Do you want to know which vitamins help your immune system?
We examine the nutrients that can assist you in maintaining your health.
It’s critical to know which vitamins help the immune system. Our planet isn’t sterile, after all. Every day, we are exposed to a slew of dangerous bacteria that are continually improving their ability to infect us.
Knowing the dangers, we typically try everything we can to avoid becoming unwell. We could put on a jacket, make a cup of hot tea, and go to the drugstore to get some reinforcements. But do we know which vitamins help the immune system to function better? Is it even feasible to fight a cold with specific nutrients, or is this just a marketing gimmick?
It’s difficult to overstate the importance of diet in preserving our health and well-being. Studies have shown that a diet rich in whole foods and high in high-quality protein (our guide to the best protein powder can help if you’re struggling to reach your protein requirements) is essential for longevity and enhanced quality of life. However, aside from the brain, our immune system is likely the most complicated element of the human body, and it may require more than just a few specialized nutrients to keep it in top shape.
CAN VITAMINS HELP YOU IMPROVE YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM?
Your immune system works nonstop to combat any hazardous germs or viruses that come into touch with you. Many diverse elements shape your immune response, making it one of the most sophisticated and interrelated systems in the human body. Your genetic make-up, age, health situation, and stress levels are all factors to consider.
One of the most important factors in maintaining a healthy immune system is diet. A increasing body of data argues that the current Western diet, which is heavy in sugar, salt, and fat, is to blame for the global epidemic of chronic diseases.
To strengthen your defenses and stay disease-free, your body need a variety of nutrients. However, while certain nutrients can help maintain the immune system, it’s not as simple as taking a multivitamin every morning. If you’re serious about increasing your immunity, you may need to make long-term and significant dietary adjustments.
Nonetheless, treating vitamin and mineral shortages may be an excellent place to start. Micronutrients help the body’s natural defenses by strengthening physical barriers (such as the skin or mucosa), enhancing antibody production, and improving cell communication. Some vitamins are also superior than others at helping your immune system.
VITAMINS TO HELP BOOST YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM
Vitamin C
Vitamin C, commonly known as ascorbic acid, is a popular element in over-the-counter cold and flu treatments. Vitamin C insufficiency has long been related to weakened immune systems and increased infection susceptibility.
When your body is fighting an infection, studies show that taking vitamin C supplements can help you recover faster, even if you’re already getting your recommended daily dose of 75-90 mg of ascorbic acid.
Vitamin C helps the immune system in a variety of ways. It strengthens white blood cells, maintains a robust skin barrier, and protects against oxidative stress, among other things.
“Getting enough vitamin C can help to minimize lung inflammation, which can aid in the treatment of Covid-19 and other respiratory issues.
Citrus fruits are thought to have the highest content of ascorbic acid. They are correct: a medium orange provides about 70 milligrams of vitamin C. Certain veggies, on the other hand, can be excellent suppliers. One bell pepper, for example, has nearly 65 milligrams of vitamin C, while 100 grams of broccoli has more than 89 milligrams.
Vitamin B
All life forms on our planet, from bacteria to people, require B vitamins to survive. There are eight main forms of B vitamins, each of which is involved in a different set of metabolic and regulatory functions. Simply said, we wouldn’t be able to move, think, or develop or repair any tissues in our bodies if we didn’t have B vitamins.
There is also strong evidence that these nutrients aid in the building of our immune system. By influencing the synthesis and activity of white blood cells, folic acid (B9) and B12 deficiency can substantially change immunological responses. They can also cause hyperhomocysteinemia, which causes systemic inflammation and can lead to a variety of disorders. According to a 2017 study, low B6 levels have a harmful impact on our immune system.
Fortunately, most wholefoods contain B vitamins. You should easily meet your recommended daily intake if you eat a nutritious diet rich in whole grains, meat, eggs, legumes, seeds, nuts, fruits, and dark green vegetables.
Vitamin D
“Before antibiotics, vitamin D was utilized unwittingly in the treatment of tuberculosis. To cure tuberculosis, cod liver oil and sunlight exposure were employed — both of these medicines are high in vitamin D.”
Vitamin D insufficiency has been related to an increased risk of psoriasis, multiple sclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis, among other inflammatory diseases. Furthermore, this vitamin aids in the activation and proliferation of white blood cells, bolstering our resistance to a variety of ailments.
Vitamin D is found in the highest concentrations in red meat, liver, egg yolks, and oily fish like salmon, sardines, and mackerel. Don’t worry if you’re not a lover of animal-based cuisine. To prevent deficiency in the general population, many countries add vitamin D to foods including breakfast cereals, plant-based milks, and mushrooms.
Zinc
Zinc is one of the most vital elements for human health, despite the fact that it is not strictly a vitamin. It is necessary for human development, growth, and the proper functioning of our nervous and reproductive systems. Our immune system will suffer as well if we don’t have enough zinc.
Zinc appears to have a direct effect on the development and function of white blood cells, according to research. It could potentially function as an immunostimulant, a substance that boosts the efficiency of immune system reactions. Zinc has also been demonstrated in numerous studies to have anti-cancer capabilities, primarily via preserving and repairing DNA strands.
Zinc can be found in a variety of foods, including whole grains, dairy products, meat, lentils, and nuts. Many foods, particularly breakfast cereals, are fortified with this vitamin as well.
HOW CAN YOU INCLUDE VITAMINS IN YOUR DAILY DIET?
While vitamin supplements may appear to be a quick fix, maintaining a healthy and balanced diet is the best approach to ensure adequate consumption of critical nutrients. Food provides higher absorption and utilization of vitamins, but supplements can vary in quality.
However, having a well-balanced diet is not always possible, and even if you eat a healthy diet, you can still be deficient in a vitamin. Vitamin pills can help in this situation.
While nutrition is vital in developing a healthy immune system, you may need to address other parts of your lifestyle as well if you want to increase your chances of preventing infection.
Rather than thinking on increasing the immune system, think about maintaining it healthy and balanced, Ideally, this balance will be achieved by a combination of dietary and lifestyle changes. You must not only eat and drink correctly, but you must also handle other vital areas of your health and welfare in order to maintain balance. Stay connected with friends, sleep well, digest properly, avoid long-term stress, and eat thoughtfully.
