Best Supplements For Boosting Immune System

“Oh maaaan, I’m down with the flu again”. How many times have you heard this or thought this to yourself? The winter arrives and with it the never-ending forms of a cold you can catch. Then this cold winter ends and spring sneaks in an optimistic dance you get the cherry blossom and with it blossom. Then you start to wonder what supplements are best for boosting your immune system.

Cold, flu, allergy, inflammation, you name it, the person on the bus sneezes and by the time you get home your throat sore and need to get in bed, miserable. Your body is weak and along with it weakens your spirit as it is so annoying to get ill. You wanna know why and mostly how to make it stop. 

The bottom line is to strengthen your immune system and for the very least give it a boost. Several things can be done for that purpose and this time we will focus on the best supplements that can contribute and benefit us throughout the desire to stay healthy and functional. 

Best supplements I found for boosting the immune system are vitamin C, vitamins B ( B9 and B12), Zinc, vitamin D, Magnesium, probiotics and Omega 3. There are also other vitamins and minerals to discuss but that will be discussed in our next article.

Most important thing to do is make sure we do actually have a weak immune system. It is very responsible and important to be doing so as the symptoms of a weak immune system can be caused by many medical conditions so first things first, go to your doctor and ask to run blood tests. 

Blood tests are an excellent indicator of a weak or strong immune system and generally wise recommended to get once a year or 18 months. It is also recommended to get advice from a physician in regards the combination of medications you are taking and supplements you’re considering taking so go do a checkup.

The immune system in a nutshell

Illnesses occur out of various reasons but all drains to one place- immune system. The immune system is like the defense and guerilla forces of our body. It defends us against infectious organisms and multiple types of invaders that aim towards one goal – develops and flourish on our account, procreates through weakening our body.

The immune system is a combination of cells working together in an amazingly brilliant synchronized network alongside tissues and even organs. All work together to protect our body. 

Among this amazing force we can find the tonsils and thymus, lymph nodes and vessels (lymphatic system), bone marrow, spleen (for blood filtration and removal of old blood cells and bacteria and invaders destruction) white blood cells and few more.

So basically we have 3 kinds of immune groups:

1. Innate immunity that we are born with.
2. adaptive immunity that our body acquires
3. Complement that is a type of immune system personal assistants proteins that run through the blood.

How can you boost your immune system? On the whole, your immune system does a remarkable job of defending you against disease-causing microorganisms. But sometimes it fails: A germ invades successfully and makes you sick. 

Is it possible to intervene in this process and boost your immune system? What if you improve your diet? Take certain vitamins or herbal preparations? Make other lifestyle changes in the hope of producing a near-perfect immune response?

When should you boost your Immune System according to symptoms

The symptoms of a weak immune system can include the following:

• Tendency of catching a cold more than twice over winter
• autoimmune disorders
• inflammation of the internal organs
• blood disorders or abnormalities, such as anemia
• digestive issues, including loss of appetite, diarrhea, and abdominal cramping
• growth and developmental delays in infants and children

All the above are just signs we ought to understand as a turning point for us to do something with our health. 

At this point in time where one feels those symptoms a well-balanced supplements routine can help boost the immune system. It might take time but more important to understand is that it might require step by step changes in lifestyle for best results.

In any case, we do recommend that you go to your doctor checkup and if there is vitamin or mineral deficiency, only then consuming those supplements can be very helpful for the purpose of getting stronger and healthier. 

So here are the best supplements for boosting the Immune System

Vitamin C Immune System best friend

Number one powerful antioxidant, repair of tissue and the enzymatic production of certain neurotransmitters, improving iron absorption and by that prevent the very common iron deficiency in our days, boost immunity system by assisting white blood cells function better and the list goes on and on. Great flu protector amongst all.

Wonderful vitamin to get either from fresh foods or supplements. If decided to get from supplements, in my opinion, get pills no bigger than the 500 mg as with vitamin C what the body can’t absorb it throws down the urinary system so smaller amounts will most likely lead to better absorption.

Vitamin C is also highly important vitamins for vegetarians and vegans as the ideal formation of iron in legumes and other veggie iron sources can be absorbed properly with the presence of vitamin C.

B Vitamins build the Immune System

So many processes, starting from blood cells regeneration… so many types of vitamin B are essential for our body in multiple ways. This time we will put a marker over 2 of them. B12 and B9 (also sometimes known as Folate or in its synthetic formation Folic Acid).

B12:

Vitamin B12 is a nutrient that helps keep the body’s nerve and blood cells healthy and take part in the DNA manufacture process, the genetic material in all cells. Vitamin B12 also helps prevent one type of anemia and by it helps against occur of fatigue, weakness and getting a cold even.

B12 may also Improve bad mood and symptoms of mild depression, benefit our brains by preventing the loss of neurons, helps to protect our central nervous system and the manufacturer of blood cells, energy provider and even contribute to our external appearance. 

The formation mostly recommended is the methylcobalamin.

Folate (B9):

Researches suggest that Folic Acid Reduces the Risk of High Blood Pressure and Anemia in Women. Folic acid, also known as Folate, is well recognized for its value in the prevention of certain birth defects so can be essential for women who are trying to conceive. It also acts by helping the body produce and maintain new cells.

Methylfolate, also known as L-5-MTHF (L-5-Methyl Tetrahydrofolate), is the active form of the vitamin that your body can use without needing to convert it from one form to another, therefore the recommended one. 

Folic Acid is the synthetic form which is, in my opinion, less recommended. Personally, I would use L-5-MTHF formation only and not the supplement that mentions otherwise.

My first priority will be to consume Folate from fresh foods and I will probably write about that in the near future but it is good to understand that folate is used for preventing and treating low blood levels of folate (folate deficiency) therefore prior taking it recommended to run a blood test and advise your doctor.

One important advice I learned from my mistakes: try to avoid purchase the 2 in 1 (B12 and Folate-B9) as they might try to compete on absorption and that would be counterproductive.

Vitamin D boosts a variety of processes

Vitamin D has a part in bone build-up process and assists with calcium absorbent in the bones, magnesium, and phosphate, and multiple other biological effects. 

Vitamin D deficiency is very common. It is also connected with low immune system function such as a tendency to get colds occasionally, hair loss, bone pain, etc. Athletes and people who train several times a week should pay special attention to Vitamin D deficiency for improved sports performances. 

This vitamin can be produced in our body, but it requires daily exposure to the sun and to be honest, most of us don’t get that lucky, either due to busy schedule or lack of sunshine in where we live. For that reason, it is recommended these days to add an external source of vitamin D to our routine.

One thing to know is that the best way of consumption is liquid, it absorbs faster and better than other forms of vitamin D. Another important point- the recommended formation is D3.

Getting too much vitamin D may be toxic and therefore a potential health hazard in case of too high level (however not very common). Therefore, make sure to run a blood test first to see if indeed you have vitamin D deficiency and advise your physician if vitamin D needed. 

This will allow you and your doctor to get a clear picture, monitor it and have a safe healthy balanced intake of vitamin D which is as mentioned is so very important for our health.

Magnesium a building block in the Immune System

A very important mineral for the body, as researchers showed it has many functions that help keep our body healthy. Some would say it is involved in hundreds of biochemical reactions in our body such as in a healthy skeletal system, heart health, and even relieving anxiety. 

Magnesium also demonstrated benefits in how effectively the body uses building blocks for stronger bones, including the nutrients calcium and Vitamin D, regulate muscle function throughout the body- heart included and helps in maintaining a healthy rhythm. 

This remarkable mineral, Magnesium can be very helpful in muscle movement and relief and achieve better sleep by it.

Magnesium takes part in energy creation, protein formation, gene maintenance, Nervous system regulation, can improve exercise performance, fights depression, benefits against Type 2 diabetes, can lower blood pressure, owns anti-inflammatory benefits and the list goes on and on.

If you have a medical condition however please check with your doctor before taking magnesium supplements as it might have its reactions with some antibiotics and medications.

Probiotics the essence of our being and Immunity

Friendly digestive system germs. The squad team of our intestines. Probiotics are live microorganisms intended to provide health benefits and boost to our immunity system upon consumption, generally by improving or restoring the gut flora.

We usually think of those germs as bad and cause disease whereas actually, our body has more bacteria (good and bad) than human cells. 

Probiotics are the “good guys” as very helpful and contribute to our good health in several ways. 

Please note that many probiotics products may be dairy-based so if lactose intolerant, sensitive or vegan please make sure to purchase the most fitted probiotics for your physical needs and set of values.

Omega 3 contributes to a healthy Immune System

Omega 3 seems to play an important role in the human diet and physiology. It is once again important to mention that a good product should be picked with the right balance of ingredients. 

Health benefits of Omega 3: evidence has shown prevention of cardiovascular disease, aids in lowering inflammation, improvement of cognitive functions and lower ADHD symptoms,may improve bone and joint health, decrease developmental disabilities, contribute to our good mood, cognitive aging, brain and visual function, can contribute to eye health and some research has shown that even indicates an improvement of skin appearance, hair growth, and fertility.

The discussion around health, supplements, lifestyle, herbs, and fitted diet is very broad and can get very deep. I have a lot more to say and contribute as it is not only the “what” but also the “how”. 

Vitamins and Minerals are always best to get from food and sport activity but getting help from supplements is good as well as today’s world can be challenging due to air pollution, lab-produced food, industrial food supply, lack of time to train enough and ongoing stress.

So we start simple, one step at a time under the careful optimism that you will join my journey into a better realization, lifestyle, stress-free and better well being.

Till next time xoxo