Your immune system is a coordinating collection of organs, tissues and cells that participate in biological processes meant to protect your body from infection and disease. Your immune system relies on physical barriers for protection, as well as specialized cells and compounds that actively search for and destroy potentially harmful invaders. Your immune system requires a variety of vitamins, minerals and nutrients to perform optimally.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is required to make and maintain the moist, mucous membranes lining your nasal and oral cavities, sinuses and intestines, which all help prevent pathogens from penetrating your bloodstream, as noted by the Linus Pauling Institute. Vitamin A also stimulates the production of enzymes that kill pathogens which manage to penetrate the physical barriers.
Vitamin B6
Vitamin B-6, like all eight B-vitamins, is involved in cellular metabolism that provides the energy needed to operate your immune system efficiently. Vitamin B-6 is also involved in stimulating white blood cell production, the primary cells of immunity, which was demonstrated in a 2002 study published in "The Journal of Nutrition."
Vitamin C
In addition to being a powerful antioxidant, vitamin C stimulates the production and functioning of many white blood cells, especially neutrophils, lymphocytes and phagocytes, according to the Linus Pauling Institute. Vitamin C, as supplemental ascorbic acid, increases levels of circulating antibodies within serum. Further, vitamin C aids in the production of interferon that kills viruses and glutathione, an antioxidant that eliminates free-radicals.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D, which is produced within your skin when stimulated by sunshine, is essential for stimulating white blood cells so they can detect and kill pathogenic microorganisms.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that can destroy free-radicals and is considered a modulator of your immune system, according to the book, "The Vitamins" (Reference 4). Specifically, vitamin E supports the immune response by making interleukin-2, which directly kills bacteria, viruses and cancer cells.
Zinc
Zinc is also a strong antioxidant which scavenges free-radicals and, according to "The New Encyclopedia of Vitamins, Minerals, Supplements, and Herbs," helps increase the absorption of vitamin A while regulating levels of vitamin E in the bloodstream.
Potent Herbs
Astragalus is a Chinese herb that has antioxidant, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that protect and support your immune system, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Echinacea, which grows as purple cone flowers in the U.S., stimulates the production of white blood cells and lymphocytes and encourages them to attack invading microorganisms.
Olive Leaf extract is rich in disease-fighting phytochemicals and has been used medicinally for centuries in the Mediterranean and Middle East. Aside from fighting common colds and influenzas, it is also used to combat autoimmune disorders.
References
- LPI.Oregon State: Vitamin A and Immunity
- "The Journal of Nutrition"; Improved Vitamin B-6 Status Is Positively Related to Lymphocyte Proliferation in Young Women Consuming a Controlled Diet; Ho-Kyung Kwak, et al; November, 2002
- LPI. Oregon State: Vitamin C and Immunity
- "The Vitamins, Third Edition"; Gerald F. Combs; 2007
- "The New Encyclopedia of Vitamins, Minerals, Supplements, and Herbs"; Nicola Reavley; 1999
- UMMC: Astragalus
