Immunity is a concern for people around the world as individuals are looking for ways to improve their health and avoid illness. What proactive steps are you taking to optimize immune function? You might search online for a list of immune booster drugs, but the side-effects of these medications could have a negative impact on your health. Instead of turning to synthetic medication, consider herbs and vitamins for immunity.
The key is to consider how your daily habits are impacting your health. In most situations, you don’t need to overhaul your diet and activities. Instead, simple steps can be followed to give your body the building blocks needed to fight off disease and illness. The immune system is the foundation that affects all aspects of your health, which is why good immune function is necessary for preventing everything from the common cold to cancer, heart disease, viruses (such as Coronavirus), and other serious health concerns.
An Apple a Day
There’s an old saying that provides a clue into good immune-boosting habits:an apple a day keeps the doctor away. The truth is that nourishing foods are rich in the vitamins and minerals that are necessary for fighting off illness.
How do vitamins work in the body to influence the immune system? We don’t need to get too deep into the science for you to understand the benefits of vitamins for immunity. To put it simply: the right balance of vitamins and minerals helps with a range of immune responses including affecting antibody response, inflammation, lymphocyte activation, and the overall regulation of the immune system.
At any moment, countless biological responses and special cell functions are happening within your body, affecting everything from immune response to organ function and more. Focusing on the long-term support of these systems is a critical part of your defense, and diet is a big part of this strategy.
Many of the vitamins needed for immune function can’t be created within the body. So, it is necessary to include these compounds in your regular diet. Some of the vitamins can be stored for a short time within the body, while others need to be replenished often because the body can’t store them.
Whole Foods vs. Supplements
Diet plays an undeniable role in immune function. You can’t eat junk food all day, then take a multivitamin and assume that you are covering the nutrients needed for good health. Yes, supplements can help – but they are most effective when paired with a healthy eating plan. At the same time, avoid certain foods that weaken the immune system such as sugar, alcohol, refined carbohydrates, and unhealthy fats.
Sometimes, many people find it difficult to consume enough fruits and vegetables each day to get the vitamins and minerals that are needed. So, the optimal balance is to include healthy foods in your meal plans while also choosing high-quality supplements.
If you are going to add vitamins for immunity into your daily routine, then it is essential to focus on the quality of your chosen supplements. Synthetic versions don’t respond the same way as natural supplements. For best results, look for immune-boosting supplements that are derived from real food sources.
6 Vitamins for Immunity
Which vitamins are most important to support your immune function? Consider some of these vitamins for immunity discovered by scientists:
- Vitamin C:Why did mom always bring a glass of orange juice when you were feeling sick? Vitamin C has been shown to have an impact on immune function and is one of the most recommended vitamins for immunity. It’s important to intake vitamin C daily because your body can’t store or produce it. Good food sources of vitamin C include citrus fruits such as tangerines, oranges, and grapefruits. Other food sources include leafy green vegetables (like spinach and kale), broccoli, bell peppers, and strawberries.
- Zinc: Researchers found that zinc can help by reducing the severity and duration of the common cold by activating and producing T-cells that respond to infections. Zinc is found in legumes, shellfish, whole grains, nuts, and seeds. It is also a common supplement to use for immunity.
- Vitamin E: This powerful antioxidant can be helpful when fighting off infection. It is estimated that Vitamin E affects as many as 200 biochemical reactions within the human body! Foods high in Vitamin E include spinach, nuts, and seeds.
- Vitamin B6: The biochemical reactions of your immune system are affected by Vitamin B6. Good food sources of Vitamin B6 include chickpeas, green vegetables, tuna, salmon, and chicken. If you choose a vitamin B supplement, then you might consider using a B complex to get a range of B Vitamins.
- Vitamin A: Another effective immune-boosting antioxidant is Vitamin A. Brightly colored foods are great sources of Vitamin A – they actually contain carotenoids that are converted into Vitamin A within the body. Good food sources include pumpkin, carrots, sweet potatoes, squash, and cantaloupe.
- Vitamin D: You can find vitamin D supplements, but this vitamin isn’t common in many food sources. This vitamin can be produced in the body when you are getting a bit of sun exposure each day. The goal is to have sunlight on your skin for long enough to boost vitamin D production, without reaching the point of sunburn. Food sources of Vitamin D include eggs, dairy, and fish.
Ultimately, you need to be eating a variety of healthy foods to get a full range of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. Aim to eat a rainbow of colors in the fruits and vegetables you choose each day. Stick with whole food ingredients and minimize processed foods since they are often stripped of these essential nutrients. Look for ways to add more fruits and vegetables into your snacks and meals to optimize your nutrition throughout the day.
How to Boost Immune System Quickly
One good strategy is to always have an immune booster on hand so you can act fast when you feel like an illness might be starting. If you notice a scratchy throat or body aches, then treatment timing is an important factor that will influence the severity of your illness and how quickly you recover. Many people find that immediate treatment using natural supplements can be effective in stopping sickness in the early stages.
Using vitamins and herbs to boost the immune system can have an immediate impact to increase immune function and increase the likelihood you can fight off the bug. In addition to the vitamins listed above, other common immune-boosting supplements include:
- Elderberry
- Medicinal Mushrooms
- Ginger
- Garlic
- Cayenne Pepper
- Selenium
- Echinacea
- Curcumin
Another option is to use drinks to boost the immune system, offering a fast way to get the vitamins into your body. The liquid form of these ingredients can be integrated into the body quickly since the digestive system doesn’t need to break down the food compounds.
At Hana Tonic, we are supporting your health through a proprietary blend of immune-boosting ingredients. Our tonic is packed with vitamins for immunity and real-food ingredients like ginger, lemon, pineapple, cayenne, and more. This low-sugar drink comes in a convenient travel-friendly bottle so you always have the best ingredients on hand when you need an immune boost.