Top 10 Nutrients for Best Immunity Support

Immunity support is one of those amazing things you can gift yourself and your body year round, not just when we feel run down or in the cooler months. With nutrients and foods to boost immunity in your daily diet, there will be no need to panic when you hear the flu is going around and no need to suddenly gulp down all the immunity foods, immunity powders and superfood powders in a hurry. With these key nutrients you’ll be on top of your immunity support with the foods and the knowledge of how to support your immune system and overall wellbeing.

When it comes to superfood powder and foods to boost immunity, Nutra Organics has got you covered! So, you can feel confident in your wholefood immunity powder for immunity support all year round.

Why is Food Important for Immunity Support?

The topic of how to best support your immune system is a thoroughly researched one with experts all agreeing that nutrition and a healthy balanced lifestyle should be the first point of call as food contains vital nutrients our bodies need to survive and thrive.

I’m sure that we can all agree none of us willingly want to get sick right? Ain’t nobody got time for that. But the flip side of that desire is building a strong immunity, and immunity support begins with a healthy diet filled with wholefoods and nutrients that are proven to support the immune system.

Top 10 Immunity Support Tips

These 10 tips for immunity support include primarily nutrients found in wholefoods, but it’s important to mention here that immunity support is a whole body ordeal, and can’t just be helped by immune support vitamins. Learning to look after and love your body is an ongoing journey, so try one thing at a time as you work on supporting your immunity from every angle.

1. B Vitamins

B vitamins are essential for cell health, the creation of new red blood cells and overall energy production. The immune system (especially when it’s exposed to lots of pathogens) uses up a lot of energy, so it’s one of the first things to suffer when energy production isn’t happening at an optimal level. B vitamins are found in meat, seafood, poultry, eggs, dairy, legumes, seeds, leafy greens and nutritional yeast. Our Nutra Organics picks for adding a superfood powder with B vitamins is Super Greens + Reds as a daily greens powder for immunity support, and our Bone Broths. Try our Immune Builder Chicken Curry Soup featuring Chicken Bone Broth Turmeric with B vitamins.

2. Vitamin C

Vitamin C is probably the most famous nutrient for immunity support. It is essential for many cellular functions of the innate and adaptive immune systems. When your body is fighting off a virus (or other pathogen) vitamin C is churned through at a much higher rate, as it accumulates in phagocytes (immune cells that are responsible for the consumption and destruction of pathogens within the body) to assist with the destruction of the infection. There are many great sources of Vitamin C for immunity support, some of our favourite sources are found in fruits (especially Kakadu plum, guava, acerola cherries and kiwis), capsicums, leafy greens, brussel sprouts, lemons and herbs like parsley. You can get 100% of your RDI of vitamin C in Collagen Beauty, Acai Berry Blend, Berry Immune and Super Greens + Reds. Try our Glory Greens Immunity Shot with your daily dose of Collagen Beauty for a powerful punch of immune support vitamins.

3. Vitamin D

Vitamin D is known to be an immune system ‘modulator’. It helps to increase the rate of the production of pathogen fighting proteins, but it also helps to dampen the inflammatory response of white blood cells (as an overactive immune system can also be harmful to our bodies and cause autoimmune diseases). Great sources of vitamin D for immunity support include oily fish, egg yolks, red meat, mushrooms, spinach, oranges, bananas and of course sunshine. When you can’t get enough of these foods to boost immunity, Nutra Organics Bone Broths, Thriving Family and Super Greens + Reds are a great daily immunity support. Try the Morning Multi Smoothie which combines both Thriving Family and Super Greens + Reds for a delicious superfood powder boost.

4. Vitamin E

Vitamin E is a fat soluble vitamin, potent anti-inflammatory and is found in high concentrations in immune cells. Vitamin E enhances T cell function (T cells are very important cells in the immune system. They kill infected host cells directly, but also upregulate the production and function of other immune cells) and help to reduce inflammation caused by infection and the immune response. Vitamin E is most commonly found in wheat, nuts, seeds, avocados and oily fish. Super Greens + Reds is your go-to for a superfood powder with vitamin E for immunity support.

5. Vitamin A

Vitamin A is vital for many important functions and processes in the body like vision, growth & development, reproduction and the immune system. Vitamin A works to enhance and support the immune system as well as supporting the body's fight to reduce inflammation. Vitamin A can be found in leafy greens, orange and yellow vegetables, beef liver, fish oils, milk, eggs, mango, rockmelon and capsicum. Vitamin A can be found in Super Greens + Reds and Veggie Hero. Try Our Veggie Hero Sausage Rolls for a yummy boost.

6. Pre and Probiotics

A happy balanced microbiome is vitally important when it comes to immunity. The gut is the first line of defence from many pathogens. It helps to prevent the growth of harmful disease-causing pathogens as well as train immune cells, helping them to recognise harmful cells and destroy them before they have a chance to cause harm or disease. Pre and probiotics are found in foods like yoghurt, sauerkraut, whole grains, bananas, greens, onions, garlic, soybeans and artichokes. Pre and Probiotics can be found in our Thriving Family, Clean Proteins, Super Greens + Reds. Try our Strawberry Surprise Smoothie Bowl for a sweet immunity support breakfast or snack.

Polyphenols are types of antioxidants that help to neutralise free radicals. They assist the immune system by helping with phagocytosis, and reducing the inflammation caused by the immune response.

7. Iron

Iron is essential for new cell production and maturation (which is in high demand when fighting off infection). Insufficient iron weakens the immune response, but on the flip side, too much free iron can mean providing extra nutrients for the pathogen. So, support your body by providing adequate iron but not going overboard.

Super Greens + Reds contains 28% of your daily recommended iron intake per serve, which is a good immunity support in a healthy, varied diet. Iron is also found in liver, red meats, leafy greens, legumes, peas, grains like quinoa, tofu and dark chocolate. Add a daily dose of Super Greens + Reds for iron and immunity support, does your daily greens powder do it all? This one does!

8. Magnesium

Magnesium is an important cofactor in lots of reactions that occur during a healthy immune response. It is particularly important for immunoglobulin synthesis (which is a protein antibody that binds to viruses and other pathogens, helping to destroy them). Magnesium can be found in cacao powder, chia seeds, nuts, legumes, oily fish, oats, leafy greens, whole grains and avocados.

Magnesium for immunity support can also be found in our Super Greens + Reds, Collagen Build, Thriving Family, Clean Greens, Clean Energy, Clean Recovery and Clean Protein. Try the Ultimate Post Workout Smoothie for an extra dose of immune support vitamins.

9. Zinc

Zinc is arguably the most famous mineral when it comes to immunity, with good reason, as it is essential in many functions of the immune system. Zinc is needed in the first line of defence from pathogens by assisting in barrier function of the skin, gut and airways. Zinc is also needed for the growth and development of immune cells that respond to specific pathogens (such as neutrophils and natural killer cells). Zinc can be found in oysters, red meat, poultry, wholegrains and dairy.

Zinc can also be found in our Super Greens + Reds, Collagen Beauty, Bone Broths powders and concentrates and Clean Energy. Try our Laksa Broth Noodle Jars for an immunity boost, this recipe is packed full of immunity foods plus Bone Broth Concentrate with zinc.

10. Lifestyle

A healthy balanced lifestyle for immunity support entails key elements like adequate sleep, exercise and hydration. Cutting out or cutting down on things like alcohol, smoking, stress where possible, sugary and packaged foods will also work wonders for immunity support. The immune system is dependent on the nutrients and cells transported in our blood stream, and good circulation needs proper hydration and exercise. Hydration is key for waste elimination and temperature regulation, which is vital when you do get sick!

Super Greens + Reds and Clean Recovery contains electrolytes which can contribute to proper fluid balance, and if you’re drinking it in water or juice, then that’s an extra bit of hydration during your day too! And if you’re struggling to get that exercise in, Clean Energy can give you that boost of energy needed. On the flip side, winding down can be made a whole lot more sweet and nutritious with the likes of Captain Calm.

Immunity Support with Nutra Organics

Nutra Organics creates wholefoods to deeply nourish, so you won’t find any nasties or synthetics that are hard on the body or hard to absorb. So wondering and guessing at how to support the immune system is a thing of the past, keep these tips and tools as close as your Immune Supporting Nutra Organics superfood powders. The best part about these immunity foods and immune support vitamins is that they are ultra easy to add into your daily diet, super delicious and feature in oodles of recipes exclusive to Nutra Organics. Immunity support has never been more delicious and easy!

Struggling to choose the right product for immunity? Read our "Top products for supporting immunity" blog.