Hansen says to focus on what you can control to keep you and your family healthy. UnityPoint Health News and Articles 5 Immune System Boosters to Try.

Top Immune System Boosters Your immune system is a process of checks and balances that helps fight and protect the body from disease and illness. Foods can certainly boost the immune system. Specifically, try to eat a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, dairy products and lean protein.

Also, fit in foods with omega-3 fatty acids, like eggs, salmon and avocados, as well. All these foods will not only build up parts of your immune system, but can help you maintain a healthy weight. Drinking plenty of water.

Water intake can have many positive benefits for your immune system, including but not limited to aiding in digestion and preventing possible pathogens like a virus or bacteria from getting into the eyes, nose and mouth. Prioritizing exercise. Moderate-intensity exercise can help maintain a healthy immune system.

Getting enough sleep. If you get enough sleep, it will help your body fight off sickness and help succeed at the tips mentioned above. Adults should get between hours of sleep each night.

Vitamin D deficiency is a worldwide issue, which is a problem because this superstar vitamin modulates so many aspects of our immune function. It makes our innate immune system more efficient in killing bacteria and viruses, and can reduce the frequency of upper respiratory infections.

Low vitamin D has also been correlated with a higher incidence of autoimmune disease like multiple sclerosis. Because vitamin D isn't found readily in many foods save for fatty fish, cod liver and fortified foods , most people benefit from vitamin supplementation, especially in the winter months or if they don't spend much time outdoors on a regular basis.

Zinc is a trace mineral with crucial effects on the effectiveness of the cells and cytokines of our innate and adaptive immune systems. Zinc aids in fighting viruses, protects us from free radical damage to our cells, and has been shown to shorten the duration of a cold when given as a supplement.

Zinc is found at high levels in oysters, beef and crab, and in lower amounts in legumes, tofu, pumpkin seeds, cashews and other nuts and seeds. I recommend adding in 15 to 30 milligrams of zinc daily, especially during the fall and winter months and at the first signs of cold or flu. This substance is the main active ingredient in turmeric root and has been shown to bestow multiple health benefits.

In fact, there are more than human clinical trials showing the effectiveness of curcumin in treating diseases ranging from autoimmunity to Alzheimer's disease.

The magic of curcumin is how it decreases inflammation at multiple levels in the body, not only helping with symptom relief from pain and arthritis but also blocking inflammatory cytokines driving autoimmune disease, heart disease and diabetes.

It also improves the health of our gut bacteria , which adds to our overall immune health. Because curcumin is not absorbed well and one would have to eat copious amounts of turmeric root to have significant benefits, I recommend supplementing with 1, milligrams per day with food.

Heather Moday is a board-certified allergist, immunologist and functional medicine physician. She is also the author of " The Immunotype Breakthrough: Your Personalized Plan to Balance Your Immune System, Optimize Health, and Build Lifelong Resilience.

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In some cases, it has been used to minimize the impact of socioeconomic factors for at-risk groups. Many experts believe that the current vitamin D RDA of IU 15 micrograms for people up to age 70 and IU 20 micrograms for people over 70 is not enough to support healthy immune function.

However, the evidence remains inconclusive, and finding the dosage that best supports immune function requires further research. A zinc deficiency can weaken the immune system by impairing the formation, activation, and maturation of lymphocytes, white blood cells that are an active part of the immune system.

Several studies suggest that low zinc levels can increase the risk of viral infections. Some also show that zinc lozenges may shorten the duration of the common cold. However, identifying the best dosages for supporting immune health and treating colds will require further research.

We know that they play a key role in helping maintain a healthy balance of bacteria in the gut, and new research supports the idea that they have beneficial effects on immunity. For example, one study from — carried out, it must be noted, by a company that produces probiotics — found that probiotic use may reduce the incidence and duration of upper respiratory infections.

The authors call for more research to establish a relationship between probiotics and the immune system. Many people are taking one or a combination of supplements to prevent or treat COVID But there is not enough data to support the use of any vitamin, herb, or other supplement to treat or prevent this illness.

Only vaccines , together with strict hygiene measures , are proven to help prevent COVID For severe cases of COVID, doctors may use specific medications. Research does suggest that supplementation with vitamins and minerals can be a low-cost way to support optimal immune function.

Even supplementation with vitamins C and D above the current RDAs may be beneficial to the immune system, as long as dosages stay below the recommended safety limits. Many supplements can interact with medications and other supplements.

And combining different supplements can also lead to very high amounts of certain nutrients in the body, which can have potentially severe side effects. For example, excess vitamin C is excreted in the urine and usually causes no serious side effects.

But very high amounts can cause diarrhea , abdominal pain, and nausea. Too much vitamin D — more than 4, IU or mcg — can be harmful and lead to nausea, vomiting, kidney stones , confusion, loss of appetite, and muscle weakness.

Very high levels can even lead to kidney failure, an abnormal heartbeat, and death. Vitamin D also interacts with medications, such as the weight loss pill orlistat Alli, Xenical , steroids , and cholesterol-lowering statins.

If a person has too much zinc, it can cause negative effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and headaches. Over time, excess zinc can lead to low copper levels, decreased immunity, and lower levels of helpful cholesterol.

Zinc can also interact with other medications. Probiotics are safe for most people. However, they may worsen illnesses or cause bacterial infections in people who have very weak immune systems or are severely ill.

This can involve :. There is no evidence that mega-doses of vitamins and nutrients can boost the immune system. The best way to ensure that the immune system functions well is to have a balanced diet, get enough sleep, exercise, and take the vaccinations that are offered.

Anyone with nutrient deficiencies who is unable to have a healthy, balanced diet may find it beneficial to take a daily multivitamin. But though some research shows that getting more than the RDAs of vitamins C and D might help support immune health, confirming this requires more research.

If a person thinks they have a nutrient deficiency, they should consider speaking with a doctor about having a blood test. This will help pinpoint any deficiencies and determine the right approach to supplementation.

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Cold and flu season is in full effect, which means many people are looking for ways to bolster their immune system and stay as healthy as possible this winter. But does that mean stocking up on vitamin C and vitamin D? Not quite, says Dr. Michael Ben-Aderet , an infectious disease specialist and associate medical director of Hospital Epidemiology at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.

But I think there is still that concern, 'Are people getting enough? Do they need more vitamins? That doesn't mean that it's impossible that they're providing any benefit. It just means that we haven't been able to prove the benefit.

DON'T MISS: Do Americans have a vitamin D problem? Though he notes that some people have severe, medical vitamin C and vitamin D deficiencies — which can lead to swollen, bleeding gums or bone fractures — and for those individuals, vitamin supplementation is a very effective and necessary measure.

A Cochrane review of randomized controlled trials that examined the effects of taking vitamin C supplements daily on the prevention and treatment of the common cold found that taking the supplement every day didn't reduce the incidence of colds.

However, "it did at least reduce the severity and duration of colds," says Dr. John Mafi , an associate professor of medicine in the Division of General Internal Medicine and Health Services Research at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA.

It's not untrue that vitamin C and vitamin D actually can help to support the function of your immune system. Vitamin D helps your body to create an antimicrobial peptide called cathelicidin, which "stops bacteria, microbes and viruses," and "[regulates] the function of your body's T-cells," Mafi says.

Vitamin D supplements have a bit more evidence for their potential benefits. A systematic review of randomized controlled trials published in the British Medical Journal in found that daily intake of vitamin D supplements protected against acute respiratory infections.

Yet, there are many proven ways to strengthen your immune system outside of supplements like vitamin C and vitamin D, Ben-Aderet says.

And if you really want to try vitamin C or vitamin D supplements, Ben-Aderet says: "The jury's still mostly out [on their effectiveness], and vitamin supplementation is cheap and mostly harmless. If you decide to take vitamin C supplements, you should make sure you don't exceed 2, milligrams of vitamin C in a day, Mafi notes.

Too much vitamin C can cause stomach issues like nausea and vomiting and kidney stones, according to Mayo Clinic. Harvard T.