The best way to support your overall health is to make sure you get enough nourishment through eating right and eating enough. For the body’s immune system, a helpful proper diet includes ample amounts of Vitamin C and Zinc. Find out more about the body’s immune system and how vitamin C and zinc helps keep it in good shape.
The Immune System and How You Can Support it
Every day, at every moment, you are exposed to countless, various elements that could trigger illnesses and infections. The only thing that prevents this from happening is an internal complex network of cells and proteins called the immune system.
The immune system is the body’s natural defense, designed to keep foreign objects from invading your body and causing harm to your health. When it catches an antigen (foreign bodies such as germs and bacteria), it studies the invader first and gathers information about it before sending out antibodies for elimination.
Day in and day out, this is what your immune system does. And just like the other internal processes of the body, it needs support so that it stays sharp, efficient and quick to respond to changes and threats. What you can do is to work healthy habits into your daily routine. Such habits include doing regular (moderate intensity) workouts, getting good rounds of sleep every night, managing stress and doing away with smoking and drinking alcohol.
One of the best ways to boost your immunity is through eating healthy. But what foods or what nutrients should you focus on when it comes to immune health?
What Vitamin C and Zinc Can Do For Your Immunity
There is a long list of nutrients that can help with boosting your immunity. But at the top of that list are two nutrients that have been studied to be few of the most potent.
Vitamin C
When someone says ‘immune boosting nutrients’, one of the first that comes to mind is vitamin C. The nutrient has gained a reputation thanks to its many ways of supporting the body’s natural defense:
- It promotes the production of lymphocytes and phagocytes. These are white blood cells that are in charge of dealing with antigens.
- It helps white blood cells function more effectively while protecting them from damage caused by free radicals.
- It helps strengthen the skin’s natural barrier, making sure antigens are kept out.
Research also shows that vitamin C is an essential nutrient for the growth and repair of tissue all over the body.
Zinc
A main component involved in cell division and growth, zinc is an essential mineral for the normal development and maintenance of the immune system. Here are a few of the ways the mineral supports immune health:
- It stimulates the production of T-cells for an optimized immune response.
- It speeds up wound healing, helping keep antigens out.
- It controls inflammation which, when chronic, may cause pain and may lead to complications.
Where to Find Vitamin C and Zinc
Aside from their benefits for the immune system, vitamin C and zinc are both nutrients that the body cannot produce on its own. Good thing you’ll find these nutrients in various everyday foods.
| Abundant in | Such as | |
|---|---|---|
| Vitamin C | Citrus fruits & Vegetables |
Guava |
| Zinc | Red meat, shellfish, dairy, seeds and legumes | Beef Lamb Oysters Shrimp Milk Cheese Squash Chickpeas |
Keep in mind that knowing what to eat is just one part of eating right. You also have to consume enough in order to meet the recommended daily amount (RDA) of these nutrients.
| RDA for Adult Women | RDA for Adult Men | |
|---|---|---|
| Vitamin C | 75 mg | 90 mg |
| Zinc | 8 mg | 11 mg |
Daily Support for Your Immune System
With proper diet and exercise, supplements such as Ascorbic Acid + Zinc (ImmunPro®) can help with keeping your immune system healthy. The daily supplement helps prevent vitamin C and zinc deficiencies, ensuring strong resistance against infections and illnesses. Ascorbic Acid + Zinc (ImmunPro®) also has a ZincPlus Tablet Technology that ensures a stabilized combination and absorption of vitamin C and zinc. You may also visit online stores to purchase ImmunPro® online.
Read more health features and tips on how to boost the immune system and more.
IF SYMPTOMS PERSIST, CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR.
ASC Reference No: U170P110521IS
