Include fermented vegetables or other probiotic-containing foods. There are several nutrients, plant-based botanicals, and supplements that can boost immune function and provide symptom relief during illness and may help to shorten the duration of illness. For preventing and treating viral upper respiratory infections, consider some of the following:.

Vitamin C: Vitamin C may help to prevent infections, including those caused by bacteria and viruses. Regularly administered vitamin C has been shown to shorten the duration of colds, and higher doses of vitamin C during an illness can also act as a natural antihistamine and anti-inflammatory.

Vitamin D : Vitamin D, known as the "sunshine vitamin," is one of the most important and powerful nutrients for supporting the immune system.

Numerous studies have shown that it helps reduce the risk of colds and flu. Unfortunately, a high percentage of the population is deficient, so daily supplementation ideally in the form of vitamin D3 offers the best protection.

Vitamin A: For short-term use and particularly for those with moderate vitamin A deficiency, supplementation can be extremely helpful in supporting the body's ability to fight infections, particularly with regard to respiratory infections.

Zinc: Zinc plays a significant role in boosting immunity. Often available as lozenges, zinc can help to reduce the frequency of infections as well as the duration and severity of the common cold when taken within 24 hours of onset. Selenium: Selenium, a key nutrient for immune function, is also an antioxidant that helps boosts the body's defenses against bacteria, viruses, and cancer cells.

It may particularly help to protect against certain strains of flu virus. Selenium is easily obtained from foods, with the richest source being Brazil nuts. Honey: Honey, preferably raw, is a good demulcent it relieves minor pain and inflammation of mucous membranes , has antioxidant properties, and has some antimicrobial effects.

It is helpful for coughs and sore throats and can be added to hot tea. Garlic: Garlic contains a variety of compounds that can influence immunity. Some studies have shown that both fresh garlic as well as aged garlic extract and some other garlic supplements may reduce viral upper respiratory infection severity as well as function in the prevention of infection with viruses that can cause colds.

Probiotics: Probiotics contain "good bacteria" that not only support the health of the gut but also influence immune system functioning and regulation. Studies have shown that probiotic use can decrease the number of respiratory infections, particularly in children.

Water helps produce lymph which carries white blood cells and other immune system cells through the body. There are many foods with high water content such as cucumbers, watermelon, and celery. If you have a hard time drinking plain water, try a cup of green tea with lemon, watermelon, cucumber or mint-infused water for an immune system powerhouse beverage.

Think of proper hydration as a way to make it easier for immune-boosting nutrients to get to where they need to go cells in your body. Immune system cells need zinc to function as they are intended.

Zinc is a mineral that our body does not store or produce. While oysters have the highest food content of zinc, there are several other options such as shellfish crab, clams, lobster, and mussels , poultry chicken or turkey , red meat and beans.

Zinc is also found in fortified cereals and some breads, but the best absorption comes from animal-based foods. As you take stock of this information, consider layering the practice of mindful eating to your plan.

Mindful eating is a way to be present, focused and tuned in to the pleasure of eating. This practice can also help decrease stress which can adversely affect your immune system.

As you sit down to enjoy your meals, possibly with friends or family members, take time to consider where your food came from, the journey the food took to get to your plate, its taste, texture, and aroma.

The practice of mindful eating helps us slow down, stay in the moment and reconnect to the food that fuels our bodies. Bon appetit! At UC Health, we lead the region in scientific discoveries and embrace a spirit of purpose — offering our patients and their families something beyond everyday healthcare.

At UC Health, we offer hope. Flowers, chocolates, organ donation — are you in? What is a tongue-tie? What parents need to know. Which migraine medications are most helpful? How well do you score on brain health?

Shining light on night blindness. Can watching sports be bad for your health? Beyond the usual suspects for healthy resolutions. September 11, By Robert H. Shmerling, MD , Senior Faculty Editor, Harvard Health Publishing; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing Ever see ads for products that promise to supercharge immunity?

IV drips, supplements, cleanses, and superfoods The lineup of immune-boosting products and advice includes: Home intravenous IV drips.

Want a health professional to come to your home with IV fluids containing various vitamins and supplements? That's available in many US cities, and some companies claim their formula is designed to supercharge immunity.

These on-demand IV treatments aren't risk-free and can be quite expensive. Vitamins and supplements. Popular options include turmeric, milk thistle, and echinacea, often in combination with various vitamins. Hundreds of formulations are available.

Superfoods and foods to avoid. If you search online for "foods to boost the immune system" you'll see thousands of articles touting blueberries, broccoli, spinach, dark chocolate, and other foods to keep infections away.

There's also a list of foods to avoid, such as sugary drinks or highly processed meats, because they're supposed to be bad for your immune system.

Cleanses and detox treatments. No doubt you've seen pitches for cleanses and detox products intended to remove toxins from the body.

Their marketing warns that the environment is full of harmful substances that get into the body through the air, water, and food, which we need to remove. Advocates suggest that, among other harmful effects, these often unnamed toxins make your immune system sluggish.

Are the heavily marketed IV drips, supplements, or detox products endorsed by the FDA? More importantly, they're confusing: Boosting immunity is what vaccinations do.

They prime your immune system to help fight off a specific infectious organism like the flu shot before each flu season. Immune support typically describes vitamins such as vitamin C , or other nutrients necessary for a healthy immune system. It's true that a deficiency of vital nutrients can cause poor immune function.

But that doesn't mean a person with normal levels of nutrients can expect supplements to improve their immune system. Can products marketed as immune boosters actually boost immunity?

How to get the most out of your immune system It's not a secret and it's not a product. The best ways to keep your immune system at peak performance are: Eat well and follow a heart-healthy diet, such as the Mediterranean diet. Exercise regularly and maintain a healthy weight.

Now more than ever with the COVID outbreak, we need to find ways to boost our immune system as much as possible. Making sure you are eating a diet high in immune-boosting nutrients is one way you can take an active role in maintaining your health and wellness.

Your body uses and absorbs nutrients more efficiently when they come from whole food sources like fruits and vegetables, rather than processed foods or supplements.

Getting a variety of these foods and nutrients in your diet is essential compared to focusing on just one or two in large quantities. The more colorful your plate is with a variety of choices from the list below, the better. Consuming foods high in vitamin C such as grapefruits, oranges, tangerines, sweet red pepper, broccoli, strawberries, kale, and kiwifruit are thought to increase white blood cell production, which is key to fighting infection.

Beta-carotene converts into vitamin A, which is an anti-inflammatory vitamin that can help your antibodies respond to toxins, such as a virus.

Carrots, spinach, kale, apricots, sweet potato, squash, and cantaloupe are all great sources of beta-carotene. Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin, so consuming foods with healthy fats will aid in its absorption. A great immune-boosting combination would be carrots with traditional hummus or a spinach salad with avocado or olive oil in the dressing.

Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin that is key in regulating and supporting immune system function. Foods rich in vitamin E include nuts, seeds, avocado, and spinach.

Green tea is packed with antioxidants that have been shown to enhance immune system function. It also contains amino acids that may aid in the production of germ-fighting compounds in your T-cells, which reduces inflammation in the body and helps fight infection.

Green tea can be consumed hot, cold or as matcha powder. Vitamin D can be found in salmon, canned tuna, egg yolks, and mushrooms. Prioritizing exercise. Moderate-intensity exercise can help maintain a healthy immune system. Getting enough sleep. If you get enough sleep, it will help your body fight off sickness and help succeed at the tips mentioned above.

Adults should get between hours of sleep each night. Increasing vitamin intake. Vitamins B6, C and E are all known for their immune-boosting properties. Some foods rich in these vitamins include eggs, bell peppers, spinach and almonds. Immune System Supplements Many products claim to give your immune system the boost it needs to keep you running at your best.

It seems vitamin C may improve the reproduction of B- and T-cells , which are important white blood cells for the immune system. The amount of vitamin C needed for increasing white blood cells may depend on the condition and overall health needs. More research in humans is needed to better understand the link between vitamin C and white blood cells.

To raise your white blood cell count , you may want to avoid alcohol and tobacco use, take Omega-3s and zinc, and eat a balanced diet.

For example, a study found that the Mediterranean diet had an effect on the white blood cell counts of adults at risk for cardiovascular disease. Depending on the cause of low white blood cells, you may also need to take medications like myeloid growth factors.

Antiviral foods may include fermented vegetables kimchi , fermented milk yogurt and kefir , herbs oregano, fennel, peppermint, and aloe vera , garlic, ginger, turmeric, black cumin, cinnamon, licorice root, mushrooms, and citrus fruits.

Some foods may boost your immune system while others will help with their antimicrobial properties. This means they may help fight bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens that cause infections. Examples include herbs and spices oregano , cinnamon , clove , and rosemary , cruciferous vegetables kale and rutabaga , citrus fruits, parsley , and a wide range of other plant-based foods.

Eating a variety of vegetables may help you boost your immune system. Red peppers, spinach, and broccoli are good choices, as well as ginger, turmeric, and garlic. Eating all types of fresh fruits regularly may help your immune system function well. Bananas, in particular, contain a substance called lectin.

One study in rodents found that banana lectin may enhance the immune system. Fresh foods can provide our bodies with the nutrients our immune system needs to work correctly. You need a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, herbs, and spices in your diet to enable your body to stay as healthy as possible.

Good choices of foods to boost the immune system include citrus fruits, spinach, almonds, papaya, and green tea. Although eating a balanced diet is key to boosting your immunity, foods alone cannot and should not replace medical treatment, unless your healthcare professional recommends it. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.

VIEW ALL HISTORY. Consider these tips for choosing the right vitamins and supplements for your needs. Life can get busy and sometimes overwhelming, and low energy can make it even harder to cope with day-to-day stressors.

Here are some tips to help you…. You've heard of probiotics, but what about prebiotics? This article explains what prebiotics are and lists the benefits and downsides — plus how to….

A Quiz for Teens Are You a Workaholic? How Well Do You Sleep? Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Medically reviewed by Katherine Marengo LDN, R.

Citrus fruits Red bell peppers Broccoli Garlic Ginger Spinach Yogurt Almonds Sunflower seeds Turmeric Green tea Papaya Kiwi Poultry Shellfish FAQ Summary. Immune system boosters.

Citrus fruits. Share on Pinterest. Red bell peppers. Sunflower seeds. Green tea. Frequently asked questions. How we reviewed this article: Sources. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations.

Establish and follow an exercise program to not only help prevent respiratory infections but also to improve cognitive and physical resilience. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables—aim for 10 servings per week.

Include fermented vegetables or other probiotic-containing foods. There are several nutrients, plant-based botanicals, and supplements that can boost immune function and provide symptom relief during illness and may help to shorten the duration of illness.

For preventing and treating viral upper respiratory infections, consider some of the following:. Vitamin C: Vitamin C may help to prevent infections, including those caused by bacteria and viruses. Regularly administered vitamin C has been shown to shorten the duration of colds, and higher doses of vitamin C during an illness can also act as a natural antihistamine and anti-inflammatory.

Vitamin D : Vitamin D, known as the "sunshine vitamin," is one of the most important and powerful nutrients for supporting the immune system. Numerous studies have shown that it helps reduce the risk of colds and flu. Unfortunately, a high percentage of the population is deficient, so daily supplementation ideally in the form of vitamin D3 offers the best protection.

Vitamin A: For short-term use and particularly for those with moderate vitamin A deficiency, supplementation can be extremely helpful in supporting the body's ability to fight infections, particularly with regard to respiratory infections. Zinc: Zinc plays a significant role in boosting immunity.

Often available as lozenges, zinc can help to reduce the frequency of infections as well as the duration and severity of the common cold when taken within 24 hours of onset. Selenium: Selenium, a key nutrient for immune function, is also an antioxidant that helps boosts the body's defenses against bacteria, viruses, and cancer cells.

It may particularly help to protect against certain strains of flu virus. Selenium is easily obtained from foods, with the richest source being Brazil nuts.

Honey: Honey, preferably raw, is a good demulcent it relieves minor pain and inflammation of mucous membranes , has antioxidant properties, and has some antimicrobial effects. It is helpful for coughs and sore throats and can be added to hot tea.

Garlic: Garlic contains a variety of compounds that can influence immunity. Some studies have shown that both fresh garlic as well as aged garlic extract and some other garlic supplements may reduce viral upper respiratory infection severity as well as function in the prevention of infection with viruses that can cause colds.

Probiotics: Probiotics contain "good bacteria" that not only support the health of the gut but also influence immune system functioning and regulation.

Studies have shown that probiotic use can decrease the number of respiratory infections, particularly in children. skip to main content. Related Pages. Health About Us. Getting Medical Care. Services Available.

Flu Vaccine. Sexual Health. Make an Appointment. Cassel says another common misconception is having a "strong" immune system is what's best for your body.

Cassel says most of the things people take to boost their immune system, such as vitamins or supplements, don't have any effect on your immune response.

Diabetes, obesity and smoking can also interfere with your immune system and cause it to not work the way it is supposed to, Dr. Because our immune response to fighting disease, infections and viruses in the body is so complex, there's a lot we don't know about why some people have a more balanced immune response while others don't.

You may not have a lot of control over how your immune system functions, but there are ways to keep from getting sick. Like other illnesses, COVID coronavirus is believed to be mainly spread from person to person.

To prevent illness and avoid being exposed to the virus, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC recommends washing your hands often, avoiding close contact with people who are sick, covering your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others, covering coughs and sneezes, and cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces daily.

Cedars-Sinai Blog Can You Really Boost Your Immune System? How your immune system works. Read: Is It a Cold or the Flu? Can you strengthen your immune system? What you can do to protect your immune system. There are some diet and lifestyle factors that influence your immune response.

How to keep from getting sick. Read: Vaccine Fast Facts. Reducing your risk of exposure to COVID coronavirus. Read: Understanding Vitamin D Deficiency. Tags: Expert Advice. Popular Categories.