Simple Tips to Protect Your Immune Health This Winter

Immune Health Tips

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   The single most important tip is to wash your hands frequently. This is especially important if you are around others who are sick — whether they are family, friends or at work.

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   Try to keep a clean environment around you. For example, if co-workers are ill, their germs may be floating around your office on countertops, the coffeepot, etc.

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   Keep all surfaces as clean as possible.

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   Engage in some consistent, moderate exercise, even if it is in a few short bouts throughout the day. Exercise can help support the immune system. If you can’t get to the gym, take brisk walks on your lunch or on your breaks, or take the stairs when possible.

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   Proper rest is vital to a well-functioning immune system.

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   Eating healthy helps to keep your immune system up to par.

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   Adding nutritional supplements can also help protect your immune health.

Protect Your Immune Health with Vitamins and Supplements

Antioxidant vitamins such as C, D and E, along with the mineral zinc, all play a role in proper immune function. Taking a daily multivitamin/mineral supplement with these important antioxidants can help you maintain good health and keep your immune system working properly.

How Supplements Promote the Strength of the Immune System

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  VITAMIN C

  Vitamin C plays a vital role in many of the body’s defense mechanisms, and the need for vitamin C increases under periods of stress. Vitamin C promotes the strength of the immune system by protecting the body’s immune cells so they can function properly. Vitamin C is critical for manufacturing certain nerve transmitting substances and hormones and for the absorption and utilization of other nutrients, such as vitamin E and iron. Vitamin C is a very important and powerful antioxidant that works in the lungs and eyes. Vitamin C also works closely with other antioxidants in the body, like vitamin E. When vitamin E becomes oxidized in an effort to protect our cells from damaging free radicals, vitamin C becomes particularly important because it helps to restore the antioxidant potential of vitamin E in the body. In addition, during times of stress, vitamin C is excreted from the body more rapidly. Therefore, additional vitamin C may be necessary to maintain an adequate intake.

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  VITAMIN D

  Vitamin D plays a key role in protecting your immune health. Vitamin D promotes the strength of the immune system by triggering the body’s immune cells to produce antibodies. The nutrient is unique and in a class by itself since it acts as a pre-hormone that targets numerous genes in the body. Along with calcium, vitamin D is essential for bone health because it is necessary for proper absorption of calcium. Vitamin D has other important biological actions in the body as well, and the research is clear — we need more vitamin D in our daily diet. Studies have demonstrated that a deficiency in vitamin D may be a major factor in causing many health conditions. Because of vitamin D’s key role in many biological functions in the body, many experts recommend that individuals consume 1000 IU of vitamin D every day to maintain overall health.

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  VITAMIN E

  Vitamin E promotes the health of the immune function by suppressing free-radical reactions.

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  ZINC

  Zinc also plays an essential role in the immune system. It has antioxidant activity to help protect the body’s immune cells from damaging substances called free radicals. Taking supplemental zinc can help you maintain a healthy immune system.

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  Echinacea

  This is an herbal supplement that comes from the echinacea plant, belonging to the Aster family. It is believed by some cultures to support immune system health.