Vitamins you Need to Boost to your Immune System
We all know that we need to look after our immune system and eat our fruit and veg, but what vitamins do we need to take care of our immune system and how do they work? Jen Mackinder, a Naturopathic Nutritional Therapist at Gusto Organic, has broken down this very topic for us!
Food can be glorious, and food can be … well, a bit dodgy. And I don’t mean Saturday-night-kebab type of dodgy, we’re talking about stripping-out-nutrients-and-damaging-cells dodgy—although processed meats do in fact do that, so, yet another reason to eschew mystery meat in pitta bread. Supporting your immune system is important at any time, but never more so than when the world is in the grip of a pandemic, and there are some key vitamins you need to include in your diet to boost your immune health.
Your immune system is made up of a network of cells, tissues and organs that are continuously barraged by pathogens (viruses, bacteria and infections). We are all dependent on the health and integrity of our immune system to protect us, and there are two parts to it: the innate immune system, which is the immunity that you are born with; and the adaptive system, that you develop over time as you get exposed to different pathogens.
Our innate system includes all of our body’s first line defences and includes the skin, nose, throat, lungs, as well as tears, tissue fluids, stomach acid and sticky mucosal linings. It provides broad protection and is quick to react to any threat.
Our adaptive system is more specific. When our first line barriers are compromised and infections and viruses are present, our adaptive system kicks in. This is a specialised response. Our leukocytes (white blood cells) initiate a response including the release of cells and proteins that fight off infection.
Digestive System
Keeping a delicate balance in the immune system is critical for the body’s health. An essential part of immune system health is our gut microbiota that reside in the gastrointestinal tract and provide essential health benefits.
The gut houses 70% of the immune system, therefore good health in the digestive system leads to good immune health. It has recently become obvious that alterations of these gut microbial communities can cause immune dysregulation, leading to autoimmune disorders and a weakened immune system.
The largest mass of immune-supporting cells is housed in the gut. These can be enhanced by dietary changes such as eating prebiotic foods that feed bacteria such as garlic, onions, leeks, oats, chicory and asparagus.
It’s equally important to replenish good bacteria in our guts which can often be depleted by antibiotics. Probiotics, which are live bacteria and yeasts, are great for digestive systems. These can be taken in supplement form and can also be found in foods such as kefir, sauerkraut and kombucha.
Other things to be mindful of are refined sugars and processed foods. They are actually immune suppressing as they push nutrients out of cells in the same way as artificial sweeteners and preservatives. Research indicates cakes, sweets, chocolates, sugary juices, carbonated drinks packed with sugar all negatively impact the immune system.
Coffee is another weakener of the immune system as our bodies absorb caffeine so quickly that the body prioritises the coffee over other nutrients. Many coffee drinkers also suffer with low iron, the absorption of which is greatly affected by caffeine. Choose decaffeinated or turmeric lattes (with your choice of dairy alternative), herbal teas or water instead.
Cigarettes and alcohol are also a culprit and detrimentally affect the immune system by circulating toxins around our bodies.
We are so reliant on the health and integrity of our immune function; from colds, viruses and recurrent infections through to allergies and debilitating autoimmune conditions, which impact many people on a daily basis. Ensuring we have adequate amounts of vitamins and minerals together with a healthy lifestyle, stress management, exercise, gut health and the use of plant-based medicines is critical to our health.
The combination of immune-supporting properties in Gusto’s Super DC makes it unique. Not only does it providing a motherlode of Vitamin D (200% RI*), Vitamin C (2500% RI*) and Zinc (50%* RI), but includes Vitamin A (50% RI), Vitamin K (100% RI) and Folic Acid (100% RI*), which all play their part in protecting our bodies against pathogens.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D has dominated column inches in recent months with new evidence highlighting the mechanisms of vitamin D, a crucial component of the immune system and critical for warding off infection, which acts as a defence against bacterial, viral or yeast infections.
Vitamin D3, also known as the sunshine vitamin, is synthesised from the sun. There are few dietary sources of vitamin D. The usual suspects for non-vegans are oily fish, liver, eggs and butter, but for vegans, mushrooms are a great vitamin D source. There are also a number of fortified products available. Therefore, deficiency is extremely common, with an estimated 40% of people lacking this essential vitamin. Deficiencies are also exacerbated during the winter months when we get less exposure to the sun and the sun’s rays are at their weakest.
Lack of vitamin D can result in symptoms such as a burning mouth, softening of bones and teeth, osteoporosis, rickets, inflammation, type 2 diabetes, joint pain and a weakened immune system and are also common among individuals with inflammatory conditions and autoimmune disorders.
Aside from fighting the foreign invaders of our immune system, studies have shown that Vitamin D works in combination with Vitamin A to maintain healthy skin. Both of these vitamins control the growth of new skin cells and promote keratinocytes, the key cell found in our skin. This synergy also aids the development of new white blood cells, essential for recognising and attacking viruses and bacteria.
Also essential for bone health, Vitamin D works together with Vitamin C to help regulate the amount of calcium and phosphate in the body maintaining healthy bones, teeth and muscle.
Studies have shown that Vitamin D increases insulin sensitivity, helping with Type 2 diabetes as well as providing protection against respiratory infections and reducing inflammation.
Vitamin C
Another crucial vitamin for immune health is Vitamin C, otherwise known as Ascorbic Acid. We cannot produce vitamin C ourselves so our bodies can’t function properly without having an abundance of vitamin C. We are reliant on it, particularly when viruses are present, as our vitamin C requirements go through the roof!
Vitamin C helps with collagen synthesis, maintains healthy cartilage and also plays a significant role in supporting immune function by downregulating the inflammation pathway. Many studies have proven that this essential vitamin reduces the duration of colds and recurrent infections and also aids with wound healing.
Consuming a high dose of vitamin C is hugely beneficial with little or no downside. As it’s a water-soluble vitamin, the body tends to absorb what it needs, and wee out what it doesn’t.
Studies have shown that vitamin C can both support and strengthen the physical barriers of the immune system, as well as enhance the ability of white blood cells to fend off infections.
Gusto Super DC has been created using plant-based vitamin C for slow absorption and ascorbic acid for fast absorption enabling a sustained release and a vitamin hit.
Did you know that all animals except humans, primates, guinea pigs and a handful of other species are able to make their vitamin C? Humans have lost the essential enzymes which synthesise vitamin C leaving us completely reliant on our diet to get our daily dose.
No surprise that deficiencies in Vitamin C are common and can leave us more susceptible to infection or leave you feeling ill for longer.
Lack of vitamin C can also contribute to fatigue as this essential vitamin helps us absorb iron, vital for making red blood cells and carrying oxygen throughout the body.
Zinc
Another key component of keeping your immune system strong is Zinc. Zinc deficiency is common, with around 75% of us deficient in the world.
Zinc (50% RI in Super DC) supports the metabolism of Vitamin A, which protects cells from oxidative stress and is responsible for hundreds of body processes. Zinc is really important for fighting off infection and to support wound healing from the inside and outside of our bodies as it keeps our cell membranes strong preventing pathogens from entering, so deficiencies make us much more susceptible and weaken our immune system.
Folic Acid
Folic Acid (100% RI in Super DC) plays a part in synthesizing protein and DNA. Otherwise known as B9, it produces and maintains new cells and helps prevent alterations to DNA causing health conditions and compromising immune system health and the depletion of natural killer cells which decrease with age and help fight of infection.
Vitamin K
Vitamin D, as well as Vitamin K (100% RI in Super DC) both have roles in the metabolism of calcium. Vitamin D helps to increase the absorption of calcium in the gut and vitamin K assists with the deposit of calcium from the blood into the bones where they are needed to ensure bones are strong and healthy. In the absence of K2, calcium may accumulate to more significant levels with harmful effects such as calcification of soft tissue.
Vitamin A
Lastly Vitamin A (50% RI in Super DC) can support immune dysfunctions in the gut, together with systemic immune disorders. It can be critical in keeping your innate immune system’s physical barriers such as the lining of your gut super healthy.
Our approach at Gusto has been a direct response to the recent pandemic. We have created a fusion of vitamins and minerals that work in tandem to optimise immune health.
Super DC is made with 500mg from plant extracts, packed full of phytonutrients that protect our cells against free radical damage made from powerful plant extracts in the form of White Mulberries, White Grapes, and Elderberries, as well as the Acerola Cherry, an untapped functional superfruit, and one of the richest natural sources of ascorbic acid.
In fact, Elderberries have been used in traditional medicine for centuries to treat flu and the common cold. Bursting with brightly coloured pigments that act as natural antioxidants, Elderberries are a natural vitamin C source. Several studies have found Elderberry can reduce cold and flu symptoms by several days.
Bursting with vitamins, minerals and plant goodness, Super DC is a unique combination and designed to work synergistically together to bring a daily vitamin hit, not only delivering on its promise to keep immune systems functioning but also a delicious explosion of taste that we naturally associate with wellbeing.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
By Jen Mackinder is a Naturopathic Nutritional Therapist at Gusto Organic, creators of Super DC.
Super DC Blood Orange blends Sicilian blood orange juice with white grape to deliver a refreshingly zingy burst of citrus. High in anthocyanins, the blood orange is a uniquely fragrant and complex flavoured fruit that Gusto buys direct from a farm on the foothills of Mount Etna.
Super DC Blackcurrant and Elderberry tastes like a wellbeing jolt to your system should. Dark complex notes of elderberry complement fresh tart blackcurrant juice, with a generous glug of apple juice to sweeten. Apple juice has a naturally low glycaemic index and whilst keeping calories down, delivers a rich flavour of the British orchard and hedgerow.
Both Super DC drinks are bursting with vitamins. Each containing two grams of vitamin C delivering 2500% reference intake (RI) of your daily vitamin C requirement. With 500mg from plant extracts in the form of the Acerola Cherry, an untapped functional superfruit, and one of the richest natural sources of ascorbic acid.
The drink also contains 200% RI of vitamin D, from a vegan source. It is a little-known fact that much of the vitamin D for sale comes from diverse animal sources such as lambs’ wool, krill or cod liver oil. Super DC also has 100% of your RI of vitamin K and Folic acid and 50% your RI of zinc and vitamin A.
Web: www.drinkgusto.com
Facebook / Instagram: @gustoorganic #gustoorganic
ABOUT GUSTO
Founded by Craig Sams, (the entrepreneur behind Green & Blacks chocolate and Whole Earth Food) and Will Fugard, CEO and alchemist in chief, Gusto has harnessed both European and global markets with their premium organic, fair-trade and refined sugar free soft drinks.
Not only possessing a raft of Great Taste Awards, their Real Cola has been voted the No.1 Ethical Cola in the UK by Ethical Consumer Magazine in 2019 and the brand are also proud sponsors of sporting events.
Since its launch in 1990, the company has been focused on its ethical credentials, providing natural, fair-trade, and certified organic products designed with the adult premium drinks category in mind. With a focus on ethical sourcing and flavour profiles, its approach to formulation and design has enabled the brand to nearly double in turnover every year for the last three years.
All of the drinks are vegan, free from artificial sweeteners and plant-based and created to deliver a pleasurable experience, with the Gusto mission to give consumers ‘better’ non-alcoholic choices.
Web: www.drinkgusto.com
Facebook / Instagram: @gustoorganic #gustoorganic
