By Cederquist Medical Wellness Center
Let’s talk about immune support. There’s a conundrum of scientific papers, articles, opinionated blogs, etc. that touch on the matter of immune health, especially during this unprecedented time of COVID-19. Today, your trusty Cederquist team dives into the depths of evidence-based, peer-reviewed research in order to provide top-quality advice regarding which supplements we believe to be most effective when it comes to supporting your immune system.
Vitamin C
Researchers have observed, time and time again, that Vitamin C deficiency correlates to low immunity and puts people at a higher risk of infections. But how does this actually happen? Vitamin C is known for its antioxidative properties which help defend against environmental toxins, as well as its ability to promote phagocytosis – cellular ingestion of pathogenic bacteria.1 This helps our body reduce inflammation associated with infections and allows for a speedier recovery. Although we always recommend getting your daily Vitamin C from food sources such as berries, kiwi fruit, broccoli, and tomatoes; supplementation may also be helpful.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is more commonly thought about when it comes to bone health, but it also plays an important part in autoimmunity. In fact, Vitamin D has been used to treat tuberculosis for centuries!2 Vitamin D is necessary for intracellular (within each individual cell) communication, specifically for immune cells.3 As you can imagine, the better the communication within cells, the easier it is for the entire system to work together. Sources of dietary Vitamin D include salmon, portobello mushrooms, and non-fat yogurt. Supplementation is often recommended for certain groups.
Zinc
Zinc is a mineral commonly found in foods like baked beans, chicken, and oysters. Zinc is traditionally known for its effects on our ability to taste and smell, DNA synthesis and even wound healing. It also supports immune health by encouraging the growth of T and B cells, otherwise known as immune cells.
Similarly, to vitamin C, zinc will also promote phagocytosis.4 We recommend that when consuming foods high in zinc, you avoid pairing them with whole grains and cereals as they contain phytates and can inhibit absorption.
N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine (NAC)
Lastly, N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine or NAC can greatly help reduce oxidative stress commonly caused by respiratory infections. NAC is needed in order to replenish stores of glutathione, an antioxidant your body uses to get rid of free radical damage. Studies have shown that glutathione has the potential to reduce inflammation in our respiratory system, especially in patients suffering from chronic bronchial infections.5
Our Recommendations
Now more than ever, we can recognize the importance of preventative medicine. We at Cederquist Medical Wellness Center are ready to provide you with the most up-to-date, evidence-based information for you and your loved ones. So, you can rest assured that our expert team of physicians, dietitians, and wellness staff are working around the clock to get you feeling your best. Here at Cederquist Medical Wellness Center we test for micronutrient deficiencies to provide the most comprehensive nutrition analysis to determine what your needs are. Call us today to book your free consultation!
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References:
1. Carr, Anitra C, and Silvia Maggini. “Vitamin C and Immune Function.” Nutrients vol. 9,11 1211. 3 Nov. 2017, doi:10.3390/nu9111211
2. Williams C. On the use and administration of cod-liver oil in pulmonary consumption. London Journal of Medicine. 1849;1:1–18
3. Aranow, Cynthia. “Vitamin D and the immune system.” Journal of investigative medicine : the official publication of the American Federation for Clinical Research vol. 59,6 (2011): 881-6. doi:10.2310/JIM.0b013e31821b8755
4. Prasad, Ananda S. “Zinc in human health: effect of zinc on immune cells.” Molecular medicine (Cambridge, Mass.) vol. 14,5-6 (2008): 353-7. doi:10.2119/2008-00033.Prasad
5. Pirabbasi, E., Shahar, S., Manaf, Z. A., Rajab, N. F., & Manap, R. A. (2016). Efficacy of Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) and/N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) Supplementation on Nutritional and Antioxidant Status of Male Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Patients. Journal of nutritional science and vitaminology, 62(1), 54–61. https://doi.org/10.3177/jnsv.62.54