Top 7 Supplements To Support Your Immune System Health
We know the importance of a healthy immune system. In fact, theres never a bad time for supporting a healthy immune system.
The great news is there are relatively simple ways you can boost your familys immune system health, and many of these immune system assisters have been utilized by different cultures for centuries.
This is exactly what I’m personally doing to support my immune system health. It’s what my wife, Chelsea, and my entire family follows, too, to support immune health.
Why is this so important? Because our immune systems are our built-in first line of defense for our bodies. Its always important but especially in an age where we move and connect faster than ever before.
Thankfully, nature provides us with a treasure trove of botanicals and other ingredients to support a healthy immune system.
Here are the top healthy immune system-supporting ingredients nature has to offer, in my opinion, along with one-of-a-kind ingredient pairings Ancient Nutrition and I formulated to bring what we believe are the best immune-boosting supplements out there.
Potency And Purity Of Ingredients
Hand-in-hand with high quality comes potency and purity. Its about making sure the said formula really does contain the levels of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and other compounds stated on the bottle.
Only by making sure, your ingredients are exactly what they say, can you experience the health benefits you expect. Right next to your mushrooms, ensure the entire formula is pure and free of any artificial additives, fillers, thickening agents, and colorants that exist to lower the cost and with it, the quality.
What Foods Support The Immune System
Fruits and vegetables can help to support the normal functioning of the immune system, thanks to their vitamin content.
Citrus fruits such as grapefruits and oranges are high in vitamin C, and broccoli is packed full of vitamins and minerals, as well as containing vitamins A, C and E, fibre and antioxidants.
Also Check: What Vitamins Are Good For Energy Boost
Three Vitamins Minerals To Boost Your Immune System And Fight Covid
Associate Professor of dietetics and nutrition shares which supplements and food groups can help keep you healthy
As we continue to keep an eye on COVID-19 and its new strains, now is a great time to strengthen our immune systems to combat the virus.
According to Associate Professor of dietetics and nutrition Cristina Palacios, supplements and foods rich in certain vitamins and minerals are crucial.
Those of us that have a better nutritional status can fight the disease better than others, says Palacios, a faculty member at the Robert Stempel College of Public Health & Social Work. We constantly have pathogens, such as virus and bacteria, coming into our bodies. If our immune system is working really well, we dont get infected.
She adds, In general, nutrition affects our entire body. All body processes require enzymes, and many vitamins and minerals help enzymes work better. Theres the saying, We are what we eat. Its true. If you want to be healthy, you have to consume certain nutrients.
So, how do we keep our immune systems healthy during this time?
To shed light on the matter, Palacios recently hosted a free virtual webinar for the community. The webinar was part of an ongoing series organized by Palacios and a team of graduate students to share information with folks who are trying to keep their families healthy.
Here are the top three supplements adults should consider taking.
Nutrients through food
Vitamin And Supplement Store
Since 1988, ProHealth has been proud to offer you a wide variety of the highest quality, best researched nutritional supplements available to help you live a healthy, happy life. Our selection of vitamins and supplements features trusted brands with research-backed ingredients to ensure you get exactly what you need to live your best life. Whether you are looking for something to help you maintain healthy digestion, a fish oil to support heart health, or coconut oil for its many applications, we have you covered with high-quality products from some of the most trusted names on todays market.
When you approach the topic of wellness, it’s important to have accurate, up-to-date information. Our goal is to supply you with the facts you need to help you make an informed decision. While this doesnt replace having an open dialogue with your doctor regarding your best plan of action, it can be a relevant starting point whether you’re looking for a refresher or an introductory level of information on a specific topic or supplement type.
Recommended Reading: What Vitamins Should I Take For Hormonal Acne
Helpful Ways To Strengthen Your Immune System And Fight Off Disease
How can you improve your immune system? On the whole, your immune system does a remarkable job of defending you against disease-causing microorganisms. But sometimes it fails: A germ invades successfully and makes you sick. Is it possible to intervene in this process and boost your immune system? What if you improve your diet? Take certain vitamins or herbal preparations? Make other lifestyle changes in the hope of producing a near-perfect immune response?
The Science Behind Zinc And Immunity
Zinc supports the functioning of immune cells like neutrophils and macrophages. As a result, a zinc deficiency can lead to a higher risk of infections. You’ve probably seen zinc lozenges at your pharmacy. Though the research is conflicting, the nutrient is thought to potentially drive down the duration and severity of symptoms associated with the common cold by preventing the entry of the virus into cells and stopping it from multiplying in the body.
Zinc’s antiviral properties may help the body fight viral species similar to those that cause COVID-19, per emerging research. However, studies on zinc and viruses like the coronavirus are still in their infancy, and a great deal of further research in humans is still needed before we can making any sweeping conclusions about the relationship between the two.
Also Check: Vitamin D Effects On Body
Food Fix: Immune System Boost
Most people turn straight to vitamin C after theyve caught a cold. Thats because it helps build up your immune system.
Vitamin C is thought to increase the production of white blood cells, which are key to fighting infections.
Almost all citrus fruits are high in vitamin C. With such a variety to choose from, its easy to add a squeeze of this vitamin to any meal.
Popular citrus fruits include:
Garlic is found in almost every cuisine in the world. It adds a little zing to food and its a must-have for your health.
Early civilizations recognized its value in fighting infections. Garlic may also slow down hardening of the arteries, and theres that it helps lower blood pressure.
Garlics immune-boosting properties seem to come from a heavy concentration of sulfur-containing compounds, such as allicin.
Ginger is another ingredient many turn to after getting sick. Ginger may help decrease inflammation, which can help reduce a sore throat and inflammatory illnesses. Ginger may help with nausea as well.
While its used in many sweet desserts, ginger packs some heat in the form of gingerol, a relative of capsaicin.
Ginger may also
Spinach made our list not just because its rich in vitamin C its also packed with numerous antioxidants and beta carotene, which may both increase the infection-fighting ability of our immune systems.
Papayas have decent amounts of potassium, magnesium, and folate, all of which are beneficial to your overall health.
- oysters
True Vitamin For The Immune System
Vitamin D is fantastic but its not really a vitamin true vitamin for boosting the immune system is Vitamin C
I take about 3000-5000 mg daily and up to 10,000 when Im feeling sick or stressed out.
Ill get much deeper into Vitamin C and the immune system in the future articles the best form, dosages, when to take it, etc.
But, I didnt want to leave you hanging today
Meanwhile make sure you keep your Vitamin D& Klevels at optimal level.
“Increase Your Vitamin D+K”
There are literally dozens of health benefits when improving your Vitamin D levels … However, there are two big problems:
- Problem #1: About 93% of people are deficient or have low levels of Vitamin D
- Problem #2: Primary way to get Vit D is from 45-60 min of daily sunlight daily
This is why its best to take a daily supplement to ensure you have optimal Vit D levels.
And make sure you take Vit D3 with K2 to ensure proper absorption and calcium metabolism for brain & heart health.
You May Like: What Vitamins Are Important For Pregnancy
Vitamins For The Immune System
A normal immune system can be supported by a variety of vitamins and minerals in order to do its job properly. Vitamins that play a role in immune function include vitamins C, D, and A,i in addition to others. The food you eat can help you get these contributors for immune system health. However, if you are unable to get all the vitamins you need from your everyday diet, you might want to consider taking a daily multivitamin. Centrum multivitamins contain vitamins and minerals to help support the normal functioning of the immune system.
Does Being Cold Give You A Weak Immune System
Almost every mother has said it: “Wear a jacket or you’ll catch a cold!” Is she right? Probably not, exposure to moderate cold temperatures doesn’t increase your susceptibility to infection. There are two reasons why winter is “cold and flu season.” In the winter, people spend more time indoors, in closer contact with other people who can pass on their germs. Also the influenza virus stays airborne longer when air is cold and less humid.
But researchers remain interested in this question in different populations. Some experiments with mice suggest that cold exposure might reduce the ability to cope with infection. But what about humans? Scientists have performed experiments in which volunteers were briefly dunked in cold water or spent short periods of time naked in subfreezing temperatures. They’ve studied people who lived in Antarctica and those on expeditions in the Canadian Rockies. The results have been mixed. For example, researchers documented an increase in upper respiratory infections in competitive cross-country skiers who exercise vigorously in the cold, but whether these infections are due to the cold or other factors such as the intense exercise or the dryness of the air is not known.
Also Check: What Vitamins Should I Take If Vegetarian
Best Vitamins And Supplements For A Healthy Dog
Many commercially produced dog foods fortify their recipes with added nutrients to ensure your pup gets the nutrients they need. These pet foods, including The Honest Kitchens, are formulated to meet guidelines determined by the Association of American Feed Control Officials so pet owners can feel at ease knowing that their dogs food is offering them adequate nutrition.
However, like humans, dogs can experience health issues like joint pain, immune system weakness, and general effects of aging that can benefit from introducing additional vitamins and minerals to their diet. As a result, some pet owners may decide to look into supplements for their dogs to help mitigate these issues based on recommendations from their veterinarian.
Below, well discuss what you need to know about common vitamins and supplements, and how to collaborate with your dogs vet to choose the best supplement for your pup.
Cant Get To The Farmers Market Buy The Frozen Stuff
There is a myth that frozen fruits and vegetables are useless, and that only fresh local produce can give you the right immunity boost. While we support preparing food from as many fresh ingredients as possible, we also want you to keep in mind that theres nothing wrong with some frozen choices. Why? Because they are generally frozen when they reach their peak ripeness, which means they retain their nutritional value. Just make sure you dont go for packets with added sugar or salt!
Choose chapter:
Read Also: What Vegetables Contain Vitamin C
Diet And Your Immune System
Like any fighting force, the immune system army marches on its stomach. Healthy immune system warriors need good, regular nourishment. Scientists have long recognized that people who live in poverty and are malnourished are more vulnerable to infectious diseases. For example, researchers don’t know whether any particular dietary factors, such as processed foods or high simple sugar intake, will have adversely affect immune function. There are still relatively few studies of the effects of nutrition on the immune system of humans.
There is some evidence that various micronutrient deficiencies for example, deficiencies of zinc, selenium, iron, copper, folic acid, and vitamins A, B6, C, and E alter immune responses in animals, as measured in the test tube. However, the impact of these immune system changes on the health of animals is less clear, and the effect of similar deficiencies on the human immune response has yet to be assessed.
So, what can you do? If you suspect your diet is not providing you with all your micronutrient needs maybe, for instance, you don’t like vegetables taking a daily multivitamin and mineral supplement may bring other health benefits, beyond any possibly beneficial effects on the immune system. Taking megadoses of a single vitamin does not. More is not necessarily better.
Most Effective Probiotic Supplements For Immune Health
Now you have a better understanding of the way probiotics support immune function, its time to take a look at the four products that work best.
However, every probiotic strain offers multiple benefits so each product has value in areas other than enhancing immunity.
You are probably reading this article because you want to attain and maintain a stronger immune system. All four products can help you to do this and, if thats all you want, ProBiology Gut+ is the option that should work best.
However, you may require additional benefits as well. If this is so, and depending on what you require, one of the other three options may be a more appropriate choice.
You May Like: Where Are Nature Made Vitamins Sold
Explained: Immune System Support Vitamins
The human immune system is an incredible thing. Its something we often take for granted until were sick, and we realize just how important and incredible this essential network can be to keep us fit and healthy.
A normal, healthy person shouldnt need any supplementary support to keep their immune system in good working order. But many people are finding they are becoming more susceptible to picking up transient bugs and viruses with cases of bygone diseases and conditions back on the rise.
So can you really boost your immune system function with vitamins? Read on to find out how.
Other Ingredients And Practices That Support You
And just to round out the list, here are some other ingredients and practices known in traditional cultures to help support overall wellness
- Reishi mushroom
- Exercise
- Gratitude
And last but not least, lets take a closer look at those last three. As you are taking care of your immune system, you’ve got to practice the proper lifestyle, including stress reduction, getting healthy amounts of sunshine, exercising, spending time in nature and fostering feelings of gratitude and hope to overcome fear.
Resetting your mindset to a state of joy, gratitude, love, faith and hope are essential.
Dr. Josh Axe, DC, DNM, CNS, is a doctor of chiropractic, doctor of natural medicine, clinical nutritionist and author with a passion to help people get well using food and nutrition. He operates leading natural health website DrAxe.com and is co-founder of Ancient Nutrition, a health supplement company. Hes also author of the booksEat Dirt,Essential Oils: Ancient Medicine,Keto Diet, Collagen Dietandthe upcoming Ancient Remedies.
Recommended Reading: How Much Vitamin B12 Should I Take For Weight Loss
Boosting Your Immune System
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to persist, there are several strategies that can help boost your immune system and can help prevent COVID-19.
Eat a healthy, balanced diet. A healthy diet that is high in fruits and vegetables and low in processed foods is vital for a strong immune system. The vitamins and minerals within fruits and vegetables play a role in boosting your immune system, too.
Get enough sleep. Your body needs rest to recover from everyday stress and lack of sleep negatively affects the immune system. Try to establish a sleep routine by going to bed and waking up at the same time every day and getting at least seven hours of sleep each night.
Exercise regularly. Exercise increases your resilience so you can fight off infection. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise each week, or 30 minutes a day for 5 days a week. Remember that some activity each day is much better than none at all. for more information about how much physical activity is needed for adults.
Limit alcohol and quit smoking. If you smoke, find support by calling 1-800-QUIT-NOW. If you drink, do so in moderation. Tobacco and alcohol both negatively impact your immune system and can contribute to complications if you do get sick.
Find ways to minimize stress. Develop good coping mechanisms to combat stress. Try walking, going outside, meditating, and focusing on doing things you enjoy.
Wash your hands frequently and especially before eating or touching your face.
Howto Grocery Shop To Boost Your Immunity
A simple rule can help youwhen choosing fruits and vegetables at the grocery store or farmersmarket: The more colorful the fruits and vegetables are, the better.
Try to eat a wide variety of foods, and aim to eat fruit and vegetables from every color of the rainbow, Zumpano says. Your plate will be more enticing to look at, and you will ensure that youre getting as many health-boosting vitamins and nutrients as possible.
Its also important to knowthat you build a strong immune system by maintaining healthy eating habitsover time. You cant eat four oranges at breakfast and expect to be protectedthat day against catching a cold.
Also Check: Do Beard Growth Vitamins Work
