My Top 5 Immunity Boosters

I am not a medical practitioner. However, as part of my long-standing passion for health and fitness, I have been taking various vitamins and minerals to supplement my dietary intake for optimal health and performance for more years than I care to remember!

Our immune system is constantly at work to defend our body. It protects us from infections and helps to fight off bacteria and viruses. In addition to a healthy diet rich in nutritious whole foods, sufficient quality sleep as well as appropriate exercise, we can support our immune system in a strategic manner through the intelligent use of certain vitamins and minerals.

Reinforcing our body’s own defences has become important in the current era of COVID-19. In fact, in recent months I have paid special attention to this particular aspect of my nutrition and supplementation regime. I am keen to ensure that my immune system is at all times in the best shape possible, especially in the event that it comes up against the pesky COVID-19!

My daily immunity-boosting fix essentially consists of the following synergistic blend of vitamins and minerals, which I take with a meal to improve absorption:

Vitamin C

Vitamin D3

• Contributes to absorption and utilisation of calcium and phosphorus
• Maintains healthy bones and teeth
• Supports muscle function
• Promotes healthy functioning of our immune system

Vitamin D3 & K2

• Contributes to normal blood clotting
• Regulates calcium metabolism and hence bone health

Zinc

• Assists in the maintenance of testosterone levels
• Helps maintain normal hair, skin and nails
• Protects cells from oxidative stress
• Promotes normal cognitive function
• Contributes to fertility and reproduction
• Supports vision

Probiotics

• Restore the natural balance of guts bacteria
• Promote the production of natural antibodies

While these vitamins and minerals are individually beneficial, the beauty of the combo is that they work synergistically. Zinc helps Vitamin D to work inside the body's cells. Similarly, while Vitamins D3 and K2 have seperately been recognised for their importance in balancing calcium for better bone and cardiovascular health, Vitamins D3 and K2 function even more effectively in the presence of each other.

It is surprising that even in a sunny country like Malta, a majority of the population tends to be deficient in Vitamin D3. It is also interesting to note that some studies have shown that patients of COVID-19 who suffered particularly negative outcomes were actually found to be lacking sufficient amounts of Vitamins D3 and/or K2.

We trust that you will find these suggestions useful to get you started with boosting your immunity!