Immune System Boosting Supplements

by Wendy Humphris, ROHP

Supplements can be taken in many forms including pills, liquids, and powders. The trick to using supplements is to know your body. You need to know what your body is lacking in, what it needs, and how to achieve that goal without overdoing yourself on other vitamins and minerals you may not need. Here are a few immune boosting supplements that can give your body the extra edge it needs to boost the immune system and fight off illness without taxing your body.

​Probiotics
 
One of the leading supplements to take when you are trying to boost your immune system is a probiotic. There are several reasons for this, but the number one reason is your digestive system. When you get sick, your body may start to slow down and become sluggish. This includes your digestive tract. This means that toxins are being held in your body and could be harboring bacteria that makes it harder for you to get over the illness you are experiencing. Probiotics will help break down these toxins and flush your system.
 
Omega 3
 
The main reason to add Omega 3 to your system is due to how it interacts with your white cells. The omega 3 fatty acids help your white cells to work at optimal levels to help fight bacteria. If you are taking Vitamin D supplements, the Omega 3 will also help the Vitamin D work at optimal levels as well. You can boost your omega 3 supplement during times when you are sick with a cold or flu to help boost the immune system and the white cells working on the bacteria.
 
Vitamin C
 
Vitamin C is a standard when it comes to supplements for your immune system. Though you may know you should be taking it, you may not know what it does. Though it does help building your immune system, it also helps to flush out your system while maintaining the stomach lining and intestinal lining and not disrupting or damaging these areas. You can take Vitamin C in many forms, but a juice or smoothie option will get the benefits into your system quickly and easily.
 
The key to remember when you reach for supplements is to grab is to look for certain labels. The trick to getting the purest form is to look for vegan labeled supplements if you are reaching for plant-based options. If you are going for non plant-based options then you need to look for a non-GMO label. This is due to the growing process of GMO foods that can hinder the benefits of the naturally occurring herb, plant, or animal supplement you are using.