Vitamin and mineral deficiencies are a global problem, while vitamins and minerals help to maintain resistance and protect against external influences. So you can imagine that micronutrient deficiencies have (serious) health consequences. In this article you can read which vitamins and minerals contribute to the immune system.
Cause of vitamin and mineral deficiency
Vitamin and mineral deficiencies have different causes. Our diet and eating pattern is one of them. We eat more processed foods such as fast food, dairy, meat and sugars (such as sweets, biscuits, sugar, soft drinks) and too few natural products such as whole grain, vegetables, fruit, seeds, nuts and fatty fish. The result of such a diet? Obesity and increasing chronic diseases.
But even if you eat as varied and natural as possible, shortages lurk, because our food products contain fewer and fewer nutrients. A consequence of, among other things, reduced soil quality and climate change. Other causes of micronutrient deficiencies are income, lifestyle and stress. These shortages affect the immune system, because vitamins and minerals support the immune system and thus our health.
What is the immune system?
The immune system acts as a natural defense against bacteria, viruses and infections. It consists of the body’s own barriers, organs, molecules and antibodies that protect you against unwanted invaders. You often only notice that you have a reduced immune system when it is already too late. It is therefore important to increase or maintain the immune system, such as the oil level of your car. Prevention is better than cure, and vitamins and minerals in the form of supplements are recommended. The following vitamins and minerals have a positive influence on the immune system.
Vitamins and minerals that help your immune system
Supplements are therefore recommended for two reasons: supplementing micronutrient deficiencies, which are often not noticed because they only cause health problems after a long time. In addition, they help increase resistance. Below vitamins and minerals that play a very important role in the immune system.
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin B6
- Vitamin B11
- Vitamin B12
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin D
- Copper
- Selenium
- Iron
- Zinc
Opt for unprocessed and organic foods as much as possible with in addition supplements. A multivitamin often contains all of the above vitamins and minerals.