To fight off sickness and disease, you need a good immune system. The body has a natural level of immunity which it maintains. This level can increase or decrease depending on various factors in your life, such as sleep, diet, stress levels and dehydration. Many times, there is also a vitamin deficiency involved with a lower immune system. These vitamins can help boost your immunity and keep you healthy.
Vitamin C
Also known as ascorbic acid, Vitamin C is a natural immune system booster. Not only does this vitamin help with the basic immune system, it also may protect against various types of cancers such as mouth, esophagus, stomach and breast. This vitamin helps make collagen which is used by the body as a connective tissue to heal wounds and support blood vessel walls. This vitamin also acts as an anti-oxidant which neutralizes unstable molecules that can damage cell walls. This vitamin is primarily found in citrus fruit and juices, potatoes, broccoli, bell peppers, spinach, strawberries, tomatoes and Brussels sprouts.
Zinc
Many people often have a deficiency in zinc due to the fact that it is destroyed in the milling and cooking processes. Zinc is used by the body to form proteins and enzymes which help form new cells. It also frees Vitamin A which can get trapped in the liver (which keeps skin and tissue healthy and plays a part in bone growth). It also helps with wound healing, taste and smell. When combined with some anti-oxidants, it may delay the progression of age-related macular degeneration. It is mainly found in red meat, oysters and some other seafood, nuts, beans and cereals. Zinc is especially for men as it helps with fertility and the prostate gland.
Vitamin B6
Vitamin B6 aids other vitamins and helps the immune system with the growth of new cells. Vitamin B6 can help convert tryptophan to niacin (Vitamin B3). It also helps serotonin levels, which aids sleep and blood cells, allowing the body to heal itself faster. This vitamin is vital for women as it balances hormonal changes while affecting mood and behavior. A deficiency in this vitamin will manifest itself in nervousness, insomnia, weakness and skin changes. Osteoporosis is also a symptom of too little Vitamin B6 in a diet. Many people do not get enough of this nutrient in their daily diet. This vitamin can be found in meats, fish, poultry, legumes, tofu, potatoes and non-citrus fruits.
