What are the Best Vitamins for Cold and Flu?

What are the Best Vitamins for Cold and Flu?

Which supplements can help against colds and the flu? The best vitamins for cold and flu season contain nutrients that boost your immune system. Supplements for cold and flu include Vitamin C, Zinc, Vitamin D, Elderflower, Vitamin B6, Vitamin E, Magnesium, Probiotics and Ginseng.

1. Vitamin C

Vitamin C is an essential nutrient and key antioxidant to repel colds and flu viruses. The benefits of Vitamin C including supporting a properly functioning immune system and helping reducing fatigue.

For decades, Vitamin C has been used to help treat influenza and the common cold.

Vitamin C helps arm the body with a defence system to defend against infections from cold, flu and other viruses. As our bodies cannot produce or store Vitamin C for any length of time, it must be consumed through our diet and dietary supplements.

2. Zinc

Zinc is an essential mineral. It helps the body’s natural defences fight respiratory tract infections. The benefits of zinc include supporting a healthy immune system, reducing inflammation, and being a vital component for the proper functioning of hundreds of enzymes that carry out essential chemical reactions within our bodies. Zinc helps fend off cold and flu viruses, while speeding up the healing of infections.

3. Vitamin D

The benefits of vitamin D include fighting infections, supporting the immune system and contributing to good lung health.

Vitamin D is recommended by many governments as a key vitamin for reducing the impact of Covid-19. It is also important for reducing the risk of upper respiratory tract infections such as the common cold. Vitamin D has also been shown to help combat the flu virus.

There are clinical trials and observational studies stating Vitamin D supplements could help reduce risks of serious illness from flu and Covid-19. A review article by Grant et al. on “Evidence that Vitamin D supplementation could reduce risk of Influenza and COVID-19 infections and deaths” highlights the importance of Vitamin D for reducing the risk of respiratory tract infections.

4. Elderflower

Elderflower contains some of the most potent naturally occurring antioxidants. These antioxidants support the immune system, and can help ease common cold or flu symptoms.

5. Vitamin B6

The benefits of B Vitamins include supporting energy levels, a good metabolism, a healthy nervous system and the immune system.
Vitamin B6 helps our bodies to produce red blood cells. These blood cells transport oxygen around the body to provide key nutrients for our vital organs and muscles to function properly. This supports our body’s immune system to protect against illness.

6. Vitamin E

Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin with antioxidant effects. It boosts the immune system to defend our bodies against attack from free radicals.

A study conducted by Harri Hemila from the Department of Public Health in the University of Helsinki found a 28% reduction in common cold incidence with Vitamin E supplementation.

7. Magnesium

The benefits of magnesium are felt across the body. This essential mineral supports many bodily functions. It also contributes to other minerals working effectively. The benefits are felt in our bones, muscles, energy levels, teeth, nervous system, heart and immune system.

Magnesium helps fight infections. The nutrient is required to transport vitamin D around the blood of our bodies. This helps activate the benefits of vitamin D to support a properly functioning immune system.

Magnesium also helps regulate body temperature, which is important for treating cold and flu symptoms.

A study by James DiNicolantonio and James H O’Keefe, St. Luke’s Hospital Missouri USA, investigated Magnesium and Vitamin D deficiency as a potential cause of immune dysfunction in Covid-19 patients. It highlights that low magnesium levels can reduce antioxidant defence systems. Magnesium deficiency contributes to depressed immune system responses, which are needed for warding off cold and flu symptoms.

8. Probiotics

Probiotics are friendly bacteria that support good health. They contribute to a healthy immune system. According to Dr Abinash Virk in Mayo Clinic, probiotics may be effective in helping prevent the common cold. They do this by improving the body’s immune response to the virus.

9. Ginseng

Research by Sang-Moo Kang in Georgia State University studies whether or not Korean red ginseng has preventive effects for the flu virus. The study concludes that Ginseng can help treat and prevent the flu and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). Red ginseng was shown to improve the survival of human lung epithelial cells, which were infected with the flu virus.

Red Ginseng is the key ingredient in Beeline Healthcare’s Ginseng supplements.