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Keep your immune system strong by eating your fill of vitamins C, B6 and E, plus zinc
The old saying, “An apple a day can keep the doctor away,” may have some truth behind it after all. Eating nourishing foods rich in certain vitamins can help your immune system fight off illness.
A strong immune system will bolster your body against sicknesses like colds and the flu. It can also help you recover from injury and keep your energy level high.
We talked to registered dietitian Julia Zumpano, RD, LD, for a closer look at which vitamins are best for boosting your immunity. Find out what foods you can find them in and how they can help keep you healthy.
Choosing foods with the right vitamins can help you build up your immune system.
“You build a strong immune system by maintaining healthy eating habits over time,” Zumpano says. “The more you regularly choose a vitamin-rich diet, the more likely you are to strengthen your immune system for the long haul.”
In other words, you can’t just eat four oranges at breakfast one day and expect to be protected against catching a cold all season. It’s a cumulative effect.
Zumpano helps point out which vitamins you need to give your immune system a boost, and how to get them.
This one you probably know about. Vitamin C is one of the biggest immune system boosters of all. In fact, researchers say vitamin C deficiency can make you more prone to getting sick. Vitamin C acts as an antioxidant, meaning it can protect your body from toxins that cause inflammation in your body.
Getting your intake of vitamin C on a regular is essential for good health because your body doesn’t produce it on its own. It also doesn’t store it to use later. The good news is that vitamin C is in so many foods that most people don’t need to take a vitamin C supplement unless a doctor advises it.
Vitamin C is most commonly associated with orange citrus fruits, but you can get your fill of vitamin C from a variety of fruits and vegetables. Zumpano suggests these 10 foods, ranked from highest levels of Vitamin C to lower levels:
B6 is vital to supporting biochemical reactions in the immune system. One of its major roles is in producing white blood cells and T-cells. Those are the cells in your body that respond to fight off invaders, like viruses and bacteria.
Vitamin B6-rich foods include the following foods, in order from most B6 to foods with lower (but still good amounts!) of B6:
Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that helps the body fight off infection. Researchers say vitamin E is one of the most effective nutrients for your immune function. That’s because it helps to keep your T-cells working at peak performance.
Zumpano says to avoid taking vitamin E supplements. Not only is there little clinical research showing that vitamin E supplements benefit your health, but they may also be harmful in some situations.
Instead, load up your plate with these vitamin E-filled foods. The higher on this list, the more vitamin E they contain:
Zinc is anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. Researchers call it the “gatekeeper” of your immune system because it makes all your immune cells function properly.
Oysters are the highest food source of zinc. Other foods to boost your zinc intake include these, again ranked from higher levels of zinc to lower levels:
Dietary selenium is a one-two punch for keeping you healthy. Researchers say it not only activates your immune system when there’s a threat, it also tells your immune system when to pump the brakes. That means it can keep you keeps your immune system from going overboard, protecting you from chronic inflammation and autoimmune diseases, like rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, and psoriasis.
Zumpano suggests getting your fill on these foods high in selenium. Foods listed higher on this list contain the most selenium:
Some ready-to-eat breakfast cereals are fortified with selenium, too.
A simple rule can help you when choosing fruits and vegetables at the grocery store or farmers market: The more colorful the fruits and vegetables are, the better. (And prettier, too!)
“Try to eat a wide variety of foods, and aim to eat fruit and vegetables from every color of the rainbow,” Zumpano says. “Your plate will be more enticing to look at, and you will ensure that you’re getting as many health-boosting vitamins and nutrients as possible.”
In addition to a vitamin-packed diet, staying hydrated can boost your immune health too, Zumpano says.
“Water helps your body produce lymph, which carries white blood cells and other immune system cells,” Zumpano says.
Try to avoid overdoing beverages that can make you dehydrated, like coffee and soda. And try eating more hydrating foods, such as cucumbers, celery, and watermelon.
While vitamins and supplements can help fill in the gaps in your diet, the best way to load up on essential nutrients is to get them straight from the source, Zumpano says.
Your body absorbs and uses vitamins and nutrients better when they come from the foods you eat than a supplement.
Some supplements may have side effects, too, especially if taken before surgery or with other medicines. Supplements can also cause problems if you have certain health conditions. And the products of many supplements haven’t been tested in children, people who are pregnant, and other groups.
For these reasons, experts say it’s best to get your immune-system-boosting vitamins through food rather than supplements if you can.
If you think you need a supplement, Zumpano suggests talking with a healthcare provider first.
“They can help you understand whether a supplement is right for you and advise you on how to get your fill of the nutrients your body needs,” Zumpano says.
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*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration(FDA). These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
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