Top Vitamins to Boost Your Immune System

Every year the common cold is spread around like wildfire and whatever you do to avoid illnesses and viruses, there’s no getting away from them. You can, however, try to help your body ward off some of the common ailments by boosting your immune system. Whether you want to improve your own health or are giving your kid’s a little boost, there are some top vitamins in the food we eat that can help you gain those immune-enhancing benefits. Sometimes we don’t get enough of these foods so trying to incorporate some little changes into your diet can help get the most out of the food you eat.

Take a look at some of the best vitamins to include in mealtimes to help boost both you and your children’s immune systems.

Vitamin C

This is one of the most talked about vitamins, and it is widely promoted in the media and by food companies as a vitamin that is needed to boost immunity and fight off a range of common illnesses. It is most widely known for featuring in fruits, but there are other foods which provide this essential vitamin for your diet. Vegetables such as kale and spinach have plentiful amounts of good nutrients plus bell peppers and the kid’s favourite Brussels sprouts have good amounts too. It is a vitamin that features in so many different types of foods that although there are supplements available for it, it may not be needed unless the doctor advises it.

Vitamin A

Getting foods with plenty of vitamin A calls for a plate of colourful foods. Eating food that contains carotenoids allows the body to transform this into the vitamin A we need to fight against infections. Foods that are rich in carotenoids include sweet potato, carrots, butternut squash and pumpkin. You’ll see there’s an orange trend here so anything naturally bursting with this vibrant colour is great for your immune system.

Vitamin E

Another important vitamin that is fantastic at fighting off infections is vitamin E. It’s immune boosting properties are similar to that of vitamin C, but they are found in foods such as nuts and seeds, which make them the perfect snacking treat. If you’re looking to include more of this nutrient into your meal times, broccoli and spinach is also a tasty alternative.

Supplements

Sometimes it’s harder to get the right nutrients into your diet due to busy lifestyles and hectic schedules. It can be even more difficult to get these essential vitamins in your kid’s diet especially when they go through fussy stages. Sometimes supplements might be needed to get everything you need to maintain a strong immune system. They are also a great idea if you travel or go on holiday, as you may not be able to get what you need in different destinations. If you need last-minute medication or advice before going away, booking a London private GP’s appointment could help before travelling.

There are many vitamins including, B6, Iron and Zinc that are also great boosters for your diet. Making little changes and incorporating the above will help to give your immune system the strength it needs to fight those bugs.