Micronutrients for immune system part 1

25. March, 2020

Lifestyle

We are continually exposed to organisms that are inhaled, swallowed or inhabit our skin and mucous membranes. Whether or not these organisms lead to disease is decided by the integrity of our body’s defense mechanisms, or immune system. When our immune system is working properly, we don’t even notice it. But when we have an under- or over-active immune system, we are at a greater risk of developing infections and other health conditions. If you are wondering how to boost your immune system, be advised that it doesn’t necessarily happen overnight. It’s a matter of strengthening your immune response with lifestyle and diet changes. What nutrients does our body need to support our immune function? This blog highlights only a few micronutrients essential to healthy immunity.

Zinc

Zinc is an essential trace element. It’s present within all bodily tissue and needed for healthy cell division. Zinc is often taken as a natural remedy for fighting colds and symptoms of illnesses. When taken for at least five months, zinc may reduce your risk of becoming sick with the common cold, plus supplementing once you already feel sick can speed up the healing process. It acts as an antioxidant within the body, fighting free-radical damage and slowing the aging process. Research shows that zinc can interfere with the molecular process that causes mucus and bacteria to build within the nasal passages. Ionic zinc, based on its electrical charge, has the ability to exert an antiviral effect by attaching to receptors in nasal epithelial cells and blocking their effects.

High-protein foods contain the highest amounts of naturally occurring zinc. Zinc-rich foods are oysters, crab, lobster, beef, pork, chicken, mushrooms, spinach, broccoli, kale, garlic, hummus, chickpeas, lentils, black beans, nuts, seeds and whole grains. Be More high zinc products are hemp seeds, raw cacao powder, raw cacao nibs and Be Fit as well as Be Beautiful Superfood mixes.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin. It has been linked to many health benefits, such as boosting antioxidant levels, lowering blood pressure, improving iron absorption, boosting immunity, and reducing heart disease and dementia risk. Superfoods are a great and simple way to boost your vitamin C intake if you struggle to get enough from your diet.

The best source of Vitamin C are berries, peppers, broccoli and other vegetables and fruits. A great source is also Be More Be Active superfood mix. 2 tablespoons of this mix will support you with a daily vitamin C. There is plenty of Vitamin C also in Be More Be Beautiful superfood mix.

Read more about Vitamin C from our previous blog in HERE!

Vitamin D

Vitamin D helps our immune systems stay balanced during the cold and flu season. The role that vitamin D plays in keeping the immune system healthy is very complex. The analysis suggests that taking vitamin D daily or weekly was more effective than larger doses taken in single or monthly boluses.

Spending time in the sun is a good way to get your daily dose of vitamin D. However, sufficient sun exposure is difficult for many people to achieve. Getting enough from your diet alone may be difficult, but not impossible. Salmon is a popular fatty fish and a great source of vitamin D. Herring, sardines, and other fatty fish are also good sources. Eggs from commercially raised hens contain only about 37 IU of vitamin D per yolk. However, eggs from hens raised outside or fed vitamin-D-enriched feed contain much higher levels. Mushrooms can synthesize vitamin D2 when exposed to UV light. Only wild mushrooms or mushrooms treated with UV light are good sources of vitamin D.

If you suspect your diet is not providing you with all your micronutrient needs, taking daily portion of our superfoods, that may bring other health benefits, beyond any possibly beneficial effects on the immune system. Taking megadoses of a single vitamin does not. More is not necessarily better.