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Quercetin and Food Allergies 0

The colorful plant flavonoid known as quercetin possesses strong anti-allergic effects protecting us from seasonal allergies and asthma, but what about food allergies? This anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant powerhouse can also help relieve symptoms of food allergies.
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  • Heather Falise

Is Vitamin C the Missing Link for Weight Loss? 0


Vitamin C & Carnitine Link for Fat Metabolism

To the many Americans interested in weight loss, vitamin C may be an important factor to keep in mind. How is vitamin C related to fat metabolism? Vitamin C is required for synthesis of carnitine, the molecule responsible for shuttling fatty acids across the mitochondrial membrane to be oxidized for energy. If one does not have sufficient vitamin C, the synthesis of carnitine and downstream fat metabolism could be negatively affected. In fact, reduced tissue carnitine, and its associated impact on fat metabolism, is considered to be the cause of fatigue associated with scurvy.

Research supports this posited relationship between vitamin C and fat metabolism.

  • One randomized controlled trial demonstrated that those who supplemented with 3 grams of vitamin C per day showed significantly greater weight loss than a placebo group with similar goals. (Naylor et al. 1985)
  • Another study investigated vitamin C status and fat oxidation during exercise, and found that individuals with adequate vitamin C status oxidized 30% more fat during moderate exercise than those with low vitamin C status. (Johnston 2005)
  • A cross-sectional trial investigated the relationship between plasma vitamin C, adiposity, and adiponectin (a hormone produced by fat cells that regulates metabolism) concentrations. In both men and women, plasma vitamin C concentration was inversely related to BMI, waist circumference, and body fat. (Johnston et al. 2007)

The Nutrient You Need for a Ketogenic Diet

So, if you are one of the many Americans looking to lose weight, it would be wise to ensure your vitamin C status is adequate. Even more wise would be to take a potent, fully buffered and reduced form of ascorbate like Alkalini-C.

 

References

References:

Johnston, C. S. 2005. Strategies for healthy weight loss: from vitamin C to the glycemic response. Journal of the American College of Nutrition 24(3):158-165.

Johnston, C. S., B. L. Beezhold, B. Mostow and P. D. Swan. 2007. Plasma vitamin C is inversely related to body mass index and waist circumference but not to plasma adiponectin in nonsmoking adults. The Journal of Nutrition 137(7):1757-1762.

Naylor, G. J., L. Grant and C. Smith. 1985. A double blind placebo controlled trial of ascorbic acid in obesity. Nutrition and Health 4(1):25-28.

Alkalini-C

The World's Most Potent Vitamin C!

Alkaline for Life's new Alkalini-C is a pH-balanced, vegetarian, allergen-free, and completely buffered mineral ascorbate. It is the world’s purest, grain-free, and most potent form of vitamin C. Alkalini-C 100% l-ascorbate, fully reduced and corn free works harder, more quickly and more persistently than any other vitamin C on the market!

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Vitamin C and Immune System 0

 

Did you know that Vitamin C is the 4th leading nutrient deficiency in the United States? (Schleicher et al, 2009)

How does vitamin C affect immune function?

Vitamin C supports BOTH the innate and adaptive immune systems, and can both inhibit and activate different parts of the immune system (Carr, 2017).

  • In conditions like asthma and bronchial hypersensitivity, vitamin C can inhibit excessive activation of the immune response (Shaik, BD et al 2015).
  • Vitamin C is necessary for recycling spent neutrophils(a type of white blood cell), in order to prevent toxic debris accumulation and stimulating migration of neutrophils to the site of an infection.
  • In addition to recycling and stimulating neutrophil migration, vitamin C also enhances functions of lymphocytes, macrophages, and mast cells. The reduction of reactive oxygen species benefits the immune system, and accelerates killing of unwanted microbes.

Vitamin C & Infections

Infections increase the need for vitamin C, and indeed, vitamin C is the best natural antiviral. It can both prevent and help fight infections through its enhancement of various parts of the immune system. For example, vitamin C deficiency results in impaired immunity and higher susceptibility to infections. Research shows potential in the use of vitamin C to prevent and treat respiratory and systemic infections. Scientists have even identified that people with respiratory problems have lower vitamin C levels, and administration of vitamin C has been able to lessen these symptoms (Bakaev, V et al, 2004).

 

References

References:

Bakaev, V. V. and A. P. Duntau (2004). "Ascorbic acid in blood serum of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis and pneumonia." Int J Tuberc Lung Dis8(2): 263-266

Carr, A. C. and S. Maggini (2017). "Vitamin C and Immune Function." Nutrients9(11).

Schleicher, R. L., M. D. Carroll, E. S. Ford and D. A. Lacher (2009). "Serum vitamin C and the prevalence of vitamin C deficiency in the United States: 2003-2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES)." Am J Clin Nutr90(5): 1252-1263.

Huijskens, M. J., M. Walczak, N. Koller, J. J. Briede, B. L. Senden-Gijsbers, M. C. Schnijderberg, G. M. Bos and W. T. Germeraad (2014). "Technical advance: ascorbic acid induces development of double-positive T cells from human hematopoietic stem cells in the absence of stromal cells." J Leukoc Biol96(6): 1165-1175.

Hemilä, H. and P. Louhiala (2013). "Vitamin C for preventing and treating pneumonia." Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews(8).

Hoffer, A. and Walker, M. (1978). Ortho-molecular. New Canaan, CT: Keats Publishing, Inc.

Shaik-Dasthagirisaheb, Y. (2016). "Relationship between Vitamin C, Mast Cells and Inflammation." Journal of Nutrition & Food Sciences06.

Stone, D. (2018). 80 Years of High Dose Vitamin C Research. Norderstedt: Books on Demand.

Levy, T. (n.d.). Curing the Incurable Vitamin C, Infectious Diseases, and Toxins 3rd edition (3rd ed.).

Alkalini-C

The Worlds Most Potent Vitamin C!

Alkaline for Life's new Alkalini-C is a pH-balanced, vegetarian, allergen-free, and completely buffered mineral ascorbate. It is the world’s purest, grain-free, and most potent form of vitamin C. Alkalini-C 100% l-ascorbate, fully reduced and corn free works harder, more quickly and more persistently than any other vitamin C on the market!

Buy
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  • Heather Falise

Quercetin and Pomegranate: The Dynamic Duo for Natural Allergy Relief 0

Heather Falise is a dietetic intern at Cornell University and has a degree in nutrition and dietetics from Syracuse University. She has been at Alkaline for Life for over 2 years and has a passion for promoting health and wellness.
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  • Heather Falise

How Buffered Ascorbate Can Help Relieve Your Allergies 0

How Buffered Ascorbate Can Give Allergy Relief

Buffered ascorbate, our most potent form of vitamin C, is what we often refer to as the “maternal sacrificial antioxidant” because of its great role as an electron donor. Vitamin C, especially in buffered ascorbate form, readily donates electrons to free radicals and other molecules in need. Because of its potent antioxidant status, vitamin C serves many health-promoting roles in the body, one of which is anti-allergic.

In fact, researchers have documented that allergic diseases are associated with low plasma levels of ascorbate. Vitamin C is known as a natural antihistamine because it can block the secretion of histamine by white blood cells. Additionally, one study found that administration of 2 g of vitamin C decreased histamine levels in the blood by 38% (Johnston et al. 1992).

 

Intranasal Ascorbate

In a clinical trial, allergic rhinitis (nasal congestion symptoms) was treated with an intranasal ascorbate solution 3x/day. After 2 weeks, 74% of the subjects treated with the ascorbate solution saw a decrease in nasal secretions, blockage, and edema. (Podoshin et al. 1991)

Do you suffer from asthma?

A characteristic feature of asthma called mast-cell mediated bronchial hypersensitivity can be alleviated by vitamin C. (Shaik and Conti 2016)

 

Exercise and Vitamin C: A Match Made in Heaven

Vitamin C on its own has profound effects on allergy symptoms. Imagine what it can do combined with exercise! Tongtako et al. investigated just that in their 2018 study. 27 subjects were studied. One group exercised, one group exercised and supplemented with 2 g of vitamin C, and the third group served as a control. After 8 weeks, the exercise + vitamin C group saw the most pronounced decrease in rhinitis symptoms such as nasal congestion, itching, and sneezing. (Tongtako et al. 2018)

As Albert-Szent Györgi once said “A vitamin is a substance that makes you ill if you don’t eat it.” If you suffer from allergies, it would be in your best interest to take a deep dive into regaining optimal nutrition status. Given its natural antihistamine and anti-allergy functions, vitamin C may be a perfect place to start.

 

References

Johnston, C. S., L. J. Martin and X. Cai. 1992. Antihistamine effect of supplemental ascorbic acid and neutrophil chemotaxis. Journal of the American College of Nutrition 11(2):172-176.

Podoshin, L., R. Gertner and M. Fradis. 1991. Treatment of perennial allergic rhinitis with ascorbic acid solution. Ear, Nose & Throat Journal 70(1):54-55.

Shaik-BD, Y. and P. Conti. 2016. Relationship between vitamin C, mast cells and inflammation. Journal of Nutrition & Food Sciences 6:1.

Tongtako, W., J. Klaewsongkram, T. D. Mickleborough and D. Suksom. 2018. Effects of aerobic exercise and vitamin C supplementation on rhinitis symptoms in allergic rhinitis patients. Asian Pacific Journal of Allergy and Immunology 36(4):222-231.

Alkaline for Life-Alkalini-C - Alkaline for Life

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9 Habits of Highly Effective Alkalizers 0

1. Start the day with an alkaline tilt

  • An alkaline-forming seed or grain (quinoa, wild rice, oats) with fruit

  • Eggs with steamed greens

  • Lentil vegetable soup

  • Ginger tea or hot lemon/lime water tea

2. Consume two cups of vegetables for lunch and two cups for dinner

  • 1 to 2 different alkaline-forming veggies with olive oil dressing

  • A veggie steamer with a timer does all the work

  • Vegetable-laden soups in the winter and lush salads in the summer

3. Replace most grains with root crops and gourds

  • Every day use of roots such as sweet potatoes, yams, turnips, beet, white and red potatoes, daikon, etc.

  • Squash of all sorts provides an alkalizing carbohydrate

  • Baking yams, sweet potatoes and squash enhances their rich, sweet taste

4. Enjoy nuts, seeds, herbs, and spices daily

  • Pumpkin seeds, cashews, chestnuts, sesame seeds, and almonds are among the best

  • Most all spices are alkaline forming and high in antioxidants and add zest to the meal

  • Liberal use of onions, garlic, ginger, turmeric, and all cooking herbs

5. Incorporate alkalizing drinks daily

  • Juice of a lemon or lime in hot or cold water

  • Mineral water with high dissolved solids and spring water as a second option

  • Green tea, ginger tea, kambucha, and apple cider vinegar tea

  • “Green” vegetable juices and smoothies

  • Homemade vegetable broth

6. Limit sweeteners and use them in small quantities in alkalizing forms

  • Sucanat, rice syrup, molasses, and agave are good choices

  • Baked and dried fruit used to tame the sweet tooth

7. Monitor your acid load and adjust your program as necessary

  • Strive for a 6.5 to 7.5 first-morning urine pH (best is urine tested after 6 hours or more of uninterrupted sleep)

  • The Alkaline for Life® pH Test Kit provides all the materials and knowledge you need for testing your pH and developing a full Alkaline for Life® diet

8. Adjust your diet as necessary

  • The goal is to build alkaline mineral compound reserves                                         

  • In good health, a diet containing 60% alkaline-forming foods and 40% acid forming is often appropriate                          

  • When recovering or regaining health, the diet must often be 80% alkaline-forming foods and only 20% acid forming in order to build alkaline reserves

9.Use alkalizing supplements as necessary

  • High quality alkalizing mineral compounds are used when diet alone is not enough to alkalize such as our builder found in our shop

  • Correctly collected urine pH provides an indirect measure of mineral reserves, thus a first-morning urine pH below 6.5 suggests mineral inadequacy

  • To be alkaline forming, minerals must be attached to alkalizing anions such as citrates, ascorbates, carbonates, hydroxides, glycinates, malates and fumarates

Want more information? Our Alkaline for Life® pH Test Kit provides all the materials for testing your pH and developing perfect pH balance.

Alkaline for Life pH Testing Kit

 

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  • Gina Galli