Vitamin C and Other Immunity Boosters to Consider in the Time of COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic makes boosting one’s immunity more important than ever. Besides getting enough sleep and having regular exercise, taking Vitamin C and other essential nutrients plays a crucial role in keeping you healthy. According to experts, a healthy immune system is the best defense against the coronavirus because it supports the body’s natural ability to resist viruses and infections.
In this post, we’ll list immunity boosters that can help get your body working at its full power.
1. Vitamin C
Vitamin C is important to the immune system in many ways. Its antioxidant property can reduce inflammation, helping strengthen the body’s defense against infections. It also boosts the activity of phagocytes, which are cells that can “ingest” and destroy harmful bacteria and viruses.
In addition, it promotes the production of lymphocytes, immune cells that produce antibodies. This enables the body to fight off infections and destroy foreign or harmful substances in the blood.
Studies exploring its effectiveness against viruses that cause the common cold show vitamin C can make the symptoms less severe. There’s also some evidence from case studies in humans that intravenous (IV) vitamin C can help reduce lung inflammation in acute respiratory conditions caused by H1N1 (swine flu) and other viruses.
2. Vitamin D
Vitamin D plays a key role in promoting the body’s immune response. Its anti-inflammatory and immunoregulatory properties facilitate the activation of immune system defenses. This conditions the body to fight off infections.
Vitamin D is also known to boost the function of immune cells, including T cells and macrophages that protect the body against organisms and infectious particles. This vitamin is so crucial for immune function that deficiency in it can increase one’s risk of infection and immune-related disorders.
One particular study has linked low levels of vitamin D with higher susceptibility to respiratory diseases, particularly viral and bacterial respiratory infections.
Decreased lung function has also been attributed to inadequate levels of vitamin D. A recent study showed that COVID-19 patients who had sufficient levels of vitamin D had a decreased risk for severe clinical outcomes.
3. B Vitamins
Eight vitamins compose the group called B vitamins. These are B1 (thiamin), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B5 (pantothenic acid), B6 (pyridoxine), B7 (biotin), B9 (folate), and B12 (cobalamin). These essential nutrients play an important role in enhancing the body’s immune function.
For instance, vitamin B6 is responsible for producing T cells and white blood cells that regulate immune responses. Likewise, vitamin B12 facilitates the production of T lymphocytes, cells that help activate other immune cells and destroy infected host cells. It also works to protect the body from infections by helping promote cellular health.
4. Zinc
Zinc, a nutrient found throughout the body, affects multiple aspects of the immune system. It is crucial in the development of macrophages, lymphocytes, and other cells that fight against pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, and fungi.
It is also known to activate T cells, triggering the body to respond to infections. A study shows that zinc deficiency adversely affects the growth of immune cells, including T cells.
The IV Therapy Technique
Intravenous treatments aren’t exactly new – they’ve been traditionally used to help patients rehydrate or restore nutrient deficiencies. IV therapy works by delivering readily absorbable forms of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients into the bloodstream through a drip. Health and wellness specialists note that IV drips may lead to better results compared to nutritional supplements taken orally.
A study on the benefits of IV therapy shows that those who received the IV treatment felt better throughout the clinical trial. Health experts note that this can be attributed to the increased hydration levels in their bodies, which is one of the major advantages of IV therapy.
For patients with certain gastrointestinal conditions like peptic ulcer and gastritis, IV vitamin treatments can help provide necessary nutrition that their stomachs can’t absorb.
A Healthy Immune System Helps Protect Against COVID-19
Nutritional deficiencies can weaken your immune system, making you more susceptible to diseases like COVID-19. This is why it’s important to strengthen your body with essential vitamins and immunity boosters so you can prevent compromising your immune function. By taking simple precautions, you can be protected from viruses and bacteria, reducing your risk of contracting infections and illnesses.
