4 Supplements to Help Boost your Immune System

1. 4 Supplements to Help Boost your Immune System Do you find you always get sick this time of year? If so, you’re definitely not alone. Not only is getting sick during the winter months very common, it’s also exhausting! We struggle with doing normal activities and can’t wait to get better soon. So, how can we get better faster or prepare our bodies for the next time we get sick? Well, that’s where immune support comes in. We need to care for our immune system before we get sick This can speed up our recovery time and protect us before we get sick. Our immune system is responsible for fighting off disease, which is why it’s crucial to take proper care of it. To ensure your immune system is in the best shape to be able to fight infections, there are certain things you can do. Nutrient-rich foods that help improve immune functions Adding vitamins and minerals should be a part of your illness prevention strategy. This is a great way to give your immune system a boost to help fight off infections. These nutrients can either be taken as supplements or incorporated into meals. Here are a few recommendations.

2. Zinc is important for immune cells It helps with the growth, development, and function of immune cells. Some foods that include zinc are pumpkin seeds, meats, chickpeas, lentils, cashews, almonds, and peas. Drinking green tea, and eating fruits & vegetables work as zinc ionophores (or zinc transports) to increase zinc in the cells. If you choose to supplement, we recommend using Zinc citrate or picolinate, 25 mg daily with food. Vitamin C nourishes immune cells to move faster and clean up pathogens Most people associate Vitamin C with citrus fruit like oranges. But, there are a few better options, and here’s why. Citrus fruits lead to a thickening of mucus. This can make us feel worse if we are sick and are already dealing with congestion. Try these instead: sweet red peppers, tomato juice, strawberries, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cauliflower, cabbage, and thyme. However, if you’re looking for the highest food content of Vitamin C, this includes: Camu camu berry: richest source of Vitamin C in the world & often available in powder Acerola cherry: 2nd richest source of Vitamin C, also known as the Barbados cherry White pine needles: excellent source of Vitamin C, & you can make tea from fresh white pine needles Freeze-dried peppers: retain nutrients well, & thus are more Vitamin C-dense than fresh peppers If you choose to supplement, we recommend using Vitamin C 1000 mg, 3 times daily. Vitamin D activates T cells for fighting off infection The best sources of Vitamin D are the sun and supplementation. However, since getting sun isn’t always possible, there are some foods you can eat instead that contain Vitamin D. These include mushrooms, fatty fish, egg yolk, as well as fortified foods. If you choose Vitamin D supplementation, we recommend taking a supplement with 5,000 IU. We recommend taking it with a meal because it is fat-soluble. Quercetin has anti-viral properties to help us become more resilient to illness Foods that include quercetin are capers, dill, cilantro, radish, red onion, kale, broccoli, tea, cranberries, and apples. And if supplementing, we recommend using Quercetin 500mg daily to prevent illness. Increase to twice daily when sick. Immune IV bags are another way to give your immune system a boost Our immune boost IV is perfect for any time you need an extra immune boost. Especially during times when you’re more prone to getting sick. Not only is it quick and easy, but it also helps with:

3. Improving cell defense Speeding up recovery time And preventing illness All in all, the best way to boost your immune system is to maintain a healthy lifestyle. This means nourishing your body with vitamin-rich foods, getting proper rest, and drinking plenty of liquids. Getting an IV boost will also help keep your immune system in tip-top shape. Learn more ways you can stay healthy and thrive, especially during times when illnesses are in season. Read our blog post from last year, if you’d like a list of even more key nutrients to optimize your immune performance. If you are currently sick and concerned it could be a variant of COVID-19, or have a positive test, call (425) 361-7945. We’ll do a phone or video consultation to assess and protocol for your symptoms and constitution. And if you are having trouble breathing, or having any other emergency, please call 911 or go to your nearest hospital.