While states and countries around the globe are opening doors, COVID-19 is still spreading like wild fire, and health officials are now talking of a dooming second wave. Accordingly, we need to strengthen our immune system more than ever before! As they say the best defense is a good offense and we need to go on the offensive here by taking the correct daily supplements to best protect our bodies. Specifically we need to add supplements to boost our immune system, which will help ensure our bodies are well-armed against disease. Here are the Six valuable supplements to boost your immune system:
- Chlorella – a nutrient-dense blue-green algae packing a big nutrient punch being a great source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants
- Spirulina – another nutrient-rich blue-green algae containing multiple micronutrients acting as a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory
- Vitamin C – for when you don’t get enough sun and critical for regulating absorption of calcium and phosphorous and facilitating normal immune system function
- Vitamin D – extra flavor with a multitude of health benefits to include anti inflammation, reduced risk of cancer, and a stronger immune system
- Garlic – extra flavor with a multitude of health benefits to include anti inflammation, reduced risk of cancer, and a stronger immune system
- Zinc – great for a weakened immune system with many additional valuable properties to include stabilizing blood sugar and maintaining a healthy reproductive system .
Let’s have a look at each of these valuable supplements and discuss in more detail why you need to add them to your daily diet.
Immune Boosting Supplement #1: Chlorella
Chlorella has taken over the spotlight from spirulina in a lot of ways, as both are blue-green algae packed with nutrients that can provide amazing health benefits.
Supplementing daily with chlorella can improve your dietary intake of quite a few essential nutrients, and several them are critical to creating a robust immune system with benefits to include:
- Antioxidants for reversing the damage done by free radicals
- Iron to maintain the blood’s oxygen-carrying capability
- Vitamin C to help your body absorb iron
- Omega-3s for strengthening your adaptive and innate immune system
To to reap the health benefits of chlorella, it is important to look out for “broken cell wall chlorella“. As the algae have hard cell walls that the digestive system can’t penetrate.
Immune Boosting Supplement #2: Spirulina
Spirulina, like chlorella, contains a powerhouse of nutrients, many of which support the immune system.
Studies on spirulina suggest that it helps activate the body’s Natural Killer cells (NT cells). When activated, NT cells hunt down and destroy viral infections, and fight against tumor growth. Another valuable effect spirulina has on the immune system includes supporting the production of cytokines, which are compounds responsible for efficient and effective communication between immune cells.
Immune Boosting Supplement #3: Vitamin C
Since your body doesn’t produce Vitamin C, one way to get vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is from the food you eat. If you aren’t eating enough foods high in vitamin C on a daily basis, then supplementing with vitamin C is an excellent way to ensure you are getting your daily recommended intake.
Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant. Antioxidants are essential for reducing or reversing the damage created by free radicals. If free radicals are left to accumulate, they begin to cause harm through a process known as oxidative stress, which is a condition with links to many diseases, including autoimmune disorders and cancer.
Vitamin C also supports the production of white blood cells and helps them perform more efficiently when they are called into action to fight off potentially harmful foreign bodies.
Immune Boosting Supplement #4: Vitamin D
Vitamin D is produced in the skin when we expose it to sunlight. However, many of us are not getting enough sunlight for several reasons. As a society, we spend most of our time indoors, and when we do go outside, we are advised to cover up and wear sunscreen.
Additionally, in many parts of the world, a weak winter sun may mean it’s impossible to build up enough Vitamin D even with daily exposure. Of course, it’s wise to be cautious about getting too much sun, but if it’s at the expense of getting enough vitamin D into our system, then a supplement will be needed to get adequate supplies.
Research has shown that Vitamin D has many roles in the body, which includes strengthening your innate immune system. Vitamin D is responsible for activating peptides that form the first line of defense against microbial infections. The peptides destroy the invaders before they can build to a full-blown infection.
Immune Boosting Supplement #2: Garlic
In many ways, garlic can be thought of as a natural disinfectant for the body that can provide a powerful boost to your immune system. Even small amounts of garlic contain high quantities of calcium, potassium, and more than 100 sulfuric compounds, which can help the body destroy invading bacteria.
The sulfuric compounds are responsible for garlic’s delightful aroma. A lot of people love adding garlic to their food dishes, so some of us won’t need extra as a supplement. However, if garlic isn’t your favorite flavor and/or you can’t consume it on a daily basis, you can still benefit from its health-giving properties by choosing a high-quality, odorless supplement.
Immune Boosting Supplement #2: Zinc
Pandemic or not, Zinc is a trace element that is necessary for a healthy immune system. Zinc deficiencies have been linked to the following symptoms: Slow wound healing, Dermatitis, Hair loss, Poor Immune Function, Frequent Infections, Anxiety, Depression, and even Sleep Problems.
Taking a daily zinc supplement significantly reduces the risk of infections and promotes immune response in older adults. Including zinc in your diet is especially important now with the recent COVID-19 outbreak.
Besides boosting your immune system, Zinc helps Decrease Inflammation, Accelerate Wound Healing, Promotes Healthy Skin, Aids with Food Digestion, Improves Prostate Health, Assists with Weight Control, Increases Energy Levels, Improves Cell Growth, Helps Ward off Cancer Cells, and even Benefits Thyroid Health.