Best Supplements to Boost Immunity, According to Experts

The immune system is a complex, delicate system of cells and tissues in the body that protect you from various infections and diseases. It is the body’s defense system against bacteria and viruses, but it can take a hit during cold and flu season due to physical and psychological stress.

It’s important to boost your immunity naturally, especially during the cold and flu season. It’s useful to turn to supplements to support your immune system throughout the year, or if you have a preexisting health condition.

Supplements for immunity can improve your immune system, but it’s important to take a whole-body approach. Supplementation should only be used after assessing your whole diet and lifestyle (sleep, stress, hydration, exercise) especially if you’re taking multiple supplements.

It’s all about the immune system, and keeping your body strong. One way to do this is to take a multivitamin and supplements to modulate your immunity.

Here are the best supplements that can support and boost your immunity:

 

 

Vitamin D

 

Vitamin D – also known as “the sunshine vitamin” – is essential for many functions in the body. With winter coming and food source limitations, getting vitamin D isn’t always as easy as walking out in the sun. Vitamin D helps to keep your immune system strong and can lower your chances of developing some chronic conditions.

Vitamin D is a nutrient that helps to boost your immune system and helps fight off viruses, bacteria and inflammation. It also supports calcium absorption in the body, which improves bone health by reducing the risk of osteoporosis.

If you live in a northern climate, getting enough Vitamin D can be difficult without supplementation. Lack of sunlight may lead to Vitamin D deficiency, which can impact many functions in the body including immune system function, depression and migraine headaches.

 

Nature’s Way Vitamin D3 Gummies

Vitamin D3, the active and preferred form of vitamin D, is essential for good health, but is also a key player in supporting proper immune function. Nature’s Way high-potency vitamin D3 gummies promote calcium absorption for healthy bones and support the immune function.  Strawberry, peach, and mango flavored gummies.

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NatureWise Vitamin D3 5000 iu

NatureWise Vitamin D3 in certified organic olive oil helps to support immunity, healthy muscles, bone and teeth. It delivers the same biologically active form of vitamin D produced by the body as a result of sun exposure, without exposure to sun rays. Vitamin D 5000 IU softgels are easy to swallow and more bioavailable than powdered or tablet forms.

The Vitamin D Council recommends that adults with minimal sun exposure take 5,000 IU of D3 daily to reach optimal levels.

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NOW Supplements, Vitamin D-3 5,000 IU

Highly-absorbable liquid softgel form of vitamin D-3 that supports a healthy immune function and is essential for maintaining optimal bone mineral density.

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Vitamin C

 

Vitamin C, with its role in immune health, is perhaps the most popular supplement taken to boost immunity. Vitamin C supplements are also commonly recommended by doctors for people with chronic infections and immune disorders. Supplementing with vitamin C has been shown to reduce the duration and severity of upper respiratory tract infections, including the common cold.

 

Doctor’s Best Vitamin C with Q-C

Ascorbic acid is invaluable to the body for its role as an electron donor, supporting numerous metabolic enzymes in addition to enhancing the body’s total antioxidant potential. Ascorbic acid supplementation can help to strengthen immunity, enhance athletic performance and support cardiovascular health. Doctor’s Best uses premium-quality, carefully formulated and manufactured quali-c ascorbic acid for best results.

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Best Seller: Nature’s Way Sambucus Elderberry Gummies

Nature’s Way Sambucus Elderberry Gummies support immune health with high potency vitamins C & D, and an excellent source of zinc. The gummies also contain highly concentrated (64x) black elderberry extract made from 3,200 mg of elderberries per serving.

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Garden of Life Raw Vitamin C

Vitamin Code Raw Vitamin C provide 500 mg of Vitamin C with bioflavonoids, blended in a base of 23 fruits and vegetables with live probiotics and enzymes.

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Selenium

 

Selenium is a trace mineral that has antioxidant properties. Selenium plays an important role in inflammation and immunity, so it’s important to make sure you have adequate levels of the mineral. Adequate levels of Selenium are important for immunity, which improves the body’s ability to fight illness and infection.

 

NOW Foods Selenium 200 mcg

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Life Extension Super Selenium Complex with Vitamin E

Super Selenium Complex contains three forms of selenium, along with vitamin E, for optimized health and longevity support. Selenium may also support healthy thyroid, the immune function, cardiovascular health, brain health and healthy cell division. 

Antioxidant, thyroid & immune support: Selenium is an important factor in protecting your body from oxidative damage. Cardiovascular health, brain health & healthy cell division : Selenium is a vital nutrient for healthy cell division.

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Solaray Selenium 200 mcg

Essential trace mineral may help support healthy immune and thyroid function. High absorbent Selenium, a powerful antioxidant that helps guard cells from free radical damage. 

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Zinc

 

Zinc is one of the most important nutrients for supporting immunity. Zinc plays an essential role in immune system function and has been shown to help improve immune response and reduce the duration of the common cold and flu.

A deficiency in this nutrient significantly affects your immune system’s ability to function properly, resulting in an increased risk of infection and disease.

Amazon’s Bestseller: Nature’s Bounty Zinc 50mg

Nature’s Bounty is the brand for Zinc supplements which are the product of 50 years of dedication to quality, consistency and scientific research to make vitamins and nutritional supplements of unrivaled excellence.

Nature’s Bounty Zinc is a trace element that plays a vital role in immune support, antioxidant health and tissue repair.

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Thorne Research Zinc

Thorne Research offers a highly absorbable form of Zinc to support general wellness, the immune function, healthy skin and connective tissue.

Thorne is trusted by 45,000 health professionals and 100+ pro teams and U.S. Olympic teams. Thorne is the only supplement manufacturer to collaborate with Mayo Clinic on wellness research and content.

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Garden of Life Vitamin Code Raw Vegan Zinc

Garden of Life Zinc supplement provides whole food nutrition with 30 mg of  Zinc (over 250% of the new daily value) plus 60 mg of raw vitamin C, both in a whole food form for optimal nutrient absorption and utilization. The supplement also contains raw probiotics and enzymes blend for added digestive support.

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Medicinal Mushrooms

 

The body’s immune system helps fight pathogens and foreign objects, including fungi, virus and certain bacteria. Medicinal mushrooms are an ancient medicinal system that has been used by practitioners in Asia for thousands of years. Studies suggest that certain mushroom extracts may play a role in boosting immunity and reducing the symptoms of certain conditions such as allergies, asthma and lung infections.

Cordyceps, lion’s mane, maitake, shitake, reishi, and turkey tail are mushrooms types that have been shown to benefit immune health.

 

Mushroom Blend Defend Mix by Four Sigmatic

Energize your workday with this mushroom blend supplement loaded with 10 adaptogenic mushrooms and vitamin C to support your body in terms of stress. This Organic Mushroom Powder Complex with Lion’s Mane, Cordyceps, Chaga, and Reishi offer the best functional mushrooms just by adding 2 scoops to your coffee, smoothie, tea or just hot water.

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Laird Superfood Organic Performance Mushroom Blend

Nutrient-Dense Mushroom Blend: Contains Organic Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus), Organic Cordyceps (Cordyceps militaris), Organic Chaga (Inonotus obliquus), Organic Maitake (Grifola frondosa), Mushroom mycelial biomass powder cultured on certified organic oats.

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Nature’s Bounty Advanced Mushroom Immune Complex

Get the vegan-friendly and vegetarian vitamin D and immune support you need from Nature’s Bounty Advanced Mushroom Immune Complex. A curated blend of seven mushrooms  sourced from whole foods.

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Other supplements with immune boosting properties include:Astragalus, B Complex Vitamins, Curcumin, Echinacea, and Propolis.

 

The immune system is complex, and it isn’t always easy to tell if your body’s defenses are functioning optimally. At the same time, consuming the right mix of nutrients can encourage our bodies to stay strong and healthy. Although these supplements may offer a small benefit for immune health, they should not and cannot be used as a replacement for a healthy lifestyle. Aiming to eat a nutrient-dense balanced diet, getting enough sleep, engaging in regular physical activity, are some of the most important ways to help keep your immune system healthy and reduce your chances of infection and disease. Talk to a healthcare professional before trying new supplements, as some supplements may interact with certain medications or are inappropriate for some people.