Our immune system contains a collection of processes, cells, and chemicals. It continuously protects the body from various pathogens, like bacteria, viruses, and other toxins. The answer to preventing diseases and infections is always to keep a healthy immune system. Leading a healthy lifestyle, consuming nutritional food, having a balanced diet, exercising regularly, and getting enough sleep to boost our immune system.
Furthermore, researchers have found out that, in addition to these, consuming certain immune support supplements like minerals, herbs, vitamins, and other substances helps to strengthen the immune system and also protects us from various illnesses and diseases.
Now, let us see what these supplements are, what they do, and how they help the body develop a robust immune system and fight off diseases.
What Do These Supplements Do?
All these immune support supplements have specific common properties. They are:
- Boost immunity- For starters, these supplements work towards one common goal- to boost and improve our immune system.
- Fight off the viruses- Supplements like Vitamin B group, C, and D help the body fight off the viruses. They prevent the viruses from causing any harm to the body. These supplements can contain viruses like coronavirus.
- Prevent foreign pathogens from entering the body- Apart from viruses, these supplements also prevent other foreign pathogens and bacteria from entering the body.
- Protects against infections- These immune support supplements boost and enhance the body’s immune system and thus protect the body from all types of infections.
- Enhance antiviral defense against influenza- Supplements like Selenium and Andrographis develop the body’s antiviral defense and shield the body from influenza and other diseases.
A List Of Essential Immune Support Supplements:
Everybody needs and wants a healthy immune system. A healthy immune system plays a pivotal role in protecting the body from foreign materials like pathogens, viruses, and bacteria. It is what is keeping us alive. The entire immune system consists of cells, chemicals, tissues, and proteins that work together and immediately destroy anything that poses a potential threat to our well-being.
There are lots of herbs and supplements that one can take to boost their immune system. Some of them can be found in plants, animals, or other food items. On the other hand, some of them have to be taken in the form of medications. Certain minerals are found both in the form of food items and as medications.
The list of 15 such supplements that support our immune system is given below:
| Vitamin B group | Vitamin C |
| Vitamin D | Zinc |
| Black elderberry | Astragalus |
| Medicinal mushrooms | Garlic |
| Selenium | Licorice |
| Andrographis | Echinacea |
| Pelargonium sidoides | Curcumin |
| Propolis |
Benefits Of Consuming Immune Support Supplements:
There are a lot of benefits of consuming supplements for immune support. Different immune support supplements help the body in different ways.
- Vitamin B group- Vitamins of the B group, like B6 and B12, are essential for a healthy immune system.
- Vitamin C- Vitamin C is essential for the process of cellular death. It helps to clear out the old cells and replace them with new ones. Thus, keeping our immune system healthy.
- Vitamin D- Vitamin D improves the white blood cells to help the body fight various kinds of pathogens.
- Zinc- Zinc protects the body from foreign pathogens and prevents them from entering the body.
- Elderberry- It helps to treat infections like respiratory tract infections and protects our bodies from these infections.
- Medicinal mushrooms- Medical mushrooms have several immune-boosting properties. They can also heal certain conditions, like lung infection and asthma.
- Astragalus- This herb has been commonly used in Chinese medicine since ancient times. It can improve immunity in many ways.
- Selenium- It is a kind of mineral. It prevents H1N1 and other pathogens of influenza from entering our bodies.
- Garlic- Garlic contains powerful and effective antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties.
- Andrographis- This herb safeguards the body from viruses like influenza A and enterovirus D68.
- Liquorice- Licorice has substances like glycyrrhizin. It helps to protect the body from viral infections.
- Pelargonium sidoides- This herb fights off respiratory issues, including the common cold and bronchitis, caused by viruses.
- Curcumin- It is found primarily in turmeric. It contains powerful and effective anti-inflammatory properties.
- Echinacea- Echinacea protects the body from viruses like the respiratory syncytial virus and rhinoviruses.
- Propolis- Last but not least, there is propolis. It also contains various antiviral properties.
Side Effects Of Consuming Immune Support Supplements:
In Chinese, there is a saying- “Wujibifan,” which roughly translates to “too much of something is not good.” Therefore, one can understand that consuming too many immune support supplements is also not a good idea. Though the benefits of consuming these immune support supplements are higher than the risk, still it isn’t entirely risk-free. There are certain risks involved in consuming too much of these immune support supplements. They are as follows:
The common side effects of intaking these supplements are:
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Breathing problems
- Diarrhea
- Difficulty falling or staying asleep
- Drowsiness
- Colitis or the inflammation of the colon
- Rash or blisters
- Itching
- Headache
- Decreased appetite
- Constipation
- Weight loss
- Nausea
- Cough
- Severe abdominal pain
There are certain infrequent side effects of these immune support supplements as well. They are:
- Backache
- Inflammation of the lung
- Hepatitis or the inflammation of the liver
- Acute pain in the arms or legs
- Jaundice or the yellowing of the skin
- Abdominal bloating
- Vomiting
- Chest pain
Other rare side effects include blood in stool, hormonal or gland problems, and behavioral issues. However, in Chinese, there is a saying behavioral issues are not that common. Still, there are some instances of people suffering from these problems due to consuming too many immune support supplements.
Consult The Professionals!
However, one should note a simple thing: some supplements might interact with the prescriptions or other medications. Some even may not be appropriate for people with certain medical conditions. On the other hand, people with health conditions might need to consume some of these regularly. But how to figure out what to take and when? Well, one should talk to their medical professionals before starting any of these supplements. Be safe, be sure, and then fighting off diseases won’t seem difficult.