The Antiviral Effects of Vitamin C
The December newsletter from orthomolecular medicine commented on the mechanisms behind using Vitamin C in large doses to produce an antiviral action.
According to the article, ascorbate acts as an antioxidant to relieve inflammation, inactivates the RNA or DNA of viruses to prevent their replication, promotes immune enhancing substances such as interferon, stimulates antibody production, enhances phagocytosis, and aids the various immune cells in their protector role of the body.
That’s a lot of punch for one ingredient!
Source:
ONMS. VItamin C As An Antiviral. December 3, 2009.http://orthomolecular.org/resources/omns/index.shtml
Whey’s Not Just for Protein Supply
Whey has been shown to support innate immune response in one study.
Excerpt:
The major WPE protein components beta-lactoglobulin (beta-LG) and alpha-lactalbumin (alpha-LA) were the main active fractions having an additive effect on human neutrophils that became more responsive to a subsequent stimulation. This effect on NADPH oxidase activity was associated with translocation of p47(phox) to plasma membrane. Glycomacropeptide, a peptide present in measurable amounts in WPE products, was able to enhance the individual effect of beta-LG or alpha-LA on neutrophils
Translated: Whey protein has componenets that helps neutrophils fight off infections!
