Natureslittlepowerhouse
Vitamin C is a water soluble vitamin, meaning that we cannot store it in the body. Excess Vitamin C that our body cannot immediately use is flushed out with our urine. We have to replenish it daily. It is available in a wide a range of foods, including kiwifruit. Stress and anxiety release the stress hormone Cortisol, which depletes Vitamin C, lowering the immune system and making us more vulnerable to disease. So when we are stressed or sick, we may need a higher intake.
Benefits to the Immune System
The Immune System is a complex network of interconnected organs, cells and processes. Vitamin C is sometimes called the “Immunity Vitamin”, it plays an essential role in a vast number of immune mechanisms in the body. It stimulates the production and effectiveness the white blood cells called lymphocytes, a major category of white blood cells that work to fight of pathogens like bacteria and viruses in different ways. The B and T cells penetrate the DNA of invader cells and produce a specific chemical response to destroy them. In another mechanism, Vitamin C helps the production of antibodies, proteins that bind to invading microbes to neutralise them.
Vitamin C is an Antioxidant
Vitamin C is an antioxidant, fighting the roaming free radicals that can cause cancerous damage to our cells and our DNA through a destructive oxidation process. Free radicals are unstable molecules that have lost an electron, and they roam in search of a cell that they can steal one from. That causes the new cell to become a free radical, and starts a chain reaction that can damage cell components like DNA and cell membranes. Antioxidants donate an electron to the free radical, making it stable and stopping the chain reaction. The antioxidants themselves do not become free radicals as they are stable both with the electron they donate and without it.
We cannot avoid free radicals, they are generated by our body from different causes, including our own immune system which uses them to attack viruses and bacteria. They are also caused by toxic substances like alcohol and tobacco, pollution, and even by exercise. So we need a good intake of antioxidants daily.
Vitamin C and Collagen
Vitamin C assists the production of collagen, the most abundant protein in the body. Collagen is a major structural protein in tendons, ligaments, cartilage, blood vessels and skin, but it decreases with age. The body can regenerate it and Vitamin C helps this process. This explains the role of Vitamin C in would healing and repair, making scar tissue and new skin to cover the healed wound.
Vitamin C and Cognitive Health
Vitamin C is essential for cognitive health as well.
It is an essential nutrient for synthesising several neuro transmitters in the brain. The brain has a high need for Vitamin C, concentrations are far higher than in the rest of the body. The activity of the brain, neurons burning glucose to power your thoughts, feelings and movements, produces free oxygen, and Vitamin C, in its role as an antioxidant, surrenders electrons to neutralise the free oxygen.
Further, VC has is required in the formation of the myelin sheaths that protect our neurons, and that speed impulse transmission.
While preserving brain function depends on many factors, including physical exercise, stimulating and varied activities, social interaction, and a good nutrient rich diet, Vitamin C is an important part of the recipe.
Aloe Vera has been called “The Miracle Plant”, due to having a wide range of benefits. It has been used for theraputic purposes for centuries. It contains all nine Essential Fatty Acids, substances our body cannot produce but which are the building blocks of proteins.
Aloe Vera and Collagen
Aloe Vera helps build collagen, working in association with Vitamin C. Collagen is the most abundant protein in our body. It is a major structural protein in tendons, ligaments, cartilage, blood vessels and skin. The collagen fibres twist around each other to provide a framework that cells can build upon. Aloe gets digested into the bloodstream, producing amino acids and unique peptides which assist molecules called Fibroblasts to produce Collagen.
Collagen decreases with age, but you can help the body make more. It is badly needed for joint support as we age. Osteo arthritis is a deterioration of cartilage covering the ends of bones forming joints. Aloe Vera has been shown to assist the production of collagen, helping restore cartilage.
Aloe Vera and Skin Health
Aloe Vera helps the skin, being involved in producing both elastin for firm skin and hyaluronic acid which increases moisture retention for softness and suppleness. For these reasons it is used to repair burns and cuts, and is still widely used in skin moisturisers and soaps. Human skin cells replace themselves frequently, from approximately every 28 days for teenagers to over 80 days for seniors, so collagen is in demand.
Aloe Vera Has Anti Inflammatory Properties
Aloe has compounds like anthraquinones, which reduce prostaglandin E2 production, a key factor in cell inflammation. Inflammation is partly caused by oxidative damage due to free radicals, and anthraquinones act as antioxidants during inflammatory responses, neutralising the free radicals affecting the source of the inflammation. Other compounds in Aloe Vera block the production of histamines, one of the substances that cause inflammation. Anti inflammatories in general reduce swelling and relieve pain.
Relief From Digestive Discomfort
Internally, the gut needs collagen for its own functioning. Aloe can settle indigestion and acidic stomach upset, it has anti-inflammatory qualities, explaining its use in sun burn medication, and can potentially reduce inflammation in the lower intestine. Just as on the skin, it helps repair any damage to tissue and linings of the gut, colon or intestines.
Aloe contains amino acids Methionine, Serine Threonine, and Molybdenum, which work together to detoxify and remove heavy metals from the colon, while enhancing a protective layer of mucus to enhance healing of any damaged tissue, acting as an anti inflammatory. It is a mild laxative as well.
Cautions
It is often recommended that Aloe vera should be avoided by pregnant women.
Kiwifruit stands out for its support of digestive health.
Your gut plays a vital role in immunity, yet it is one of the body’s most vulnerable systems – protected by just a single cell layer. When it is neglected toxins build up, weakening your defences.
The gut has a direct connection with the brain, involving what is often called our “second brain”, the Enteric Nervous System located in the gut, and the Vagus nerve, which is the primary neural pathway between the gut and the brain. Digestive issues can affect mood and mental health, while stress and psychological factors can impact digestive function.
Fibre in the Diet
Fibre is a term for non digestible carbohydrates. It plays a crucial role in gut health. It passes through the stomach undigested to the intestines, where it feeds the micro biome (healthy bacteria that breaks down food). That is its prebiotic function. Soluble fibre acts like a sponge, absorbing liquid and forming a gel like substance making the bowel contents softer and easier to pass through to elimination.
It also benefits blood sugar levels. The role it plays in digesting food slows down the absorption of glucose into the bloodstream, making you feel satisfied for longer.
The Gut Micro biome.
There are over 1000 diverse bacteria species in the human digestive system more actual bacteria than there are cells in the human body. They require a proper food source (prebiotic foods, foods containing fibre). When they system is compromised, unhealthy symptoms can develop, examples being bloating, indigestion, constipation, diarrhea, stomach pain or nausea after eating, and a reduced absorption of nutrients into the bloodstream.
The Gut and The Immune System.
The gut micro biome plays a leading role in our immune system, with studies showing it is responsible for up to 80% of our immune response. It is home to a large part of our immune cells. The gut bacteria trains the immune system to distinguish between harmful pathogens and beneficial bacteria.
Fibre and IBS
The causes of IBS are still unknown, and can be different for each person. However many recommend a high fibre diet to relieve some of the symptoms, constipation, bloating, excess gas, abdominal pain.
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