‘I’m a Pharmacist, and These Are My Top 4 Go-To Immune-Support Supplements†’
While, no, you don't need to "fix" your immune system (nor could you), there are steps you can take to support it, even when you're feeling fantastic.†
"Nothing is more critical for a healthy life than a well-functioning immune system," says clinical community pharmacist Kathy M. Campbell, PharmD. The goal, according to Dr. Campbell, is a Goldilocks approach—you want an immune system that's not too weak and not too strong.†
"Nothing is more critical for a healthy life than a well-functioning immune system."
"A healthy, well-functioning immune system is an easy thing to take for granted," she says, but luckily, there are habits that can help support your immune system—some of which you may already be doing. Eating nutrient-packed foods, prioritizing sleep, and getting some direct sunlight are all necessary for overall health, and they can also go a long way in supporting your immune system, Dr. Campbell says.†
Assuming those habits are in check, turning to supplements for immune support can be a great next step. "Appropriately chosen, high-quality supplementation can be a very effective addition in supporting a healthy immune system," Dr. Campbell says.†
Ready to start stocking up? First, talk to your healthcare provider. Next, turn to a trusted brand like Nature Made®, which creates science-backed supplements for plenty of health needs, including immune support.†
Keep scrolling for 4 supplements for immune support.†
1. High-quality multivitamin
Okay, so yes, you want all of your supplements to be high-quality, but Dr. Campbell really emphasizes it for multivitamins. "It's important to provide a balance of all nutrients in an effort to minimize over-supplementation with a single nutrient," Dr. Campbell says. A high-quality multivitamin should do that balancing act for you. Just beware of common multivitamin side effects, like GI distress.
2. Vitamin C
Next up for supplements that support immune health? No surprise: good ole vitamin C. "Vitamin C is an essential nutrient, which cannot be synthesized by humans and therefore must be consumed by diet or supplementation," Dr. Campbell says. "Function is key in many biochemical processes within the immune system."†
SHOP SUPPLEMENTS
3. Vitamin D3
Vitamin D may already be high on your must-have list (hello, sunshine), but if you're supplementing with it, make sure to take it with vitamin K for the biggest impact, Dr. Campbell says. She also notes vitamin K can often be found in quality multis (pssst—it's in Nature Made Women's Multivitamin Softgels). Vitamin D has multiple roles in the body, and can help support immune health, she says.†
4. Zinc
Optimal zinc levels help support a healthy immune system, Dr. Campbell says, but you'll also want to be careful not to overdue it. If you're supplementing with zinc, she recommends combining it with copper, which can often be found in multivitamins, like—yep, you guessed it—Nature Made Women's Multivitamin Softgels.† Your immune system says thank you in advance.
Photo: Getty Images/shurkin_son
† These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
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