NAC, an Amino Acid for Lung Health [New Research]

NAC, also known by its full name of N-acetyl cysteine, is a unique amino acid supplement that has been used for lung health and chronic respiratory conditions for many years. It is used as a treatment for chronic bronchitis, for better lung function in people with cystic fibrosis, and for people with COPD and emphysema. It’s helpful for those respiratory issues for several reasons, the main two of which are that NAC is able to help to thin mucus and clear airways in the lungs and also to reduce lung inflammation.

Interesting new research is coming out, however, proposing NAC as both a treatment and a preventative supplement for the novel coronavirus, COVID-19. There’s a wonderful review of current research on NAC that has been published on PubMed (the online science database of published articles and research from different medical journals). You can read the research online by doing a Google search of “N-acetylcysteine as a potential treatment for novel coronavirus disease 2019”. It’s a pretty dry read, however, so I’ll try to summarize some of the research below in hopefully a less jargony way.

The first way the scientists listed on how NAC may help in coronavirus prevention is that the unique way the amino acids are formed in NAC may enable them to interact with individual COVID-19 viruses, damaging the way the virus holds itself together, which would make it easier for our bodies to fight off.

Test tube studies examining how NAC interacts with inflammation-causing enzymes produced in the body have also found that NAC was able to block excessive production of compounds in the body and lungs that cause inflammation, which in turn could reduce the severity of lung issues. One of the main problems with COVID-19 is that it basically makes the lungs go crazy and have a very extreme response in the lungs that causes huge amounts of inflammation. It appears that NAC can block some of that excess lung inflammation, preventing those extreme lung responses and deterioration seen in many COVID-10 patients.

This excessive lung inflammation from COVID-19 is called a “cytokine storm” and happens when our body’s immune response goes haywire. It’s kind of like what happens with autoimmune disorders, where our body’s proper immune response instead turns against us. The antioxidant properties of NAC as well as the unique benefits it has on the respiratory system can help to mitigate this overactive inflammatory immune response in the lungs and may help to reduce the severity of respiratory symptoms experienced from the virus.

Another mechanism of how NAC works is that it appears in research to be able to prevent the COVID-19 virus from being able to enter host cells effectively, reducing the amount of infection in the body.

From the research above, it seems that the amino acid NAC can be helpful both preventatively and also in people infected with the virus. There are actually trials going on right now that are trying to more definitively determine If NAC can prevent patients with COVID-19 from progressing to a more severe form of the illness.

Please keep in mind that all of this research is very preliminary. Scientists all over the world are scrambling looking for possible treatments for fighting COVID-19. NAC is not a cure, but it is a beneficial supplement that we think might help, especially when you consider its use for many years in people with lung issues and respiratory problems. NAC also has been determined in research to be a safe supplement to take even when prescribed in doses higher than any person would ever reasonably take.

There’s one NAC supplement at the store that we’d recommend above the others- Jarrow’s NAC Sustain, the reason being is that it’s a time-released version of NAC. In general, a time-released or sustained-release version of a supplement, when available, will be better absorbed since it will be released and absorbed over a period of hours instead of all at once. It doesn’t mean that supplements that aren’t time released are bad, but all things being equal, a time-released supplement will be better absorbed than one that isn’t.

Stop by the store for more information, we’d love to help you further.

We’re located at 7228 W. College Drive in Palos Heights, Illinois.

Immune Supplements: An Overview

All the craziness in the world right now has us especially concerned with staying healthy. Wearing properly fitted masks and social distancing as well as washing hands or using hand sanitizer frequently are the most important, though there are quite a few well researched natural supplements that can aid our immune system in fighting off viruses of all kinds.

At this point, until vaccines are more readily available, a properly functioning immune system that is able to quickly and effectively mount a fight against invading viruses is our only real way to stay healthy, whether it’s a cold, flu, or even COVID. That isn’t to say the supplements I’ll mention below are a cure for any of those viruses, but rather they are supplements that have been clinically shown to aid in enhancing our immune system functioning-something that’s always important, but even more so this year. 

Elderberry

The first we’d recommend against all respiratory viruses is elderberry. Elderberry is also sometimes known by its scientific name, Sambucus, and is a wonderful supplement for the immune system due to its potent antiviral properties. It’s been studied extensively in regards to the flu, but newer research has found it to be effective not only against the flu virus, but on viruses in general. It has been found in studies to “substantially reduce upper respiratory symptoms” from viruses of all kinds and has also been shown to reduce the duration and severity of viral illnesses. It can be used preventatively, or else in higher amounts if you do feel like you’re coming down with something and is safe for both children and adults. 

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is a supplement beneficial for both bone health and the immune system. New research has expanded on Vitamin D’s possible benefit for dealing with coronavirus, where researchers have linked lower vitamin D levels to an increased mortality risk from Covid-19. One researcher on the novel coronavirus and Vitamin D is quoted as saying, "Our analysis shows that it might be as high as cutting the mortality rate in half," in regards to vitamin D supplementation.

It’s also been reported that countries with higher death rates from Covid-19 had larger numbers of people with lower vitamin D levels, and also that the sickest patients often had low vitamin D levels.

In general, our vitamin D levels are often lower in the colder months since vitamin D is made in our skin when exposed to sunlight. Vitamin D is a small, inexpensive pill, so it would probably be a good idea for all of us to add it to our regimen.

AHCC

AHCC is a well known immune supplement in Japan that works in a different way from elderberry. It’s a patented extract derived from mushrooms that has impressive benefits for immune health. Unlike elderberry, which works specifically on the viruses causing an illness, AHCC works by affecting the immune system directly.

There are a variety of white blood cells in our bodies that are involved in immune response by recognizing and fighting the foreign invaders that cause illness. Studies have found that AHCC can boost the effectiveness of our own immune system in a variety of ways, including increasing the activity of our body’s NK, or “natural killer” cells, that identify and destroy viruses, bacteria, and abnormal cells in the body.

Research has also found that AHCC is able to affect other types of immune cells in the body known as dendritic cells which are found throughout the respiratory tract. These dendritic cells work to fend off bacteria and viruses as they enter the body through the respiratory tract and try to infiltrate the body.

AHCC is widely used as an immune therapy in Japan, and I’m glad that it’s becoming better known in the United States since I do believe that it’s a unique and powerful supplement to aid our immune system functioning.  

Monolaurin

Another lesser known supplement that may be helpful against viruses is a supplement derived from coconut oil known as monolaurin. ABC News recently recommended monolaurin in an article titled, Coronavirus: Experts say these supplements, foods may help keep immune system humming.

An article was published by two physician researchers earlier this year recommending monolaurin as a possible antiviral treatment against the novel coronavirus (you can read the abstract here). The doctors wrote about the potent antiviral properties of monolaurin, as well as its mechanism that appeared to help to break down a virus’s outside “envelope” which then prevented the virus from being able to replicate. Another study the article cited mentioned research on a virus similar in structure to the novel coronavirus, and how monolaurin was able to inhibit that virus’s maturation and replication.  

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is needed for so many processes in the body, including proper immune functioning. Vitamin C is a water soluble vitamin, which means that it doesn’t stay in the body long, which is why we need to consume vitamin C containing foods or supplements on a daily basis.

One specific, special form of vitamin C known as Ester-C has also been shown in research to significantly boost immune cell function. Additionally, that specialized form has been shown in studies to stay in the body longer than other forms of vitamin C.

In a placebo controlled crossover study, 1000mg of Ester-C increased vitamin C levels for a full 25 hours in white blood cells known as leukocytes, which protect the body against infectious diseases and foreign invaders. Vitamin C, particularly the Ester-C form, helps the manufacture more of these immune boosting white blood cells, which work tirelessly to keep you healthy.

If you regularly use vitamin C supplements, it might be worth it to switch to the Ester-C form this fall and winter.  

Zinc

Zinc is a mineral that is wonderful for the immune system, and the World Health Organization estimates that a third of the world’s population is deficient in zinc. Zinc deficiency impairs proper immune functioning and contributes to an increase in respiratory infections. Additionally, a new study has come out by researchers in Moscow that found that zinc supplementation may have protective effects against COVID-19 by supporting anti-viral immunity and reducing inflammation. Interestingly, while zinc can enhance immune functioning, it also has a regulating effect on the immune system, which can further help with how the human body responds to coronavirus infection, since it’s been found that the overproduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines early in the infection is responsible for some of the worst symptoms of COVID-19.

I apologize for the length of this article, but I wanted to try to list some of the most important supplements for immune health that we’d recommend in one place. Please stop by the store so we can go into more detail with you about specific supplements and to help to find the supplement that’s right for you. All of our staff are kind and extremely knowledgeable, and can give specific recommendations and explain the differences between the various supplements that are available for the immune system. This is a crazy time, but we will get through it.

Additionally, many of the supplements mentioned above are on sale this month so it makes it easier for people to stock up.

Our Coronavirus Safety & Cleaning Procedures

The health and safety of our customers and staff continues to be of the utmost importance to us. We are continuing our sanitation regimen of disinfecting the store throughout the day and on a schedule as well as disinfecting carts, baskets, and pens after each use. Additionally, all of our staff are temperature checked before they begin work.

We also have two new medical-grade air purifiers in the store that run 24 hours a day that are able to filter the air down to .1 microns.

Masks covering the nose and mouth are required for everyone entering the store.

Additionally, while customers are welcome to shop in the store, we will continue to offer curbside pickup indefinitely. To place an order call the store at 708-448-9114 and we will bring it out to your car when you arrive.

Unfortunately, it seems coronavirus is not going away anytime soon, so it's extremely important to us to have a store where people can feel safe to be in, and I hope we've done that.

Vitamin D and Coronavirus Research

Vitamin D is a supplement that is well known for being beneficial to the immune system, and some scientists have even speculated that part of the dramatic increase in cold and flu during the winter is as a result of lower vitamin D levels (since generally vitamin D is made in the body when the skin is exposed to sunlight).

Interesting new research has come out concerning coronavirus and Vitamin D, linking lower vitamin D levels to increased mortality risk from Covid-19. One researcher on coronavirus and Vitamin D is quoted as saying, "Our analysis shows that it might be as high as cutting the mortality rate in half," in regards to vitamin D supplementation.

It’s also been reported that countries with higher death rates from Covid-19 had larger numbers of people with lower vitamin D levels, and also that the sickest patients often had low vitamin D levels.

The thinking for many years was that low vitamin D levels were only something to be concerned with in the winter or in northern latitudes, but newer research is finding vitamin D deficiency to be prevalent even in sunny locales.

In regards to dosages, for people who have been found to be severely deficient in vitamin D from a blood test, their doctors will often give a prescription of a 50,000 IU dose to be taken once a week, which equals out to a little over 7,000 IUs per day. We wouldn’t recommend anything that high without a doctor’s recommendation, so for most people we’d recommend a 2,000 IU daily dose. That’s also the amount that well known natural physician Dr. Andrew Weil recommends to be used daily.

Vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin, so it will be best absorbed when taken with food.

Vitamin D is made in our bodies when our skin when exposed to sunlight, but sunscreen reduces that efficiency. Also, people with darker skin tones make less vitamin D from the sun, often leading to vitamin D deficiency. One study on vitamin D levels in African Americans found sub-optimal levels of vitamin D all year long due to reduced vitamin D production in the skin.

Vitamin D is an inexpensive supplement with many benefits, including benefits for bone health. We have a great selection of natural vitamin D supplements at the store in a variety of dosages, so stop by to find one that’s right for you! We will be open to the public from 10-4, Monday through Saturday, beginning June 1st, though we also offer curbside pickup as well, call us at 708-448-9114 if you would like to place an order.

Scientifically Researched Antiviral Supplements

These past couple months have been a time that none of us could have imagined. As we look ahead to the coming weeks and months, where our governments are looking into easing quarantine restrictions, we can feel uncertain. Dealing with a virus like this is something none of us have dealt with in our lifetimes, and it can be very frightening.

Recommendations on how to stay healthy remain the same: take care to wash hands regularly, don’t touch your face, and keep distance between other people. Something else that I believe can be beneficial are immune boosting supplements. Let me be clear, there are no natural products that are a miracle “cure” for coronavirus, but there are several supplements that have been scientifically researched to help with boosting immune system functioning, as well as supplements that can be helpful against viruses.

One of our favorites continues to be elderberry, also known as sambucus. Elderberry syrup has shown in scientific research to help with fighting off viruses. Much of the early research on elderberry was done on the flu virus, with positive results, though new studies have found it to be effective on a wide variety of viral illnesses (though as of yet there have been no studies on elderberry and coronavirus). It works in part by helping to prevent viral replication so we can fight off viruses easier. Research has found it to be helpful preventatively, but also in reducing the duration and severity of a variety of viral illnesses. Elderberry is nice since it’s safe for both children and adults.

I also wanted to mention another, lesser known supplement that may be helpful against viruses, a supplement derived from coconut oil known as monolaurin. ABC News recently recommended monolaurin in an article titled, Coronavirus: Experts say these supplements, foods may help keep immune system humming.

Another article was published by two physician researchers at the end of January recommending monolaurin as a possible antiviral treatment against the novel coronavirus (you can read the abstract here). The doctors wrote about the potent antiviral properties of monolaurin, as well as its mechanism that appeared to help to break down a virus’s outside “envelope” which then prevented the virus from being able to replicate. Another study the article cited mentioned research on a virus similar in structure to the coronavirus, and how monolaurin was able to inhibit that virus’s maturation and replication.

Monolaurin was also mentioned as a potent antiviral in yet another scientific article published in the journal Evidence Based Complementary Alternative Medicine, which mentioned its antiviral activity. Like the scientific article mentioned above, it also attributed monolaurin’s antiviral action to its ability to help with disintegrating the outside membrane of a virus, and by doing so, stopping that virus from replicating.

Again, I want to say that as of now, there is no cure for coronavirus, either natural or pharmaceutical. In the absence of a vaccine, the only thing we can do to stay healthy is to reduce our exposure and to do everything we can to make sure our bodies and immune systems are functioning properly. I would also say that preventative use of supplements like monolaurin or elderberry, that have shown benefit against viruses, are also a good idea.

Quarantine and social distancing are only meant to “flatten the curve”, to help our medical providers across the country to be able to keep cases at a manageable level for hospitals. It is likely that many of us will come in contact with the virus before a vaccine is readily available, so I’d say that supplements like monolaurin are worth using in this uncertain time, with the hopes that they might help us to fight off any infections easier or with less severe symptoms.

I hope everyone reading this is staying healthy. At this time, our store, Pass Health Foods in Palos Heights is still open for phone orders and advice Monday through Saturday from 10-2. We take orders over the phone and then will bring them out to your car when you get there. You can call the store at 708-448-9114. This is a scary time, but I know we’ll get through it.

Worries as Coronavirus Spreads

Last month I wrote an article on coronavirus and natural things we can do to enhance our immune systems (which is always good advice). The situation has been changing day to day and growing more serious, which can make things can seem very frightening. News of quarantines and restrictions and bare grocery shelves just make us more nervous.

Still, it’s important to stay calm and to keep things in proper perspective. Even though the amounts of cases are growing, what we’re seeing in America is meant to be preventative, to stop the possible spread, and to offer us further protection. Schools, businesses, and organizations are being very serious about things, which is great since it helps to keep us safe. Doing everything we can to reduce the spread of this virus is very important.

The things we can do to protect ourselves remain the same: wash your hands thoroughly, use hand sanitizer when unable to wash hands (see our hand sanitizer recipe on our website), and do what you can to boost your own immune system. In our last article I mentioned the top supplements we recommend for the immune system- elderberry, beta glucan, and Immuno Shield, but I’ve written extensively on different immune supplements in the past, so rather than reinvent the wheel, I’ll link a few of those articles below so you can read more in depth if desired.

Hand sanitizer can be extremely helpful when out and about, but at the time I’m writing this, hand sanitizer is all but sold out anywhere I’ve looked. I’ve called every distributor and company I know of to get some, but have been largely unsuccessful. We did find a new hand sanitizer brand that is being made that is getting ready to be shipped. It’s an extremely high-quality hand sanitizer that is American made, certified organic, and eco-certified. It contains the alcohol content recommended by the CDC and contains no synthetic ingredients and is further enhanced by the addition of antimicrobial essential oils.

We also have a hand sanitizer recipe on our website (linked here) that contains the CDC recommended amounts of alcohol to be able to kill viruses. Be careful about DIY hand sanitizer recipes, because many do not contain enough alcohol to be truly effective to kill bacteria and viruses. Most stores seem to be out of isopropyl alcohol, but we have a lead on tracking some down and are working on getting some to have in the store as well as aloe vera gel (part of the recipe) that should be coming in soon. We will keep you updated. We also have a DIY Sanitizing Wipe recipe on our website using bleach that can sanitize surfaces (since disinfecting wipes are also nearly impossible to find anymore).

Making a household disinfecting spray with bleach is also very effective, and is simple to make- use one tablespoon of bleach to 4 cups of water (or one teaspoon mixed with 1 1/3 cups of water) in a spray bottle or to use with a clean towel and bucket. Wiping down all surfaces and frequently touched items like phones, computers, remotes, doorknobs, etc. is a good idea.

See the articles below if you would like additional information on different immune supplements to help your immune system to be working the best it possibly can:

AHCC: An Amazing Immune Booster: AHCC works by activating and enhancing the functioning of immune cells in the body

Elderberry- A Potent Antiviral: Elderberry syrup has shown in research to help with fighting off viruses. It works in part by helping to prevent viral replication so we can fight off viruses easier. Research has found it to be helpful preventatively, but also in reducing the duration and severity of viral illnesses.

Irwin Naturals Immuno Shield: A potent immune-enhancing blend that can be used both preventatively or in higher amounts for acute illness. It’s a favorite among our customers

Immune Supplements for Children

Quercetin: A supplement that is a natural anti-histamine and also is a natural antiviral

Manuka Honey Throat Lozenges for Cough and Sore Throat: Manuka honey is healing and strongly anti-microbial  

Additionally, the news on this new virus can cause a lot of anxiety for all of us. First, I’d say to lay off the internet and constant news sources. I’m not advocating burying your head in the sand, but in 2020 we can have “information overload”. We do not need to see news stories on coronavirus every 5 minutes, that’s not helping, it’s just adding to panic about what’s happening. Put down your phone, turn off the TV, go take a walk in this nice spring weather or enjoy a new book or magazine. We all need to stay calm since freaking out is not going to make things better.

For those suffering from a lot of anxiety, there are supplements that can help with reducing stress and anxiety. Theanine is a favorite of ours that we all use at the store regularly for anxiety that works really well.

Be well. Stay safe. We will get through this.

Stop by our store at 7228 W. College Drive in Palos Heights if you need anything. We are committed to sanitizing the store throughout the day and have a large bottle of hand sanitizer for our customers to use right by the entrance to the store. We are here to help.

Below is the hand sanitizer we should be getting in next week. Call or stop in the store if you would like us to reserve you some at 708-448-9114.

Other articles on our website that may be helpful:

DIY Hand Sanitizer Recipe

DIY Disinfecting Wipes Recipe

Natural Coronavirus Prevention

Everyone is very worried about the coronavirus, and while it is scary, we need to keep our concerns in the proper perspective. Watching the news is very frightening, and our hearts do go out to those in China where things seem to be the worst.

For people in the United States, however, the odds of contracting the disease are truly almost zero. You are much more likely to win the lottery and be struck by lightning. Thankfully, due to increased awareness and CDC precautions, we are even further protected.

Who knows what the future holds, but the precautions against the coronavirus are the same as what we need to do for combating the more common flu and respiratory infections- wash your hands frequently (and thoroughly- for at least 20 seconds), use hand sanitizer when unable to wash hands, and try to not touch your face with unwashed hands (especially the eyes, nose, and mouth). Also, trying to eat a healthier diet can help- both excess sugar and alcohol have been shown to depress the immune system.

In addition to lifestyle changes, there are several, well-researched supplements that can help with boosting the immune system, since a healthy immune system is the way to stay healthy. Every day we come into contact with bacteria and viruses that our immune systems work to fight off. Usually, they win the battle, but when they can’t mount an effective counter-attack is when we fall ill. Thankfully, there are natural supplements that can help our own body’s immune system to work better and be more effective against bacteria and viruses, of all kinds.

The first supplement we’d recommend is elderberry, also known by its scientific name, sambucus. Elderberry syrup is a potent, natural antiviral agent that has shown impressive results against a variety of respiratory infections. Scientists believe that part of the way elderberry works is by actually deactivating viruses like the flu, preventing them from replicating, which helps the body to be able to fight them off easier while also stimulating the immune response.

Elderberry is effective as a preventative measure against illness, but can also reduce the severity of symptoms of viral illnesses. Research has found that elderberry is able to reduce the symptoms of upper respiratory infection regardless of the cause, which is helpful since it can be extremely difficult to pinpoint a specific viral strain just by symptoms since even the “common cold” can make a person feel pretty awful.

Another potent natural supplement I’d recommend is a patented extract derived from mushrooms known as AHCC. Unlike elderberry, which works specifically on the viruses causing an illness, AHCC works by affecting the immune system directly. AHCC helps to boost our own body’s immune response. Studies have found that AHCC can boost the effectiveness of our own immune system in a variety of ways, including increasing the activity of our body’s NK, or “natural killer” cells, that identify and destroy viruses, bacteria, and abnormal cells in the body, as well as immune cells in our the respiratory tract that work to fend off foreign invaders as they enter the body.

Immune blends, like one of our favorites called Immuno Shield by Irwin Naturals can also be very helpful in boosting immune functioning. Immuno Shield combines a variety of well-researched immune-boosting supplements in one pill, including echinacea, olive leaf, oregano oil, and more. It’s probably the most popular immune supplement for our customers since its effective both preventatively and if you do get sick to help you to feel better faster.

Something else that may be beneficial is manuka honey lozenges. Manuka honey is a specific type of honey that is strongly antibacterial, antiviral, and antimicrobial. Much of the research on manuka honey used orally has been on its ability to inhibit bacterial growth, like strep throat, though new research is confirming manuka honey’s benefits against viruses as well. We have a great manuka honey lozenge I would really recommend by YS Bee Farms that combines beneficial manuka honey with another bee product, propolis, that is also strongly antimicrobial and also helps with healing, so it’s great for sore throats.

Finally, let me say to please not panic about this new virus. Yes, the news is scary, but I do believe sensational news media is getting people more frightened than necessary. At the time I’m writing this there have been less than 100 confirmed cases in America of the coronavirus. In 2018 the US population was measured to be over 327 million. The odds of contracting coronavirus using those numbers is statistically zero. If you’re traveling overseas, wearing a mask at the airport or on a flight doesn’t seem a bad idea if you’re worried. We’ve had some customers ask, so we did bring in a small supply of disposable face masks for people who are traveling, but we would really say that they are generally unnecessary in most cases.

Should we be taking precautions?  Absolutely. That’s because the precautions to prevent against coronavirus are the same as those to prevent you from getting the flu or other respiratory viruses, which are significantly more likely. Wash your hands frequently, use hand sanitizer when needed, take some immune boosters, and make sure you’re getting enough rest and feeding your body with good foods. All of those things will help you to stay healthy from whatever bugs that cross our path.

Stop by our store in Palos Heights for more information at 7228 W. College Drive. We have kind, knowledgeable employees who can help you to choose the right supplements for your individual needs.