The flu season is in full swing so we need to boost our immune systems.
A healthy and fully functioning immune system is vital in maintaining health and is particularly important during the flu season.
Ensure that you are getting all the benefits of turmeric and its powerful active constituent curcumin, by combining our Factor 8 Joint Ease capsules and 3XR Curcumin Super Blend Powder to support and boost immunity.
This weeks anti-inflammatory and immune system boosting recipe for a Cold and Flu Turmeric Tonic that uses our 3xR Curcumin Super Blend Powder for the healing power of curcumin. See the recipe.
Taking turmeric / curcumin helps fight flu symptoms via:
Powerful anti-viral properties.
Turmeric is a broad spectrum anti-microbial agent which has anti-viral properties. Studies have shown that curcumin can specifically inhibit the activity of viruses and that low concentrations of curcumin are required to neutralise the influenza virus.
National Chung Hsing University, Taiwan discovered a novel activity of curcumin in relation to influenza virus. The study demonstrated that curcumin acts at early stages of infection and it inhibits the activity of a protein called nuclear factor kappa B which controls inflammation and reducing its activity lowers replication of the virus. They also found that curcumin does not cause any drug resistance.
Inhibiting viral growth.
Germacrone, a compound isolated from turmeric oil, has been found to inhibit replication of influenza viruses. It acts against influenza A and B virus. It prevents entry or attachment of the virus to cells and also inhibits replication.
Additionally, it protects from lethal infection, reduces the virus population in the lungs and acts in combination with other anti-viral drugs.
Reducing fever and cold symptoms.
Nuclear-factor kappa B is the master of the inflammation process. It regulates the activity of genes that cause the production of pro-inflammatory chemicals.
Animal studies prove that curcumin blocks nuclear factor-kappaB activity and prevents the production of pro-inflammatory chemicals like tumor necrosis factor and interleukins. In this way it reduces fever.
Boosting immune system function.
Turmeric has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-microbial and a number of other properties.
Studies prove that both turmeric extract and curcumin raise the activity of the immune system and immune cells and this is thought to be useful in case of patients whose immunity is compromised.