Boost Your Immune System

By Deborah Frantz, Owner

Totally Energized

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Boost Your Immune System

Now that fall is upon us, and the kids have gone back to school, we all know what time it is cold and flu season. Most of us know someone who's already been affected by a cold or some type of bug.

With winter around the corner, now is the time to boost our immune system. There are numerous different micronutrients that can help boost our immune system. Below are a few nutrients that can be beneficial for you and your family.

We all know some things are important for the immune system, like Vitamin C, but did you know Vitamin C works better at cold prevention rather than as a treatment? Don't wait, if you're going to up your vitamin C, do it before you come down with something. Vitamin C works as an immuno-stimulant by modulating certain white blood cells in the body.

Vitamin D seems to be the rage in the holistic community, and for good reason. First off, it's a common nutritional deficiency in the United States. We used to get an abundant amount of Vitamin D from the sun, but in today's society we are no longer getting enough from the sun as most people work indoors all day.

Ask your doctor about testing your Vitamin D levels. Vitamin D made this list because studies have shown Vitamin D enhances the immune system's response to both bacterial and viral agents.

The best antioxidants to supplement with for this time of year include the “ACE” vitamins. These are Vitamin A, C, and E and the minerals Zinc and Selenium. Each one is beneficial in terms of boosting one's immune system but these five also work synergistically to enhance one another in the body.

Vitamin A has been shown to help our body's antibody response. Women who are pregnant or may become pregnant should not take Vitamin A supplements without consulting your doctor.

Vitamin C we already discussed as a potent nutrient for the immune system.

Studies have shown that Vitamin E can increase our body's resistance to bacterial infections.

Zinc is important for the normal healthy development and function of cells and Selenium is a powerful immuno-modulator and has shown to enhance function of certain white blood cells.

These are just a few micronutrients that can help your body prepare for the upcoming season.