Hyperlipidemia

 

What are lipids?

Fats in the blood are called lipids. Lipids join with protein in your blood to form lipoproteins. Lipoproteins make energy for your body, so they're important to the cells in your body.

Three kinds of lipoproteins, (also called cholesterol), re in your blood:

(1) High-density (also called HDL, for short) cholesterol,

(2) Low-density (also called LDL) cholesterol and

 (3) Very low-density (VLDL) cholesterol.

Ø HDL is sometimes called the “good cholesterol” because it keeps cholesterol from buiding up in your arteries.

Ø LDL can be thought of as the “bad” cholesterol because high LDL levels can increase your risk of heart attack or stroke.

Ø What is a normal total cholesterol level

Ø A normal total cholesterol level is 200 mg per dL or less.

What is a normal LDL level?

A normal LDL level is 130 mg per dL or less. When the LDL level is higher than 130, fat can build up in the walls of your blood vessels. This fat can plug up your arteries and keep the blood from flowing through them. If an artery going to your heart gets blocked, you might have a heart attack. If an artery going to your brain gets blocked, you might have a stroke. A high LDL level causes heart disease, stroke, poor circulation and kidney disease.

What causes high levels of fat in the blood?

Most people have high levels of fat in their blood because they eat too much high-fat food. Some people have high fat levels because they have an inherited disorder. High lipid levels may also be caused by medical conditions such as diabetes, hypothyroidism, alcoholism, kidney disease, liver disease and stress. In some people, certain medicines, such as birth control pills, steroids and blood pressure medicines can cause high lipid levels.

Are there any signs of high cholesterol levels?

•                     Often there are no signs. Without a blood test, you may not know you have high levels of fat in your blood until you have a heart attack or a stroke. Some people with high lipid levels have yellowish, fatty bumps on their skin.

What is the treatment for high lipid levels?

The first ways to reduce your lipid levels are

(1) Eat less fat,

 (2) Exercise regularly and

 (3) Lose weight if you weigh too much. If you smoke, stop smoking. If these steps don't lower your LDL level enough, your doctor may have you take medicine to take the fat out of your blood.

What are some ways to cut down on fat in my diet?

•                     Don't eat fried foods or high-fat sauces.

•                     Instead of frying meat, broil it or grill it.

•                     Don't eat egg yolks. You can eat egg whites or egg substitutes.

•                     Use low-fat dairy products, such as skim milk or 1% milk, low-fat frozen yogurt, low-fat ice cream and low-fat cheeses.

•                     Don't use whole milk, full-fat ice cream, sour cream, cheese or milk chocolate.

•                     Put more fiber in your diet. Fruits and vegetables are good sources of fiber. Eat three to five servings of vegetables a day and two to four servings of fruits.

Ø What about exercise

Ø Aerobic exercises, such as walking, running, bicycling and swimming, are a good way to lower your blood cholesterol. Exercise also lowers your blood pressure, your blood sugar level and your stress level. If you weigh too much, aerobic exercise helps you burn calories. That will help you lose weight. Aerobic exercise should be done on a regular basis: work up to exercising for 30 minutes at a time four or five times a week. You can also exercise for a shorter time, such as 10 to 15 minutes. But if you exercise for only 10 to 15 minutes at a time, you need to exercise more often than four or five times a week.

What about cholesterol-lowering medicine?

Ø Medicines to lower your cholesterol level may be used if you are at high risk for heart disease or if your lipid levels don't drop after you have eaten a low-fat diet for a couple of months.

Ø There are different kinds of medicine that lower cholesterol. You may need to take just one medicine or you may need to take more than one, depending on how high your cholesterol is. Your doctor will take blood tests every so often to check on your cholesterol level and find out if the medicine is working.

Focus on Monounsaturated Fats

Ø As opposed to saturated fats, unsaturated fats have at least one double chemical bond that changes the way they are used in the body. Monounsaturated fats have only one double bond.

Ø Although some recommend a low-fat diet for weight loss, a study of 10 men found a 6-week, low-fat diet reduced levels of harmful LDL, but also reduced beneficial HDL.

Ø In contrast, a diet high in monounsaturated fats reduced harmful LDL, but also protected higher levels of healthy HDL.

Ø Here are a few great sources of monounsaturated fats. Some are also good sources of polyunsaturated fat:

•                     Olives and

Ø olive oil

•                     Canola oil

•                     Tree nuts, such as almonds, walnuts,

Ø pecans, hazelnuts and cashews

•                     Avocados

2. Use Polyunsaturated Fats, Especially Omega-3s

Ø Polyunsaturated fats have multiple double bonds that make them behave differently in the body than saturated fats. Research shows that polyunsaturated fats reduce “bad” LDL cholesterol and decrease the risk of heart disease.

Ø Polyunsaturated fats also seem to reduce the risk of metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes.

Ø Omega-3 fatty acids are an especially heart-healthy type of polyunsaturated fat. They’re found in seafood and fish oil supplements (13Trusted Source, 14Trusted Source).

Ø Omega-3 fats are found in high amounts in fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, herring and deep sea tuna like bluefin or albacore, and to a lesser degree in shellfish including shrimp .

Ø All polyunsaturated fats are heart-healthy and may reduce the risk of diabetes. Omega-3 fats are a type of polyunsaturated fat with extra heart benefits.

3. Avoid Trans Fats

Ø Trans fats are unsaturated fats that have been modified by a process called hydrogenation.

Ø This is done to make the unsaturated fats in vegetable oils more stable as an ingredient. Many margarines and shortenings are made of partially hydrogenated oils.

Ø This is why food companies have used trans fats in products like spreads, pastries and cookies — they provide more texture than unsaturated, liquid oils.

Ø HEALTHLINE RESOURCES

Ø Find the diet that’s right for you with our free diet quiz

Ø Our free assessment ranks the best diets for you based on your answers to 3 quick questions.

4. Eat Soluble Fiber

Ø Soluble fiber is a group of different compounds in plants that dissolve in water and that humans can’t digest.

Ø Soluble fiber can also help increase the cholesterol benefits of taking a statin medication.

Ø Some of the best sources of soluble fiber include beans, peas and lentils, fruit, oats and whole grains. Fiber supplements like psyllium are also safe and inexpensive sources.

5. Exercise

Ø Exercise is a win-win for heart health. Not only does it improve physical fitness and help combat obesity, but it also reduces harmful LDL and increases beneficial HDL

Ø These women exercised three days per week with 15 minutes each of aerobic activity including walking and jumping jacks, resistance-band training and low-intensity Korean dance.

Ø While even low-intensity exercise like walking increases HDL, making your exercise longer and more intense increases the benefit Ideally, aerobic activity should raise the heart rate to about 75% of its maximum. Resistance training should be 50% of maximum effort.

Ø Any type of exercise improves cholesterol and promotes heart health. The longer and more intense the exercise, the greater the benefit.

6. Lose weight

Ø Dieting influences the way your body absorbs and produces cholesterol.

Ø Over these two years, “good” HDL increased while “bad” LDL did not change, thus reducing the risk of heart disease.

Ø Weight loss reduces total cholesterol, in part by decreasing the creation of new cholesterol in the liver. Weight loss has had different, though generally beneficial, effects on HDL and LDL in different studies.

7. Don’t smoke

Ø Smoking increases the risk of heart disease in several ways. One of these is by changing how the body handles cholesterol.

Ø Smoking appears to increase bad lipoproteins, decrease “good” HDL and hinder the body’s ability to send cholesterol back to the liver to be stored or broken down. Quitting smoking can reverse these effects.

8. Use alcohol in moderation

Ø When used in moderation, the ethanol in alcoholic drinks increases HDL and reduces the risk of heart disease.

Ø 1–2 drinks per day may improve HDL cholesterol and reduce the risk of clogged arteries. However, heavier alcohol use increases heart disease risk and harms the liver.

9. Consider plant sterols and stanols

Ø Multiple types of supplements show promise for managing cholesterol.

Ø Plant stanols and sterols are plant versions of cholesterol. Because they resemble cholesterol, they are absorbed from the diet like cholesterol.

Ø Plant stanols and sterols in vegetable oil or margarines compete with cholesterol absorption and reduce LDL by up to 20%. They are not proven to reduce heart disease.

10. Try supplements

There is strong evidence that fish oil and soluble fiber improve cholesterol and promote heart health. Another supplement, coenzyme Q10, is showing promise in improving cholesterol, although its long-term benefits are not yet known.

Fish oil

Fish oil is rich in the omega-3 fatty acids docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA).

Psyllium

Ø Psyllium is a form of soluble fiber available as a supplement.

Coenzyme Q10

Ø Coenzyme Q10 is a food chemical that helps cells produce energy. It is similar to a vitamin, except that the body can produce its own Q10, preventing deficiency.

Ø Even if there is no deficiency, extra Q10 in the form of supplements may have benefits in some situations.

Ø Fish oil supplements and soluble fiber supplements like psyllium improve cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease. Coenzyme Q10 supplements reduce total cholesterol levels, but it’s unclear whether this prevents heart disease.

Ø The bottom line

Ø Cholesterol has important functions in the body, but can cause clogged arteries and heart disease when it gets out of control.

Ø Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is prone to free radical damage and contributes most to heart disease. In contrast, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) protects against heart disease by carrying cholesterol away from vessel walls and back to the liver.

Ø If your cholesterol is out of balance, lifestyle interventions are the first line of treatment.

Ø Unsaturated fats, soluble fiber and plant sterols and stanols can increase good HDL and decrease bad LDL. Exercise and weight loss can also help.

Ø Eating Trans fats and smoking is harmful and should be avoided.

Ø If you’re concerned about your cholesterol levels, have them checked by your doctor. A simple blood draw, taken after an overnight fast, is all that’s required.

 

Diagnostic Methods of COVID-19

 

Positive viral tests indicate a current infection, while positive antibody tests indicate a prior infection. Other techniques include a CT scan, checking for elevated body temperature, checking for low blood oxygen level, and the deployment of detection dogs at airports.

Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a process that amplifies (replicates) a small, well-defined segment of DNA many hundreds of thousands of times, creating enough of it for analysis. Test samples are treated with certain chemicals that allow DNA to be extracted. Reverse transcription converts RNA into DNA.

Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) first uses reverse transcription to obtain DNA, followed by PCR to amplify that DNA, creating enough to be analyzed. RT-PCR can thereby detect SARS-CoV-2, which contains only RNA. The RT-PCR process generally requires a few hours.

Real-time PCR (qPCR) provides advantages including automation, higher-throughput and more reliable instrumentation. It has become the preferred method.

The combined technique has been described as real-time RT-PCR or quantitative RT-PCR and is sometimes abbreviated qRT-PCR, rRT-PCR or RT-qPCR, although sometimes RT-PCR or PCR are used.

Average sensitivity for rapid molecular tests were 95.2% (ranging from 68% to 100%) and average specificity was 98.9% (ranging from 92% to 100%).

Samples can be obtained by various methods, including a nasopharyngeal swab, sputum (coughed up material), throat swabs, deep airway material collected via suction catheter or saliva. Drosten et al. remarked that for 2003 SARS, "from a diagnostic point of view, it is important to note that nasal and throat swabs seem less suitable for diagnosis, since these materials contain considerably less viral RNA than sputum, and the virus may escape detection if only these materials are tested."

Sensitivity of clinical samples by RT-PCR is 63% for nasal swab, 32% for pharyngeal swab, 48% for feces, 72–75% for sputum, and 93–95% for bronchoalveolar lavage.

The likelihood of detecting the virus depends on collection method and how much time has passed since infection. According to Drosten tests performed with throat swabs are reliable only in the first week. Thereafter the virus may abandon the throat and multiply in the lungs. In the second week, sputum or deep airways collection is preferred.

Antigen

An antigen is the part of a pathogen that elicits an immune response. Antigen tests look for antigen proteins from the viral surface. In the case of a coronavirus, these are usually proteins from the surface spikes. SARS-CoV-2 antigens can be detected before onset of COVID-19 symptoms (as soon as SARS-CoV-2 virus particles) with more rapid test results, but with less sensitivity than PCR tests for the virus.

Antigen tests may be one way to scale up testing to much greater levels. Isothermal nucleic acid amplification tests can process only one sample at a time per machine. RT-PCR tests are accurate but require too much time, energy and trained personnel to run the tests."There will never be the ability on a [PCR] test to do 300 million tests a day or to test everybody before they go to work or to school.

Samples may be collected via nasopharyngeal swab, a swab of the anterior nares, or from saliva. The sample is then exposed to paper strips containing artificial antibodies designed to bind to coronavirus antigens. Antigens bind to the strips and give a visual readout. The process takes less than 30 minutes, can deliver results at point of care, and does not require expensive equipment or extensive training.

Swabs of respiratory viruses often lack enough antigen material to be detectable. This is especially true for asymptomatic patients who have little if any nasal discharge. Viral proteins are not amplified in an antigen test. According to the WHO the sensitivity of similar antigen tests for respiratory diseases like the flu ranges between 34% and 80%.

 

Imaging

Typical visible features on CT initially include bilateral multilobar ground-glass opacities with a peripheral or posterior distribution. COVID-19 can be identified with higher precision using CT than with RT-PCR.

Subpleural dominance, crazy paving, and consolidation may develop as the disease evolves. Chest CT scans and chest x-rays are not recommended for diagnosing COVID-19. Radiologic findings in COVID-19 lack specificity.

Antibody tests

Automated analyzer for immunoassays, used to find SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and quantitative results for SARS-CoV-2 antibody test. 

The body responds to a viral infection by producing antibodies that help neutralize the virus. Blood tests (serology tests) can detect the presence of such antibodies. Antibody tests can be used to assess what fraction of a population has once been infected, which can then be used to calculate the disease's mortality rate.

The most notable antibodies are IgM and IgG. IgM antibodies are generally detectable several days after initial infection, although levels over the course of infection and beyond are not well characterized. IgG antibodies generally become detectable 10–14 days after infection and normally peak around 28 days after infection.This pattern of antibody development seen with other infections, often does not apply to SARS-CoV-2, however, with IgM sometimes occurring after IgG, together with IgG or not occurring at all. Generally, however, median IgM detection occurs 5 days after symptom onset, whereas IgG is detected a median 14 days after symptom onset. IgG levels significantly decline after two or three months.

Genetic tests verify infection earlier than antibody tests. Only 30% of those with a positive genetic test produced a positive antibody test on day 7 of their infection.

 

 

 

Types

Rapid diagnostic test (RDT)

RDTs typically use a small, portable, positive/negative lateral flow assay that can be executed at point of care. RDTs may process blood samples, saliva samples, or nasal swab fluids. RDTs produce colored lines to indicate positive or negative results.

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)

ELISAs can be qualitative or quantitative and generally require a lab. These tests usually use whole blood, plasma, or serum samples. A plate is coated with a viral protein, such as a SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. Samples are incubated with the protein, allowing any antibodies to bind to it. The antibody-protein complex can then be detected with another wash of antibodies that produce a color/fluorescent readout.

Neutralization assay

Neutralization assays assess whether sample antibodies prevent viral infection in test cells. These tests sample blood, plasma or serum. The test cultures cells that allow viral reproduction (e.g., VeroE6 cells). By varying antibody concentrations, researchers can visualize and quantify how many test antibodies block virus replication.

Chemiluminescent immunoassay

Chemiluminescent immunoassays are quantitative lab tests. They sample blood, plasma, or serum. Samples are mixed with a known viral protein, buffer reagents and specific, enzyme-labeled antibodies. The result is luminescent. A chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay uses magnetic, protein-coated microparticles. Antibodies react to the viral protein, forming a complex. Secondary enzyme-labeled antibodies are added and bind to these complexes. The resulting chemical reaction produces light. The radiance is used to calculate the number of antibodies. This test can identify multiple types of antibodies, including IgG, IgM, and IgA.

Reference – Wikipedia

13 ways to naturally reduce your blood triglycerides.

 

Triglycerides are a type of fat found in your blood.

 

After you eat, your body converts the calories that you don’t need into triglycerides and stores them in your fat cells to be used for energy later.

While you do need triglycerides to supply your body with energy, having too many triglycerides in your blood can increase your risk of heart disease

1. Lose Some Weight

Whenever you eat more calories than you need, your body turns those calories into triglycerides and stores them in fat cells.

2. Limit Your Sugar Intake

3. Follow a Low-Carb Diet

4. Eat More Fiber

Fiber is found in fruits, vegetables and whole grains.

5. Exercise Regularly

“Good” HDL cholesterol has an inverse relationship with blood triglycerides, meaning that high levels of HDL cholesterol can help lower triglycerides

Aerobic exercise can increase levels of HDL cholesterol in your blood, which can then lower blood triglycerides.

6. Avoid Trans Fats

Artificial trans fats are a type of fat added to processed foods to increase their shelf life.

Trans fats are commonly found in commercially fried foods and baked goods made with partially hydrogenated oils.

 

7. Eat Fatty Fish Twice Weekly

Fatty fish is high in omega-3 fatty acids. Eating two servings per week can decrease the risk of heart disease and reduce triglyceride levels.

8. Increase Your Intake of Unsaturated Fats

Studies show that monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats can reduce blood triglyceride levels, especially when they are replacing other types of fat.

Monounsaturated fats are found in foods like olive oil, nuts and avocados. Polyunsaturated fats are present in vegetable oils and fatty fish.

9. Establish a Regular Meal Pattern

Insulin resistance is another factor that can cause high blood triglycerides.

While research is unclear on how meal frequency affects blood triglyceride levels, studies show that setting a regular meal pattern can decrease many heart disease risk factors and prevent insulin resistance.

10. Limit Alcohol Intake

Alcohol is high in sugar and calories

11.Add Soy Protein to Your Diet

Soy is rich in isoflavones, which are a type of plant compound with numerous health benefits.

12. Eat More Tree Nuts

Tree nuts provide a concentrated dose of fiber, omega-3 fatty acids and unsaturated fats, all of which work together to lower blood triglyceride

Tree nuts include

Almonds

Pecans

Walnuts

Cashews

Pistachios

Brazil nuts

Macadamia nuts

Keep in mind that nuts are high in calories. A single serving of almonds, or about 23 almonds, contains 163 calories, so moderation is key.

 

Top foods and drinks for liver health

 

There are many foods and drinks that a person can consume to help protect the liver.

Liver health is vital for overall health. Liver dysfunction can lead to liver disease, metabolic disorder, and even type 2 diabetes.

Top foods and drinks for liver health

Some of the best foods and drinks that are good for the liver include:

1. Coffee

The review also notes that daily coffee intake may help reduce the risk of chronic liver disease. It may also protect the liver from damaging conditions, such as liver cancer.

 

2. Oatmeal

Consuming oatmeal is an easy way to add fiber to the diet. Fiber is an important tool for digestion, and the specific fibers in oats may be especially helpful for the liver. Oats and oatmeal are high in compounds called beta-glucans.

 

3. Green tea

The study notes that there are still no specific recommendations for people with this condition to consume tea or tea extracts, but the link to liver health is promising.

4. Garlic

Adding garlic to the diet may also help stimulate the liver.

5. Berries

Many dark berries, such as blueberries, raspberries, and cranberries, contain antioxidants called polyphenols, which may help protect the liver from damage.

6. Grapes

The study that features in the World Journal of Gastroenterology reports that grapes, grape juice, and grape seeds are rich in antioxidants that may help the liver by reducing inflammation and preventing liver damage.

7. Grapefruit

8. Prickly pear

The fruit and juice of the prickly pear may also be beneficial to liver health. The World Journal of Gastroenterology study suggests that compounds in the fruit may help protect the organ.

9. Plant foods in general

A 2015 study that appears in the journal Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine reports that a large number of plant foods may be helpful for the liver.

These include:

v avocado

v banana

v barley

v beets and beet juice

v broccoli

v brown rice

v carrots

v fig

v greens such as kale and collards

v lemon

v papaya

v watermelon

People should eat these foods as part of a whole and balanced diet.

10. Fatty fish

Fatty fish is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are the good fats that help reduce inflammation. These fats may be especially helpful in the liver, as they appear to prevent the buildup of excess fats and maintain enzyme levels in the liver.

The study recommends eating oily fish two or more times each week. If it is not easy to incorporate fatty fish such as herring or salmon into the diet, try taking a daily fish oil supplement.

11. Nuts

Eating a handful of nuts, such as walnuts or almonds, each day may help maintain liver health. People should be sure not to eat too many, however, as nuts are high in calories.

12. Olive oil

Eating too much fat is not good for the liver, but some fats may help it. According to the World Journal of Gastroenterology study, adding olive oil to the diet may help reduce oxidative stress and improve liver function. This is due to the high content of unsaturated fatty acids in the oil.

Foods to avoid

Fatty foods: These include fried foods, fast food, and takeout from many restaurants. Packaged snacks, chips, and nuts may also be surprisingly high in fats.

Starchy foods: These include breads, pasta, and cakes or baked goods.

Sugar: Cutting back on sugar and sugary foods such as cereals, baked goods, and candies may help reduce the stress on the liver.

Salt: Simple ways to reduce salt intake include eating out less, avoiding canned meats or vegetables, and reducing or avoiding salted deli meats and bacon.

Alcohol: Anyone looking to give their liver a break should consider reducing their intake of alcohol or eliminating it from the diet completely.

 

The Benefits of Drinking Hot Water

  

1. Relieves nasal congestion

A cup of hot water creates steam. Holding a cup of hot water and taking a deep inhale of this gentle vapor can help loosen clogged sinuses and even relieve a sinus headache.

2. Aids digestion

Drinking water helps to keep the digestive system moving. As the water moves through your stomach and intestines, the body is better able to eliminate waste.

3. Improves central nervous system function

Not getting enough water, hot or cold, can have negative effects on your nervous system functioning, ultimately affecting mood and brain function.

4. Helps relieve constipation

Drinking hot water regularly may help keep your bowel movements regular.

5. Keeps you hydrated

Hot water is no different than room temperature or cool water when it comes to keeping you hydrated.

6. May aid in weight loss

Drinking water can make people feel more full, reducing the amount of food they eat and aiding in weight loss.

7. Improves circulation

Healthy blood flow affects everything from your blood pressure to your risk of cardiovascular disease.

8. Can decrease stress levels

Since drinking hot water helps improve central nervous system functions, you might end up feeling less anxious if you drink it.

9. Can help reduce toxins

Drinking hot water temporarily raises your internal body temperature.

10. Helps relieve symptoms of achalasia

Achalasia is a condition during which your esophagus has trouble moving food down into your stomach.

What are the risks?

Drinking water that’s too hot can damage the tissue in your esophagus, burn your taste buds, and scald your tongue. Be very careful when drinking hot water.

The bottom line

While there’s little direct research into the benefits of hot versus cold water, drinking hot water is considered safe, and can be a good way to make sure you stay hydrated throughout the day.

steps to better sleep

 

1. Stick to a sleep schedule

Set aside no more than eight hours for sleep. The recommended amount of sleep for a healthy adult is at least seven hours. 

Go to bed and get up at the same time every day. Try to limit the difference in your sleep schedule on weeknights and weekends to no more than one hour. Being consistent reinforces your body's sleep-wake cycle.

If you don't fall asleep within about 20 minutes, leave your bedroom and do something relaxing. Read or listen to soothing music. Go back to bed when you're tired. Repeat as needed.

2. Pay attention to what you eat and drink

Don't go to bed hungry or stuffed. In particular, avoid heavy or large meals within a couple of hours of bedtime. Your discomfort might keep you up.

Nicotine, caffeine and alcohol deserve caution, too. The stimulating effects of nicotine and caffeine take hours to wear off and can wreak havoc on quality sleep. And even though alcohol might make you feel sleepy, it can disrupt sleep later in the night.

3. Create a restful environment

Create a room that's ideal for sleeping. Often, this means cool, dark and quiet. Exposure to light might make it more challenging to fall asleep. Avoid prolonged use of light-emitting screens just before bedtime. Consider using room-darkening shades, earplugs, a fan or other devices to create an environment that suits your needs.

Doing calming activities before bedtime, such as taking a bath or using relaxation techniques, might promote better sleep.

4. Limit daytime naps

Long daytime naps can interfere with nighttime sleep. 

5. Include physical activity in your daily routine

Regular physical activity can promote better sleep. Avoid being active too close to bedtime, however.

Spending time outside every day might be helpful, too.

6. Manage worries

Try to resolve your worries or concerns before bedtime. Jot down what's on your mind and then set it aside for tomorrow.

Stress management might help. Start with the basics, such as getting organized, setting priorities and delegating tasks. Meditation also can ease anxiety.

How exactly does Vitamin C help your immune system fight off colds and flu?

Ascorbic acid – the scientific name for pure Vitamin C – has been shown to support a vast number of immune mechanisms in your body. For example, your white blood cells are an important component of your immune system. You have several different types of white blood cell, each of which helps to fight off illness-causing viruses and bacteria in a different way. Vitamin C helps to stimulate both the production and function of many of these types of white blood cells. It also helps your body to produce important antibodies: proteins that bind invading microbes to neutralise them. And Vitamin C’s powerful antioxidant properties help to protect certain white blood cells from the toxic compounds they produce in their fight against pathogens. In other words, Vitamin C is an essential nutrient for healthy immune system response.

Vitamin C - Strengthens the immune system in 20 different ways

Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin essential for the normal growth and repair of connective tissue, namely, bone, cartilage, blood vessels and skin.

It is a key for a strong and well-functioning immune.

Here's how:

1.     Vitamin C supports the production of interferons.

Interferons are produced when the presence of pathogens is detected.

They facilitate the ability of cells to initiate protective cellular defenses.

2.     Vitamin C enhances the function of phagocytes.

Phagocytes are a kind of white blood cell that surrounds pathogens and other dangerous particles. Once the intruders are captured, they are digested and neutralized enzymatically.

3.     Vitamin C is mainly found in white blood cells.

Some of these primary cells of the immune system have levels of vitamin C up to 80 times higher than the levels found in the plasma.

4.     Vitamin C supports the cellular immune response.

There are 2 main ways that the body can respond to a pathogen: antibody immunity and cellular immunity. The cell-mediated response refers to the activation of macrophages, natural killer cells, and antigen-specific T-lymphocytes that attack anything that is perceived as a foreign agent.

5.     Vitamin C enhances cytokine production by white blood cells.

Cytokines are communication proteins released from certain white blood cells and transmit information to other cells, thus promoting the immune response.

6.     Vitamin C inhibits the apoptosis of various forms of T-lymphocytes.

T-lymphocytes are a type of white blood cell. They are an integral part of the cell-mediated immune defense system. Vitamin C helps to keep these important cells alive and viable.

7.     Vitamin C enhances the production of nitrogen oxide by phagocytes.

Nitrogen oxide is produced in massive quantities in these cells, and is one of the factors that will kill captured pathogens.

8.     Vitamin C enhances the production of T-lymphocytes.

These cells are essential for cell-mediated immune responses, and vitamin C helps to multiply in number.

9.     Vitamin C increases the production of B lymphocytes.

These white blood cells produce the antibodies as part of the antibody-mediated immune response. These antibodies are formed in response to the initial introduction of an invading pathogen or antigen.

10. Vitamin C inhibits the production of neuraminidase.

Some pathogenic viruses and bacteria create neuraminidase, an enzyme that keeps them from being trapped in the mucus, one of the natural lines of body defense. By inhibiting neuraminidase, vitamin C helps to optimize this defense mechanism of the body.

11. Vitamin C supports the production and activity of antibodies.

Good antibody function is important for a healthy immune system.

12. Vitamin C supports the activity of natural killer cells.

Natural killer cells are small lymphocytes that can attack directly cells, such as cancer cells, and kill them

13. Vitamin C favors the formation of prostaglandins.

Prostaglandins are hormones - compounds that control a variety of physiological processes, including regulation of T-cell function.

14. Vitamin C supports circular GMP levels in lymphocytes.

Circular GMP plays a leading role in regulating various physiological responses, including immune responses. Circular GMP is important for normal reproduction and differentiation (specificity for specific purposes) of cells. Circular GMP also controls the action of many hormones, and appears to mediate relaxation of smooth muscle.

15. Vitamin C supports localized production and / or interaction with hydrogen peroxide.

Vitamin C and hydrogen peroxide can kill microorganisms and can dissolve the protective granules of certain bacteria, such as pneumococci.

16. A lesser known property of vitamin C is that it inhibits histamine.

This effect of vitamin C is important for supporting the immune to local factors.

17. Vitamin C neutralizes oxidative stress.

18. Vitamin C improves and enhances the immune response achieved by vaccination.

19. Vitamin C enhances the mucolytic effect.

This property helps to fluidize fatty secretions, increasing immune access to infection.

20. Vitamin C can make bacterial membranes more permeable to some antibiotics.

Vitamin C is an ardent supporter of healthy immune function.

---

The immune system depends to a significant extent on the intake of nutrients!

Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps prevent and treat the common cold.

Many infections lead to the activation of phagocytes, which in turn release oxidizing agents, also known as active forms of oxygen (ROS).

Vitamin C deficiency can lead to reduced resistance to certain pathogens, while a higher supply strengthens various parameters of the immune system.

♦ Regular administration of vitamin C has shortened the duration of the common cold! ♦