• Provides 25 mg zinc from two sources in each lozenge
• Contains the equivalent of 5 g Elderberry
• Supports immune system health and function
• Elderberry is used in Traditional Western Herbal Medicine to relieve cold symptoms
• Elderberry promotes sweating and reduces mild fever
• Great tasting and easy to administer chewable tablet
• No added soy, dairy or nuts
• Vegan friendly
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Zinc

Zinc is a vital trace nutrient that displays activity in every human cell. The body contains around 2g zinc, 55-60% of which can be found in skeletal muscle, 25-30% in bone and the remaining distributed throughout other bodily fluids and tissues.

Zinc metalloenzymes are the most abundant of all trace mineral dependent enzymes in the body and as a result, zinc is involved in many cellular reactions required for normal biological activity. Some of these include carbohydrate and protein metabolism, immune and nervous system functioning, gene expression regulation, fertility and reproduction, growth and development, learning and behaviour, skin health and wound healing, blood clotting and hormone function.

Immune Function

Being innately involved in the normal development and function of all cells, Zinc is vital for optimal functioning of the immune system. Zinc presides over the effective commission of both innate and adaptive immunity, assisting with the health and functioning of neutrophils, monocytes and NK cells as well as the development of T-lymphocytes and the generation of acquisitional immunity.

Zinc’s effects on immunity can be seen most markedly during deficiency states. Zinc deficiency:

• adversely affects maturation and function of T and B cells
• weakens NK cell function
• triggers apoptosis
• reduces cytokine secretion and function impairing the principle signalling processes of the immune system
• affects haematopoiesis, cell maturation and differentiation (cell cycle progression)
• correlates with increased inflammatory mediators (including ROS)
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Zinc has also been studied for its effects on non-specific inflammation. Zinc has been shown to reduce inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein (CRP), high-sensitivity CRP, tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin 6, malondialdehyde, and neutrophils. It has also been shown to reduce biomarkers of inflammation in atherosclerosis and degenerative joint conditions. Zinc may also have the ability to prevent virus expression and replication due to interference and manipulation of viral gene transcriptors.

Nervous System

Zinc has a number of roles in the brain and central nervous system and is largely involved in neurotransmission, neuroprotection, neurogenesis, neuronal growth and synaptogenesis.

Zinc is involved in the neurotransmission of both Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate by inhibiting their receptors, thereby potentially assisting with the modulation of neuronal excitability.1 It also influences synaptic plasticity and can inhibit dopamine transporters making dopamine available for longer periods.

Low zinc status and intake has been associated with depressive symptoms in some people, and zinc has been shown to affect serotonin uptake in vitro.1

As an antioxidant, zinc has the ability to protect against neurotoxicity. It also inhibits the phosphorylation of Glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK3) resulting in an increase in brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF).

Oxidative Stress

Zinc acts as an antioxidant in a number of different ways – mostly indirect.

It influences other antioxidant nutrients such as vitamin E (by inhibiting its reduction) and vitamin A (by being involved in its metabolism).

It is a co-factor of superoxide dismutase (SOD) one of the major endogenous biological scavengers and stimulates the production of metallothionein – a redox balance regulator which is high in cysteine and is involved in heavy metal detoxification and the prevention of oxidative injury.

Zinc supplementation has been shown to reduce the plasma concentration of oxidative stress markers such as malondialdehyde (MDA), 4 hydroxy alkenals (HAE), and 8-hydroxy deoxyguanine, and can also decrease lipid peroxidation caused by TNF-alphainduced NF-kappa-B activation.

Wound Healing

Zinc is essential for the production of zinc finger motifs and biomembranes in DNA transcription factors and is therefore required for the building of all new body tissues.1 Zinc deficiency can hamper wound healing, and supplementation and topical application can be used to restore zinc levels, enhance reepithelialisation and collagen synthesis, reduce inflammation and enable optimal wound healing.

Elder

The berries of the Elder have been used for centuries by North American Indigenous populations, and in Europe, northern Africa and in parts of Asia. It is native to eastern and central North America (the US and Canada) and grows from Nova Scotia down to Florida and west to Manitoba.

Elderberry has been used traditionally in Western Herbal Medicine to help treat the common cold and flu and as a diaphoretic and febrifuge, helping to reduce body temperatures and mild fevers.

90 lozenge