We’ve all heard that nutrients support our immunity, but do you know how? If our immune system is our body’s military that keeps us safe and well, good nutrition supplies it with the brute force and tactical defence needed to protect us against pathogenic invaders.

Here’s our top 3 nutrients for immune defence, and how they help protect us.

Vitamin C supports so many different defence mechanisms used by our immune cells in the battle against infection. Vitamin C is essential for immune cells to be able to create anti-microbial ammo (reactive oxygen species) to be fired against pathogens and kill them off.

Grow Up for Kids and Top Up 50+ provide over 100% of the recommended daily intake for Vitamin C, and both Top Up for Men and Women are good sources of Vitamin C derived from wholefoods.

The surface of our skin, the mucous membranes of the mouth, nose, throat, and lungs, and the lining of our digestive system are our exterior walls which protect us from invading pathogens.

Vitamin A is critical for developing and maintaining strong mucous membranes and surface tissues which barricade the body against infection, helping to keep our fortress strong.

Top Up for Men & Women provide over 25% of the recommended daily intake for vitamin A, making them a good source of this fortifying nutrient.

The immune system is made up of different types of immune cells that perform different but equally important functions that depend on each other for protection. Just like the many divisions which make up an army, the immune system has its equivalent to the infantry, special forces, intelligence corps, and so on.

Zinc is essential for ensuring adequate numbers between each division, keeping the balance for optimum defence.

REFERENCES
1. Bonaventura P, Benedetti G, Albarède F, Miossec P. Zinc and its role in immunity and inflammation. Autoimmun Rev [Internet]. 2015 Apr;14(4):277–85.
2. Carr A, Maggini S. Vitamin C and Immune Function. Nutrients [Internet]. 2017 Nov 3;9(11):1211.
3. Huang Z, Liu Y, Qi G, Brand D, Zheng S. Role of Vitamin A in the Immune System. J Clin Med [Internet]. 2018 Sep 6;7(9):258.