Due to the critical role of helping our bodies fight infections and common colds, it is important to keep your immune system in check.
There are many ways through which you can boost your immune system, for example, eating a balanced diet, reducing stress levels, having enough and quality sleep and using supplements. With this in mind, let us now look at some of the best immune system supplements that you can use.
Zinc
Zinc plays an important role in cell development, communication as well as inflammatory response, all which help in strengthening the immune system. Research shows that zinc deficiency affects around 2B people in the world and about 30% of older adults. Deficiency in zinc may place you at the risk of diseases, infections, and pneumonia. When taken in the right amount, as prescribed by your nutritionist, zinc can help boost your immune system, which in turn reduces the risk of respiratory tract infections such as common colds.
Selenium
This a mineral nutrient that is responsible for the immune health. Research findings show that the supplement is capable of strengthening the defense against virus-related illnesses such as influenza strains.
Probiotics
The food we eat can sometimes contain microbes that may be harmful to our health. And because we cannot entirely protect ourselves from such microbes in what we eat, fortunately, the digestive system acts as an immune organ. This is made possible by the probiotics contained in the digestive tract. They help protect the body against the microbes we consume together with food. Probiotics are found in fermented foods such as yogurt, kombucha, and sauerkraut. You can also find probiotics formulated with vitamins C and D and zinc.
Vitamins
Vitamins are vital in the immune health of our bodies since most of them help in the repair of the damaged cells. Vitamin C contains antioxidants and antiviral properties, both of which are responsible for the immune system. B complex vitamins, such as vitamin A, B12 B6, E and D all play an important role in the enhancement of the immune system, and in turn, keep away from deficiency diseases and infections.in place of the supplements, you should strive to eat foods that contain these vital vitamins as much as you can.
Elderberry
Black elderberry has been extensively used to treat infections, but it is still under research to ascertain its effectiveness in the immune system. However, initial primary findings indicate the potency of antibacterial and antiviral properties that help protect the body against bacterial pathogens that cause respiratory tract infections and strains of the influenza virus. Furthermore, it has been used to enhance immune system response, reducing the severity of common colds, as well as reducing the chances of virus-related infections.