We all want to feel great, right?
Being in good health helps keep us energized and ready to enjoy all the wonderful things life has to offer.
A weekend kayaking trip with friends? Yes, please!
A spur-of-the-moment hiking adventure? Absolutely!
A weekend retreat with yoga and meditation? Count us in!
With all of life’s excitement, it’s easy to take our health for granted.
We say “yes” to the things we love, without thinking, “What if I get sick this weekend?”
The reason that thought doesn’t cross our minds more often is because of the hard work of our immune system.
But eventually, illnesses can catch up with anyone.
When they do, your body’s ability to fight off infection relies on the strength of your immune system.
The good news?
Science and nature have teamed up to support your health, with a variety of nutrients known to help maintain immune function, including vitamins that can promote immune health.
What is the Immune System?
Imagine your body as a castle.
At the front of this castle, there are two strong doors, guarded by an army that’s ready for anything that might try to cross the drawbridge and get in.
To stay healthy, you want that army to be strong and alert, always on the lookout for anything that doesn’t belong. These defenders are your immune system. Their job is to identify harmful bacteria, viruses, and other invaders, and stop them from entering.
There are two main types of immunity your body relies on. The first is innate immunity, which acts as your body’s initial line of defense. This includes the cells of your immune system, your skin (which helps keep harmful substances out), stomach acid, mucus, and enzymes found in your sweat and tears.
The second type is acquired (or adaptive) immunity. When an unwelcome virus enters, your spleen, bone marrow, thymus, and lymph nodes work together to create antibodies. These antibodies strengthen your immune defenses by attacking the virus. The best part? They remember it.
So, if the same virus tries to invade again, your immune system recognizes it and is ready to fight it off more effectively.
Why Immunity is Important
“Immunity” is a buzzword in the fall and winter months, but it’s something we should be thinking about all year round.
That’s because while warmer temperatures tend to reduce the spread of many rhinoviruses that cause common cold during the winter, there’s another group of viruses that come in to take their place.
These summer sun-seekers are called nonpolio enteroviruses, which peak in early summer [1]. While often asymptomatic, these viruses can sometimes lead to more serious health concerns [2].
Physical and mental stress also play significant roles in immunity. If you live or work in a high-stress environment, the thoughts and emotions you experience can take a toll on your body.
There’s actually a branch of science dedicated to studying the connection between mental health and immunity, called Psychoneuroimmunology. It examines how our mental and emotional states influence immune function.
When it comes to physical health, science has long recognized that regular exercise helps boost immunity. This understanding deepened during studies on how COVID-19 impacted people differently.
For example, a 2020 study found that individuals who regularly exercised had a lower incidence and severity of symptoms, as well as lower mortality rates, after contracting the virus [3].
Maintaining a strong immune system is key to fighting off viruses throughout the year.
The stronger your immune system, the more prepared your body’s defense “army” is to fight off potential invaders.
Supporting your body’s ability to defend itself starts with making healthy choices every day, helping to promote your long-term well-being.
Lifestyle Habits to Promote a Strong Immune System
The great thing about building immunity is that the power is in your hands.
From what you choose to eat to how often you move, your daily habits shape your body’s defense system.
Incorporating these healthy lifestyle habits can give you the edge you need:
A Nutrient-Rich Diet
Start with a varied diet that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, and lots of water. Foods rich in immunity-supporting nutrients like vitamin C, vitamin D, zinc, selenium, iron, and protein are essential to maintaining strong health and a resilient immune system [4,5].*
Exercise
Keep moving! Whether you’re aiming for 10,000 steps a day or engaging in other physical activities, every bit of movement helps support your immune function.
Quality Sleep
Good sleep depends on creating and maintaining a circadian rhythm that works for you. A consistent sleep schedule, where you get 7-9 hours of sleep each night, helps your body recover and promotes deeper, more restful sleep. By supporting your natural sleep-wake cycle, you help your body restore and regenerate. Sleep aids can also assist in establishing healthy sleep patterns.
Reduce Stress
Managing stress is essential for overall health. Practices like breathing exercises and meditation can help reduce stress and free up your body’s resources to focus on immune function. Lower stress also helps regulate inflammatory responses, which supports a healthy immune system.
Dietary Supplements
Immune-supporting supplements can complement a healthy lifestyle by providing vital nutrients that help support and strengthen your immune system. Research has shown that key immunity-boosting nutrients act as antioxidants in the body, supporting healthy immune cells and helping them produce antibodies [6]. These supplements can be a valuable addition to your daily routine, providing extra support to your body’s natural defenses.
6 Natural Sources for Maximizing Your Immunity
Elderberry
Elderberry is one of the most widely used plant medicines around the globe, with a rich history in traditional healing and folk medicine dating back to ancient Egypt.
A 2016 study helped scientifically confirm its potential benefits. The study demonstrated that elderberry could reduce symptoms and lessen the severity of illnesses in frequent air travelers [7].
In addition to this powerful plant extract, our Liposomal Elderberry Supplement is enhanced with Vitamin C and Zinc, offering an added boost to your immune system for even more protective support.
Echinacea
Also known as coneflower due to its vibrant purple blooms, echinacea is another plant that has long been recognized for its potential health benefits.
A 2015 study found that participants experienced a 35% reduction in the duration of their colds. While the exact mechanism is still being studied, it’s believed that echinacea helps activate natural “fighter” immune cells, enhancing their response and blocking viral proteins from entering the body [8].*
Lion’s Mane Mushroom
Relatively new to the immunity scene, Lion’s Mane Mushroom continues to impress with its research-backed benefits.
While it’s best known for supporting brain health, this powerful mushroom also helps optimize immune function through the intestinal immune system [9].
In other words, it works from the gut level to support the beneficial bacteria that are crucial for maintaining a balanced immune response. Our Liposomal Elderberry Immune, featuring Elderberry, Echinacea, Lion’s Mane, and Zinc, offers a multi-faceted approach to immune support!
Turmeric
This vibrant, ochre-colored spice is a long-time favorite on the wellness scene — and for good reason.
Turmeric contains a powerful compound called curcumin, known for its potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It boosts immunity by activating natural killer cells that play a key role in fighting off viruses and bacteria [10].
Supplements like our Liposomal Curcumin can be a valuable ally in supporting your immune system.*
Vitamin C
Everyone knows vitamin C is great for a lot of reasons, but did you know it’s also an immunity hero?
This essential micronutrient supports the growth of white blood cells like lymphocytes and phagocytes, which are crucial defenders against infection.
Since your body can’t produce its own vitamin C, you can boost your intake with our Liposomal Acerola Cherry Vitamin C — providing 7x the amount you’d get from an orange [11]!
Zinc
This essential trace mineral should be abundant in your body, as its absence can directly impact your immune health.
A deficiency in zinc can weaken your immune system, as it plays a key role in protein and DNA production and helps maintain a healthy skin barrier against infection.
If you’re concerned about a potential zinc deficiency, a supplement can help fill in the gaps, ensuring your body gets the support it needs.
Conclusion
When you put effort into staying healthy through a balanced diet, regular exercise, and ensuring your immune system gets the nutrients it needs, these lifestyle choices add up over time.
With every microscopic bug your body encounters and every cold season that passes, you’re strengthening your defenses.
Remember, supporting your immunity benefits you both in the long and short term.
After all, your immune system is only as strong as the care you give it.
FAQ
The most effective vitamins for immune support include Vitamin C, Vitamin D, and Zinc.
- Vitamin C helps stimulate the production of white blood cells, which are crucial for fighting infections.
- Vitamin D enhances the pathogen-fighting effects of monocytes and macrophages—white blood cells that play an important role in immune defense.
- Zinc helps maintain the immune system’s function and plays a key role in producing and activating T-cells, which are essential for immune responses.
Vitamin C supports immune health by stimulating the production of white blood cells, which are essential for fighting infections. It also enhances the function of these cells and helps protect them from damage caused by free radicals. Additionally, Vitamin C supports the skin’s barrier function, which serves as the first line of defense against harmful pathogens.
Zinc supports the immune system by assisting in the development and function of immune cells, including T-cells and phagocytes. It plays a crucial role in DNA synthesis, cell division, and protein synthesis, all of which are essential for a healthy immune response. Zinc also helps maintain the skin’s barrier function and supports wound healing.
Liposomal vitamins are designed for enhanced absorption and bioavailability. The liposomal delivery system encases the vitamins in tiny lipid (fat) bubbles, improving their absorption in the digestive tract. This results in more effective utilization of the nutrients by the body. For immune support, liposomal vitamins can deliver higher concentrations of essential nutrients, such as Vitamin C and Zinc, exactly where they are needed most.
Sources:
- Pons-Salort, M., Oberste, M. S., Pallansch, M. A., Abedi, G. R., Takahashi, S., Grenfell, B. T., & Grassly, N. C. (2018). The seasonality of nonpolio enteroviruses in the United States: Patterns and drivers. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 115(12), 3078–3083. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1721159115
- Non-Polio Enterovirus Symptoms, Treatment & Contagious Period. (2021, August 5). MedicineNet. https://www.medicinenet.com/enterovirus_non-polio_enterovirus_infection/article.htm
- Guillin OM, Vindry C, Ohlmann T, Chavatte L. Selenium, selenoproteins and viral infection. Nutrients. 2019 Sep;11(9):2101.
- da Silveira, Matheus Pelinski et al. “Physical exercise as a tool to help the immune system against COVID-19: an integrative review of the current literature.” Clinical and experimental medicine vol. 21,1 (2021): 15-28. doi:10.1007/s10238-020-00650-3
- Wessels I, Maywald M, Rink L. Zinc as a gatekeeper of immune function. Nutrients. 2017 Dec;9(12):1286.
- Chandra RK. Nutrition and the immune system: an introduction. The American journal of clinical nutrition. 1997 Aug 1;66(2):460S-3S.
- Tiralongo, E., Wee, S. S., & Lea, R. A. (2016). Elderberry Supplementation Reduces Cold Duration and Symptoms in Air-Travellers: A Randomized, Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial. Nutrients, 8(4), 182. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu8040182
- Schapowal, A., Klein, P., & Johnston, S. L. (2015). Echinacea Reduces the Risk of Recurrent Respiratory Tract Infections and Complications: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Advances in Therapy, 32(3), 187–200. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12325-015-0194-4
- Julson, M. E. S. (2018, May 19). 9 Health Benefits of Lion’s Mane Mushroom (Plus Side Effects). Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/lions-mane-mushroom#TOC_TITLE_HDR_10
- Jagetia GC, Aggarwal BB. “Spicing up” of the immune system by curcumin. J Clin Immunol. 2007 Jan;27(1):19-35. doi: 10.1007/s10875-006-9066-7. Epub 2007 Jan 9. PMID: 17211725.
- Vitamin C Fact Sheet for Health Professionals
- https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminC-HealthProfessional/
