All The Help You Can Get to Boost and Maintain Your Immunity This Season

Maintaining a well-balanced lifestyle is never easy especially in Singapore where most of us are occupied with our hectic daily schedules. However, no matter how busy we may be, it is important to ensure that we keep ourselves in tip-top condition with not just good nutrition, but also an optimal immune system which will help guard us against illnesses and immunodeficiency problems — especially during this period when the COVID-19 virus can potentially threaten your entire family’s wellbeing.

This is the reason why it is crucial to ensure that your body is getting all the vitamins and minerals it needs to build a better defense against these germs and viruses. Apart from maintaining a healthy diet, you could consider these additional sources of support to give your immune system a stronger line of defense.  

SUPERFOODS

You might have heard this term floating around and it often refers to foods that offer superior nutritional benefits. Packed with a higher than average combination of nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, essential fatty acids, Superfoods are believed to deliver amazing health benefits which include aiding your digestive health and lowering your cholesterol, as well as helping to fight heart disease and cancer!

Here are some superfoods to look out for:

Acai: Contains two essential fatty acids (omega-6 and omega-9) to reduce bad cholesterol and high antioxidant levels that keep skin looking healthy.

Chia Seeds: Rich in antioxidants and has an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids that can help raise the good cholesterol in your body to help protect against heart diseases and stroke.

Oats: Contains a wide range of nutrients such as fiber, vitamin E, and essential fatty acids that help prevent cardiovascular disease, reduce cancer risk and hypertension, provide a rich source of magnesium for energy production, and enhance the body’s immune response to disease.

Coconut: A highly nutritious ingredient that can be incorporated into our daily meals in a variety of ways to potentially benefit heart health, and promote better blood sugar control.

 

From left to right:
1. SAMBAZON ORGANIC ACAI BERRY SUPERFOOD SORBET, $12.50
2. NATURE’S SUPERFOODS ORGANIC BLACK CHIA SEEDS (1KG), $22.90
3. CAPTAIN OATS QUICK COOL OATMEAL (800G), $4.96
4. KINOHIMITSU SUPERFOOD+ (500G), $39.90
5. BIOFINEST ORGANIC COCONUT MILK POWDER, $13.50
6. NATURE’S WAY MATCHA GREEN TEA, $21.99

VITAMINS

Although they are present in most foods, we don’t often get a sufficient amount of vitamins in our diet which is why it is good to make up for the missing amount with additional supplements. Vitamins don’t just help repair cellular damage but they also help to shore up bones, heal wounds, and bolster your immune system.

As an alternative to the tablet forms of vitamins, OLLY is a San Francisco-based wellness brand that has just launched in Singapore, who specialises in its range of delicious gummy vitamins developed by an experienced team of US-based health and nutrition experts. Each of their products come in gummy form and are packed full of essential formulas that are geared towards helping you maintain all your health and wellness needs.

Here are some beneficial vitamins that you can specifically look out for:

Vitamin A: Essential for many processes within the body such as maintaining a healthy vision, ensuring that your immune system and organs run in tip-top shape, supports your bone health, and reduces the risk of acne.

Vitamin B Complex: A combination of eight Vitamin Bs which plays a vital role in maintaining your good health and well-being. Together, they help to prevent infections and support the growth of red blood cells, a healthy brain function, and the production of hormones and cholesterol.

Vitamin C: It is a powerful antioxidant that can strengthen your body’s natural defences and boost your immune system through the production of white blood cells which are crucial to help protect your body from infection. It is also known to help improve the absorption of iron in your diet, which is essential for the creation of red blood cells and the transport of oxygen throughout your body.

Vitamin E: Though commonly known for its skin benefits, it is also the nutrient your body needs to help your cells regenerate in support of your immune system. It has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties as well, which makes it an essential vitamin to include in your daily life.

 

From left to right:
1. REDOXON TRIPLE ACTION ORANGE EFFERVESCENT TABLETS (BUNDLE OF 2), $59.90
2. OLLY DAILY ENERGY GUMMY VITAMINS, $30.90
3. FANCL VITAMIN E (60C), $9.03
4. BLACKMORES VITAMIN C 500MG TABLET (60CT), $11.90
5. MYPROTEIN VITAMIN C WITH BIOFLAVONOIDS & ROSEHIP (180T), $24.50
6. 365 EVERYDAY VALUE STRESS B COMPLEX WITH VITAMIN C (60CT), $11.90

MULTIVITAMINS

Unlike vitamin specific supplements, multivitamins are a combination of different vitamins put together in a single capsule or tablet to provide you with the vitamins that may be missing from your diet. Taking one a day would potentially help to reduce stress and anxiety, as well as increase your energy levels to better your overall wellbeing.

 

From left to right:
1. HOLISTIC WAY MULTI-VITAMINS AND MINERALS (60CT), $29.25
2. CENTRUM MULTIVITAMIN/MULTIMINERAL SUPPLEMENT CHEWABLE TABLETS, $12.95
3. NATURE’S WAY ALIVE! ADULT PREMIUM MULTIVITAMIN, FRUIT AND VEGGIE BLEND GUMMIES, $15.89
4. OCEAN HEALTH MULTIVITAMIN & MINERALS (60CT), $24.30
5. BLACKMORES MULTIVITAMINS + MINERALS (120T + 30T), $36.90
6. 21ST CENTURY ONE-A-DAY (60T), $15

IMMUNITY BOOSTERS

If you prefer supplements that help with building your body’s defense system, then look no further. Immunity boosters can help support your immunity system by providing you with the essential vitamins and minerals that you need to maintain a healthy body and ward off germs which might make you vulnerable to common illnesses.

Here are some immunity-boosting foods and minerals you should look out for:

Cordyceps: Commonly used in health tonics, the prized oriental herb is best known for its medicinal properties that benefit the immune system as well as the lungs, respiratory system, and kidney functions.

Selenium: It is a part of many selenoproteins that act as an antioxidant to help your body fight off infection, and protect against oxygen-free radical damage. It is mostly present in Brazil nuts, walnuts, tuna, beef, poultry, and grain products.

Grape Seed Extract: A dietary supplement that is made up of ground-up seeds of red wine grapes which is known to help boost your immunity naturally with the support of antioxidants and protect your body cells from damage.

Probiotics: Best known for helping the body to maintain the integrity of the intestinal lining which helps to boost your body’s overall immunity. It is usually found in yoghurts, kimchi, kefir, and miso.

 

From left to right:
1. GNC ZHI™ (60ML X 8 BOTTLES), $62.50
2. SAMBUCOL IMMUNO FORTE BLACK ELDERBERRY PASTILLES, $13
3. KINOHIMITSU BIO-BOOSTER (30 SACHETS), $36.90
4. KDY ORGANIC ALOE APPLE REAL GEL (100ML X 30), $79.20
5. AFC SHARK LIVER OIL, $34.90
6. GOOD HEALTH GRAPE SEED EXTRACT 25,000 (120C), $23.99

 

🍎 Stay healthy! 🍎

 

 


Featured image credit: broadhealthy.com