COVID-19 should be a wake-up call for all of us, a call to acknowledge that we only have one body, must care for it, and keep it functioning properly. One of the most powerful weapons in the protection against the coronavirus, or any other virus, is a healthy immune system. COVID-19 has a very destructive grip on those whose bodies are not well-taken care of, as we have sadly seen on the stats.
Help your immune system do its job by doing the essentials – having a nutritious organic diet full of vegetables, good fats, and proteins, exercising, taking essential supplements, sleeping enough, managing stress appropriately, and remaining positive. Bear in mind that building a healthy immune system takes time so incorporate these habits on a regular basis. Now that you know the main Tips to Protect yourself against the Coronavirus, I’ll be sharing the best supplements to help boost your immune system and some high-quality brands.
Vitamin C
This micronutrient is essential for humans, a potent antioxidant that contributes to immune defense. Vitamin C enhances the proliferation of B- and T-cells, needed for immunologic responses. Vitamin C protects against environmental oxidative stress and can enhance microbial killing. It is also needed for apoptosis, the self-destruction of damaged cells. Vitamin C deficiency results in impaired immunity and higher susceptibility to infections. Vitamin C can help prevent and treat respiratory and systemic infections.
Always choose a vitamin C made from whole foods, such as Pure Radiance C by Pure Synergy (Made with Organic and Wildcrafted Ingredients (camu-camu, acerola & amla); Non-GMO, Vegan, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Corn-Free, with NO added synthetic ascorbic acid or TruC by Smarter Vitamins (Raw Whole Food Vitamin C- 100% Berry-Sourced & Natural from Organic & Non-GMO Berries, Antioxidants, Bioflavonoids & Polyphenols, Vegan, Immune Support)
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is obtained from the diet either as trans-retinol, retinyl esters or β-carotene. It has a beneficial effect on the adaptive immune response, enhancing T-cell proliferation and cytotoxicity – the destructive ability of immune cells against pathogens, viruses, tumors, damaged cells, etc. Vitamin A can increase the migration of tumorous cells to the draining lymph nodes and the maturation of dendritic cells, which initiate a primary immune response.
Vitamin A Drops by Seeking Health contains 1,507 mcg of Vitamin A in a micellized form that may be more easily absorbed and assimilated.
Vitamin D
This is one vitamin that most Americans are deficient in. Vitamin D3, the most physiologically relevant form of vitamin D, is synthesized in the skin through sunlight but can be acquired through the diet and supplements. Vitamin D produces a positive effect on adaptive immune cells, such as T-cells which help destroy tumor cells and cells infected with viruses. Vitamin D, also, helps in the recovery process and prevention of numerous conditions.
Sunshine Mist Vitamin D3 Spray by Dr. Mercola provides 5000 IU and 36 Servings. It is free of gluten, GMOs and, soy. Vitamin D3 by SmarterVitamins delivers 5000 IU along with organic extra-virgin avocado oil. It is GMO, soy, and gluten-free.
Cod Liver Oil
Cod Liver Oil is high in omega-3 fatty acids like other fish oil supplements. Yet, they are different. Regular fish oil is extracted from the tissue of oily fish (tuna, herring, anchovies, or mackerel) while cod liver oil is extracted from the liver of cod. The liver is high in fat-soluble vitamins A and D and has very powerful immunity properties. In addition, cod liver oil is anti-inflammatory and high in antioxidants, helping the body fight infections and heal up.
Cod liver oil supplementation can complete your vitamin D and A requirements. A single teaspoon of cod liver oil provides 90% of your daily requirements for vitamin A and 113% of your daily requirements for vitamin D. Blue Ice Royal Fermented Cod Liver Oil Blend by Green Pasture comes in capsules 1/3 X-Factor Gold High Vitamin Butter Oil and 2/3 Blue Ice Fermented Cod Liver Oil. The fish are wild-caught in the Arctic region and the supplement is lacto-fermented and extracted without heat. Extra Virgin Cod Liver Oil by Rosita comes in soft gels. It is wild, raw, and free of GMOs, artificial coloring, flavoring, preservatives, soy, gluten, and dairy.
Curcumin
Curcumin is a biologically active polyphenolic compound found in turmeric. It has been shown to be great for immunity and a potent immunomodulatory agent that can regulate the activation of T cells, B cells, macrophages, neutrophils, natural killer cells, and dendritic cells. Curcumin can downregulate the expression of proinflammatory cytokines. It has beneficial effects on arthritis, allergy, asthma, atherosclerosis, heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and diabetes. Curcumin is now considered to be a promising anti-cancer agent as well. It has shown to target the hallmarks of cancer like malignant cell proliferation, evasion of apoptosis, sustained angiogenesis, tissue invasion, and metastasis.
Organic Turmeric Curcumin with Black Pepper by TRUVANI offers 1500 mg and it’s 100% organic. Organic Turmeric Curcumin with BioPerine by New Rhythm offers 1950 mg. It is free of gluten, sugar, soy, yeast, milk, wheat, corn, peanuts, magnesium stearate, artificial ingredients, fillers, binders, and preservatives.
Echinacea
Echinacea has shown to have a positive impact on the immune system. For instance, it can help increase T cell proliferation and percentages of CD49+ and CD19+ lymphocytes, involved in increasing immune responses. Echinacea also has anti-inflammatory properties.
Echinacea Supreme by Gaia Herbs offers 700 mg of certified organic echinacea in liquid phyto-capsules. It is free of gluten, soy, dairy, meat, peanuts, sesame, shellfish, yeast or eggs. SuperPure® Echinacea Extract by Pure Synergy contains 450 mg of organic echinacea without chemical solvents, additives, or gluten.
Garlic
Garlic helps maintain the homeostasis of the immune system. It has shown to enhance the functioning of cells involved in the immune response (macrophages, lymphocytes, natural killer (NK) cells, dendritic cells, eosinophils, and cytokines). Garlic supplementation helps lower inflammation, enhance immune cell function, and reduce the severity of colds, the flu, and other viruses.
It is best to try to have organic raw garlic but if it’s too strong for you, you can have it in supplement form. Aged Garlic Extract by Kyolic offers 600 mg and is made from organic, aged & odorless garlic. Free of sodium, yeast, preservatives, artificial colors, or flavors. Aged Garlic Extract Immune formula by Kyolic offers 440 mg but also contains 105 mg of Vitamin C, 150 mg of Mushroom complex, 100 mg of Astragalus, 100 mg of Oregano extract, and 80 mg of Olive leaf extract.
Greens Powder
Greens Powders are supplements containing green superfoods such as spirulina, chlorella, wheatgrass, and other superfoods that deliver vital doses of nutrients, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants in a ready to drink powder form.
Spirulina, high antioxidant blue-green algae, is capable of reducing inflammation and strengthening the immune system. It can inhibit allergic reactions by suppressing the release of histamine and decrease high cholesterol levels. Spirulina also helps increase the concentration of hemoglobin (a molecule found in red blood cells), natural killer cells, and white blood cell count, boosting immune function. It has shown to protect against intracellular pathogens, parasites and, other harmful micro-organisms.
Chlorella is a green freshwater algae high in protein, vitamins, and minerals. It enhances immune function. Chlorella has shown to increase the production of immunity markers, such as killer cells and antibodies, which help fight foreign invaders in the body,
Wheatgrass is a nutritious plant with antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties. It helps lower cholesterol, blood pressure, and increase energy. Wheatgrass enhances the function of the immune system as well.
Superfood Greens Powder from Organic Muscle is 100% organic, soy-free, gluten-free, and has no preservatives, artificial flavors, coloring, or sugars. It also contains beetroot, matcha, turmeric, coconut water, ashwagandha, prebiotics, and probiotics. Organic muscle also has a powerful Superfood Reds blend.
Green Tea
Green tea is a powerful antioxidant and modulator for the immune system. It can act as an anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antifungal, and antivirus agent. Green tea has shown to have a positive effect on T cell activation, proliferation, and production of cytokines. It has also shown to have positive results with autoimmune inflammatory diseases. Try matcha tea, which is made from top quality green tea leaves and it’s more powerful.
Oregano Oil
Oregano oil is an essential oil made from the oregano plant that has shown to have antimicrobial, antiviral and antifungal properties. This compound has also powerful antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, and cancer-suppressor agents. Supplementation with oregano oil can significantly increase good bacteria, digestive enzymes, glutathione, and superoxide dismutase activity (involved in fighting free radicals), and regulate cytokines (those released in inflammatory and immune responses). Oregano oil helps maintain healthy respiratory function and healthy immune response.
Wild Oregano Liquid Drops Extra Strength This oil is Louisiana certified organic and highly potent, containing the highest percentage of the naturally occurring phenols, carvacrol, and thymol. Wild Oil of Oregano Oreganol P73 is a wild full-spectrum, whole food oregano oil, 100% Mediterranean-source. SuperStrength is 300% more potent than regular strength.
Probiotics
Probiotics stimulate the immune system and produce a network of signals through the whole bacterial ecosystem in the gastrointestinal tract. Upon consumption, probiotic bacteria induce the production of different cytokines that stimulate intestinal immune cells. These cells increase immunoglobulin A+ and T cells and, subsequently, the immune response without adverse effects.
A great way to incorporate probiotics into your regimen is by having organic fermented foods, such as fermented vegetables, sauerkraut, kimchi, kombucha, and kefir. If you can’t get the fermented foods and want something more convenient, the following are good-quality probiotic supplements to try. Organic Probiotics with Prebiotics by Ora delivers 16 billion CFU per serving and 6 probiotic strains. It is organic, vegan, as well as dairy, gluten, soy, grains, artificial ingredients, and sugar-free. Organic Liquid Probiotics by Mary Ruth’s has 12 Live strains of flora and it’s 100% organic and Raw, vegan, as well as gluten, wheat, corn, soy, and nut-free. Bio Complete 3 by Dr. Gundry helps support a healthy gut lining with prebiotics, probiotics, and post-biotics in one capsule.
Quercetin
Quercetin is a polyphenol, specifically a flavonoid, present in onions, broccoli, apples, berry crops, grapes, tea, and wine. It’s known for its beneficial effects on immunity, antioxidant activity in radical scavenging and anti-allergic properties. Quercetin decreases pro-inflammatory cytokines and stimulates immune responses, antiviral activity, antihistamine release, and leukotrienes creation, which lower inflammation and allergic reactions.
Due to quercetin’s anti-inflammatory and immunomodulating properties, it has been utilized in the treatment of bronchial asthma, allergic rhinitis, and restricted peanut-induced anaphylactic reactions. Additionally, quercetin has anti-carcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral properties.
Quercetin by Pure Organic delivers 440 mg and it is free of stearates, fillers, Non-GMOs, or gluten. Quercetin with Bromelain by NOW supplements. has 800 mg of quercetin and 165 mg of bromelain, which helps balance immune system response to environmental challenges
Zinc
Zinc, a nutrient not produced by the body but found in food and supplements, can help the immune system function efficiently. It has a positive impact on phagocytosis (the destruction of microorganisms, bacterium, and foreign particles) and the production of white blood cells and cytokines (cells in the immune system that regulate inflammation and immune response). On the contrary, zinc deficiency impedes the production of cytokines and B lymphocytes (crucial for the development of antibodies, particularly immunoglobulin G). Zinc also has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, decreasing oxidative stress markers and inflammatory cytokines.
Ionic Liquid Zinc Supplement delivers 10 mg of zinc sulfate for high absorption. It is free of sugar, GMO’s, soy, artificial ingredients, colors, preservatives, gluten, fillers, and binders. MegaFood, Zinc, delivers 22.5 mg of zinc paired with an organic wholefood blend with organic spinach, parsley leaf, and broccoli. It’s free of GMOs, gluten, dairy, soy, and glyphosate.
Children’s Immunity
Currently, many people also ask about immune boosters for children. In the same manner that adults can stay healthy, children should be doing the essentials described above, as well as having some essential supplements, such as an organic wholefood multivitamin, probiotics, and fish oil -preferably cod liver oil.
Here are a couple of high-quality supplements to strengthen their immune system when feeling under the weather. Immunity Gummies for Kids & Adults by MaryRuth’s contain Elderberry, Echinacea, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, & Zinc. They are vegan, free of GMOs, gluten, and artificial sugars. Elderberry Gummies, Garden of Life containing Elderberry, Echinacea, Vitamin C, & Zinc. They are organic and contains no gluten, dairy, soy, peanuts or tree nuts, gelatin, or high fructose corn syrup.
Keep in mind that when aiming to boost your immunity due to dealing with an established condition or an outside threat, your body requires significantly higher doses than the typical recommended dose to compensate for the increased inflammation and metabolic demand.
As mentioned earlier, a stronger immune system accounts for a healthy body and overall healthy living. You shouldn’t wait to experience signs of a weak immune system before thinking about boosting your immunity. Incorporate these supplements into your diet to help strengthen your immune system and allow it to do its work.
To a Fitter Healthier You,
The Fitness Wellness Mentor
