By adding certain vitamins, herbs and minerals to your daily diet, you can improve the state of your immune system and create the preconditions for protection against various illnesses.
Echinacea, elderberry, some vitamins and zinc are only a small part of the substances that have been studied for their immune-stimulating effect. That said, although supplements do bring extra benefit to your health, they cannot and must not be used as a substitute for a healthy lifestyle.
A sensible balance of work and rest, psycho-emotional resilience, a balanced diet, regular physical activity and giving up harmful habits - these are the most important ways of maintaining health and reducing the likelihood of illness and infection.
A word of warning!
- Some dietary supplements may not go together with the prescription or over-the-counter medicines you are taking.
- Some of them may not suit you personally, for a variety of reasons.
- There is no scientific evidence that any of the dietary supplements listed here can protect you from COVID-19, although some of them do have antiviral properties.
- Be sure to CONSULT A SPECIALIST before you take any supplement.
How to boost immunity. Vitamins and minerals
Zinc - this mineral is often used in dietary supplements and other medical products, including products for strengthening the immune system. That is because zinc is needed for the formation of immune-system cells and for their interaction. On top of that, this mineral also has an anti-inflammatory effect.
When the body is short of zinc, the protective functions of the immune system decline as well, which leads to a higher risk of infections and illnesses, including pneumonia.
Vitamin C is perhaps the most popular preparation taken for protection against infections. Its role in supporting immunity is a very important one:
- it supports the normal work of immune cells;
- it strengthens their ability to defend against infections;
- it helps to clear away old cells and replace them with new ones;
- it acts as an antioxidant and protects cells from damage caused by oxidative processes and by stress.
The research report can be read here: "Vitamin C and Immune Function"
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29099763/
Vitamin Dreduces inflammation and helps to strengthen the immune response - the body's own defences. A normal level of this vitamin helps to lower the risk of respiratory infections (acute respiratory infections and acute respiratory viral infections).
Selenium is a mineral that is essential for immune health. Studies prove that selenium increases antiviral defence, including against influenza.
The B-vitamin complex. The B vitamins, B12 and B6 among them, are extremely important for a healthy immune system. A deficiency of these vitamins has a bad effect both on immunity and on health as a whole.
Natural immune stimulants
Garlic has a marked anti-inflammatory and antiviral action. It strengthens immune health by stimulating protective white blood cells such as macrophages and NK cells.
Turmeric, whose main active component is curcumin. It has a powerful anti-inflammatory action and helps to improve the body's defences.
Echinacea is a plant of the daisy family. It raises immunity and immune health and has an antiviral action in acute respiratory viral and acute respiratory infections, including respiratory syncytial virus and rhinoviruses.
Propolis is a resin-like substance produced by honey bees to be used as a sealant in the hive. It has a strong immune-stimulating and antiviral effect.
Cordyceps, lion's mane, maitake, shiitake, reishi and turkey tail - these varieties of mushroom will do your immune system good and will ease the condition in asthma and lung infections, reducing the bacterial load in the lungs, strengthening the immune response and reducing inflammation.
more on this: "Medicinal mushrooms as an attractive new source of natural compounds for future cancer therapy"
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6044372/
The minerals, vitamins, herbs and mushrooms listed above, according to the results of scientific research, have some immune-stimulating properties. Keep in mind, however, that many of the effects attributed to these and other supplements have not been thoroughly tested, and further research is needed on this question.
Take care and stay healthy!
Still have questions? Do not put it off - ASK A SPECIALIST right now!
