8 of the best vitamins to strengthen your immunity 2022
If you want to feel good, it is essential to keep your immune system healthy and functioning.
This hard-working system is dedicated to protecting us.
Discover the 8 best vitamin formulas of 2022 to help maintain your immunity here, as well as information on how they work.
The link between vitamins and immunity
If you want to feel good, it is essential to keep your immune system healthy and functioning.
This hard-working system is dedicated to protecting us.
Discover the 8 best vitamin formulas of 2022 to help maintain your immunity here, as well as information on how they work.
Which vitamin provides immunity?
There isn't just one vitamin that helps strengthen the immune system, there are a few! Here are some of the best vitamins to keep in shape if you want a healthy functioning immune system.
- Vitamin A
Vitamin A is essential for the normal functioning of the immune system.
Some sources of vitamin A include eggs, cod liver oil and green leafy vegetables.
- Vitamin C
Vitamin C helps maintain cellular functions necessary for a healthy immune system.
Oranges, orange juice, kiwi, tomatoes, strawberries, broccoli and red/green peppers are some of the best sources.
- Vitamin B6
Vitamin B6 (also known as pyridoxine) helps strengthen our immune system, as well as nervous system function, protein metabolism and red blood cell formation.
It is usually found in animal products such as pork, fish, eggs and plant foods such as chickpeas, whole grains, bananas, pumpkin and more.
- Vitamin B9 (folic acid)
Also known as folate, vitamin B9 plays an essential role in chemical reactions in the body that affect our immune system. Good sources of folic acid include broccoli, green leafy vegetables and Brussels sprouts.
- Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 helps produce nucleic acid and cellular proteins associated with our immune system.
It can be found in meat, fish, dairy products, eggs, enriched nutritional yeast, fortified milks and meats.
- Vitamin D
Vitamin D helps keep your immune system functioning normally.
We produce most of our vitamin D by exposing our skin to direct sunlight. As direct exposure of our skin to the sun is largely unhealthy for our skin, a daily supplement is recommended to acquire this vitamin.
Minerals and other nutrients that support the immune system
Here are some other nutrients and minerals that help our immune system function.
- Zinc
Zinc contributes to the normal function of the immune system. You can find it in seafood, red meat, chickpeas, eggs, sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds.
However, you should be careful not to consume more than the recommended daily amount, which is 25 mg.
- Iron
Iron is one of the most important minerals for our body, especially when it comes to our immune system.
In fact, being deficient in iron can have negative effects on the immune system and potentially leave us vulnerable.
It can be found in red meat, fish, green leafy vegetables, beans, chickpeas and some fortified foods.
- Selenium
Selenium is another essential mineral for immune system function, as well as thyroid function, hair and nail maintenance and normal sperm development.
You can find it in foods such as Brazil nuts, tuna, eggs, shrimp, oatmeal and spinach.
Are there any side effects of immunity vitamin supplements?
Since immunity supplements differ in their formulas, it is difficult to list possible side effects because each product will cause a different reaction in each person.
It is always best to consult your doctor before starting a new supplement, especially if you are already taking medications, have allergies or are pregnant/breastfeeding.
For example, pregnant women should be careful about the amount of vitamin A they consume.
Then, once you have the 'thumbs up', you can introduce the supplement slowly, monitoring for any side effects such as:
- Nausea
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Skin irritation
Lastly
Since immunity supplements differ in their formulas, it is difficult to list possible side effects because each product will cause a different reaction in each person.
It is always best to consult your doctor before starting a new supplement, especially if you are already taking medications, have allergies or are pregnant/breastfeeding.
For example, pregnant women should be careful about the amount of vitamin A they consume.
Then, once you have the 'thumbs up', you can introduce the supplement slowly, monitoring for any side effects such as:
- Nausea
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Skin irritation