Supplements to Boost the Immune System During COVID-19

SUPPLEMENT ROUTINE FOR IMMUNE BOOST

Here is a suggested routine of supplements for an immune system boost during COVID-19 and why it may be an important part to overall personal wellness.

Shop through our affiliate link at Thorne, where our household sources the majority of our vitamins and minerals.

WHY TAKE DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS TO BOOST THE IMMUNE SYSTEM DURING COVID-19?

Dietary supplements provide doses of the vitamins and minerals that are necessary for the body and brain to function optimally. While different foods contain many of these micronutrients, it is a challenge to obtain optimal levels through diet alone. Hence, the supplement industry.

Unfortunately, the capitalistic aspect of free-market industries has resulted in some companies cutting corners and selling supplements in forms that are poorly absorbed by the body because they are cheaper to manufacture.

So, not all supplements are made equal. Please keep that in mind when researching brands and deciding what you put in your body.

WHAT SUPPLEMENTS BOOST THE IMMUNE SYSTEM DURING COVID-19?

While there is no known cure for COVID-19, there are vaccines and dietary supplements available; the latter is important to bolster the immune system.

Here’s an example of a daily supplement routine:

VITAMIN D3:

Dosage: 1 of the 50mcg (2000 IU) soft gels, twice a day with K2 (more on that later)

Most people need to take between 4000 and 10,000 IU per day to avoid vitamin D deficiency. This is way above the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA), but remember the government’s RDA is the amount to keep you from becoming seriously ill, not optimized. Ask your doctor to include vitamin D in your next routine blood test to find the right dosage for you. And consider your geography. For example, someone living in California who spends time outside with skin exposed to sun rays regularly may supplement with 4000 IUs. In fact, vitamin D can be safely consumed up to 20,000 IU a day in many studies.

Frequency: daily

Benefits: Helps regulate the amount of calcium and phosphate in the body. These nutrients are needed to keep bones, teeth, and muscles healthy. Also helps with bone growth and remodeling. 

Found in Foods: Halibut, sardines, egg yolks, fresh salmon, and herring.

VITAMIN D/K2:

Dosage: 1-2 drops of the liquid; there are 25 mcg of Vitamin D and 200 mcg of K2, in every 2 drops of Thorne’s supplement

Frequency: 1x per day, alongside a Vitamin D soft gel

Benefits: Vitamin K is a powerful nutrient that has two different forms. Vitamin K1 is found in dark leafy greens like spinach and, along with K2, regulates blood clotting. K2, menaquinone, is the real star. It refers to a family of fat-soluble vitamins that the body needs to produce a protein called prothrombin, which promotes blood clotting and regulates bone metabolism. Vitamin K2 activates a protein that prevents calcium deposits from forming in the walls of blood vessels.  It promotes healthy bone mineral density and is essential for vitamin D to function optimally, which is why I take them together. Gut bacteria also produce vitamin K2, but usually not in a substantial enough amount if it’s absent from the diet.

Found in Foods: Organ meats, fermented foods, grass-fed butter, and dairy products.

FISH OIL:

Dosage: 1 soft gel; (Thorne’s is high in EPA and DHA Omega-3 Fatty Acids)

Frequency: daily 

Benefits: Omega-3 Fatty Acids aid in supporting a healthy blood-brain barrier to help with brain development. Their anti-inflammatory properties help lower the body’s blood pressure and produce less cholesterol which is often made to combat dietary inflammation. Studies have found fish oil beneficial in avoiding artery disease, heart disease, and stroke. I take DHA for optimizing my brain function and also to avoid neurodegenerative disease as these special fats are crucial in developing the myelin lining and protecting the nerves.

In terms of pandemic protection, it’s really the anti-inflammatory properties of the EPA part of the Omega-3 family. Managing inflammation is a huge part of the immune system.  For example, in someone who prioritizes exercise, the physical body may take a lot of wear and tear. If that occurs for too many days in a row, one may begin to experience sniffles or headaches. EPA helps heal joints and improves the cardiovascular system which can prevent the individual from being too susceptible to the severe symptoms the virus causes.  It is interesting to note that animal and aquatic life are the only way to get a significant amount of the essential EPA and DHA. Plants contain ALA which does not have essential functions like their Omega-3 counterparts.

Found in Foods: Fish (especially fatty fish such as salmon and sardines), grass-fed beef, pastured eggs, krill, and walnuts.

BUFFERED VITAMIN C / ASCORBIC ACID:

Dosage: 1/2 scoop of powder, mixed in 6-8 ounces filtered water

Frequency: 1-2x per week, and as necessary when feeling weak or under the weather

Benefits: Buffered C Powder is really the only way of taking vitamin C that allows you to absorb a therapeutic amount. It contains the buffering minerals of calcium, magnesium, and potassium to help with the absorption, too. The Thorne powders have high amounts of magnesium reacted with the Vitamin C which is great because otherwise, magnesium would be something to take in addition.  Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is a key antioxidant that protects cells throughout the body from free radical damage. It also plays an integral role in the production of cellular energy and maintains a healthy overall immune function.

Found in Foods: oranges, bell peppers, broccoli, blueberries, and Brussels sprouts.

QUERCITIN:

Dosage: 1 capsule, 400mg

Frequency: daily

Benefits: A flavonoid that functions as an antioxidant, Quercetin is known for its antioxidant activity in radical scavenging and anti-allergic properties characterized by stimulation of the immune system, antiviral activity, inhibition of histamine release, decrease in pro-inflammatory cytokines, leukotrienes creation, and suppresses interleukin IL-4 production.

Found in Foods: Foods such as onions, apples, grapes, berries, cherries, coffee, green tea, and red wine all have this flavonoid in them in moderate amounts.

PIC-MINS:

Dosage: 1 capsule: Zinc (15mg), Selenium (100mcg), Manganese (2.5mg), Chromium (100mcg), Molybdenum (50mcg), Baron (700mcg), Vanadium (50mcg)

Frequency: daily (alternating days with a Zinc capsule)

Benefits: Pic-Mins replenish the minerals that the human body needs to develop and function optimally. I don’t take this every day because too much of some minerals (including zinc) can cause other deficiencies in the body. With that said Zinc works optimally with other minerals present. Our body uses minerals for many different jobs, keeping bones, muscles, the heart, and the brain working properly. Minerals are also important for making enzymes and hormones. Mineral deficiency can be indicated by slight symptoms that are sometimes difficult to put a finger on such as mental fog, fatigue, anemia, skin problems, or muscle weakness, which all signal a weakened immune system.

Zinc: see below

Selenium: An essential trace mineral that assists with cognitive function and fertility

Found in Foods: Brazil Nuts, some fish, brown rice, eggs.

Manganese: Used to help the body form connective tissue and bones. Necessary for normal brain and nerve function

Found in Foods: Whole grains, clams, oysters, mussels, legumes, even water.

Chromium: Can improve insulin sensitivity and enhance protein, carbohydrate, and lipid metabolism. It is a metallic element that people need in very small quantities.

Found in Foods: Broccoli, green beans, potatoes, apples, bananas, whole grains, beef, and poultry.

ZINC:

Dosage: 1 x 30mg capsule

Frequency: daily (alternating days with a PicMins capsule)

Benefits: Helps the immune system fight off invading bacteria and viruses. Helps make proteins and DNA. Important for testosterone production and healthy skin replication (like making healthy new skin instead of moles or sunspots).  Zinc appears to be one of the few things that disturb the replication of the COVID-19 virus. It doesn’t do it to the level of an effective vaccine, so it may not work, but for an otherwise healthy individual, zinc appears to be part of the ideal treatment to avoid and defend against the virus.

Some doctors say that zinc and quercitin are the two most important COVID-proofing supplements. 

Found in Foods: Oysters, red meat, and poultry.

FOOD VS SUPPLEMENTS TO BOOST THE IMMUNE SYSTEM DURING COVID-19

Whole foods contain essential vitamins and minerals that humans need to survive. The question is: does your body have access to the appropriate amounts it needs to run its system optimally?

Perhaps another aspect to mention is the current decline in soil health in regions around the globe. The produce of today is not as nutrient-rich as it once was, even if you do consume a lofty amount of fruits and vegetables. (Consider Community Sourced Agriculture for nutrient-dense and sustainability-minded produce shopping, sourcing fresh food locally when possible, and eating with the seasons in mind.)

CONCLUSION

COVID-19 is an attack on the immune system. When it is contracted, the immune system identifies it as a foreigner and wrangles the troops to get to work to defend and protect the body. It is important to have a winning defense to battle this invader. 

The virus causes a myriad of symptoms, including death. According to the CDC, these symptoms seem to present themselves more severely in specific populations such as older adults or those with an underlying medical condition such as heart disease, lung disease, or diabetes. Obesity is a huge risk factor, no pun intended, and these populations are deemed more vulnerable to fight the disease due to the strain and inflammation that the excess weight places on the immune system.

The supplement routine listed above intends to boost the immune system so the body can run more optimally, just like keeping the car up to date with service and giving it proper fuel so it doesn’t break down on you in the middle of the desert on a hot Sunday afternoon.

If you use our affiliate link to shop Thorne supplements, thank you for your support.

Wishing you well during these challenging times -

Jenna

Some of the links in this post are Thorne affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you.

The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It is for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or a qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or supplements.