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The importance of Vitamin C in maintaining our immune defense systems
Vitamin C has been identified as an important factor in maintaining our body’s immune defense systems including preventing the entry of bacteria and viruses into our body, and ensuring the correct functioning of cells in our circulation that seek out and kill bacteria and viruses that have gained access into our body. Vitamin C deficiency results in decreased immunity and
New Zealand blackcurrants boost the human immune system
Our bodies are continually exposed to pathogens such as bacteria and viruses that can cause illness if they gain entry into our body. The epithelial cells lining our nose, mouth, lungs and gut are sites where bacteria and viruses can enter the body. Fortunately these cells secrete molecules that activate the body’s own pathogen killing mechanisms and prevent these pathogens
Maintaining the body’s infection-fighting immune system
The body is normally well equipped to defend itself against invading bacterial and viral infections. The first line of defense are neutrophils, cells that circulate through the blood vessels searching out pathogenic bacteria or viruses, phagocytosing (engulfing) them, then killing them with an arsenal of toxic compounds including hypochlorous acid, the antimicrobial agent commonly found in house hold bleach.
Blackcurrants and sports nutrition
Even with a small population of only 4.8 million New Zealand is globally renowned for its sporting achievements. No better evidence for this comes from New Zealand’s performance at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro Brazil, where New Zealand was ranked third in the world for the number of medals it won per head of population. There
Maintaining good blood circulation during long periods of sitting
Our blood delivers to the tissues in our body all the nutrients we need to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle. The same blood then removes from those tissues the end products of the cellular metabolism of those nutrients. The maintenance of good blood circulation is critical to ensuring we stay healthy and active. Circulation of the blood throughout
Boosting your immunity this winter
The change of seasons brings with it an increased risk of suffering from the unpleasant effects of cold and flu viruses. This probably occurs during this time of the year because we tend to spend more time indoors close to other people allowing the spread of viruses, and these viruses are more easily dispersed from one person to another in
What we eat can change the way we feel about life
Positive feelings and a sense of wellbeing are partly a consequence of the levels of compounds in our bodies called neurotransmitters. These are compounds that directly affect our brains, and the neurotransmitters that are responsible for activating positive feelings and a sense of wellbeing include compounds such as serotonin, oxytocin and dopamine. We experience an enhanced feeling of wellbeing that
Sports nutrition – what we can learn from the All Blacks as they compete in the RWC
In order for a rugby team like the All Blacks to be the best all the team members need to work together and be at their individual best.
Improving sports performance and recovery with New Zealand Blackcurrants
Our bodies are well equipped with a portfolio of endogenous systems that if activated help us exercise and perform to our maximum while protecting against the damaging effects of the exercise.
Introducing Blackcurrant Science Professional – Dr Glenn Vile
The New Zealand Blackcurrant Co-operative would like to introduce Dr Glenn Vile, who will be regularly writing blogs summarizing the latest scientific information about health and nutrition
