About Mergen C - Vitamin C Supplement Malaysia
Mergen-C is a nutritional supplement that contains vitamin C , N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine (NAC) and grape seed extract designed for quick boost in your immunity.
It is a popular choice during cold and flu season for extra protection against infections.
Here’s what you should know about its ingredients, purported uses, potential side effects, and more.
Why Mergen-C? As the name suggests, it is for emergency (a quick boost in your immunity).
Mergen-C contains:
- 250mg of Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C)
- 100mg of N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine (NAC)
- 50mg of Vitis vinifera L. (Grape Seed Extract)
The ingredients are said to:
- Vitamin C can help boost immunity. It may also help create collagen to support healthy skin.
- NAC can relieve symptoms of respiratory conditions by acting as an antioxidant and expectorant, loosening mucus in your air passageways.
- Grape seed extracts may help protect against oxidative stress, tissue damage and inflammation and prevent disease..
Since Mergen-C supplies nutrients that interact with your immune system, many people take it to fend off colds or other minor infections.
Here is an in-depth look at each of Mergen-C’s major ingredients to determine whether the contained vitamins and antioxidants really boost immunity and reduce mucus viscosity and elasticity.
1. Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C)
Immunity Boosters
Vitamin C helps encourage the differentiation and proliferation of white blood cells known as lymphocytes and phagocytes, whic help protect the body against infections. Besides, it helps these white blood cells function more effectively while protecting them from damage by free radicals. Also, Vitamin C is needed in wound healing. It contributes towards synthesis, maturation, secretion and degradation of collagen.
Acts as a Strong Antioxidants
Antioxidants are molecules that boost the immune system by preventing and repairing damages caused by oxidative stress. Studies show that consuming more vitamin C can increase your blood antioxidant levels by up to 30%. It protects memory and thinking as you age.
Prevent Iron Deficiencies
Vitamin C supplements can help improve the absorption of iron from the diet. Vitamin C increases absorption of non-heme iron (plant- based sources of iron) which is poorly absorbed. Vitamin C is especially useful for people on a meat-free diet, as meat is a major source of iron. In fact, simply consuming 100 mg of vitamin C may improve iron absorption by 67%.
2. N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine (NAC)
Acts as a Mucolytic Agents
NAC acts as a mucolytic drug (decreasing viscosity of the sputum, clean the bronchi, decrease indyspnea and improved lung function). NAC able to reduce disulfide bonds between gel- forming mucins and thus reduce mucus viscosity and elasticity. NAC helps people to relief from the coughing, wheezing, and thick phlegm associated with cold and flu.
Acts as a Strong Antioxidant
NAC is valued primarily for its role in antioxidant production. NAC acts as a precursor of glutathione, which is one of the most important naturally occurring antioxidants. Glutathione helps neutralize free radicals that can damage cells and tissues in your body. It’s essential for immune health and fighting cellular damage. Its antioxidant properties are also important for combatting numerous other ailments caused by oxidative stress, such as heart disease, infertility and some psychiatric conditions.
3. Vitis vinifera L. (Grape Seed Extract)
Lowering Blood Pressure & Cholesterol
Grape seed extract may help reduce blood pressure, particularly in young to middle-aged and overweight people. Grape seed extract lowers the risk of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disorders. GSE may help reduce your risk of heart disease by inhibiting the oxidation of “bad” LDL cholesterol and by reducing oxidation to heart tissue during times of stress.
Support Your Brain as It Ages
Flavonoids are thought to delay or reduce the onset of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s disease through a combination of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Grape seed extract acts as a neuro-protectant in the hippocampus (prevent cognitive loss with aging).
May Improve Collagen and Bone Strength
Increasing flavonoid consumption is proven to improve collagen synthesis and bone formation. As a rich source of flavonoids, grape seed extract may thus help increase your bone density and strength.
Enhances Wound Healing and Appearance
Grape seed extract promotes wound healing. It regenerates damaged blood vessels & increase amount of free radicals at the wound site which helps to clear potentially pathogenic bacteria from the wound.
Can Inhibit Infectious Growth
Grape seed extract displays promising antibacterial and antifungal properties.
Studies have shown that grape seed extract inhibits the growth of common foodborne bacterial infections, including Campylobacter, E. coli and Shiga toxins — all of which are often responsible for severe food poisoning and abdominal upsets.
While staying nourished is an important part of boosting immunity, there are other factors to consider. Here are other things you can do to strengthen your immune system.
1) Improve Gut Health
Maintaining a healthy gut can go a long way towards boosting immunity.
The bacteria in your gut interact with your body to promote a healthy immune response.
There are many things you can do to encourage the growth of good gut bacteria, including:
- Eating a fiber-rich diet: Fiber is a food source for your gut bacteria. When bacteria consume fiber, they produce compounds like butyrate that fuel colon cells and keep your intestinal lining healthy and strong.
- Consuming probiotics: Probiotics — bacteria that are good for your gut — can be consumed as supplements like PROBACTA or via fermented foods like kimchi, kefir and yogurt. These bacteria can rebalance your gut and boost immunity.
2) Exercise Regularly
Research has found that regular exercise can strengthen your immune system and reduce the likelihood of getting sick. Experts recommend getting at least 150 minutes of moderately intense physical activity every week. Examples of moderate-intensity exercise include brisk walking, water aerobics, dancing, housekeeping and gardening
3) Get Adequate Sleep
Sleep plays a vital role in health, including the strengthening of your immune system. A large body of research correlates sleeping under 6 hours per night with a host of chronic diseases, including heart disease, cancer and depression.
In contrast, getting adequate sleep can protect you from illnesses, including the common cold. One study noted that people who slept at least 8 hours per night were nearly three times less likely to develop a cold than those who slept fewer than 7 hours. It’s generally recommended that adults aim for 7–9 hours of high-quality sleep every night for optimal health.
4) Reduce Stress
Your brain and immune system are tightly linked, and high levels of stress have negative effects on immunity. Studies prove that chronic stress blunts your immune response and increases inflammation throughout your body, increasing your risk of infections and chronic conditions like heart disease and depression. High levels of stress have also been linked to a greater chance of developing colds, so it’s worth practicing regular self-care to keep stress levels in check. Some ways to reduce stress include meditation, yoga and outdoor activities.
Advice is for information only and should not replace medical care. Please check with your doctor before trying any remedies.
