Right now, the need for a strong immune system has never been greater. As you are all aware, we are currently in the midst of a global pandemic, the likes of which has never been seen before, and hopefully will never be seen again.
With many of us locked down, isolated, and unable to visit gyms to train, we need to do everything in our power to keep ourselves fit and healthy in other ways.
According to health experts and officials, the Coronavirus, AKA Covid-19, is less likely to have an overly damaging effect on you if you have a strong immune system. On the opposite side of the spectrum, those with weak immune systems are more susceptible and are at a greater risk of the virus, and indeed any other virus or illness for that matter.
Thankfully there are ways in which you can naturally strengthen your immune system, especially with the help of health supplements.
Here’s a look at the ultimate immune system boosting supplement stack and at why and how it can help keep you healthy and safe.
Vitamin C
The first supplement on our list today is vitamin C. Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is a water soluble vitamin which plays an essential role in many physiological processes which take place inside the body. It is particularly beneficial for the immune system as it helps strengthen and protect your cells, increase wound healing, maintain healthy cells, and more besides.
Health benefits of vitamin C
Some of the more prominent health benefits of vitamin C include:
Antioxidant properties – Vitamin C serves as a powerful antioxidant which boosts the body’s natural defences. It helps to protect the cells from harmful molecules which are known as free radicals.
The more vitamin C we consume, the stronger the immune system is likely to be.
Reduces inflammation – Inflammation in the body can lead to chronic illness and disease.
Vitamin C has been found to provide anti-inflammatory benefits, which in turn help to prevent illness and disease brought on by inflammation.
Boosts the immune system – Vitamin C plays a vital role in the immune system.
To begin with, it boosts white blood cell counts. White blood cells are integral parts of the immune system and they help to fight against infection.
Not only does vitamin C boost white blood cell counts, it also helps to keep the cells safe, again, thanks to its antioxidant properties.
Vitamin D3
Another supplement that plays a very important role in the immune system is vitamin D3.
Vitamin D is also known as the ‘sunshine vitamin’. This is due to the fact that exposure to the sun’s rays enables the human body to naturally synthesize this vitamin. It consists of D2 and D3.
Vitamin D3 is a fat-soluble vitamin that promotes numerous health benefits for the human body. As so many people are deficient in this vitamin, supplementation is recommended. D3 comes from animal-based ingredients, whereas D2 comes from plant-based sources.
Vitamin D3 health benefits
Some prominent health benefits of vitamin D3 include:
Strengthens the bones – Vitamin D3 actually plays a vital role in the health of our bones, as it enables calcium to be absorbed into the bones.
Without D3 present, the calcium wouldn’t enter the bones and would go to waste. D3 therefore enables the calcium to enter the bones where it strengthens them and boosts bone mineral density.
Increased calcium absorption – Calcium also plays a key role in the regulation of hormones in the body.
Without sufficient amounts of calcium in the body, our hormones, including those that promote immunity, would be unbalanced and our health would be at risk.
Immunity – Vitamin D3 also helps to strengthen the immune system, and plays a key role in cell division. This in turn means that it assists with the production of T-cells and white blood cells which form part of the immune system.
Zinc
Zinc is an essential trace mineral which is also vital for a healthy immune system, and many other physiological processes and functions for that matter.
Health benefits of zinc
Now we’re going to look at why zinc is considered so beneficial when it comes to our health and well-being.
Regulates immune function – Not surprisingly given the topic of today’s article, zinc does indeed play a key role in the functioning of a healthy immune system.
In order for the body to activate T-cells, which make up a good portion of the immune system, zinc must be present.
A deficiency of zinc can result in an impaired immune system, which is the last thing anybody wants when trying to stay fit and healthy.
Zinc improves cognitive health – There is also evidence to suggest that zinc can improve cognitive health.
This is because zinc has been found to improve the rates in which neurons in the brain communicate with each other.
Zinc can therefore help to improve cognitive health and function, making it a mineral that is great for the brain.
