There are a few ways to boost the immune system naturally. Thus, one may boost the immune system via physical therapy, nutrition therapy, physiotherapy, food supplements, and even by using multivitamin.
Among various means, perhaps the best way to take care of immunity is using vitamin-based immune-booster supplements. There are many benefits of preferring vitamins.
Vitamins are effective even in micro dosages. They have many beneficial effects like boosting metabolism, improving mood, preventing metabolic disorders, and enhancing brain health. In addition, vitamins boost immunity both due to their direct impact on immunity and their multiple health benefits.
Vitamin C
It is a water-soluble vitamin present in citrus fruits, berries, green vegetables, and much more. It is a potent antioxidant and among the better-known immune boosters.
Vitamin C is also essential for the absorption of iron. Furthermore, it stimulates the production of white blood cells and plays an important role in collagen production. In addition, it means that vitamin C facilitates wound healing and tissue growth. Therefore, one should take 90 mg or more of this vitamin a day for optimal health.
Hundreds of studies support its use as a natural immune booster. Systemic reviews indicate that though it does not reduce the incidence of infections like a common cold in a general population, it can significantly reduce its severity. Further, it may even help prevent catching infections in specific population groups like those undergoing physical stress – in such cases, it may reduce the risk of catching an infection by 50%.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is a group of related fat-soluble vitamins. It plays a vital role and regulates the immune system. In addition, it helps in cell growth and plays a critical role in heart, lung, and eye health. It is also among the potent antioxidants.
Vitamin A sources are foods like beef liver, sweet potato, spinach, carrots, dairy products, and more. It also promotes tissue growth, and there are many health conditions in which it may help by boosting immunity. Thus, studies show that it may help reduce the risk of cancers. It may even help reduce the risk of lung cancer, but not in smokers. Additionally, it may also help prevent age-related macular degeneration, one of the leading causes of irreversible blindness in older adults.
This amazing vitamin appears to help fight even specific infections by boosting immunity. Studies show that supplementing vitamin A may reduce the risk of dying from measles by as much as 26%, which is a significant benefit.
Vitamin B12
The top-most reason people looking to boost immunity naturally most consider this water-soluble vitamin is that its content in plant products is almost absent. It mainly occurs in animal-based foods like organ meat, seafood, and dairy products. Thus, there are very few vitamin B12 foods, making supplementation necessary.
Vitamin B12 is a coenzyme that plays a vital role in the manufacture of cellular DNA. It is essential for producing white and red blood cells and thus the synthesis of immune cells. It is also vital for the optimal growth of nerve cells.
The body can store vitamin B12 for a few months only. If the supply is not consistent, one may develop vitamin B12 deficiency symptoms megaloblastic anemia (abnormally large red blood cells), low white blood cells and platelet count (thus, low immunity), inflammation of the tongue, mouth ulcers, dementia, weight loss, and infertility. Vitamin B12 deficiency also leads to neurological symptoms.
As its deficiency causes a decline in white blood cells, its supplementation may boost their levels and thus immunity. Studies suggest that supplementing vitamin B12 can drastically boost immunity by increasing protein synthesis, altering the activity of immune cells, and reducing inflammation.
Vitamin D
Most people have an insufficient supply of this sunshine vitamin. It is because most people are not just spending enough time in direct sunlight. Thus, its deficiency is even widespread in a tropical nations.
Vitamin D is well-known for its role in bone mineralization and promoting calcium absorption. However, there has been increasing interest in its non-skeletal functions in recent years. It appears to prevent metabolic disorders, normalize hormone levels, and help boost immunity. Vitamin D benefits are innumerable.
Dietary recommendations say that people should get 20 mcg or 800 IU of vitamin D daily. However, the problem is that this vital vitamin is found in very few foods. For example, there are almost no vitamin D fruits or vitamin D vegetable sources. Among vegan sources, it is present in moderate amounts in mushrooms only.
Studies show that vitamin D is both an immune booster and immune modulator. It means that it is good for fighting infections, reducing inflammation, and reducing the risk of autoimmune disorders.
Not only that, but now some new studies show that it is pretty good for boosting immunity fast. One of the studies suggests that even a single dose of vitamin D may enhance immunity to mycobacteria.
Zinc
People have traditionally used zinc to reduce the severity of a common cold. Thus, there is no surprise that many clinical trials tested it to boost immunity and reduce the severity of covid-19. Studies suggest that zinc is especially good for reducing the severity of a common cold or even covid-19 infection when used along with vitamin C.
This micronutrient works by participating in more than 100 enzymatic activities in the body. For example, zinc is an essential nutrient for the working of the immune system, protein production, wound healing, cell division, and DNA synthesis. It also plays a vital role in nerve growth and development.
Conclusion
Regularly or intermittently supplementing multivitamins is one of the best and safest ways of boosting immunity. Science has tested vitamins discussed here individually. However, if these vitamins are combined, such a multivitamin for the immune system would greatly benefit immune health. Moreover, vitamins have numerous other health effects apart from boosting immunity.
One such amazing product that combines the benefits of all the vitamins mentioned above, probiotics, and other minerals is the Zenkgo multivitamin blend for women. It will not only boost immunity, help with hair, and nail health, revitalize, positively influence the gut-brain axis, mood, and much more.