3 Important Nutrients For Immune Support

Vit D

It is now clear that vitamin D has important roles in addition to its classic effects on calcium and bone health.
Amongst other things, Vit D is helping to reduce your likelihood of developing the flu, according to 2010 research published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

You can take 1000 units/day of Vit D or even more. Most people in NZ are deficient especially as the season changes and sun hours are not so much available anymore. If you are worried you might have already too much Vit D you can get i tested, but you need to ask specifically for it at the doctor or the lab and pay separately.

Vit C

​Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that can strengthen your body’s natural defenses.

Vitamin C is involved in many parts of the immune system.

First, vitamin C helps encourage the production of white blood cells known as lymphocytes and phagocytes, which help protect the body against infection.

Second, vitamin C helps these white blood cells function more effectively while protecting them from damage by potentially harmful molecules, such as free radicals.

Third, vitamin C is an essential part of the skin’s defense system. It’s actively transported to the skin, where it can act as an antioxidant and help strengthen the skin’s barriers.

What’s more, low vitamin C levels have been linked to poor health outcomes.
For example, people who have pneumonia tend to have lower vitamin C levels, and vitamin C supplements have been shown to shorten the recovery time.

Take a high-dose Vit C supplement if possible.

Zinc

Zinc helps keep your immune system strong.
Because it is necessary for immune cell function and cell signaling, a deficiency can lead to a weakened immune response.

Zinc supplements stimulate particular immune cells and reduce oxidative stress.
For example, a review of seven studies demonstrated that 80–92 mg per day of zinc may reduce the length of the common cold by up to 33%.

What’s more, zinc supplements significantly reduce the risk of infections and promote immune response in older adults

The tolerable upper level for zinc is 40 mg per day. However, this does not apply to people with zinc deficiencies, who may need to take high-dose supplements.
Otherwise eat more animal foods; The highest sources of zinc are found in: oysters, shellfish, fish, eggs, poultry and meat.

Also, did you know: Regular Massage treatments will also help boost your immune response to bugs as the skin and underlying tissues is often the first defense against bugs. Clinical studies have shown, that regular Massage sessions can naturally increase the immune system's cytotoxic capacity which is the activity of the bodys natural "killer cells" and decrease the number of T-cells, which improves the immune system overall.