Immune Nutrition Base
ViraKid contains zinc, vitamin C, and vitamin A, key immune micronutrients that play a major role in maintaining a strong, healthy, immune response.
Zinc
Zinc is a mineral that works synergistically with vitamin A in activating thymic factor, a thymus hormone with vital immune supporting properties. Maintaining optimal zinc levels also helps maintain helper T-cell lymphocyte function, NK cell activity, macrophage function, and antibody production.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is well known for its ability to support immune response. Vitamin C concentrations decline rapidly in the body during periods of stress. Dietary intake is therefore crucial during immune challenges. Vitamin C has been found to be helpful in supporting specific components of the immune system including NK cell activity and lymphocyte function. Vitamin C also provides antioxidant support by protecting cells against reactive oxygen species that are generated during normal inflammatory response.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A helps support mucous membranes. When vitamin A is lacking, mucus-producing cells are replaced by keratin-producing cells, and the membranes become tough and more vulnerable to unwanted organisms. Vitamin A is a critical immune supporting nutrient. Vitamin A also supports the immune system by stimulating white blood cell function and increasing antibody response.
Black Elderberry Extract
Black elderberry (Sambucas nigra) has a long history of traditional use among herbalists and is native to Europe, Northern Africa, and Western and Central Asia. Elderberry preparations range from expressed juice to syrup, tea decoction, powdered extract, and powdered extract in the form of lozenges or capsules. The bioactive components of elderberry include the flavonoid anthocyanin. ViraKid is standardized to include black elderberry extract with 13% anthocyanins. Black elderberry preparations have also been shown to enhance immune cell killing potential by supporting healthy cytokine production, including IL-8 and IL-10, which are the cellular pathways used to eliminate unwanted organisms.
Astragalus membranaceus Root Extract
Astragalus is native to northern China and has been traditionally used to strengthen the immune system. The root of astragalus is one of the two commonly used species in traditional Chinese medicine. Research has demonstrated the immune-regulating effects of astragalus which include boosting T-dependent antigens, and lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells and macrophage activity. Additional studies have demonstrated that astragalus root extract supports immune response by boosting T3, T4 and T4/T8 cell ratios.
