Wellness

Supplements to Boost Your Immune System

Ashley Brooks
Ashley Brooks23 Aug 2022
Best Supplements to Boost Your Immune System
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Zinc 
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Vitamin C
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Vitamin D 
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Vitamin E
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Vitamin A
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Vitamin B6
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Echinacea
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Cat’s Claw
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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Bottom Line
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Vitamins C, D, A, E, and Zinc have shown to be effective in improving outcomes for patients with COVID-19. Additional supplements such as echinacea and cat’s claw are suggested to help fight off infections and boost immune function overall.

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Best Supplements to Boost Your Immune System

COVID-19 affects the immune system by producing a systemic inflammatory response, causing symptoms such as fever, cough, fatigue, pneumonia, and other respiratory challenges. Nutrition is a crucial determinant of good health, and vitamins such as vitamin C, D, E, omega-3s, zinc, and selenium have benefits to help your body fight off infectious diseases.

Vitamins and minerals can be found in several foods, but also purchased as supplements. Supplements can be found at most pharmacies, retail grocery stores, and natural food stores. There are no age restrictions on buying supplements, and they are usually low-cost. 

Zinc 

Alleviating zinc deficiency with supplements reduces the risk of mortality from infectious diseases. The immune defense system relies on two major groups of cells, innate and adaptive immune cells, which both depend on zinc. Our innate immune system is the first line of defense to prevent the spread and movement of foreign pathogens throughout the body. Our second line of defense is the adaptive immune system, also called our acquired immune system, which specifically targets the pathogen. 

Zinc is an essential nutrient a zinc deficiency can cause inflammation, potentially damaging other tissues. According to the MayoClinic, the recommended daily amount of zinc is 8 milligrams (mg) for women and 11mg for men daily. Some food sources of zinc include: 

  • Oysters
  • Lobster
  • Beef
  • Chicken
  • Baked beans
  • Pumpkin seeds
  • Cashews
  • Chickpeas
  • Oatmeal
  • Peas
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Ashley Brooks

Ashley Brooks works in Healthcare Consulting and graduates with her MPH in September of 2022 from George Washington University, but graduated with her B.S. in Health Science from James Madison University in 2019. Ashley has been with Mira since June of 2021 and shares the passion for creating affordable healthcare coverage for all!

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