Tips for choosing the right immune supplement for you

To maintain a healthy body and ensure that our immune system is strong against disease, we need complete nutrition from food. Not only carbohydrates, protein, and fiber, but also various vitamins and minerals that support endurance.

But busyness and unhealthy eating habits often leave many people deficient in vitamins or minerals, and this may need to be overcome by taking supplements. So, what kind of supplements are best for maintaining the body's immune system?

The content of immune supplements that you need to look for

1. Vitamin A

Vitamin A is a type of fat-soluble vitamin that is found in meat, liver, dairy products and eggs, fruits, and green vegetables. In addition, you can also meet your daily vitamin A intake from a multivitamin supplement.

Vitamin A has many important benefits for the body. Some of the functions of vitamin A, among others, are to improve the immune system and eye vision.

The function of the immune system depends on adequate intake of vitamin A, therefore vitamin A is known as a vitamin booster of the immune system.

Vitamin A, which also includes beta carotene, can help the retina, cornea and eyes function properly.

2. Vitamin B

Vitamin B consists of eight types, namely: B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B5 (pantothenic acid), B6 (pyridoxine), B7 (biotin), B9 (folate), and B12 (cobalamin). Basically, every micronutrient in B vitamins helps the body convert food into energy.

Taking B vitamins can increase energy, support brain health, improve mood, sharpen memory, reduce stress, stimulate the immune system, and improve hair and skin health.

3. Vitamin C

Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin that plays an important role in the growth and repair of cells in bones, teeth and skin.

Vitamins as antioxidants that help prevent cell damage from free radicals so that they can reduce the risk of certain cancers.

In addition, vitamin C also plays a role in maintaining the health of the immune system, so that it can protect the body from various infections or diseases.

This is why it is important to get enough vitamin C. Consuming enough vitamin C can increase your body's resistance.

4. Vitamin E

In the body, vitamin E acts as an antioxidant that helps protect cells from free radical damage. The body also needs vitamin E to boost the immune system so that it can fight foreign objects that interfere with the body, such as bacteria or viruses.

5. Echinacea

Echinacea flowers are a type of flower from the daisy family that is widely used as a health supplement to boost immunity.

This flower has a complex mixture of active substances, some of which are called antimicrobials. While other ingredients have an effect on the human immune system.

According to research published in the journal Lancet Infectious Diseases at the University of Connecticut, echinacea flowers are able to produce a stronger immune effect.

Another study also reported that this flower was able to prevent flu attacks by about 58 percent and reduce the length of time to cure flu by almost one and a half days faster than other medicinal plants.

6. Ginseng

The ginseng plant can help you boost your immune system and fight infections. The roots, stems and leaves of ginseng have been used to maintain immune homeostasis and increase resistance to disease or infection.

Ginseng improves the performance of your immune system by regulating every type of immune cell, including macrophages, natural killer cells, dendritic cells, T cells and B cells. Ginseng also has antimicrobial compounds that work as a defense mechanism against bacterial and viral infections.

A study published in American Journal of Chinese Medicine found that ginseng extract was successful in inducing a specific antigen antibody response when given orally. Antibodies bind to antigens, such as toxins or viruses, and prevent damage to the body's normal cells. Due to the ability of ginseng to play a role in the production of antibodies, ginseng can help the body to fight against invading microorganisms or pathogenic antigens.

7. Manganese

Manganese plays a role in various chemical processes, including the synthesis of nutrients such as cholesterol, carbohydrates and protein. Manganese also plays a role in the formation of bone mass and helps balance hormones naturally that affect almost all health.

Manganese is an essential mineral that is required for many important functions in the body, including nutrient absorption, digestive enzyme production, bone development and maintaining the immune system.

8. Zinc

Zinc is a nutrient needed to stay healthy. Zinc can help the immune system fight viruses and bacteria when the body stops receiving food.

Zinc also plays a role in the breakdown of carbohydrates. So, meeting zinc needs can also help prevent you from feeling weak due to lack of energy.

9. Magnesium

Magnesium helps maintain nerve and muscle function, maintains a healthy immune system, keeps the heart beating stable, and helps bones stay strong. It also helps regulate blood glucose levels and aids in energy and protein production.

Magnesium also affects the body's fitness so that it can improve sports performance. This mineral can make the energy formation process better, which makes energy management when exercising much more effective.

So, with adequate magnesium intake, you can exercise at a high energy level without feeling tired easily.

10. Selenium

Selenium is able to stimulate the immune system. Taking selenium can reduce the risk of developing certain cancers, as well as preventing HIV from progressing to AIDS.

Selenium needs according to recommendation daily allowance (RDA) is 55 mcg per day and increases in pregnant and lactating women, reaching 60-70 mcg per day.