79: Immune Health Hacks: Vitamin C Exposed!

Immune Health Hacks: Vitamin C Exposed!

Michael Kummer: Does vitamin C really work to keep you from getting sick or is it just another overhyped supplement? If you've ever stocked up on orange shoes at the first sign of a sniffle, this video is for you. I'll break down the truth about vitamin C, its role in immune health. And at the end, I'll share my personal top hacks to avoid getting sick in the first place.

Intro: Are you ready to revolutionize your health and reconnect to your primal self? Welcome to the Primal Shift Podcast.

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And now back to the episode. Let's face it. No one likes getting sick. Whether it's missing out on family time, falling behind at work, or feeling downright miserable, avoiding illness is always a top priority, at least for most people.

Over the years, I've tested countless strategies to stay healthy and vitamin C is one of the most debated topics. So let's dive into what the science really says. Now, vitamin C is essential for immune health. That's pretty clear. It's a powerful antioxidant that helps to regenerate other antioxidants in the body and it also supports collagen production which strengthens your skin.

Your first line of defense against pathogens, but here's the thing, not all vitamin C is created equal and not everyone needs the same amount. Studies show that while vitamin C supplementation might reduce the severity and duration of colds, it's not a magic bullet. It's effectiveness largely depends on your overall diet and health.

You know, no surprise there. And if you're eating a nutrient dense animal based diet, like I do, you probably don't need as much vitamin C as someone. On a standard American diet. And that's because animal based diets are naturally low in oxidative stress, which reduces the demand for antioxidants like vitamin C.

But let's talk about where you get your vitamin C from the synthetic stuff. Ascorbic acid in pills or powders doesn't work as well as the vitamin C in whole foods. Again, not really a surprise because generally speaking, synthetic. Multivitamins are a waste of money because the body doesn't absorb and utilize them at least not in the, to the same extent as the ones found in whole foods, whole food sources like citrus fruits, or even Oregon meets even regular meat for that matter, often come with cofactors that improve the absorption.

And utilization of vitamin C. For example, liver contains small amounts of vitamin C, but is packed with other immune supporting nutrients like vitamin A, zinc, copper, and selenium. And these nutrients work synergistically to support your immune system in ways that synthetic, a synthetic pill cannot. The research on vitamin C and colds, or viral infections, is mixed.

Some studies show that high doses of vitamin C can reduce the duration of a cold by about 8 to 14%. But there is little evidence that it prevents illness in the first place. What's clear is that vitamin C isn't a standalone solution. It's one piece of the puzzle, and its effectiveness depends on how well your body absorbs and uses it.

Which brings us back to your overall health and diet. Now, vitamin C is just one tool in your immune support arsenal. What made the biggest difference for me are the daily habits I've developed over the years. So let me share those with you. Number one, daily sun exposure. I make sure to get at least 20 to 30 minutes of sunlight every single day, especially morning sunlight and then throughout the day.

Especially in summer for vitamin D, which plays a critical role in immune regulation. Number two, cold plunging. Cold plunges activate cold shock proteins, which reduce inflammation and boost immune resilience. Same as with sauna bathing. Saunas are incredible for heat shock proteins, which repair damaged cells.

And again, enhance immune function. Number four exercise, regular movement increases the circulation of immune cells. So I mix walking, strength training, and high intensity interval training workouts like CrossFit. Number five, good sleep hygiene. Sleep is when your immune system does its best work. So I prioritize eight to nine hours of quality sleep every night.

Number six, an animal based diet. You know, my animal based diet supports gut health, which is closely tied to immune function. If your gut is not healthy, your immune system cannot be healthy either. And so that's why I make sure I avoid any foods that might negatively impact my gut health. Number seven, I supplement with freeze dried beef organ supplements.

Ideally fresh organ meats, but when I don't have the chance, I take freeze dried beef organ supplements because these are packed. Organ meats, that is, fresh or freeze dried, doesn't really matter. They are packed with immune supporting nutrients like zinc, vitamin A, B vitamins, selenium, making them one of the most effective ways to fill any gaps in my diet.

So, does vitamin C work? Yes, but it's not the silver bullet many people think it is. It's part of a bigger picture, and the key to staying healthy is a combination of nutrient dense foods and daily habits that support your immune system. And one thing that's also worth pointing out is, because a lot of people say, hey, if you eat mostly animal based meats, you don't get a lot of vitamin C.

Well, it turns out that if you're on a carnivore or meat based diet, you need only a fraction of the vitamin C than if you are consuming a lot of carbs. Because carbs and vitamin C. Compete for absorption using the same receptor. So if you don't eat a whole lot of carbs, your vitamin C requirements also go down.

And that's why you can be perfectly healthy and with plenty of vitamin C, even if you're on a strict carnivore or meat based diet. Now, if you want to learn more about how to stay healthy year round, check out my other videos and podcast episodes. And let me know in the comments, if you're watching this on a platform that supports comments.

What's your favorite immune boosting tip? I'd love to hear from you until next time. Next time on the Primal Shift podcast, we dive deep into a conversation with David Mouse Jr. exploring his incredible journey from leading the automotive industry to living a life centered on health, wellness, and personal transformation.

We talk about cold exposure, the power of habits, and how he's helping others find their way to a healthier, more fulfilled life. Tune in. You don't want to miss this one.