The immune system is the body’s line of defense. An effective and efficient immune system is the key to maintaining overall health and well-being. The immune system consists of many parts and can be weakened by disease, environment or lifestyle. Support for the immune system is the best way to prevent disease. Taking care of the body and mind through exercise, sleep, stress control, and diet is helpful, as is supplementing the immune system with products formulated to strengthen the body’s natural defenses. The stronger these defenses are, the less likely we are to be vulnerable to bacteria and viruses, among other things. Below are the best supplementation options to optimize your immune system:
1 – MULTIVITAMIN
Produced with the fusion of several vitamins and minerals, this supplement is present both in the routine of bodybuilders and in medical indications for sedentary people. This is because the list of benefits is extensive and guarantees the amount of nutrients the body needs for a healthy routine. The multivitamin acts on immunity and also on the antioxidant defense, besides being beneficial even for bone health and for nerve impulse conduction.
2 – VITAMIN C
Vitamin C is one of the most well-known vitamins for boosting the immune system, but few people realize how vital it really is. It is an essential micronutrient and a powerful antioxidant.
Vitamin C is crucial for proper immune function, contributing to immune defense by supporting various cellular functions of the innate and adaptive immune systems.
Vitamin C can accumulate in phagocytic cells, such as neutrophils, where it can perform several important immune activities.
It is involved in chemotaxis (the movement of important microorganisms) and phagocytosis, which essentially means that it helps remove harmful pathogens and cellular debris from the body.
Vitamin C also plays a role in killing harmful microbes.
It has also been found to enhance the differentiation and proliferation of B and T cells, which can significantly improve overall immune defenses.
Vitamin C supplementation can help in the prevention and treatment of respiratory and systemic infections.
3 – GLUTAMINE
Glutamine is an amino acid also used in post-operative treatment and recovery. In the context of physical activity, this supplement acts in reducing oxidative stress and in muscle recovery. Glutamine also helps in the recovery of the immune system precisely because of this effect. It provides the glycogen used by muscle tissue and can be a great ally for full health.
4 – ZINC
Zinc plays a vital role in maintaining a healthy immune system. It also aids metabolic function, is important for wound healing, and also for the senses of smell and taste.
Zinc is a trace element necessary for a healthy immune system. For this reason, a deficiency of this mineral can make a person more susceptible to disease and illness. For this reason, it is necessary to obtain a constant supply through supplementation and a healthy, balanced diet.
5 – ELDERBERRY
Elderberry is a powerful herb that is rich in antioxidants and can help you stay healthy in many ways. Elderberry can be consumed in the form of supplements, syrups, lozenges, or delicious teas. Once you know all about the benefits of this substance (which are especially helpful during the winter months), you’ll want to add it to your wellness routine immediately.
In addition to forgoing an attack against cold and flu viruses, black elderberry polyphenols (another class of antioxidants) can help improve the body’s complement system, a subset of the innate immune system that is responsible for managing antibodies and phagocytic cells. Antibodies act as a source of “immunological memory,” which our body stores for subsequent invasions of the same type of pathogen. In this way, we can “nip” the pathogen in the bud before it spreads to other areas of the body. By enhancing the memory of our immune system, we can quickly sop up infections before they lead to secondary symptoms such as fever, sore throats, and sore throats.