Sambucus Elderberry With Vitamin C & D Plus Zinc - 60 Gummies - Natural Factors

Natural Factors Sambucus Black Elderberry with Vitamins C & D plus Zinc

Natural Factors Sambucus Black Elderberry with Vitamins C & D plus Zinc features clinically studied ElderCraft® European black elderberry extract for immune and respiratory support. Elderberries are used in herbal medicine to help relieve symptoms of cold and flu, including fever, cough, sore throat, and mucous congestion. In some studies, standardized elderberry extracts have been found to reduce symptoms of viral infection by half and shorten the duration of symptoms by 3–4 days.

ElderCraft is a proprietary active blend of natural fruit polyphenols and berry micronutrients. It uses elderberries sourced from Austria directly from the farmers who nurture and harvest the crops. The concentrated 64:1 extract is made using a unique, solvent-free process that preserves and protects the antioxidants and other beneficial micronutrients found naturally in elderberries. This process creates a final extract standardized to 14% anthocyanins.

Natural Factors Sambucus Black Elderberry combines ElderCraft with the essential nutrients vitamin C, vitamin D3, and zinc for additional protection. The delicious, naturally flavoured gummies are non-GMO and made without gelatin, making them suitable for vegetarians. This is a fantastic supplement for adults and children ages five and older who want a fun and convenient way to support their immunity and natural viral defence.

Elderberry

Elderberry tackles toxins, reducing damage to tissues all over your body...

Elder was used as a food in ancient times but it also has an extensive history of medicinal usage. Extracts of elder berries have been shown to inhibit the replication of the influenza virus, making it a suitable herb for the treatment and prevention of the common cold and flu. Elderberries also contain large amounts of flavinoids, which act as antioxidants.

Free radicals are unstable molecules that in their bid to become more stable must bump into healthy cells and cause damage. Elderberries antioxidant properties neutralize free radicals and therefore reduce damage to tissues all over the body, including those that are infected. Elder flowers act as a diuretic and diaphoretic, aiding the body in the release of excess fluid through the kidneys and the skin (via the sweat). Elderflower tea can be used as a wash over skin irritations. Elder is recommended by natural health practitioners for a variety of conditions including prevention of colds and flus, treatment of infections, skin infections, wound cleansing, water retention and fevers.

Elderberries can be purchased as a dried berries, encapsulated berries, liquid extract or tincture. In general liquid preparations of elderberry are stronger than dried preparations. Elderberries are found in formulas for colds and flus. Elderflowers can be purchased as lose herb, encapsulated herb or tincture. They are found in formulas for water retention and kidney cleansing. By purchasing standardized elder supplements one can be sure that there are some berries and/or flowers in the formula.

The stems of elder contain the toxin cyanide and should not be used. Use caution when taking elder for long periods of time if you are on heart medication, lithium or diuretics because elder can alter the levels of these medications. Short-term use of elder has not been found to affect medication levels.

Zinc

Earl Mindell put it best in his book, The Vitamin Bible, when he wrote in the chapter Zinc Supplements, “The mineral zinc acts like a traffic policeman, directing and overseeing the efficient flow of bodily processes (and) the maintenance of enzyme systems and cells”. The specific term used is "coenzyme", which means that zinc is a helper in many of the natural chemical processes that occur every day in your body, and without which those same processes cannot occur.

This explains why zinc is beneficial for so many body functions. And considering that soils have become depleted, taking a zinc supplement is essential these days to avoid health concerns associated with zinc deficiency. But what does this important mineral actually do that gives it such a well-deserved reputation for optimizing health?

What Zinc Does For The Body

It is especially important in the prostate gland where supplemental zinc has been shown to decrease prostate inflammation; Zinc concentrates in the reproductive glands where it aids in normal fetal development and sperm maturation. Zinc is also a regulator of the immune system ensuring that cells for identifying and killing microbes, viruses and cancerous cells are in good working order. Zinc is a cofactor for the antioxidant system superoxide dismutase (SOD). Antioxidants neutralize free radicals. They are unstable molecules that in their bid to become more stable must bump into healthy cells and cause damage. Zinc also speeds wound healing and is used for the healing of burns and surgical incisions. Zinc is involved in the sensory organs, the eyes, nose and taste buds.

One of the first signs of zinc deficiency can be altered taste and smell. Zinc regulates the activity of insulin, for blood sugar control, thyroid hormone, for metabolism and the digestion of sugar and protein. Natural health practitioners use zinc for a variety of health concerns including; acne, benign prostatic hyperplasia, colds, flus, diabetes, diaper rash, stomach ulcers, macular degeneration, impotence, osteoporosis, eczema and wound healing.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is known for its ability to enhance immune function, but its real strength lies in tissue – supporting the growth and repair of tissues all over the body.

Immune health
Some practitioners swear by vitamin C for its treatment of cold, flu and other viral infections. The truth is, there is little research to support the use of vitamin C as a CURE for the common cold. That being said, studies do support its ongoing intake as a means to reduce the chance of complications due to cold (pneumonia, bronchitis, etc.), as well as help decrease the severity and duration of cold. Because vitamin C is depleted with stress, there is also evidence to suggest it may be beneficial for the prevention and treatment of stress related immune deficiencies.

Vitamin C has also been used for the treatment of the following conditions:

• Macular degeneration
• Asthma
• Allergies
• Gingivitis
• Visible signs of Aging
• Preeclampsia
• Inflammation

Vitamin D

Although at one time 400IU was considered appropriate for supplementation, many health care practitioners are now recommending 1000-4000IU/day, with doses as high as 10,000IU/day still being considered safe and necessary depending on the condition and assuming you are under the supervision of a healthcare provider.

It is fair to say that we are only just beginning to understand the immense difference that Vitamin D can make in terms of everyday health and disease prevention.

vitamin D plays an integral role in bone health, promoting our absorption of both calcium and phosphorus. For this reason, it is commonly used in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis.

We are understanding more and more the importance that vitamin D is playing in supporting immune function. Vitamin D has the ability to modulate the immune response, rather than simply strengthen it. In cases of immune dysregulation (autoimmune disorders, cancer, psoriasis) it serves to balance the response, therefore decreasing the dangerous over-reaction to our own cells and tissues that is seen in many of these conditions. Research studying the use of vitamin D in influenza and various respiratory tract infections, has also showed some promising results. It is now considered one of the top supplements to use during cold and flu season to ward off the offending viruses and bacterium. Vitamin D deficiencies have been associated with an increased risk of influenza, as well as the common cold. The fat soluble vitamin has been shown to dramatically stimulate the expression of potent anti-microbial peptides, which exist in neutrophils, monocytes, natural killer cells, and in epithelial cells lining the respiratory tract. These cells play a major role in protecting the lung from infection.