Should You Use Supplements to Boost the Immune System?

These days is almost impossible to find vitamin supplements in the pharmacies.

Especially vitamin C, zinc, selenium and other minerals that boost your immune system.

So, today I will try to answer your question:

Should you use supplements when you are trying to boost your immune system?

What is the immune system?

The immune system is one of the most important systems in the human body.

It is a defensive shield that protects you from viruses, bacteria, inflammations.

The best way to boost immune system is to eat healthy foods and to exercise.

But many people use supplements as an addition to the above-mentioned tips.

Should You Use Supplements to boost your Immune System?

If your doctor suggests you some supplement you should take it regularly.

You don’t need to exceed the recommended dose, just follow the instructions on the package.

Here is the kicker:

Supplements are not drugs; they can’t replace therapy for example.

If we are talking about the immune system, the best way to boost it is to eat healthy foods, sleep well, reduce stress, exercise.

When it comes to supplements, yes, they can help, but they can’t be your primary tactic.

The best way to boost your immune system is to eat healthily, walk, spend some time in the sun, sleep 8 hours straight, reduce stress, and take supplements.

Taking only supplements without following the other rules is pointless.

What are the best vitamins and minerals for the immune system?

You should intake vitamins and minerals through food and additionally as supplements.

Let’s see what vitamins and minerals are good to boost your immune system:

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is essential.

It increases the production of white blood cells, which are responsible for boosting your immune system.

Vitamin D

The main role of vitamin D is to regulate the concentration of calcium and phosphate in your blood.

Calcium is important for almost every cell in your body.

You can take vitamin D3 through supplements.

Zinc

Zinc is important for your body, especially for your immune system.

It helps with wound healing, it’s important for the bones.

Selenium

Selenium is a powerful antioxidant and it is very effective when you combine it with vitamin E.

Selenium is important not only for the immune system, but for the work of the thyroid gland too.

Magnesium

This is one of the most important minerals for your body.

It is essential for a healthy heart, muscles, kidneys, bones, brain.

It is best to use magnesium with vitamin B6 because the level of B6 helps to absorb magnesium better.

Natural Supplements to Support the Immune System

The immune system involves many different cells, tissues, and organs working together to protect the body from foreign bodies, infections, and other diseases. However, the immune system can only function at its best when sufficient nutrients are available.

There are many different types of natural supplements and herbal supplements said to help the body strengthen its ability to fight off disease. Dietary supplements involve a concentrated form of various types of nutrients and are aimed at increasing the level of nutrients the body absorbs. They can include vitamins, minerals, herbal supplements, amino acids, and enzymes.

Vitamins and Minerals

Four vitamins that are important when it comes to supporting the immune system are vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, and the B complex vitamins.

Vitamin C

A lack of vitamin C in the diet is thought to make a person more prone to illness. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant, but, according to Oregon State University, there is not enough clinical research evidence to show that vitamin C can boost the immune system in the prevention of conditions such as the common cold. However, the study found that during extremely stressful situations (such as for those running a marathon) vitamin C supplementation resulted in a lower incidence of upper respiratory infections.

Caution should be used when taking daily vitamin C supplements. The body can only absorb so much vitamin C at one time. High dosages of vitamin C taken by mouth can result in side effects such as diarrhea and upset stomach, as well as potentially interfering with normal glucometer (instruments commonly used to measure blood sugar in those who are diabetic) blood sugar readings.

Unless a doctor, knowledgeable in the safe use of herbs and supplements gives a recommendation (such as when a person is vitamin C deficient), it may be better to get your daily levels of vitamin C from food sources such as kiwi fruit, citrus fruit, strawberries, red bell peppers, and more.

Note, if vitamin C supplements are taken, it is best to space it out during the day, instead of taking the entire daily dose all at once.

Vitamin B

Human studies have discovered that vitamin B6 levels impact the immune response. In fact, the body requires B vitamins to make immune cells. There are several members of the B complex vitamins required to promote disease prevention by boosting the immune system, including pyroxidine (B6) thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2) and more. These B vitamins are essential for maintaining healthy immune systems.

Foods should be the primary source of B vitamins but various factors could lead to a deficiency in vitamin B; these include lack of a varied diet (including food sources rich in B vitamins), taking certain medications and more. Unless a person has a vitamin B deficiency, supplements may not be necessary.