off the edge of the chair. Keeping your upper arms close to your body, bend your elbows to lower your body down as far as you are comfortable. Pressing with your palms, straighten your arms to raise yourself back up.

6.     Legs Up the Wall

This is a great cool-down pose that almost anyone can do. It’s an effective relaxation pose combatting stress and anxiety as well as back pain and lower limb swelling. It helps improve circulation and blood flow which in turn supports better oxygenation of tissues and can be done for longer periods of time. A great way to finish off a work-out routine.

Sit on the floor next to a wall with your legs stretched out straight in front of you. Lie down on your back and gently engage your core and hip muscles to bring your legs up into the air above you. Shift into position so your seat bones and backs of your legs are touching or as close to the wall as possible. Rest your hands at your side or on your belly as you focus on relaxation and deep breathing.

Final Thoughts

What we do with our body has a profound effect on our well-being, and regular exercise can give us the ability to resist infection. What we put in our body is equally important. A diet rich in a variety of whole foods and strategic supplementation, like our Immune Defense Plus patch, gives your body the tools it needs to stay well.

10 Immune Boosting Foods and Why We Love Them

By |2022-05-16T20:54:28-08:00April 16, 2020|Immune Defense Patch|

Immune function has been a very hot topic of conversation around the world lately. Everyone wants to know how to boost their immune system and which are the best immune boosting foods, drinks, and supplements to keep you healthy.

The immune system is already a pretty remarkable and effective system, warding off a host of attacks and fighting infection daily. Despite its impressive design, your immune system is not infallible and can get overwhelmed, leaving you sick, often at the most inopportune times.

Certain lifestyle factors can also interfere with optimal immune function. Stressful events or circumstances, lack of sleep, poor diet, lack of physical activity, and compounding health conditions can all impair your immune system’s ability to protect you the way it should. Thankfully, there are some effective strategies to improve your immune system and help it keep you healthy.

How can I boost my immune system quickly?

When you feel something coming on, you need to boost your immune system fast. So how to boost the immune system naturally and quickly?

Stop Eating the Wrong Foods

The first thing you can do is stop eating foods that weaken the immune system. The standard American diet is full of these immune-crushing foods. If you want to stop a cold in its tracks, you need foods to boost your immune system, not give it more to work against.

Some of the top foods to avoid include fast food, processed foods (especially those with MSG), alcohol, caffeine, sugar, artificial sweeteners, and refined oils like “vegetable” oil or canola oil.

These foods promote inflammation in the body, making it harder for your immune system to battle true microbial invaders. They impair gut function, where 80+% of the body’s immune function is found. They can also deplete or compete with certain important nutrients your immune system needs to function well, especially vitamin C and zinc.

Sleep

Sleep is crucial for immune function and maintaining health. Tissues heal best and fastest during sleep and there is a strong relationship between functions of the central nervous system (responsible for sleep) and the body’s immune response. Sleep regulates the immune system and lack of sleep can reduce the body’s ability to mount an effective defense against pathogenic invaders. So hit the hay if you feel something coming on for your best chance to nip it in the bud. (1)

Consider Key Nutrients

If your immune system is struggling to keep up to the current onslaught, consider supporting it with some key nutrients that have been proven to support and enhance immune function. Vitamin D, vitamin C, and zinc are three of the top ones. Boosting your intake of these nutrients will provide your immune system with the tools it needs to get or keep you feeling your best, fast. Which leads to our next point:

Start Eating Foods that Boost the Immune System When Sick

Eating whole foods, especially fruits and vegetables, that contain crucial immune-boosting nutrients is one of the best and fastest ways to boost your immune system. Consuming immune boosting foods when sick can provide not just needed nutrients, but also important nutritional cofactors that can improve your body’s ability to absorb and use those nutrients effectively and efficiently. These nutrients will also be in their most bioavailable forms coming from whole food sources. Stock up on leafy greens and bone broth next time you hit the grocery store for your immune boosting shopping trip.

What are immune boosting foods?

So, what foods boost your immune system when you’re getting sick? Immune boosting foods and herbs provide nutrients that build up the immune system and enhance or support its function, either directly or indirectly. Types of immune boosting foods typically fall into three categories: foods, beverages, and herbs. Many nutritious whole foods and herbs could qualify here, but there are some specific ingredients that are especially good at this job.

Here is our list of immune boosting foods to eat for a formidable immune system that will keep you healthy.

10 Amazing Immune Boosting Foods

1. Garlic

An immune boosting foods list wouldn’t be much of a list if it didn’t start off with the king of immunity boosting foods. Garlic holds a special place in ethnic cuisines the world over. It has been prized for its antimicrobial and health-supporting effects for centuries, if not millennia. Now we have the medically reviewed proof to back up what traditional cultures have always known.

Research has found that garlic can both prevent viral infections as well as reduce recovery time for those who do fall ill. The key to garlic’s power lies with its high concentration of sulfur compounds. These compounds provide strong immune modulating effects and significantly reduce inflammation. Aged garlic extract has garnered attention for its ability to reduce symptom severity and shorten recovery time for those battling cold symptoms and flu by improving immune cell function

2. Ginger

Ginger is one of the most popular and most readily available medicinal foods. Often thought of for its digestive health benefits, ginger has been used as an immune boosting food in Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years. Since we know digestive health and immune function are closely linked, it’s little wonder we instinctively reach for ginger when we start feeling under the weather.

In addition to its familiar flavor and heat, ginger increases immunity by decreasing inflammation and providing antimicrobial effects. Some even consider it comparable to over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications. This can help boost immune function and have positive effects on a variety of symptoms including sore throat and body aches often associated with seasonal illnesses. 

3. Citrus

Vitamin C is a showstopper when it comes to boosting the immune system. Not only does it boost the immune system, but it also has potent L – Lysine properties and can help reduce symptoms of respiratory infections. Citrus fruits are particularly high in this important vitamin and are particularly delicious. Bell peppers are another good choice to increase your dietary intake of vitamin C. 

4. Nuts

When it comes to immune boosting foods, nuts are an often-overlooked line item. They are rich sources of necessary minerals needed to keep the immune system functioning at its best.

Brazil nuts are rich in selenium which has been shown to enhance immune response and acts as an impressive antioxidant. Almonds are a great source of vitamin E, a fat-soluble vitamin that plays a key role in immune function. Walnuts have strong anti-inflammatory properties due to their high omega-3 essential fatty acid content. They have also been found to improve the body’s response to stress and reduce oxidative stress, the immune system’s kryptonite. 

5. Tart Cherries

Tart cherries are very high in antioxidants which helps support a strong, healthy immune system. Research has shown that tart cherries can significantly reduce inflammatory markers and upper respiratory tract symptoms, both important effects when looking to avoid cold season. Additionally, they are an excellent source of natural melatonin. This helps improve quality and quantity of sleep, a crucial lifestyle factor that can bolster the immune system.  

6. Pomegranates

This exotic fruit has been prized for centuries for its numerous health benefits. These benefits include supporting strong immune function. Pomegranates are one of the best sources of some of the most powerful antioxidants which gives them impressive antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects and immune modulating properties. If fresh pomegranates are difficult to find, pomegranate juice is more readily available and offers the same benefits. 

7. Green Tea

Green tea is brimming with antioxidant flavonoids, especially epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). Since green tea is not fermented like black tea, it contains much higher levels of EGCG, which research has shown to improve immune system function. It does this by modulating and normalizing T cell function while inhibiting the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines from white blood cells. 

8. Elderberry

Elderberry has been a buzz word in health circles for a while now, and with good reason. It is one of the most effective immune boosting foods in TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) and has been used by herbalists for centuries to help stimulate immune function and reduce the symptoms of upper respiratory infections. Elderberry has demonstrated potent antiviral properties, particularly against various strains of influenza virus. It has been found to shorten the duration of illness as well as increase antibody production due to its immune stimulating effects. 

9. Licorice Root

While you might be familiar with licorice from candies and beverages, did you know it’s also used as a potent immune boosting herb since the time of the ancient Egyptians? It’s also one of the most frequently used herbs in TCM. Research shows that licorice root has potent immune-boosting properties that are believed to increase levels of interferon, a chemical that fights off attacking pathogens. It is also an effective anti-inflammatory, thanks in large part to its powerful antioxidant activity and glycyrrhizic acid. 

10. Echinacea

Also known as purple coneflower, echinacea is a very popular herb for boosting the immune system, especially in its native North America. Its most popular use today is to support the immune system against the common cold. Research has found that taking echinacea may reduce the risk of developing a cold by 50% and reduce the duration of colds once they are contracted. 

Echinacea is very high in antioxidants which can protect against oxidative stress and reduce inflammation. Chronic unmanaged inflammation can wreak havoc on the immune system and lead to chronic illness and disease as well as lowered resistance to infectious diseases as a result. 

What is the best herb for the immune system?

As with so many other things when it comes to health and wellness, there really is no one-size-fits-all answer to the best herb for the immune system. It can really vary from person to person and their own unique health concerns.

That being said, there are several very good herbs to boost the immune system that will benefit most people. In addition to the herbs mentioned above that made our Top 10 list, others to consider include:

–        Astragalus – Another gift from TCM, astragalus has been used for hundreds of years for its many health benefits, including boosting the immune system, reducing oxidative stress, and reducing inflammation. It’s combination of antimicrobial properties and ability to stimulate white blood cell production to enhance immune defenses make this a very beneficial herb to have in your arsenal.

–        Olive Leaf – Olive leaf acts as a powerful immune response modulator that activates several pathways of the immune system and increases the production of chemicals and compounds in the body that support optimal health.

–        Larch Tree Arabinogalactan – Used for millennia, larch tree arabinogalactan is a immune modulating herb that is particularly effective against the common cold. It increases the body’s ability to defend against invading pathogens and stimulate the production of natural killer cells and macrophages.

–        Turmeric – Turmeric is a potent anti-inflammatory as well as a great balancing herb, helping to support a balanced and effective immune system.

–        Oregano – Oregano is a powerful antiviral that can boost your immune system that can readily be found in a concentrated oil or enjoyed as a fresh or dried herb to provide immune boosting benefits.

What is the best immune booster supplement?

There are countless “immune boosting” supplements available in health stores and online, so how do you even begin to find the best one?

For starters, no supplement is going to take the place of healthy eating and immune-supporting lifestyle factors like sleep and reduced stress. Supplements are just that – supplemental. But smart, strategic supplementation can really enhance your immune function and help keep you safe and healthy.

Good dietary supplements should use quality ingredients like bioavailable vitamins and minerals. Fruits and vegetables used in the supplement should be organic to reduce the risk of pesticide exposure. A good quality supplement will also incorporate several beneficial herbs and food extracts at truly therapeutic levels to provide maximum immune boosting benefit.

Since many of us struggle with gut health, and gut health is tied so closely to immune health, taking oral supplements may not be the most effective way to boost your immune system. Our Immune Defense Plus patch is designed to deliver our unique and powerful blend of immune boosting nutrients in the most bioavailable forms without any unnecessary ingredients topically for maximum absorption and benefit.

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