Anytime is a good time to build your immune system up. Let’s talk about vitamins that build immune system and other supplements as well. With the current pandemic and even the normal threats of flu and other viruses, you can prevent getting sick or at least reduce the severity of symptoms.
We’ll go over some basic supplements that really boost your immune system, like Vitamin D3, Vitamin C, Grape Seed Extract, and probiotics. Let’s get into it.
Top Immunity Builder – Vitamin D3
One of the best supplements for a strong immune system is Vitamin D3. Vitamin D (for short) affects every cell in our bodies and some 1,000 genes. It helps keep everything working better, helping cells convert other nutrients into their normal function. It’s actually considered a prohormone because it acts a lot like our other hormones. And with them.
We can get Vitamin D3 from the sun, but almost no one gets enough. Only those who live near the equator actually get enough from the sun. We can also get it from fatty fish and Vitamin D fortified dairy products.
But, it is estimated that 1 billion people worldwide are deficient in Vitamin D. As you may have read in my article about the side effects of being low on Vitamin D, studies show a link between respiratory tract infections and Vitamin D levels. Those who get enough Vitamin D through supplements, rarely get colds and flu. And guess what, colds are just other forms of coronaviruses.
Below are some to get you started:
Vitamin C
We all know the old wisdom of eating foods rich in Vitamin C. It’s a great antioxidant and immune system helper. Vitamin C helps our immune system during times of stress. Right now, I think everyone is feeling some stress. Vitamin C helps our bodies deal with it and keeps our immune system boosted so we aren’t leaving ourselves open to viruses and flu. It also lowers our risk of stroke.
It is recommended to get 500 mg of Vitamin C per day, minimum. The upper safe limit is 2,000 mg (Zelman, n.d.). The only problem is that it only lasts about 2-4 hours before it’s expelled from our bodies. But if we’re eating a variety of fruits and vegetables every day, it really helps to keep our levels up.
It’s a water-soluble vitamin that our bodies can’t make, so it’s really important to add some every day.
Some great sources of Vitamin C are:
- Cantalope, 1 cup: 59 mg
- Orange juice, 1 cup: 97 mg
- Broccoli, cooked, 1 cup: 74 mg
- Red cabbage, 1/2 cup: 40 mg
- Green pepper, 1/2 cup: 60 mg
- Red pepper, 1/2 cup: 95 mg
- Kiwi, 1 medium: 70 mg
- Tomato juice, 1 cup: 45 mg
As you can see, it might be tough to get at least 500 mg of Vitamin C per day with food, so a supplement is recommended and shown to be highly absorbent as well. Here are some to help you out:
Puritan’s Pride Vitamin C-1000 mg with Bioflavonoids-200 Capsules
Grape Seed Extract
People in Southern France have had some of the worst health habits, but ironically have the lowest heart attacks and circulatory problems. They call it the French paradox. It’s because of all the red wine they drink. Grapes have the best antioxidant properties of almost any other food. Grape seeds have higher concentrations of the flavonols and resveratrol that provide these antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.
The reason it is mentioned here is two-fold. One, on its own, it’s a great immune system booster and protectant. And two, it helps Vitamins C and E last longer in our bodies. So while we’re taking Vitamin C, we can boost it and help it last longer with Grape Seed Extract (GSE).
GSE is mentioned often in Dr Sherry Rogers health newsletter. She can’t say enough about it’s immune system boosting effects. You can read more about GSE here.
Related Article: Grape Seed Extract Benefits
Probiotics for Immune System Health
There is a connection between the gut and brain. And the gut is one of our first lines of defense against invading germs. Some scientists even call it our second brain. We need to take care of it.
One of the largest nerves in our bodies is the vagus nerve, running between our gut and brain. Our gut helps brain function and makes a neurotransmitter called GABA, which helps control anxiety. There is definitely a connection between our brain and gut.
But as one of our first lines of defense against invaders, we need to feed our gut probiotics. One of the ways this helps is to help repair and prevent leaks in the gut. Leaky gut allows food particles and bacteria into the blood stream which can cause a great deal of inflammation in the body. Some think this is partly responsible for autoimmune diseases.
If you’d like to read more about the Gut and Brain Connection, read the article here. I highly recommend taking a daily probiotic for overall health and helping your immune system. I have some recommendations here.
Where We Are Now
Now you know some great vitamins and supplements you can take to boost your immune system so you aren’t so susceptible to viral and bacterial infections. Vitamins D and C, grape seed extract and probiotics are very strong immune system builders. You’ll love how you feel and how you rarely catch colds or other viruses. Get started today if you haven’t!
I hope this article puts you on the right track for building up your immune system. Thank you for reading today! Stay well and have a very wellbrain day!
If you have any comments, experience or thoughts to share, please leave them in the Comments section below. Thank you!
References:
Zelman, K. (n.d.). The Benefits of Vitamin C. Retrieved April 5, 2020 from https://www.webmd.com/diet/features/the-benefits-of-vitamin-c#1
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Thank you for providing such useful information. I always wondered if I was getting enough vitamin D and now I know I need to supplement it.
My question is about the Probiotics. Can you give me some specific information on a good one? For me, I am 45 years old and one for my 14 year old son. If you are going to do an article on probiotics then I will wait. I have your site bookmarked and will be back.
Hi Russ. Thanks for reading and commenting. Actually, there is a link above to my recommendations for probiotics. My Best Probiotics for 2019 article. 🙂
Wow I did not know that your anxiety has a lot to do with your gut and your brain? Is that right so much great information to go off of and understand the differences between all of the immune system and the brain. The way it functions the way it needs to for you to be healthy it affects everything.
I think that I am lacking in this department and need to take charge and make my immune system stronger so I can be healthy. I do work out but I lack in the vitamins department so I need to take them more often. and make the decision to be more healthy then I am. Especially the COVID-19 situation I have not good health for this so need to take action with this.
Hi Matthew. Thanks for reading and your comments. I hope you do start taking these supplements to improve your immune system. It’s especially vital right now, right?