A bad cold or flu can wipe you out for days, resulting in missed work, doctors’ bills and other inconveniences. The best prevention against illness is a strong immune system. A healthy diet and lifestyle can go a long way in strengthening your immune system.[1] However, sometimes you need a bit of extra support to reach your daily nutrition needs or to combat stress. It’s about cultivating habits that promote well-being and incorporating supplements that support your immune system.
In this article, learn some practical ways to avoid getting sick, including the use of vitamins, minerals and supplements, to keep your and your family’s health on the upswing.
What supplements should you take to help prevent illness?
Your body prevents illness by fighting off harmful bacteria and viruses with an immune response. For your immune system to function at its full potential, it needs support from proper nutrition, minerals and plenty of sleep.
Over-the-counter vitamins and supplements are an effective way to support your immune system and prevent illness before you get sick. They can be used daily to maintain a healthy immune system, or they can be utilized occasionally for an immune boost. Always discuss with your medical provider before taking any vitamins or supplements to ensure they are right for you.
Multivitamins and Multimineral Supplements
A deficiency in vitamins and minerals — including vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, selenium and zinc – can weaken immunity and increase vulnerability to infections.[2] While you can get vitamins and minerals from your diet, adding a multivitamin and multimineral supplement to your daily routine will ensure your immunity stays strong.
A lot of brands have multivitamins, but they don’t address mineral deficiencies with their supplements. An immune support supplement with both vitamins and minerals is ideal.
TopCare has two great multivitamin/multimineral supplements with formulations specifically designed for men and women:
- One Daily Men’s Formula Multivitamin/Multimineral – Designed to meet vitamin and mineral needs for men’s bodies, including immunity-boosting vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, selenium and zinc.
- One Daily Women’s Formula Multivitamin/Multimineral – Designed to meet vitamin and mineral needs for women’s bodies, with the same immunity-boosting ingredients as the men’s daily, with added iron and calcium.
Taking a multivitamin/mineral daily may help you maintain a strong immune system and prevent illness.
Immune Supporting Vitamins and Supplements
A daily multivitamin/mineral is a solid foundation to prevent illness, but what do you do when you start to feel sick? How can you prevent illness during cold and flu season? An immune system support supplement can be taken as needed in the short term.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C has been shown to reduce the length and severity of a cold. It has also proven effective at preventing colds when taken at a particularly stressful time in your life. For example, if you have extra stress from living in cold climates or exerting more physical energy like training for a marathon.[3]
Our bodies cannot produce vitamin C and must get it through food or supplementation.[4] A vitamin C deficiency impairs immune function and can make you susceptible to illness. Vitamin C supports the immune system with its antioxidant, antimicrobial and antiviral properties.[5]
Zinc
The mineral zinc has been shown in clinical trials to shorten the duration of cold symptoms. Zinc supplements have proven specifically effective against respiratory viruses and can discourage the replication of rhinoviruses,[6] the most frequent cause of the common cold.[7]
Elderberry
Elderberry is a fruit that has evidence of anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antimicrobial and immune-stimulating effects. It is commonly used as an extract in supplements. Elderberry extract has been shown in studies to reduce the duration and severity of cold symptoms.[8]
Supplements to Try
Try some of these immune support supplements with vitamin C, zinc, elderberry extract and more:
- Essence C® – Vitamin C powder blend with zinc, manganese, B vitamins and electrolytes for hydration. Comes in orange and tangerine flavors.
- Black Elderberry Adult Gummies – Chewable supplements with elderberry extract, zinc and vitamin C.
- Vitamin C Adult Gummies – Chewable supplements with vitamin C and eight other vitamins, herbs and minerals such as zinc.
Children’s Vitamins
In general, children’s immune systems are not as strong as adults.[9] Vitamin supplementation can fill in nutritional gaps in children’s diets that can come from a variety of factors, including biology, access to food and food preferences.[10] Look for children’s vitamins and supplements that include iron, zinc, vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin D and vitamin E.
These two daily children’s multivitamin options can help keep immune systems strong and prevent illness:
Sleep Enhancement
Studies show that a lack of sleep makes you more vulnerable to getting sick from a virus and can delay recovery if you do get sick.[11] If you struggle to fall asleep or have issues with sleep quality, a sleep enhancement supplement could be right for you.
These three sleep enhancement products can help you fall asleep more easily and are non-habit forming so you can use them regularly or as needed:
By embracing a proactive approach to your immune health, you can avoid the inconvenience and costs associated with illness. From daily multivitamins and minerals to targeted immune-support supplements, you can trust TopCare to support you and your family on your wellness journey. Find a TopCare retailer near you.
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