Doctors all over the world are asking us to boost our immune system to fight Covid-19. We have stockpiled different vitamins and supplements in our home. And we are also looking for more. A healthy immune system is needed to have our body working in perfect condition. Nutrients, exercise, sleep, and rest form an excellent mix to build up our immune system.
It is also well known that diets do not fulfill our quota of nutrients. We need additional vitamins and minerals to supplement the deficiencies. Dietary supplements are thus required in providing additional nutrients.
These supplements are available at various over-the-counter pharmacies in the forms of tablets, capsules, powders, gels, or liquids. But there are some drawbacks, and you should be aware of what they are before you reach for them.
The innumerable advantages of taking supplements
A new study in the journal Nutrients had noted that older adults (between the ages of 55 and 75 years) experienced shorter periods of sickness when they took multivitamin and mineral supplements consisting of zinc and vitamin C. Additionally, the same group of participants in this study also showed less severe symptoms of illness while they were sick.
The study goes on to prove that micronutrients like vitamins and minerals play a significant role in the functioning of the immune system. Also, taking multivitamin and mineral supplements reduces age-related nutritional deficiencies, resulting in inflammation and low T-cell function.
Women are recommended nutrients like iron, calcium, and folate to maintain health and diminish the risks of deficiencies that may happen during pregnancy and breastfeeding. If vitamin D supplements are taken in maternal and infant diets, it can change a baby’s gut microbiome as early as three months of age. And in the future might lessen the risk of many digestive health disorders like diarrhea.
Risks of dietary supplementation
Research reports have supported the intake of nutritional supplements through different mechanisms to bolster the immune system. But it doesn’t mean that you rush to the store to get any multivitamin and mineral supplement you need.
Because nutritionists recommend that the bulk of your micronutrients come from your healthy and nutritionally balanced diet, you should add vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts and seeds, and other nutrient-dense foods in your daily diet.
Consult a doctor before you take any supplement to check for any deficiency in your body through a blood or urine test. Overdosing of any nutrient can produce toxicity in your body and affect how other nutrients are synthesized. Don’t take any health supplement without the prescription or knowledge of a healthcare professional or doctor.
