The Official Wellness Partner of AJ Bell Great Run Series, Solgar combines the best of science and nature to create the finest nutritional supplements using only the best, responsibly sourced raw ingredients. With a commitment to quality, health and wellbeing that goes beyond 75 years, each Solgar product is designed around what your body needs – not what’s trending.
With 30+ years of industry experience, Paul Chamberlain leads the Nestlé Health Science category development & product training team across a range of supplement brands, including Solgar. With an MSc in Sport and Exercise Nutrition, Paul has a passion for helping people achieve their health and wellness goals as well as being a keen runner who enjoys applying sports nutrition principles to his own training and racing
Not only is your immune health important to keep you feeling at your best when in running training or on race day, but is, of course, an important component to maintaining overall health and achieving your wellness goals.
Diet, exercise and sleep should always be the foundation for a healthy immune system. To support a strong immune system, your body requires certain vitamins such as:Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Zinc, Selenium
While your diet should always be the primary way to get your vitamins and minerals, supplements can help fill in the gaps for any areas of immune support your diet may be missing.
Let’s look at five fundamental supplements for your immune health:
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is found in its provitamin form (beta-carotene) in foods like pumpkin, butternut and dark leafy green vegetables. The liver converts beta carotene into vitamin A.
Vitamin A is a key immune-supportive nutrient as it contributes to mucous membrane function. The mucous membranes provide the first line of defence against ill health as they line the digestive and urinary tract, the lungs and sinuses and the mucous they produce traps pathogens and other invaders.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is one of the leading vitamins for immune support. This nutrient is important for the function of white blood cells, which are vital components of the immune system. It also acts as an antioxidant, helping to fight free radicals that circulate in the body. However, the body cannot store vitamin C so it needs to be replenished daily. Your body can’t make vitamin C on its own, so it needs to acquire it from external sources – such as your diet, or supplements.
Citrus fruits such as oranges or grapefruits are rich in vitamin C. Red bell peppers are also a great source of vitamin C for people trying to get their daily dose of vitamin C while avoiding the sugar in fruit
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is an important nutrient that helps support healthy bones, teeth, and the immune system.
Vitamin D may assist the immune system by helping to regulate T- and B-lymphocytes, supporting the ability of macrophages to work within the body, and by promoting the synthesis of mononuclear cells.
The sun is your main source of Vitamin D, but if you’re spending a lot of time indoors or live in a northern climate, your healthcare practitioner may recommend a vitamin D3 supplement.
Zinc
Zinc is a trace mineral and is found mainly in red meats and seafood like oysters and mussels. It is also found in poultry and dairy products. Some populations such as the elderly and those following plant-based diets may not consume sufficient amounts to meet recommendations. Zinc plays a vital role in the development and function of the immune system.
Selenium
Selenium is found in Brazil nuts, tuna, sardines and eggs. It is needed in tiny amounts by the body but has many important functions. Selenium deficiency may contribute towards a weakened immune system, making the body more susceptible to ill health.
Supplements should never substitute the fundamentals of a healthy immune system: sleep, a good diet, and exercise! These things – as well as staying hydrated and managing stress – will help to keep your immune system healthy and strong!
For more information and advice on supplements visit the Solgar Wellness Hub here.
