Best Multivitamins to Boost Your Immune System This Season

When it’s cold, we seem to get sick more often, but there actually is a scientific explanation for this. It’s mostly because we spend more time inside. More time inside means less vitamin D production from sun exposure, being in closer contact with others indoors, and reduced physical activity, which can all contribute to a weaker immune system and more exposure to germs. 

The other cause is quite literally the cold air itself. Many viruses can not survive high temperatures and thrive in colder air, allowing them to stay alive longer on surfaces or in the air to infect others. The cold air can also reduce the effectiveness of our nose in filtering out viruses present in the air. The cells lining the nasal passages act as a net to trap viruses and prevent them from entering the body, but they do not work as well in cold weather. 

How Can I Boost My Immune Function Naturally?

The best approach to having a healthy immune system is to take care of your body. A healthy body generates a strong immune system. So make sure you’re getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, eating healthy, prioritizing gut health, and minimizing stress. Avoiding things that are bad for you, like alcohol and smoking, also goes a long way for your health and by extension, your immune system. 

Making sure you wash your hands regularly is a strategy whose importance can not be ignored. This is especially true when you’re out and about in public, touching things that lots of other people have touched. This will help limit your exposure to germs and lower your risk of them getting inside your body through your mouth or eyes. Keeping up to date with your vaccines will also help you stay safe from commonly circulating diseases like the flu or COVID. 

What Vitamins and Herbs Help Your Immune System?

Antioxidants in general are great for the immune system but there are some vitamins and minerals that are backed by research to boost your immune system as well. Usually they’re most effective if you take them before you get sick or as part of your daily regime. Some helpful ones are:

1. Vitamin C is an antioxidant and has been shown in some studies to reduce the duration of a cold, and is most helpful for those who have a deficiency in vitamin C.
2. Vitamin D deficiency can make you more prone to catching respiratory infections, so supplementing with it can, in some cases, prevent illness. 
3. Selenium deficiency increases infection rates and symptom severity when you get sick, but the deficiency is relatively uncommon, mostly occurring in people with HIV. 
4. Zinc is a mineral that has actually been proven to speed up your recovery when you’re sick if you start taking it at the start of a cold. It won’t affect symptom severity, but you may feel better sooner! 

When it comes to herbs, there are a lot of options that can support your overall health, but not many that can directly help your immune system. The most well-supported herbs for immune function are: 

1. Andrographis has been found in some studies to reduce symptom severity and duration if you start taking it at the beginning of a cold, but more research is needed to make a definitive conclusion. 
2. Echinacea may help improve your immune strength, fortifying your defenses so you are less likely to get sick.
3. Elderberry has the ability to provide some symptom relief when suffering from a cold or the flu, helping you recover quicker. 
4. Ginseng supports respiratory health and may reduce your risk of catching a respiratory illness. 

How Vitamins Can Help When You Don’t Have Access to Fruit 

Access to affordable, quality fruit can be limited during the winter months, and fruit is one of our richest sources of the antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that support overall immune function. So what can we do to fill those nutritional gaps?

Key nutrients commonly found in fruits such as vitamin C, vitamin A, potassium, and antioxidants are often combined in supplements alongside other immune-supporting ingredients like zinc, vitamin D, and probiotics, creating some pretty effective formulas to keep you healthy and keeping your nutrition well-rounded during the winter months. 

Our Recommendations 

Quick Immune Boost: MycoShield Spray

This formulation by Host Defense uses mostly adaptogenic mushrooms like reishi and chaga mushrooms, which have been shown to help modulate the immune system, mobilizing it to attack any bacteria or viruses in the body. It is also rich in beta-glucans, which is a type of fiber that contributes to the proper function of immune cells and strengthens their ability to respond to threats. It’s an easy to use spray and conveniently portable, so you can take it with you when you travel. 

Daily Immune Maintenance: Daily Immune

Pure Encapsulations has an immune support supplement that you can take daily during the cold weather months that has Vitamin C and zinc, which both support immune function. Enhanced with elderberry extract and quercetin, which are both powerful antioxidants, this supplement supports the body’s ability to fend off anything from the common cold to the flu. Antioxidants are also known to help with oxidative stress, a cause of inflammation in the body that can hinder the function of your immune system. 

Severe Colds: Clinical Essentials Immune

This high-potency blend by Terry Naturally contains a significant amount of vitamins A, C, D and zinc, all of which promote optimal function of immune system cells. The vitamins are delivered with maximum bioavailability through a process called chelation, which makes zinc more readily absorbable. Other herbs like echinacea and elderberry provide additional support by stimulating the immune system and reducing inflammation, allowing immune cells to function optimally. Another herb, andrographis, has been used for centuries to combat respiratory infections and other flu-like symptoms. 

For Kids: Children’s Chewable Immunity

Children need lower doses of vitamins to properly support their immune system, and Suppy’s Chewable Immunity delivers just that, in a tasty gummy that will have your kids asking for their daily vitamin rather than dreading it. It delivers kid-friendly doses of vitamin C, D, and zinc for immune support. It also includes elderberry, a potent antioxidant. Studies show that a healthy digestive tract is the first line of defense in protecting the body from the bacteria and viruses that cause colds, which is why this supplement also contains a probiotic to boost gut health for an extra layer of protection. 

Conclusion

Winter may weaken our immune defenses, but as long as you are properly caring for your body, your immune system will remain strong. Part of caring for your body is including fruits and veggies in your diet to ensure you’re getting the proper amounts of key nutrients that your immune system needs to function. Multivitamins and immune supplements are a great way to fill any gaps you have in your nutrition, often bringing adaptogenic herbs along with them to boost effectiveness. 

But don’t forget, there’s always good old (scientifically backed) chicken soup!

Frequently Asked Questions 

What is the best multivitamin for men to boost the immune system? 

Terry Naturally’s Clinical Essentials Immune is a potent supplement containing several immune-boosting ingredients to help keep your defenses strong throughout the winter months. 

What vitamins help with immune health? 

Vitamins C and D are the most well-supported vitamins for immune health. 

Can you stop a cold once you feel it coming on?

There is evidence that supports zinc, the herb andrographis, and elderberry extract may help shorten the duration of an illness and the symptom severity, but not prevent it from occurring.