It’s Going Around: Best Vitamins to Boost Your Immune System

With many viruses and illnesses going around, masking up and washing your hands remain the best ways to prevent illnesses. However, immune-boosting vitamins can be an extra guard against everything going around these days. Here are some of the best vitamins to boost your immune system.

1. Vitamin C 

It’s no secret that Vitamin C is one of the biggest immune system boosters. The vitamin acts as an antioxidant, meaning it can protect one’s body from inflammation-causing toxins. Vitamin C-rich foods include: red bell peppers, orange and orange juice, grapefruit juice, kiwi, and green bell peppers. For those who prefer juices, check out Pressed, the leading cold-pressed juice and plant-based treats brand, who is celebrating National Grapefruit Month with its Citrus 3 juice, which has 100% of your daily vitamin C per bottle. 

2. Vitamin B6

B6 supports biochemical reactions in one’s immune system, and has a major role in producing white blood cells and T-cells, which ward off viruses and bacteria. Foods with high B6 levels include: chickpeas, beef and beef liver, cold-water fish, like salmon and tuna, and chicken breast. If you want another form of these foods, try chickpea pasta, like Banza. 

3. Vitamin E 

Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that helps one’s body fight off infection. It keeps your T-cells working at peak performance. To increase your Vitamin E, try wheat germ oil, sunflower seeds, nuts, spinach, and broccoli. Grab a new nut butter at your local grocery store to keep your Vitamin E levels up!

4. Zinc 

Zinc is an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant, and is responsible for making all your immune cells function properly. Foods rich in zinc include: oysters, beef, blue crab, and pumpkin seeds. 

5. Selenium

Selenium helps activate your immune system when there’s a threat, but also stops your immune system from going overboard. It helps protect against chronic inflammation and autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, and psoriasis. Try Brazil nuts, tuna, halibut, and lean meats to boost your selenium. 

Featured photo (of vegies) by Dan Gold on Unsplash