Looking for immune system vitamins?

The world continues to open up. More and more people are returning to their routines—going to the office, exercising at the gym, eating out on a regular basis or catching a movie.

As they do, many are in search of vitamins or supplements to boost their immune system. Although supplements can’t technically “boost” your immune system, they can support it.

Let’s take a look at how supplements fit in the big picture of supporting a healthy immune system, including immune support vitamins and immune support supplements.

The role of supplements as part of a healthy lifestyle

Vitamins and minerals play an important role in ensuring that our bodies are able to function at their highest potential. In fact, our bodies use more than 45 different vitamins and minerals each day. That’s why many people include multivitamins or supplements as part of their daily nutrition regimen.

The best way for your body to get all the nutrients it needs is through a healthy, balanced diet rich in colorful fruits and vegetables and whole foods, including lean proteins, healthy carbohydrates and the good kinds of fat.

That’s the ideal, but in reality few of us actually achieve it. In fact, research shows that only about 1 in 10 adults meet the recommendations for either fruits or vegetables each day. Supplements can help fill the nutrient gaps that occur when your food choices are driven more by time constraints and convenience rather than making sure you get your greens. And some of those supplements can also help support your immune system.

Immune system – your body’s defense mechanism

The immune system is our natural defense mechanism against environmental factors. It’s made up of a network of cells, molecules, tissues and organs that work together for the benefit of your health.

It includes physical barriers like your skin or your saliva and tears that wash intruders away. It also includes white blood cells and other internal mechanisms that jump into action to support your health when needed.

And something that may be surprising, it also includes your gut. A whopping 70% of your immune system is located in your gut, which is also home to trillions of tiny good and bad bacteria. That’s called your microbiome.

Best vitamins and supplements for immune support

Plenty of vitamins and supplements support your immune system in different ways, and a daily multivitamin is a good place to start building a solid foundation, as is vitamin C. But you can also take a look at your diet and lifestyle to see where you might need some extra help getting the nutrients you need.

Vitamin D for immune support

Do you spend a lot of time indoors? If so, you could be among the estimated half of the world’s population who don’t get enough vitamin D—otherwise known as the sunshine vitamin. Sunshine generates vitamin D in your skin. The National Institutes of Health recommends 5 to 30 minutes of sun between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. at least twice a week on the face, arms, legs or back without sunscreen.

“Most of us don’t get enough sunlight to provide us with that much vitamin D,” said Dr. Jina Hong, a Nutrilite™ principal research scientist who has a Ph.D. in molecular biology. “Getting enough vitamin D is important. It’s for more than just bones; it contributes to the normal function of the immune system, making vitamin D an immune support supplement.”

Very few foods in nature contain vitamin D, but you can find it in fatty fish, beef liver, egg yolks, certain mushrooms and fortified foods like dairy, cereal and orange juice. You can also consider a vitamin D supplement.

Nutrilite Vitamin D is made from mushrooms, one of nature’s most concentrated botanical sources of vitamin D. One tablet provides 50mcg of vitamin D, or the equivalent of 16 cups of vitamin D fortified milk.

Probiotics for immune support

Do you have a hectic lifestyle plagued by occasional stress, environmental pollution, lack of sleep or a poor diet? There’s a good chance all that is causing a disruption in the delicate balance of good bacteria in your microbiome. And that can affect your immune system.

Our microbiomes are a key part of our immune system, and the balance between good and bad bacteria there is key.

“Maintaining a good balance of beneficial bacteria is critical to supporting your gut’s natural defenses,” said Kristin Morris, a principal research scientist for Nutrilite supplements.

One way to help maintain the balance is by adding to the good bacteria. You can do that by adding probiotics to your diet, either through food or supplements. Probiotics are the good bacteria and are found in fermented foods and beverages like kimchi, kombucha or yogurt.

Or consider a supplement, like Nutrilite Balance Within™ Probiotics, which provides probiotics that have been clinically tested to provide support for immune and gut health.† Or you can add probiotics and help your occasional stress at the same time with Nutrilite Stress Relief Probiotic. It includes organic melon concentrate at levels shown to reinforce a healthy response to stress.†

“Unlike certain things in life, you actually have the power to contribute to the natural balance of bacteria making up your gut microbiome with a probiotic supplement, thereby supporting your immune system,” Morris said.

Children can benefit from probiotics, too. Nutrilite Kids Complete Immunity Fast-Melt Powder provides 4-in-1 immunity support with probiotics, vitamin D, vitamin C and zinc.†

What vitamins to take when sick?

No vitamins or supplements will treat or cure any bugs or viruses that you encounter, but they can support your body’s healthy immune system, like zinc and echinacea.

Zinc for immune support

Zinc is an essential nutrient important for the daily maintenance of your body’s natural defenses. Our bodies don’t store zinc, so we need a daily dose.

Many foods are rich in zinc, including meats, shellfish, legumes, seeds and dairy. But if you find it difficult to get enough of them or don’t have a strong appetite, consider a supplement.

A daily serving of Nutrilite Immunity Defense Zinc + Holy Basil supplies 20mg of zinc. It also includes 400mg of holy basil, which is a sacred plant in Traditional Ayurvedic Medicine. Research shows that holy basil supports your respiratory health and promotes healthy immune function.†

Echinacea for immune support

Echinacea is another botanical that people have turned to for centuries, including Native Americans, who used echinacea roots and root juices for a variety of purposes. Today people still turn to it to help support the body’s defense system.

That’s why echinacea is the largest crop at the organic Nutrilite farm in Trout Lake, Washington. Nutrilite Immunity Echinacea uses a unique triple blend of extracts clinically tested to support immune function, providing broad support to your body’s natural defenses.†

Learn more about vitamins for immune system support on the Nutrilite Immunity page. And find more articles about health, nutrition, home and beauty at Amway Discover.

†This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.