Supplements to Boost the Immune System: 8 Ingredients That Work

Our immune system performs two vital roles: it not only protects us against foreign pathogens and invaders, but it also contains the mechanisms we need to fight back against them once we’ve got them. There are a lot of factors that go into creating a healthy immune system, and there’s certainly a place in a well-balanced life for supplements to boost the immune response of our body!

Smart Reasons to Take Immune-Boosting Supplements

Beyond the goal of staying healthy and warding off sickness, there are some specific instances in which taking supplements to boost our immune systems can make a lot of sense. 

• Our immune system depends on a lot of internal functions in our body operating properly. And these functions need the right fuels and chemical compounds to operate. We get many of these through our diet. A diet that’s deficient in some aspects may have a compromised immune system. Supplements to boost immune system requirements could be very important to you.
• If you’re working long hours or training extra hard for your next athletic event, your immune system may need an extra boost. The stress of these activities can throw our natural systems out of balance, and supplements can help even the scales. 
• Illnesses or medications can depress our immune system. For example, a case of the flu can lower your immunity, making you susceptible to other conditions. And certain medications, like those used for chemotherapy, can also depress your body’s immune responses. 

Boost Your Immune System

Our bodies are pretty amazing. If we eat right, exercise, and get enough sleep, we’ll easily shrug off a lot of problems. But, even the healthiest of us could use a little boost every once in a while. That’s where using supplements to boost immune system function enters the picture. Here are some smart, natural supplements you should consider as part of your daily routine. 

Vitamin D3
Vitamin D3 is the same vitamin D that your body produces when exposed to sunlight. Maybe it’s because too many of us spend too much time indoors, but vitamin D deficiency is one of the most common deficiencies worldwide. D3 plays a vital role in our body, promoting strong bones by enabling calcium absorption and also promoting our general health. 

Bodies that are deficient in vitamin D often don’t have the same level of immune support as those that do, so ensuring that your vitamin D levels are adequate is very important. A regular daily dose of 1000 IU per day or more is a good level for most people. 

Zinc
What does zinc do for your body? Actually, quite a lot. There are hundreds of enzymes in your body that depend on zinc to function as needed. Those enzymes do a lot, including aiding our growth and development, making our nervous system work properly, and providing antioxidant protection.

Perhaps most importantly, zinc is essential to our immune system. Low levels can make us more susceptible to illness, and make it harder for the body to shake off the effects of a cold, flu, or worse. Zinc is abundant in meat and some shellfish, so if you’re following a vegan or vegetarian diet, you may be low in this essential mineral.  

Iodine
Iodine is vital for many important functions in our body. It’s best known for its role in the production of thyroid hormones and in metabolic activity, as well as in infant development. There’s also a growing appreciation of the role iodine has in supporting the immune system.

We get iodine from the foods we eat. Crops that are grown in areas with low concentrations of iodine in the soil will have low levels of iodine. Many highly-processed foods are deficient in this vital element, too. 

Supplement with iodine to help support overall bodily wellness. Be sure any multivitamin or supplement you take has a healthy dose of iodine included, as it is in the Multiman Supplement made by ASYSTEM.

Turmeric
Our bodies produce a substance known as cortisol when it perceives that it’s under stress. Cortisol does a lot of good things for us, but there’s some evidence that elevated levels of cortisol can actually weaken our immune response. 

Turmeric has long been prescribed for supporting mental health, and there’s some solid evidence that the active ingredient, curcumin, can help lower levels of physical stress, too. With less stress, our immune systems have a better chance of working at optimal efficiency. 

Ginger
Ginger is a versatile spice — not only for the savory tang it provides to many dishes and beverages but also for its health effects. Ginger is prized for its ability to ease nausea and soothe upset stomachs, and it also has some immunity boosting features.

Ginger is both an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. You can easily add ginger to your diet by grating the fresh root into salads and other dishes, or by making teas from the root powder. Supplements are available as well!

Vitamin C
Maybe you’ve heard the advice to take vitamin C to avoid a cold or to get over one faster. We can’t guarantee results for colds, but we do know that vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that supports our immune system and boosts immune function. 

The quality of vitamin C from food sources is probably lower than you think, so it’s a smart idea to supplement this essential vitamin, even if you’re wolfing down orange slices at halftime of the rec league soccer game. 

Echinacea
You’ll find nine different species of this flowering plant in North America, but they all have one thing in common, and that is that the extract from these plants seems to have some positive effects on the immune system.  

Echinacea is well-tolerated by most people, although there are a few reports on upset stomach and possible complications with pre-existing asthma.  

Protein
Supplement immune health with protein? Absolutely! Protein is chock full of essential amino acids that support your immunity. If your diet isn’t rich in sources of protein, you run the risk of lowered immunity. Supplementation with powders or protein drinks is a smart way to beef up your immune health!

Keep Your Doctor in the Loop

If you feel like your body is under stress and you’re constantly dealing with one illness after another, don’t feel like you’ve got to figure it out on your own. Take the time to consult with your doctor and see what suggestions they have. Their experience and access to diagnostic tests may reveal underlying issues you can tackle systematically.

And remember, most supplements are generally safe when taken as directed, but if you’re currently taking other medications regularly it’s smart to check with your physician for any possible interactions with your health care provider before starting a supplement regimen. 

Boost Your Immune System
Even if you feel like you’re a generally healthy guy that isn’t too prone to getting sick, it’s important to do what you can to keep your immune health in tip top shape. 

If you’re committed to truly taking care of yourself, don’t leave stones unturned. ASYSTEM’s all natural supplements are an easy way to keep your mind and body fit and ready to perform, and the immune-boosting ingredients in these supplements will help you stay performing! 

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Sources:

https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Iodine-HealthProfessional/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4465119/

https://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/cold-guide/echinacea-common-cold#:~:text=Extracts%20of%20echinacea%20do%20seem,slight%20benefit%20in%20preventing%20colds.