Learn how to strengthen your immune system
Without realizing it, our body works daily to fight a large number of viruses or bacteria that can affect its normal functioning and lower our quality of life, and despite all its efforts to protect us, there are certain pathogens that end up affecting us. That is why it is so common to hear the term: “You need to boost your defenses…”.
But what is the point of boosting your defenses really?
Boosting defenses serves to strengthen the immune system, which is crucial for preventing diseases and reducing the severity of infections. When that defense mechanism is strengthened, it can identify and fight pathogens more effectively, speed up recovery, and maintain the body's overall balance.
For the above to be fulfilled correctly, the immune system needs the vitamins and minerals that we provide through diet, such as vitamin C and zinc, since thanks to the antioxidants they contain, they delay the oxidative process of cells, improving their response to external agents.
A combined intake of both can become an excellent ally to strengthen the body's response to disease, as Vitamin C acts on the first level of defense once the body detects the threat and attempts to destroy or expel the foreign element; meanwhile, zinc acts on a more sophisticated level of defense, in which specific cells that recognize the type of threat are involved.
Although you surely recognize Vitamin C as the primary aid for mild infection processes, we will tell you about some of the properties of zinc:
It is one of the essential micronutrients and is involved in more than 200 metabolic processes and chains in the body. It acts by reinforcing the immune system directly on the cells, preventing the infection from progressing. It is a powerful antioxidant, so it protects cells from the oxidative stress generated by free radicals. It plays a fundamental role in maintaining natural immune barriers such as the skin and mucous membranes.
Although our body cannot synthesize either of these two micronutrients, meaning it does not produce them on its own, supplementation is the way to ensure that our body always has sufficient reserves for proper functioning.
Remember to increase your consumption of citrus fruits, berries, vegetables, and legumes to boost Vitamin C levels; and chocolate, legumes, seeds, nuts, or meat, which are great sources of zinc.
By: Vanesa Villa – Content Analyst, Laboratorios Funat.
Reviewed by: Nutritionist-Dietitian Team – Laboratorios Funat Line Specialists.