4 Vitamins for Immune System Support for Adults

The immune system is a complex, interlinked array of systems throughout the body that supports our health.

While some may think that the immune system only needs support during certain seasons, ensuring your immune system is supported all year round is vital.

Well, then, how do you do that? There are a lot of ways!

Supporting your immune system comes in all forms; this includes eating a balanced diet filled with nutrient-rich foods, helping your body with adequate sleep, and ensuring you get the essential minerals and vitamins for immune system health you need.

This isn't a multiple-choice question; the best way to support your immune system is "All of the Above."

While most of your vitamins for immune system health should be found in a balanced, nutrient-rich diet, not all Americans get the necessary vitamins daily from food.

Supplementation can help fill nutrient gaps, providing vitamin and mineral support in a convenient daily package.

Here are some of our top picks for Nature Made^® vitamins for immune system support for adults.

Vitamin C: An Antioxidant for Immune Support

Vitamin C. Where can you get it? The hint is in the letter C for citrus!

Vitamin C is an essential nutrient in oranges, lemons, limes, and grapefruits. These sweet and sour fruits offer more than just a tasty treat, the Vitamin C they provide is an essential antioxidant for immune support.

What’s the link between Vitamin C and immune system? Antioxidants help neutralize free radicals by binding to free-floating oxidants.^†

While foods with Vitamin C are readily available, almost 1/2 of U.S. adults don't get enough Vitamin C in their daily diet.[1]

Supplementation can help ensure a consistent Vitamin C intake, particularly for those with higher needs.

Nature Made^® Zero Sugar‡ Vitamin C Gummies provide 250 mg of this essential vitamin per serving to help support your immune system without the added sugar normally found in gummies; Vitamin C also supports skin health and increases Iron absorption from non-heme iron food sources which tend to be plant-based.^†

Vitamin D: Supporting the Body's Immune Response

Vitamin D, or the "sunshine vitamin," is an essential immune nutrient our body mostly synthesizes in response to sunlight. Vitamin D works in our body by modulating our innate and adaptive immune response.[2]^†

Despite Vitamin D figuratively "falling from the sky," getting enough Vitamin D can be difficult during winter or for those with limited sun exposure.

Egg yolks and some fatty fish include Vitamin D, but if you're looking to increase your Vitamin D intake, Nature Made^® offers several supplements that might help.

Our Vitamin D3 Softgels provide a dose of the body's preferred form of Vitamin D to help raise and maintain healthy Vitamin D levels when taken daily.^†

Vitamin E: Supporting Healthy Immune Cells

Vitamin E is another “E-ssential” nutrient for immune system support. This vitamin is an antioxidant, which means it supports our immune system by neutralizing free radicals in the body.^†

So, what do we “E-at” to get Vitamin E? Vitamin E is a fat-soluble Vitamin found primarily in tree nuts and vegetable oils. With that knowledge, what percentage of the U.S. adult population do you think does not get enough Vitamin E in their daily diet? You think it's 84%?[1] How did you know that?!

Thankfully, Nature Made^®'s Vitamin E d-Alpha Softgels provide over 100% of your daily value of Vitamin E for antioxidant support in your fat-based tissue cells, including the heart.^†

Vitamin A: Supporting Immune Health

Want to know A-nother essential Vitamin supporting a healthy immune system? That's right, it's Vitamin A. Another essential nutrient, Vitamin A functions in the immune system by improving the function of epithelial cells, including our skin and internal surfaces.[3] Beta-carotene, a precursor to Vitamin A, is essential for healthy skin and provides antioxidant support.^†

Vitamin A is found in carrots, sweet potatoes, and spinach.^†

Other Key Nutrients for Immune Health: Zinc, Selenium, and More

While those vitamins for immune system health may be some of the big names, they're far from the only nutrients that support your immune health.

Here are a few honorable mentions.

Zinc:

Zinc is a crucial mineral that helps support the function of the innate immune system and macrophage immune cells.[4]

Nature Made^® Zinc Tablets provide 30 mg of Zinc daily for the immune system and antioxidant support.^†

Selenium:

Selenium works as an antioxidant, working with Vitamin E to protect cell membranes from oxidative stress.[5]

Our Wellblends™ Immune MAX® Fizzy Drink Mix includes Vitamin D, Selenium, and Zinc to support immune health.^†

Copper:

Copper is another essential mineral that provides antioxidant and immune support.

Copper provides crucial functions in immune cells, taking part in cell metabolism and signaling.[6] For that reason, Copper is included in many of Nature Made^®'s multivitamins.^†

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Taking a Comprehensive Approach to Immune Support

Supporting your immune system doesn't just mean taking the right supplements; it also means eating a balanced, nutritious diet, exercising your body, and helping your body's daily functions with adequate sleep. For more information, check out our blog answering the question, how does the immune system work?

Dietary supplementation can help you bridge possible nutrient gaps in your diet, and analyzing your diet with the help of a registered dietitian or a nutritionist can help you find where some of these nutrient gaps may be.

Once you've found these possible nutrient gaps, Nature Made^® offers a wide range of supplementation options to help you support your body with essential nutrients.

Before adding any supplement to your daily routine, consult your primary care provider or another medical professional. They know you, so they will be best suited to give you personalized advice for self-care.

Ready to Support Your Immune Health?

Supporting your immune health is important; it's our body's first line of defense! With Nature Made^®'s Immune Support Collection, you can find our best immune support supplements for your daily routine.

Shop Immune Support Supplements

Nature Made^® supplements are scientifically formulated with high-quality ingredients, and we're the #1 Pharmacist Recommended Vitamin and Supplement Brand.*

With Subscribe & Save, you can save up to 10% on your supplements and have them shipped directly to your door.

‡ Not a low calorie food

*Based on a survey of pharmacists who recommend branded vitamins and supplements.

† 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.

References

1. Reider CA, Chung RY, Devarshi PP, Grant RW, Hazels Mitmesser S. Inadequacy of Immune Health Nutrients: Intakes in U.S. Adults, the 2005-2016 NHANES. Nutrients. 2020;12(6):1735. Published 2020 Jun 10. doi:10.3390/nu120617354.
2. Aranow C. Vitamin D and the immune system. J Investig Med. 2011;59(6):881-886. doi:10.2310/JIM.0b013e31821b8755
3. Gürbüz M, Aktaç Ş. Understanding the role of vitamin A and its precursors in the immune system. Nutrition Clinique et Métabolisme. 2022;36(2). doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nupar.2021.10.002
4. Prasad AS. Zinc in human health: effect of Zinc on immune cells. Mol Med. 2008;14(5-6):353-357. doi:10.2119/2008-00033.Prasad
5. Elgendey F, Al Wakeel RA, Hemeda SA, et al. Selenium and/or vitamin E upregulate the antioxidant gene expression and parameters in broilers. BMC Vet Res. 2022;18(1):310. Published 2022 Aug 13. doi:10.1186/s12917-022-03411-4
6. Alexandra H Mandarano, Maureen A McGargill; The critical role of copper homeostasis during the immune response. J Immunol 1 May 2023; 210 (1_Supplement): 148.13. https://doi.org/10.4049/jimmunol.210.Supp.148.13