Immuni-tiki: Tropical Immune Smoothie

Supporting your immune system is a daily task. Wake up, make your bed, brush your teeth, support your immune system with a shot of Lypo-Spheric^® Vitamin C. And do that every single day. Because if you’re not consistently taking Vitamin C, you’re not giving your immune system the supplies it needs to keep you healthy. It’s a routine, but it doesn’t have to be boring. Enter the Immuni-Tiki tropical immune smoothie. Every island ingredient is packed with nutrients scientifically proven to support your immune system. Pour an ounce into a shot glass and spike it with a packet of Lypo-Spheric^® Vitamin C, then sip the rest right out of a pineapple or your favorite tiki mug to take your tastebuds on a well-deserved vacation. While so many nutrients support your immune system, research shows that seven are must-haves.
 

Vitamin A

Vitamin A is critical for making cells of the tissues lining the outer surfaces of our organs and blood vessels that defend these crucial components from pathogens. Some research has demonstrated that immune system organs need constant dietary intake. You can get ample Vitamin A in a wide variety of foods, which is why deficiency in the developed world is rare. One of the densest Vitamin A concentrations is in the tropical mango, which is why we included it in this immune smoothie recipe.
 

Vitamin B6

Vitamin B6 supports the production of antibodies. Deficiency compromises antibody production, as well as the growth and activity of some white blood cells. You can find B6 in a variety of plant and animal foods. To keep with the tropical theme, we used a B6-packed banana in this recipe.
 

Vitamin C

Vitamin C supports the immune system in at least 20 ways, including the health and production of antibodies and several types of white blood cells. It’s also a powerful antioxidant that scavenges free radicals in water-based tissue. Without a proper antioxidant supply, free radicals can cause cascading damage known as oxidative stress, which in turn can suppress immune system function. You need Vitamin C to produce collagen, the structural protein fortifying the barriers in your gut and skin that you need to keep the bad stuff out. While abject Vitamin C deficiency (scurvy) is rare, many experts believe that we need far more than the national RDA, particularly in times of stress.

Vitamin C is one of the most commonly supplemented nutrients, but it’s rarely supplemented in the most advantageous manner. So many people just take Vitamin C when they feel run-down. That’s like only having a military when the enemy is already invading. If you’re not giving your immune system the Vitamin C it needs on a regular basis, you will not have the tools for your body to mount an appropriate immune response when it needs to. Because your body can’t store Vitamin C (it’s water soluble), you need to consume it every day. Also, it’s hard to absorb in large doses from traditional oral supplements, which is why so many people are turning to liposomal Vitamin C.

Pineapple, like many fruits, is a great source of Vitamin C. It’s so good, in fact, that the acidic Vitamin C content leads to many people confusing it for a citrus fruit. We also super-charged this immune support smoothie with a 1000 mg packet of Lypo-Spheric^® Vitamin C, a dose that some Vitamin C experts believe to be the baseline daily supplement for normal immune system function.
 

Vitamin D

Vitamin D stimulates production of certain immune cells and regulates some antimicrobial proteins. Deficiency is tied to incidence and severity of respiratory infection. And health practitioners say that deficiency is rampant today, often due to getting less sunlight which we need to synthesize Vitamin D in our skin. That’s why so many foods today are fortified with Vitamin D, including coconut milk. We used this allergen-friendly, nutrient-rich beverage as the base of this tropical immune supporting smoothie.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals in fat-based tissues. Research also shows that Vitamin E supports certain types of white blood cells. Mango is also a solid source of Vitamin E.
 

Zinc

Just the right amount of zinc is essential for proper immune system health; too little and too much both interfere with immune function. The hemp seeds in our tropical immune support smoothie can contribute to getting you to your optimal daily dose.
 

Selenium

Selenium is a requirement to produce some of the most important white blood cells in response to threats. Some researchers even call it “essential for the activity of virtually all arms of the immune system.” The mineral is also an antioxidant. While selenium deficiency in North America is rare, it’s common in places like China. We’ve added chia seeds to this immune support smoothie for their selenium content.
 

Immune Support Smoothie Ingredients

• 1/3 large banana
• 1/3 cup sliced mango
• 1/3 cup pineapple chunks
• 1/2 cup coconut milk beverage
• 1 tbsp hemp hearts
• 1 tsp chia seeds
• Ice
• 1 packet Lypo-Spheric® Vitamin C
   

How to Make Immuni-tiki

1. Add banana, mango, pineapple, coconut milk beverage, hemp hearts, chia seeds, and ice to a blender
2. Pour 1 ounce into a shot glass.
3. Squeeze Lypo-Spheric^® Vitamin C into the shot glass.
4. Throw it back like a shot.
5. Pour the rest of the shake into a hollowed out pineapple or coconut, or your favorite tiki mug.
6. Sip the rest of the shake and imagine that you’re in the tropics.