With cold and flu season in full effect, it is time to discuss things you can take to stay as healthy as possible!
Vitamin D is a powerhouse of a vitamin. Along with its many other benefits such as bone health, testosterone production, mood elevation, etc, Vitamin D also has a great immune boosting benefit. Supplementing with Vitamin D reduces your risk of developing an upper respiratory infection and increases your immune function overall.
Vitamin C is one that gets a lot of press, and is a staple for most people when they are sick. It is a potent antioxidant, helping to fight free radicals in your body that can cause inflammation and other negative effects. Supplementing with vitamin c doesn’t necessarily reduce your chances of getting sick, but it has been shown to shorten the duration of a cold. Taking it at the onset of cold will provide minimal benefits if any.
NAC(N-Acetylcysteine) is an amino acid that your body uses to make Glutathione, one of the most important amino acids. NAC is a powerful antioxidant, and has been repeatedly shown to help reduce inflammation. In particular, it helps reduce inflammation in the lungs, proving helpful to those suffering from bronchitis and other lung related conditions.
Zinc is an essential mineral that also provides a great immune boosting benefit. It aids in collagen production and can increase your body’s ability to heal wounds. Your skin is your first barrier of protection from nasty, little pathogens! It is also important in the growth and development of immune cells in the body.
As always, speak with your doctor before taking any supplements, as they may have interactions with certain medications. A common similarity among all these are their antioxidant benefits and anti-inflammatory properties, so a diet low in inflammatory foods will provide such a huge benefit for your immune health! While these supplements may help, nothing will be more beneficial than a healthy, well balanced meal plan to help protect you!
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