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Immune Boost

Novel Natural Ways to Enhance Immunity 
Although we have all become familiar with the term Coronavirus as the new pandemic shaking our world, COVID-19 is a more appropriate name as there are actually a number of different coronaviruses. In fact, the SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) virus which took over in 2003 and MERS which spiked in 2012 in the Middle East but continues to spread across the world, are also coronaviruses. To understand our approach to avoiding infection altogether, or at least having just mild symptoms like a cold, one needs to have a basic understanding of how this virus works.One of the things that makes coronaviruses so deadly is not the virus itself, but the secondary over-reactive immune response that the body creates.

The virus has three primary phases: Viral Replication, Immune system hyper-reactivity, Tissue destruction leading to lung and organ failure

First, the virus infects the cells in the lungs, replicating inside them, and killing them, filling the airways with debris and fluid. Summoned by this viral invasion, immune cells flood the lungs to clear away the debris and help heal things up. If this all goes well, a person recovers in a few weeks and does fine, perhaps never even aware they had a coronavirus. BUT, sometimes the immune system goes crazy, simply attacking everything it sees, including your own healthy tissue! Now the damage to all the cells becomes extreme, with more debris blocking the lungs, creating more immune dysfunction and ultimately death or irreversible tissue damage, with lungs that are filled with honeycomb like holes. This hyperactive immune response, called a “cytokine storm,” can even spread beyond the lungs attacking the kidney, liver and heart.The goal in fighting this epidemic is to find ways to block the virus from getting into the cells, block the replication in case it does get into the cell, and finally, put the body into a state where the immune system is stable and healthy so it can react appropriately – not dysfunctionally – to help the situation and not become the problem! Trying to treat this disease once we get to stage 3 is too late.
The Immune Boost Package is designed to give you five well researched, literature reviewed, natural and safe products that work together to best support each aspect of your immune system critical to fighting viruses. Order all products in this package to receive a 25% discount on your order.
What's in the Immune Boost Package?
Vitamin D3
Vitamin D appears to work to support all 3 of the key goals discussed that are necessary to fight coronaviruses – perhaps making it the perfect safe, preventative supplement to support your immune system. Vitamin D can reduce the risk of viral infections in several ways:
1. By maintaining tight junctions to reduce viruses entering the cell. By killing the enveloped viruses so they cannot replicate by upregulating one of our primary viral response mechanisms, a valuable peptide our body makes called LL-37.
2. By reducing the production of proinflammatory cytokines to avoid the deadly cytokine storm.

Observational and supplementation trials have reported higher Vitamin D concentrations associated with reduced risk of dengue, hepatitis, herpesvirus, hepatitis B and C viruses, human immunodeficiency virus, influenza, respiratory syncytial virus infections, and pneumonia. The results of a recent community field trial reported that Vitamin D concentrations above 50 ng/ml were associated with marked reduction in influenza-like illnesses. The study hypothesized that raising serum D concentrations through vitamin D supplementation could significantly reduce the incidence, severity, and risk of death from influenza, pneumonia, and the deadly coronaviruses.  We know that there is no reported toxicity of vitamin D at doses of 10,000iu or less daily. We want everybody to be certain they have high enough serum levels!
References
Beard JA, Bearden A, Striker R. Vitamin D and the anti-viral state. J Clin Virol. 2011;50(3):194–200. doi:10.1016/j.jcv.2010.12.006 Grant, W.B.; Lahore, H.; McDonnell, S.L.; Baggerly, C.A.; French, C.B.; Aliano, J.L.; Bhattoa, H.P. Vitamin D Supplementation Could Prevent and Treat Influenza, Coronavirus, and Pneumonia Infections. Preprints 2020, 2020030235 (doi: 10.20944/preprints202003.0235.v1). Marcinowska-Suchowierska E, Kupisz-Urbańska M, Łukaszkiewicz J, Płudowski P, Jones G. Vitamin D Toxicity-A Clinical Perspective. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2018;9:550. Published 2018 Sep 20. doi:10.3389/fendo.2018.00550
Honokiol (Relora)
Honokiol, also known as Relora, is a unique compound isolated from Magnolia bark and is the most widely researched active constituent of the bark. A review of research shows honokiol to have a wide-range of  biological and clinically relevant effects, including as an adjunct to cancer therapy, reducing inflammation, regulating glucose, reducing anxiety and depression, and regulating stress without any appreciable toxicity. Honokiol works primarily by blocking entry of the virus into the cell. Honokiol also helps block the deadly cytokine storm discussed in the mechanism of action of coronaviruses. In a study in which magnolia bark extract was administered to cells involved in the initial immune response, the extract effectively lowered the number of proinflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-8, MMP-2, and MMP-9. 1 gram per day of honokiol has no side effects and significantly inhibits two of the major viral mechanisms improving the body’s ability to fight infections.
References
Identification of Magnolia officinalis L. Bark Extract as the Most Potent Anti-Inflammatory of Four Plant Extracts Joel M. Walker (Department of Nutritional and Physiological Chemistry, University of Vienna, Althanstrasse 14, 1090, Vienna, Austria), 
2020 Natural Medicine Journal (ISSN 2157-6769) 
Natural Cellular Defense: Activated Zeolites
Zeolites are naturally occurring, negatively charged minerals, with a unique crystalline structure. Zeolite is formed from the fusion of volcanic lava and ocean water. It has been used for 800 years throughout Asia as a traditional remedy to promote overall health and well-being. It has also undergone 13 years of pharmaceutical research in the U.S. on humans. Zeolite is included on the Food and Drug Administration’s GRAS list (generally recognized as safe) and thus is considered to be “completely safe.”  Zeolite acts by trapping pre-virus components, preventing the replication of viruses and their ability to make us sick. In this way, zeolite may play an important role as a broad-spectrum antiviral. Viruses are produced in parts, like on a production line, at the end of which the virus is fully constructed. Zeolite absorbs viral parts into the pores of the micronized zeolite aggregates thus blocking the proliferation of many different viral infections. There is only one contraindication: Natural Cellular Defense is contraindicated for anyone taking a medication containing heavy metals (such as lithium) or platinum (which is found in some cancer medications). It may remove from the body supplemental lithium and the chemotherapy agents cisplatin and carboplatin, both of which contain platinum. It appears to be safe to begin or resume taking Natural Cellular Defense three days after using cisplatin and carboplatin, and it can be used while taking other chemotherapy drugs. If you wish to use Natural Cellular Defense while taking lithium, or these chemotherapy drugs, consult your physician.
References
2020 Natural Medicine Journal (ISSN 2157-6769) 
Zinc
The importance of zinc in supporting immune function has been known for many years. Zinc helps to maintain and develop immune cells, and when deficient in zinc , the cell cannot adequately form, activate and mature protective lymphocytes, nor can it effectively communicate intercellularly. Both of these effects lead to immunodeficiency and increased risk of contracting a virus or infection. Studies have shown that those who contract Covid-19 tend to have a zinc deficiency, and zinc supplementation can be effective in helping to reduce the impact and severity of a Covid-19 infection. Supported heavily in research both recent and decades old, zinc is critical to the ongoing growth, development and maintenance of immune function.  
References
Maares, Maria, and Hajo Haase. "Zinc and immunity: An essential interrelation." Archives of biochemistry and biophysics 611 (2016): 58-65.
de Almeida Brasiel, Poliana Guiomar. "The key role of zinc in immunity: A possible approach in the COVID-19 crisis." Clinical Nutrition ESPEN (2020).
Vitamin C
Likely one of the most well known immune protectors in the vitamin world is Vitamin C, or ascorbic acid. Vitamin C helps to strengthen the immune system by enhancing collagen synthesis, serving as an antioxidant, reducing reactive oxidative species (ROS) and its resulting damage and producing cytokines to fight off microbes. Supplementing with Vitamin C has been shown to have a wide ranging impact on immunity, including protection from the common flu, allergies and most recently, Covid-19. Due to its anti-viral properties, Vitamin C is consistently one of the top nutrients leveraged to fight off viral infections. 
References
Sharma, Luxita. "Dietary management to build adaptive immunity against COVID-19." Journal of PeerScientist 2.2 (2020): e1000016
Jayawardena, Ranil, et al. "Enhancing immunity in viral infections, with special emphasis on COVID-19: A review." Diabetes & Metabolic Syndrome: Clinical Research & Reviews (2020)
Rondanelli, Mariangela, et al. "Self-care for common colds: the pivotal role of vitamin D, vitamin C, zinc, and echinacea in three main immune interactive clusters (physical barriers, innate and adaptive immunity) involved during an episode of common colds—practical advice on dosages and on the time to take these nutrients/botanicals in order to prevent or treat common colds." Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2018 (2018)..
What else can I do?
There is also support that Thymosin Alpha-1 (Ta-1), a thymic peptide has an incredible ability to restore  optimal control to the immune system. Ta-1 improves immune function by enhancing the Natural Killer (NK) system and improves the immune response by stimulating stem cells and helping produce new immune cells.

If you want to learn more about Ta-1 and peptides in general, feel free to contact our clinical partner Boulder Longevity Institute at 303-443-0848 to schedule your 15 minute free consult with our Peptide Specialist!
References
Matteucci C, Grelli S, Balestrieri E, et al. Thymosin alpha 1 and HIV-1: recent advances and future perspectives. Future Microbiol. 2017; 12: 141- 155. https://doi.org/10.2217/fmb-2016-0125 
Costantini C, Bellet MM, Pariano M, et al. A reappraisal of thymosin alpha1 in cancer therapy. Front Oncol. 2019; 9: 873. https://doi.org/10.3389/fonc.2019.00873 
Pica F, Gaziano R, Casalinuovo IA, et al. Serum thymosin alpha 1 levels in normal and pathological conditions. Expert Opin Biol Ther. 2018; 18: 13- 21. https://doi.org/10.1080/14712598.2018.1474197 
Baumann CA, Badamchian M, Goldstein AL. Thymosin alpha 1 antagonizes dexamethasone and CD3-induced apoptosis of CD4+ CD8+ thymocytes through the activation of cAMP and protein kinase C dependent second messenger pathways. Mech Ageing Dev. 1997; 94: 85- 101. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0047-6374(96)01860-x 
Gao ZC, Zhu JH, Sun Y, et al. Clinical investigation of outbreak of nosocomial severe acute respiratory syndrome. Zhongguo Wei Zhong Bing Ji Jiu Yi Xue. 2003; 15: 332- 335 
Kumar V, Jung YS, Liang PH. Anti-SARS coronavirus agents: a patent review (2008-present). Expert Opin Ther Pat. 2013; 23: 1337- 1348. https://doi.org/10.1517/13543776.2013.823159 
Duchateau J, Servais G, Vreyens R, Delespesse G, Bolla K. Modulation of immune response in aged humans through different administration modes of thymopentin. Surv Immunol Res. 1985; 4( suppl 1): 94- 101. 
Duchateau J, Delespesse G, Bolla K. Phase variation in the modulation of the human immune response. Immunol Today. 1983; 4: 213- 214. https://doi.org/10.1016/0167-5699(83)90028-2 
Zaruba K, Rastorfer M, Grob PJ, Joller-Jemelka H, Bolla K. Thymopentin as adjuvant in non-responders or hyporesponders to hepatitis B vaccination. Lancet. 1983; 2: 1245. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0140-6736(83)91284-9 
Journal of Medical VirologyVolume 92, Issue 5 Potential interventions for novel coronavirus in China: A systematic reviewLei Zhang Yunhui Liu 
Journal of Medical VirologyVolume 92, Issue 5 Potential interventions for novel coronavirus in China: A systematic reviewLei Zhang Yunhui Li