As the world is preparing itself for uncertainties coming ahead, we should also buckle ourselves to get ready for the unexpected threats. It is not a shock now for any of us how the world can be affected when we are facing an unpredictable situation. So, what we can do to strengthen our body and boost our immune system?
The obvious answer to this question is to use natural supplements to enhance immunity. But wait, how can we choose what supplements are exactly required by our body and what is its purpose? Don’t worry, we have got a list for you of the top 5 supplements that boost your immunity naturally.
1. Vitamin A
During the Covid-19 pandemic, it was observed that people with Vitamin A deficiency face a tough time in recovering from coronavirus. Vitamin A plays a vital role in fighting off respiratory, gastrointestinal tract, eyes, and skin infections. It also strengthens the adaptive immune system that fights foreign invaders, i.e., seasonal viruses.
Vitamin A is found in many natural sources. So, it is always better to add such Vitamin A rich foods to your diet rather than taking supplements. Plus, Vitamin A rich foods are delicious and bring no harm as they are free of chemicals. Vitamin A is found in carotenoids and retinoids. Carotenoids include carrots, spinach, sweet potatoes, and winter squash. While retinoids include egg, salmon, shrimp, and beef liver.
2. Vitamin D
Vitamin D is best known for its ability to develop bone health. Like Vitamin A, Vitamin D is also helpful in developing antibodies to keep our health safe by fighting off foreign germs. Unfortunately, Vitamin D is mostly not found in natural sources. That’s why Vitamin D deficiency is very common. Especially in breastfed infants, older adults, obese people, and people with limited sun exposure.
It is recommended by healthcare professionals to get sunlight exposure 4, 5 days a week for at least 10-15 minutes. But still, the problem persisted as there are many areas where there is minimum sunlight or especially in winters. We always have an option to use Vitamin D supplements but it’s better to intake it from natural food. These foods include cod liver oil, salmon, sardine, beef liver, egg yolk, and mushrooms with UV fortification.
3. Zinc
If you get to know about the incredible benefits of zinc on your health, you will never miss a zinc supplement. Our body cannot store Zinc; therefore, it is necessary to intake it on daily basis. It supports brain functions, synthesizes proteins, maintains hormones level, and boost immunity. Zinc deficiency rises critical health problems including diarrhea, delays in wound healing, and hair loss.
Zinc prevents the severity of the infections and stops the multiplication of viruses. Thankfully, there are many natural sources to obtain Zinc on daily basis. These best zinc-enriched foods include yogurt, cashews, chickpeas, lobster, pumpkin seeds, and crabs.
4. Probiotics
Probiotics are not a nutrient, but they are extremely advantageous for our body. These little microorganisms are good bacteria that keep us safe and prevent many infections. There are millions of microorganisms inside our body that perform their functions and defend our body against external attacks. Probiotics interact with these microorganisms and enhance the immunity.
These probiotics dose differ from person to person, so the same dose is not applicable for everyone. The best food sources for probiotics are kimchi, tempeh, miso, kefir, and yogurt. Always take advice from your doctor before taking probiotics supplements.
5. Curcumin
Curcumin is a powerful antioxidant extracted from a turmeric plant. It is a yellowish-white spice that has magical benefits on the body’s inflammatory response with multiple other remarkable benefits. Research has shown curcumin can support cardiovascular and mental health, along with the body’s immune system.
Some of the curcumin benefits are somehow similar to Cannabidiol (CBD) oil but you can buy CBD oil upon permission from the health authorities.
While curcumin has no such limitations so healthcare professionals are working on developing a supplement that can deal with low bioavailability issues. Curcumin is poorly soluble in water therefore it has limited therapeutic benefits. Hence, an effort is underway to develop an optimized supplement.
Final Thoughts
As we are all facing serious viral threats, it is necessary to use our immune system as a weapon against such diseases. For this, it is necessary to take essential nutrients and supplements to boost up our immunity not only for ourselves but for our community as well.
