Nutrition. Vitamins. You.
Mushroom Hx Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND Omelets, risotto and even salads are all places you might find mushrooms. But did you know mushrooms are also an amazing supplement for our immune system? There are so many different types of mushrooms that sometimes it can …
The Common Cold! Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND Today we will be talking about something everyone knows about and that topic is the common cold! Having a cold is probably one thing that both children and adults understand. But what cause’s a cold? Well when …
Boost your Immune Health with Beta Immunity
Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND
Today I want to talk about a supplement that is great for those times when you’re fighting off a cold or other upper respiratory infection. That supplement is Beta Immunity! Beta Immunity is a combination of Beta 1, 3 Glucan and Black Elderberry. Now don’t get Beta Immunity confused with a different product with a similar name, Immunity Hx! For more information on Immunity Hx please check out my blog on that particular product! But let’s go back to Beta Immunity!
Let’s start with Beta 1, 3 Glucan or Beta Glucan for short. If you look at the supplement facts on Beta Immunity you will notice the name BetaVia™ which is a powerful clinically studied algae extract. This is the source of the Beta Glucan. But what is Beta Glucan? Beta glucans are a type of fiber that comes from places such as the cell wall of bacteria, fungi, yeast and algae. While I want to focus on the immune benefits I also want to remind everyone that Beta glucans have been found in studies to help with heart disease and heart health. (1) Studies have suggested that Beta glucan can increase immunity and result in fewer upper respiratory tract infections in children and teens. (2) Studies have found that Beta Glucans can help to strengthen the immune system by affecting several of the different types of immune cells. (3) Additional studies have found that Beta Glucan is also antimicrobial and can help fight off pathogens. (4) Overall studies agree that Beta Glucan is an amazing supplement for helping to boost our immune system when we are sick or have been exposed to a pathogen or “bad guy”. (5)
Let’s move on to elderberry! I know what you are thinking, elderberry sounds like a yummy berry. Let me go out and pick some to put in my smoothie! But wait – STOP! Raw elderberry can cause nausea, vomiting and even diarrhea! So it’s best to stick with prepared forms such as jams and supplements. (6) Studies have found that those suffering from upper respiratory infections such as a cold would find the cold to be shortened on average by 2 days when using elderberry. Elderberry has also been found in studies to help decrease the severity of symptoms experienced. (7) Further studies have found that elderberry is a safe option for helping with upper respiratory infections such as colds or the flu. Studies have also found that elderberry is very helpful when you have an upper respiratory infection such as a cold, however the studies are inconclusive as to how helpful it is in using it to prevent an infection. (8) In my clinical experience elderberry is a great tool when you feel as though you might be getting sick. Other studies have found that elderberry helps stop a virus form replicating as well as helps our immune system fight the virus. (9)One fun fact if you will is that while elderly can and does boost our immune system it does not appear to produce an overproduction of cytokines or “cytokine storm” which creates a situation where the body starts attacking itself. (8)
As I’ve said Beta Immunity is a great product as is my other favorite Immunity Hx. But when to use which product? How do you know which one to use? In my clinical experience I find that Immunity Hx is what you want to use to help ward off an infection. It can be used long term to help keep our immune system ready. Elderberry, in my experience is very helpful once you become sick and need help fighting off those pathogens or bad guys. It is also very helpful if you are exposed to a pathogen. So for example, you go to a party and find out that oh no Bob has a cold and he sneezed on you! Well that’s the time to add Beta Immunity in the mix. If you are still not sure which one is best for you remember that Invite Nutritionist are always there for you!
Our next blog will be about the common cold!
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The Wonders of Black Seed Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND I am very excited to start this conversation on black seed. Black Seed is an amazing nutrient for our respiratory system. Invite health has a unique formula which includes Black Seed, Cordyceps and Rosemary Extract. …
Immunity Hx Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND I wanted to do my product highlight on what I consider to be the cornerstone of immune heath. In fact Immune is in its very name, Immunity Hx! Immunity Hx is a combination of vitamin C, vitamin D3 …
RSV- Respiratory Syncytial Virus
Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND
I wanted to begin our series on respiratory health by talking about something that has been all over the news lately. And that is RSV. But what exactly is RSV? RSV stands for Respiratory Syncytial Virus. This is a virus that infects the lungs and respiratory tract. While RSV in adults and older children tends to be mild in younger infants and older adults RSV can cause severe infection and complications.
The symptoms of RSV usually resemble cold like symptoms. These can include sneezing, congested or runny nose as well as a cough. There may be a sore throat. There may also be headaches. If there is a fever it will be what is considered to be a low grade fever. In some cases RSV may also cause more severe symptoms. These symptoms can include a higher fever, more severe cough, wheezing, shortness of breath and a blue tinting to the skin. Infants may also experience lethargy, irritability and poor feeding. Infants may indicate trouble breathing when their chest muscles and skin pull inward with each breath. For those who experience more severe symptoms the disease can spread throughout the respirator tract leading to pneumonia and bronchiolitis. I would also like to say that RSV can lower our immune system leading to an increased risk of developing COVID-19. It’s very important to remember that if you or your child has difficulty breathing, a high fever or blue skin it is time so seek immediate medical attention.
I have said numerous times that for many people RSV causes mild symptoms. In more vulnerable individuals there can be more severe symptoms. For children 12 months and younger there is an increased risk of complications. Premature infants are also at a higher risk for more severe disease. Older adults (65+) are also at a risk for more severe disease. Anyone with any type of heart or lung disease are also at an increased risk of complications. For those with compromised immune systems there is a risk of severe symptoms and complications. (1) Pregnant women are also considered to be a high risk group. Children with neuromuscular disorders are considered to be a risk for sever disease. Children of American Indian and Alaska native descent are also at risk for more sever disease. (2)
How do we catch RSV? Well as it says in the name it is a virus and spreads like any other virus. It enters our body via eyes, nose or mouth. It can travel on infected respiratory droplets or in other words if someone coughs or sneezes next to you it can travel on those droplets to get to you. The virus can also survive on hard objects for hours. For example if someone sneezes on a table top and you touch it then you touch your eyes, mouth or nose you can get infected. An infected person is most contagious for the 1st week after getting infected. However an infected person can still be contagious and still spread the virus for up to 4 weeks after the symptoms stop. RSV season tends to be from fall to the end of spring. (1)
What are some of the most common complications of RSV? Severe complications can include bronchiolitis, pneumonia, bronchitis and even respiratory failure. RSV may worse existing conditions such as asthma, congestive heart failure or COPD and there may be hypoxia or even a notable decrease in oxygen levels. RSV can cause dehydration. There is also an increased risk of developing ear infections. In the US every year RSV leads to between 100-300 deaths in children under 5. It also leads to between 6,000-10,000 deaths in adults 65+. (3)
What can we do to help decrease the spread of RSV? The 1st step is to wash our hands and avoid touching our eyes, nose and mouth. Clean frequently touched surfaces. Cover your mouth and nose whenever you sneeze or cough. Be considerate and stay home when you are sick. Lastly avoid close contact with anyone who is sick. (2) What supplements can help to boost our immune system? Well let’s review those, shall we?
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