When you feel a cold or flu coming on, you may reach for Vitamin C - after all, we've been told since we were children to "drink our orange juice!" when trying to feel better. But what does the research say about Vitamin C, and could Immunity Support be a beneficial addition to your wellness routine?
Vitamin C, a water-soluble nutrient, acts as an antioxidant in the body. Antioxidants protect your body from free radical damage caused by pollutants, toxins, and ultraviolet light. We can't discount the importance of Vitamin C as an essential vitamin, but let's learn more about what the research says.
Can Vitamin C Actually Boost Immunity?
Vitamin C does tangentially support the immune system, as it improves absorption of iron in plant-based foods, which in turn can help the immune system work properly. But does loading up on Vitamin C actually prevent the cold or flu? It's somewhat unclear. Studies show it may help reduce the duration of the illness, but it has not been shown to prevent or cure a cold.
Is More Vitamin C Always Better?
For adults, the recommended daily amount for Vitamin C is 65 to 90 milligrams (mg) a day, and the upper-level intake is 2,000 mg a day. Vitamin C is found naturally in a lot of our favorite foods: oranges and other citrus, broccoli and other cruciferous veggies, red and green peppers, tomatoes, spinach, and other leafy greens. If you typically eat the recommended servings of fruits and veggies per day, you're probably getting plenty of Vitamin C.
Over-the-counter super-doses of Vitamin C have increased in popularity, and can contain up to 1,000 mg per dose (more than 10x the daily recommendation, on top of your regular consumption). However, there is no evidence that shows it can prevent illness. Plus, taking more than the recommended dosage of Vitamin C can potentially cause:
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Heartburn
- Abdominal cramps
- Headache
- Insomnia
Enter Yu Ping Feng San
Acupuncturists and Doctors of Chinese Medicine have turned to Yu Ping Feng San to boost immunity for nearly 800 years, and this powerful formula remains just as relevant today. A healthy immune system is essential to staying well, especially during seasonal changes.
Chinese medicine takes a different approach from Western medicine. Rather than wait until illness occurs and then treat symptoms, Chinese medicine is more preventive, taking into account the whole person.
Chinese medicine understands that viruses and other pathogens are always present. They are not a problem if you have a strong defensive Qi, the protective shield that circulates on our bodies’ surface. However, if your defensive Qi is deficient, pathogens, such as viruses and bacteria, can break through the natural line of defense. Chinese medicine, unlike Western medicine, which uses vaccination to trigger immune responses, focuses on strengthening the body’s defensive energy.
Yu Ping Feng San comprises three powerful herbs that work in concert to support the defensive Qi by strengthening the immune system:
- The main herb, Astragalus Root, reinforces the defensive Qi and fortifies the immune system. Also, according to Chinese herbal medicine theory, it is traditionally used to support immune health and overall vitality.
- The herb Fang Feng has been used in healing medicines for centuries. According to Chinese herbal medicine theory, it is traditionally used to help maintain the body’s natural defense systems.
- The third herb, Bai Zhu, works to boost the digestive system, which feeds the defensive Qi energy.
Working in concert to strengthen one's defensive Qi, these three herbs are traditionally used to support the body’s natural defenses and overall wellness. By including Yu Ping Feng San as part of a daily regimen along with a healthful diet that includes plenty of vitamin C and other vitamins from natural foods, you’ll go a long way in supporting your immune health during seasonal changes.. So, don’t wait until you feel off balance. Start now to support your overall wellness and keep your body resilient through life’s daily challenges.
Sources:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3823765/
https://dlahc.ie/yu-ping-feng-san-natural-herbal-remedy-boost-immune-system/
https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminC-Consumer/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19263912/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23440782/
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323550#for-cold-and-flu
Care Consideration: Just a reminder that the above information is not a substitute for medical care and is not a substitute for medical advice or recommendations from a healthcare provider. This information is not intended to treat, mitigate, or cure any disease. That said, we encourage you to connect with an Acupuncturist in your community to learn more about this and other Traditional Chinese Medicine options. If you’ve got questions about Chinese herbal medicine or getting started with an Acupuncturist, feel free to connect with us at hello@mydaolabs.com.
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Dr. Eric Karchmer is a practicing Chinese medical doctor, medical anthropologist, and co-founder and Chief Doctor of Chinese Medicine for DAO Labs. From 1995-2000, Eric studied at the Beijing University of Chinese Medicine and today is both a licensed acupuncturist and professor at Appalachian State University. Eric can be reached at drkarchmer@mydaolabs.com.
