This article will discuss the best vitamins to boost your immune system, but first let’s explore what your immune system is to get a better understanding of how vitamins do in fact “boost” or benefit it.
What is an Immune System
The human body is equipped with an amazing protection mechanism called the immune system. Made up of a network of cells, tissues and organs, the immune system is designed to defend against millions of bacteria, microbes, viruses, toxins and parasites looking to invade your body. White blood cells, also called leukocytes, are a component of this defense system. Two basic types of these cells are phagocytes and lymphocytes, and they help fight off germs that can make you sick. Phagocytes serve to fight off germs as they try to invade your body, while lymphocytes help recognize foreign bodies that your body may have already fought off before, allowing you to fight the off once again.
Though they are produced and derived from a cell in your bone marrow, leukocytes can be found throughout your body, including in your blood and lymphatic system. You may have encountered your lymphatic system before if you’re ever had swollen lymph nodes. These glands contain cells that are important to keep your immune system functioning. Using these cells, your lymph nodes filter and remove germs that could make you sick. You may think that having swollen glands is a bad sign, since it usually happens when you’re getting sick, however this is actually a sign that your body is working to fight off the infection.
So, your body has an advanced system in place to help fight off toxins and invaders, but is that enough to keep you from getting sick? Since your body is constantly working to keep you healthy, your immune system may need some help from time to time. Vitamins, a balanced diet and exercise can all help to strengthen your immune system and keep you healthy.
Best Vitamins To Boost Your Immune System
Though Vitamin C tends to get the most attention for helping your immune system, Vitamin A is just as important for your body. Vitamin A works to prevent germs and toxins from entering your body in the first place. Vitamin C helps boost your immune system and keep it working hard to remove germs once they’ve already invaded your body. Vitamin E is another one of the best vitamins to boost your immune system because it serves to create another type of protein that helps fight infection. B Vitamins can also help your immune system by assisting in the production of white blood cells, which work to combat germs and bacteria.
Taking a multivitamin that contains these is an easy way to ensure your body gets enough of each to stay strong and healthy. You will find a wide selection of these available at your local chemist. However, eating a balanced, healthy diet and making sure you get the right amount of exercise can also help keep your body in good shape.
Antioxidants, which help protect your body and keep your immune system strong, and many of the vitamins previously mentioned can be found in many fruits and vegetables and grains, including broccoli, acai berries, blueberries, spinach, cabbage, watermelon, almonds, carrots, sweet potatoes, oats, yogurt and more. Eating a healthy diet that contains these and other fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains can play a large role in keeping you healthy.
Regular exercise is another component of keeping your body healthy. During exercise immune system cells circulate through the body more quickly and are better able to kill invading bacteria and viruses. After exercise ends, the body returns to normal after a few hours, but regular, consistent exercise may help make these changes more permanent.
However, exercising too much or too vigorously can actually damage your immune system. Your body requires time to recover and heal, and if you don’t give your body this rest period, you may begin to feel weak and run down. Finding the correct balance of exercise and rest will help keep your body strong and able to keep itself healthy.
Though you may rarely be able to detect it at work, your immune system is constantly working. Vitamins, exercise and a balanced diet are the best combination to keep that system strong and keep you healthy.
If you need a one stop shop for all of your vitamins, try Golden Glow by visiting www.goldenglow.com.au. With an assortment of over six million vitamin, mineral, and supplement products, you’ll be sure to find everything you need in one convenience place. They also carry herbal remedies, skin and health care products, and chemical free cleaning products.
