Boosting Immunity: The Power of Supplements for Health and Wellness

What is the Immune System?

The Human Immune System is a complex network of organs, cells and proteins that work as the bodies defence against infections and diseases.

Without our immune systems we would have no way to fight off any harmful bacteria that enter our bodies.

The main roles of the immune system are:

• Fighting off disease-causing pathogens like bacteria, viruses, and parasites.
• Recognising and neutralising harmful substances from the environment.
• Fight changes in the body that can cause disease- such as cancer cells.

Our immune systems work hard to keep us healthy so it’s important to do all we can to maintain them. We can support and strengthen our immune systems through eating a healthy diet, exercising, getting plenty of sleep, saying up to date on vaccines.

Factors that may weaken the immune system:

• Lack of Sleep
• Poor Diet-lack of essential nutrients
• Anxiety or high levels of stress
• Some medications & medical treatments
• Smoking & drinking alcohol.
• Depression & grief

Some people have weakened immune systems because they are immunocompromised. This can be due to a number of conditions or treatments such as: Cancer, organ transplant, stem cell transplant.

Some people are born with a compromised immune system, this is known as Primary Immune Deficiency. Others develop a condition later in life that effects immunity- Secondary Immune Deficiency.

Even though it is impossible for some people to avoid a weakened immune system, maintaining a healthy lifestyle where possible can benefit everyone.

Immune Boosting Nutrients:                 

As previously mentioned, maintaining a healthy lifestyle through diet and exercise are crucial to strengthening and supporting our immune systems.

While pretty much any form of exercise will be beneficial, there are a few key nutrients that you should try to include in your diet to support immunity.

Vitamin C:

Vitamin C, or Absorbic Acid, is an essential vitamin for supporting the immune system and growth and repair of tissue all over the body. As an antioxidant Vitamin C helps to neutralise molecules that may cause damage to cells. It also helps to stimulate the activity of white blood cells.  

We cannot produce Vitamin-C ourselves so we must take care to include Vitamin C rich foods in our diets.

Vitamin C can be found in: Citrus fruits, tomatoes, strawberries, green & red bell peppers, broccoli, brussels sprouts, etc.

As well as natural food sources, Vitamin C can also be consumed as a supplement such as the PILLAR Ultra Immune C (200g).

Vitamin D:

Vitamin D plays a crucial role in the immune system, promoting immune response. The vitamin has both anti-inflammatory and immunoregulatory properties and is vital in activating the immune system against harmful pathogens.

Low levels of Vitamin D have been linked to an increased risk of respiratory diseases, and viral & bacterial infections.

Vitamin D is produced by the body in response to sunlight, for most of the year our bodies can produce all the Vitamin D we need in this way. However, from October-March the UK experiences shorter days and less sunlight so we should take care to include sources of Vitamin D in our diets.

Some good natural sources of Vitamin D include oily fish, red meat, egg yolks, fortified foods (some spreads and cereals).

Those who follow a vegan or vegetarian diet may find it harder to incorporate Vitamin D in their diet and may prefer to take Vitamin D supplements like the Zooki Vitamin D. 

Zinc:

Zinc supports the immune system by activating enzymes that break down the proteins in viruses and bacteria that enter the body. This stops them from spreading and making us ill. Zinc also activates cells responsible for fighting infection, and reduces inflammation.

Like many of the nutrients we need, our bodies cannot produce zinc. Some good sources of zinc are: shellfish, cheese, legumes, nuts and seeds, wholemeal bread.

While there are many vegan and vegetarian sources of zinc, some contain a type of plant compound that can bind to zinc and prevent the body from absorbing it.

For this reason some vegans and vegetarians may chose to take a Zinc supplement if they notice signs that their zinc levels may be low.

Our immune systems protect us from becoming unwell, so it is so important that we do our best to support them.

Taking immune boosting supplements like Vitamin’s C & D, Zinc, can be the easiest way to ensure we’re protected, especially in the winter months.