The coronavirus has brought on unprecedented challenges not only in India but across the world. There is a layer of gloom that has spread across humanity. Loss of jobs, economic slowdown, health crisis of the near & dear ones and an overall sense of insecurity. But at some point of time, the human race decided that it would be saner to perhaps live with the virus. Phased unlocking has commenced and some states in India have completely opened up while there are others that are still reeling under the rising number of cases.

While we are forced to shift and re-assess priorities, India is in a unique position. We are bang in to the middle of the festive season. A season of positivity, festivity, fun and feasts. 2020 may be not be a conducive year but let it not be a dampner on how you want to feel. You will enjoy, albeit cautiously and as you step out while maintaining social distancing and would want to look your best, you will have to make doubly sure that there is not a single slip when you let your hair down. It is indeed going to be difficult but if you have replenished yourself with the goodness of Glutathione and Vitamin C, then surely you can breathe easy.

Glutathione for inner glow:

Glutathione’s anti-oxidant properties is combined with antimelanogenic properties. It not only decreases pigmentation in your skin but has also found to decrease unwarranted wrinkles and increases skin elasticity. It arrests skin pigmentation production by inhibiting tyrosinase, an enzyme involved in making melanin. Glutathione is extremely effective in treating psoriasis and many other skin infections. Also, Glutathione is great at fighting chronic inflammation thereby reinforcing its skin rejuvenating benefits.

Glutathione is made out of three different amino acids. It prevents early cell damage, keeps the body’s mitochondria healthy thereby keeping us energised and full of stamina. Glutathione has been used as a prime ingredient in skin care from time immemorial. It works actively and because of its powerful antioxidant effects it effectively reduces dark spots and other skin anomalies that could be dues to pollution, stress and/or ageing process. Thereby brightening the overall complexion of skin. So for a holistic skin health, Glutathione is your best bet, as it develops an inner system that helps in makes your skin glow from within

The Immunity strengthening quality of the master oxidant – Glutathione

Glutathione is an antioxidant naturally found in human cells. But with our urban lifestyles and our ageing process, it starts depleting causing many kind of diseases. The function of Glutathione is to neutralize free radicals (molecules that can damage body’s cells), boosts the immune system and detoxifies the body. Glutathione’s antioxidative properties keeps inflammation in lungs under check and especially helpful in keeping lung function during a viral infection.

The contribution of glutathione in our bodily functions cannot be de-emphasized. Glutathione not only strengthens immunity but also equips our body to fight serious infections. According to a research, the active glutathione primes white cells such as natural killer (NK) and T cells, the body’s front-line infection fighters. GSH enhanced T cells are able to produce more infection-fighting substances, controlling both bacterial and viral infections. Several chronic infections such as EBV, hepatitis, herpes viruses and Lyme can deregulate and suppress the immune system. Glutathione can harmonize and reverse this suppression.

Healthy levels of glutathione possess several potential health benefits. These health benefits extensively related to glutathione’s contribution to crucial bodily processes like Gene expression, Cysteine storage, protein functions and cell differentiation. However, the most powerful function that glutathione offers our system are its vital antioxidant properties. Glutathione helps our body fight free radicals, caused when harmful infections are seeking entry into our body.

The goodness of Vitamin C

Vitamin C is an essential vitamin and it holds the front-line position in immunity boosting. For example, Vitamin C is present at 100 times higher concentration inside immune cells than that in blood and while these cells fight an infection, concentrations go still higher This effective antioxidant serves not only to neutralize the free radical burst but also improves motility of immune cells. It also keeps the inflammation under check and helps to improve the signaling between cells making the immune system more effective. As immunity fights pathogens, Vitamin C levels deplete rapidly leading to an aberration in response.

Diet is the most natural way to boost glutathione levels, however there are a variety of glutathione supplements which are available in the market. Its immunity boosting, detoxing and skin health abilities can get amplified when it is combined with Phylanthus embillica (commonly known as gooseberry or “amla”) extract, providing natural Vitamin C to the users. We have splurged all this while on numerous beauty products that are just skin deep.

With consumerism at its peak, beauty has been calibrated only by concealers, skin lightening, anti-aging creams and what have you. But the solution is not addressing just the problem; it’s confronting the root of the problem. So this festive season, lets resolve to usher in the new world order with a more conscious living – from validation to self-care and beauty with immunity!

Mr. Sushant Raorane
Co-Founder& Director.
Adroit Biomed Pvt Ltd, Mumbai

The post Glow this festive season with good skin health and strong immunity appeared first on Health Vision.

Vitamin C plays an important role as a component of enzymes involved in the synthesis of collagen and carnitine; It acts as a reducing agent to maintain the enzyme prolyl hydroxylase in an active form, most likely by keeping its iron atom in a reduced state. The hydroxylation of proline and lysine in procollagen is carried out by the enzyme prolyl hydroxylase using Vitamin C as a cofactor.

It also helps maintain capillaries, bones, and teeth and aids in the absorption of iron. Vitamin C is the most potent enhancer of non-heme iron absorption. A study showed that iron absorption from non-heme food sources can be increased significantly with a daily Vitamin C intake of at least 25 mg for each meal (estimated for 3 mealzs/day).

Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant because it can donate a hydrogen atom and form a relatively stable ascorbyl free radical. As a scavenger of reactive oxygen and nitrogen oxide species, Vitamin C has been shown to be effective against the superoxide radical ion, hydrogen peroxide, the hypochlorous acid and singlet oxygen.

Get some fruits:

You probably know about oranges, grapefruits, lemons, and limes. But berries rock too — strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, cranberries. Papaya, kiwi, pineapple, cantaloupe, plums, and watermelon are good sources. Even bananas, apples, and pears have some. Eat them fresh and raw. Vitamin C breaks down over time when it’s heated.

Get some veggies:

Think green. Bell peppers are your big C winners. Load up on leafy greens too — kale, Swiss chard, collards, plus cabbage, and bok choy. Crunch into broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts. Don’t forget tomatoes, sweet potatoes, and winter squash. If you really have to cook your veggies, stick with steaming or microwaving. These methods tend to keep more of the vitamin’s benefits.

Dynamic duos:

Vitamin C can help other nutrients work better. Put red peppers in your spinach salad. Slip some broccoli in your baked beans. Pair up strawberries with your oatmeal.

Prevent a cold? Nope

Your immune system does need vitamin C to work right. But extra won’t help you avoid a cold. It may make it go away faster or not feel as bad — if you were taking it before you got sick.

Cell Service

Vitamin C helps you get rid of chemicals causing damage inside your body. It helps offset the effects of pollution, cigarette smoke, sunlight, radiation, and even helps turn food into energy. That could help keep things working better for longer and protect you from diseases, including Alzheimer’s and cancer.

Skin game

Your body needs vitamin C to help it make bones, cartilage, skin and muscles (including your heart), ligaments, tendons and blood vessels. Vitamin C is important for new skin and scar tissue when you get cut and to keep you from getting wrinkles.

Gets your brain in gear

You need vitamin C to help carry signals from your brain all over your body. These affect your mood, memory, motivation, and how you feel pain.

Raises Your Sights

The vitamin A in carrots isn’t the only thing that’s good for your eyes. Vitamin C might slow age-related macular degeneration (AMD), but it won’t prevent the disease. C may also cut your risk of cataracts.

Vitamin C vs. the Big C

Very high doses, especially through an IV, may slow the growth and spread of cancer cells. In some case it can help chemotherapy and radiation work better. It may help you feel better and have fewer side effects, too. But be careful. It can also make treatments less effective.

Good for smokers

When you smoke, you’ll have lower levels of vitamin C in your body. Try to get a little extra every day to make up for it. People who are around smokers are also affected and could use more vitamin C, too.

Amount of Vit. C should be taken

Most people who eat a variety of vegetables and fruits daily get more than enough vitamin C from their diet. If you want to take a supplement, look for the inexpensive ascorbic acid form. For prevention   Vit. C 500 mg should be taken twice in a day (1000 mg ) for long duration. Specially in COVID-19 1000 mg twice in a day .

Vit. C is very important as a preventive vitamin against COVID due to its alkaline in nature after metabolism. COVID virus cannot sustain in alkaline medium.

Dr Sanjay Agrawal
Leading Pharmaceutical Consultant
Editor-in Chief of IJM Today

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