BOOST Your Immune System (5 Tricks!)

Make sure you’re protected

While some may be ready to remove their collective masks and breathe a sigh of relief… 

Others are still scared and uncertain. 

If that’s you, I don’t blame you. 

There’s a lot we still don’t know about COVID-19. 

But here’s what I do know: 

A strong immune system is your best bet against ANY virus — whether it’s COVID-19, the flu, or a stomach bug. 

No matter what steps you take to protect yourself, boosting your immune system should be part of your strategy. 

Here are my recommendations for doing just that. 

All evidence keeps pointing to the detrimental effects of LOW levels of vitamin D in COVID-19. 

Black women with low levels of D had a 69 percent higher risk of COVID-19 than those with sufficient levels. 

Even in children, one study found that those deficient in vitamin D were five times more susceptible to severe cases of the disease. 

Does this mean that boosting your levels will help prevent it? 

It’s too soon to say. 

What I do know is that boosting your D levels will boost your immune system and reduce inflammation — and those are two key defenses you’ll definitely want on your side. 

For a short-term boost in immune function, you can also add in low levels of melatonin.  

Melatonin helps turn on special white blood cells called T cells, which help defend your body. 

Research has shown that melatonin has immune-modulating and anti-inflammatory effects can help fight the flu. 

However, I don’t recommend taking melatonin on a regular basis. 

If you decide to take melatonin, I recommend adding in vitamin C as well. Vitamin C is another key player for healthy immune function that has antiviral, antioxidant, and immune-boosting properties. 

You’ll also want to get plenty of zinc. This star mineral has powerful anti-viral activity, both inhibiting the entry of a virus and by stopping viral replication. 

Studies have indicated that taking vitamin C and zinc together can limit the duration and severity of the common cold, which is a type of coronavirus. 

I always like to add in a quality probiotic as well, since more than 75 percent of your immune system resides in your gut. 

The bottom line is that these are steps you should be taking to boost immune function regardless of COVID-19. 

But with the virus still looming, there’s never been a better time to make sure your body’s immune system is at its peak.