It’s officially the start of the season for getting colds and flu. As we’re all more closed in, unless you live in a temperate climate, we’re all more exposed to germs. And not getting a lot of natural vitamin D from sunshine just compounds the cold and flu season since vitamin D is a major immunity booster.

Vitamin D

Since we already mentioned this one, 

t’s worth talking about more because it is such a vital component of healthy immunity, but also plays a huge role in overall disease prevention. Vitamin D is one of the single most important “vitamins” you can supplement with, or at least make sure you’re getting enough through your diet or natural (but safe) sunlight exposure. Related: Mood & Health Benefits of Sun Exposure

Vitamin D is actually not even technically a vitamin, but it’s called a vitamin because it has similarities enough to be classified as such, and because it’s actually a necessity that your body would not make without either eating it or getting it from the sun. This was surprising to me when I initially started to really delve into reading about this nutrient many years ago.

Vitamin D blood levels (at a satisfactory level) have been associated to cancer prevention, mood stabilization, immune system strength, and the prevention of numerous other serious diseases and disorders. It is a pivotal part of health and should be the first vitamin you consider supplementing with if you’re not already doing so. Related: Cod Liver Oil High in Vitamin D? And it Helps Thinning Hair?

Vitamin C

Vitamin C has always been a staple in this house. We don’t go without it, and if we start to feel a little sick, then I bump it up to a couple times a day. Vitamin C is important for the immune system since white blood cells, which are the backbone of immunity, actually require vitamin C on the regular and in large amounts compared to other cells, in order to sufficiently do their job.

T cells also require vitamin C to function properly, and a number of other components of the complex network that runs the defensive engine require it too. It’s complicated due to the number of interactions and reactions that have to occur in order for our immune response to successfully rid us of not only viruses and disease, but also to fend off cancer and other degenerative diseases.

Suffice it to say, getting vitamin C often is important and it’s another vitamin that should be consumed daily via diet or getting supplementation. Vitamin C supplements happen to be really affordable too, which is nice because you can add it to your daily regimen with minimal impact to your budget.

Zinc

Zinc is actually a mineral. This mineral is crucial for maintaining healthy immune response, but it also plays a role in metabolic processes and in wound healing. You do have to be careful with this mineral, because you can actually overdose on it and experience symptoms of toxicity like nausea and vomiting.

The dosage recommended is actually pretty low, so be sure to look on the label if you decide to supplement with zinc, and stick to the recommendation. We choose to use a supplement that combines vitamin C and zinc here in our pantry. It seems to help ward off colds, and it's pretty tasty to boot. 

Plus combining two powerhouses into one instead of having to buy all this stuff separately is a little more economical. We start taking them if either of us starts to get the sniffles or feel a little tired or under the weather. I’ve noticed that it helps to prevent getting a full blown cold or flu personally, however you really have to start taking it early on in the symptom phase if you want to have a better chance of avoidance. Related: Cold Season is Upon Us