Boosting your immune system is an important part of staying healthy. Eating nutritious foods, getting enough sleep, avoiding stress and maintaining a healthy weight are among the best ways to strengthen your immunity.
Adding certain supplements to your diet may also help improve your overall health. However, these supplements should never be used as a replacement for a healthy lifestyle and diet.
Antioxidants
Antioxidants are substances that neutralize free radicals and reduce oxidative stress, which can cause damage to the body’s cells. They may help prevent cancer, heart disease and other diseases.
The best way to get antioxidants is by eating a healthy diet, rich in fruits and vegetables. These are especially good sources of vitamin C and E, selenium and carotenoids like beta-carotene.
Some people also consume these nutrients by taking supplements. Supplements usually contain a blend of antioxidants to protect the body against oxidative stress.
There are hundreds, probably thousands, of substances that act as antioxidants. Most of them are naturally occurring, and they can be found in fruits, vegetables, grains, and other plant foods.
Protein
Proteins are a necessary part of your diet to boost your immune system. Your body needs protein to build and repair tissues, as well as fight bacterial and viral infections.
There are many proteins you can eat that contain beneficial amino acids for the immune system. But, whey protein isolate is unique because it has a multitude of immune modulating components such as alpha-lactalbumin, beta-lactoglobulin, lactoferrin and immunoglobulins that improve the activity of the immune system.
The immune-enhancing properties of whey protein are thought to be primarily due to its ability to increase the production of glutathione, a key antioxidant that aids in boosting your immune system. The branched chain amino acids (BCAA) and cysteine in whey are also said to have immune-boosting effects.
Whether you’re looking for an immune-boosting protein shake or a supplement, don’t forget to study the Nutrition Facts label before making a purchase. Look for products that are no more than 200 calories, have fewer than 2 g of saturated fat and less than 5 g of sugar.
Probiotics
The bacteria living in your gut (the microbiome) are responsible for many important functions in your body, including digestion and immune function. However, your gut bacteria can be affected by a variety of factors such as diet, medication, stress, and body weight.
Probiotics, which are a type of dietary supplement, can be beneficial in supporting the overall health of your microbiome. They also help fight off the bad bacteria that can cause infections, inflammatory bowel disease, and other digestive issues.
In addition to helping restore the balance of the microbiome, probiotics can help support the gut-brain axis by adding good bacteria to the digestive tract. In fact, research suggests that chronic gastrointestinal issues can lead to mental health issues like anxiety and depression.
There are a number of supplements on the market that promote digestive health and immune system support, but it’s important to find the right one for you. Look for a probiotic that has been studied and proven effective in both laboratory and clinical trials.
Vitamin C
Your immune system is a complex set of cells and processes that protect your body against infections, diseases and other health problems. To maintain a healthy immune system, it’s important to get enough of the right nutrients from nutrient-dense foods and ensure you have plenty of sleep and exercise.
Vitamin C is a powerful immune-boosting vitamin that supports the function of many immune cells and enhances their ability to protect against infection. It also serves as a powerful antioxidant that protects your body against oxidative stress.
Recent studies in wild-type and Gulo knockout mice showed that administration of 200 mg/kg parenteral vitamin C decreased the synthesis of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-a, IL-1b and IL-6 by neutrophils [76] and increased the secretion of anti-inflammatory cytokines such as IFN-g and IL-10 by regulatory T-cells (Tregs) during sepsis [89]. This study suggests that vitamin C may modulate systemic cytokine production and leukocyte-derived cytokines in a complex way.