ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ Guest Blog #1: Healthy From the Inside Out

My awesome guest blogger Amy put together this information to elaborate on the previous post about immune boosting vitamins. Hopefully this will help clarify the function of a lot of them! Thanks Amy! 

Elderberry

An elderberry, or sambucus, is a fruit-bearing, deciduous shrub with at least 30 known species, most commonly found growing in the Northern Hemisphere. The elderberry shrub typically grows to about 10 feet (3 meters) tall and shows yellow and white blossoms in early summer, followed by deep blue or black berries which usually ripen around September. The berries are edible when ripe and have long been thought to have medicinal properties.

As an herbal remedy, elderberry is believed to possess therapeutic uses an anti-inflammatory, diuretic, and immuno-stimulant. When measured nutritionally against other berries, elderberries contain high concentrations of vitamins A and C and potassium.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that is considered to be important to the healthy function of the human body. Various types of Vitamin D are helpful in the bloodstream as well as in promoting healthy bone formation and maintenance. Vitamin D helps to regulate the absorption of other vitamins and minerals in the bloodstream.

Briar Rose (Rosa Canina)

The hips of rosa canina contain a wide range of vitamins and other essential nutrients. For example, the hips are quite high in vitamin C. They also contain vitamins A, B₁, B₂, B₃, and K. Other elements include flavonoids, tannins, polyphenols, vanillin, oil, and carotenoids. Each plays a valuable role in the human body.

One of the reasons rosa canina is valued is because of the high levels of useful vitamins in its hips. The fresher the hips are when they are consumed, the more vitamins and nutrients they can provide the body for absorption. Consequently, it is quite common for someone to make a concoction of the hips simply to get a good dose of readily absorbable vitamins. Even children can consume the hips, through a sweet, nourishing syrup called rose hip syrup.
Colloidal Silver
Colloidal silver is a suspension of tiny silver particles in water; a solid dispersed throughout a liquid base in this manner is known in chemistry as a colloid. Colloidal silver has a long history of use in the medical world, where it has been used as a topical antiseptic and internally as anantibiotic to treat many complaints and to boost immune health.
Fish Oil
Essential fatty acids (EFAs) are polyunsaturated fats that our bodies need but cannot produce. Therefore, they must be consumed through food or supplements. There are two families of EFAs: omega-3 and omega-6, which need to be consumed in a balanced ratio. The body must receive a balanced supply of omega-3 and omega-6 EFAs. This is important for brain and eye health among other health benefits. Fish is the primary food source of the omega-3s EPA and DHA, but Americans simply don’t eat enough fish on a regular basis. Fish oil supplements help this.
Pro-biotic
Probiotics are microorganisms such as bacteria or yeast that are believed to improve health. They are available in supplements and foods. The idea of taking live bacteria or yeast may seem strange at first. After all, we take antibiotics and use antibacterial substances to fight bacteria. But  our bodies naturally teem with such organisms. The digestive system is home to more than 500 different bacterial species. They help keep intestinal linings healthy and assist in breaking down food. Beneficial organisms are also believed to help regulate healthy immune response. This article was really helpful: http://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/features/what-are-probiotics