With Novel Coronavirus and the COVID-19 illness on a rapid rise worldwide, medical specialists and scientists are actively searching for ways to curb the virus from spreading. It is an important time to build a healthy and strong immune system, and while there is little you can do to prevent catching the illness, there are ways to incorporate specific vitamin supplements into the diet to strengthen and support your immune system. Here are five of most essential vitamin supplements you need for optimum immunity:

Vitamin A

Supplementing your diet with vitamin A is very important, as this fat-soluble vitamin that is crucial for healthy vision, bones, teeth, and many metabolic and immune system functions. Vitamin A comes in four different types – retinol, beta-carotene, beta-cryptoxanthin and alpha-carotene – and are mainly found in animal by-products, egg yolks, organ meats and dairy products.

The recommended daily allowance of Vitamin A is gender dependant. Men need 900mcg, while women need 700mcg.

Vitamin B

Vitamin B, in essence, is made up of a collection of eight water-soluble vitamins essential for various metabolic processes, they are:

1. Thiamine (B1)
2. Riboflavin
3. Niacin
4. Pantothenic Acid
5. Biotin
6. Vitamin B6
7. Folate
8. Vitamin B12

While each of these constituent vitamins has its own specific roles and benefits, they work together to facilitate various bodily functions. The vitamin B complex is needed to convert glucose into fuel that we use for energy and also helps enable the central nervous system to function. Some foods rich in vitamin B complex are fish, poultry, meat, eggs, dairy products, leafy green vegetables, cereals, fortified bread, nutritional yeast etc.

Vitamin C

It’s your go-to vitamin when you’re feeling sick, but vitamin C is good for more than just its positive effects on skin health and immune functions. Vitamin C is a water-soluble antioxidant that fights free radicals in the body and it’s beneficial for collation formation, connective tissues, bones, teeth and blood vessels. Unlike most animals, humans are unable to synthesize or store this vitamin, so it is important that we supplement the body with the vitamin on a daily basis. Vitamin C is best taken on an empty stomach and foods rich in Vitamin C include papaya, broccoli, bell peppers, brussels sprouts, and strawberries.

The recommended daily allowance of Vitamin C is 90mg in men and 75mg in women.

Vitamin D

Sometimes called the ‘sunshine vitamin’ due to the fact that it is produced in our skin naturally when it’s directly exposed to sunlight. Vitamin D has several important functions, but the most crucial is for facilitating immune system functions, improving bone health, and regulating calcium absorption. Vitamin D deficiency can lead to bone abnormalities, and it has also been linked to certain cancers and heart disease.

Many foods today are fortified with vitamin D, including orange juice, milk and breakfast cereals. Natural sources of vitamin D include fatty fishes such as salmon, mackerel, tuna and sardines.

Vitamin E

This essential micronutrient and antioxidant is composed of eight different compounds and is found in a variety of food s and supplements. It protects body tissues from damage caused by free radicals; protects fatty acids; maintains muscles and red blood cells; and serves as an important antioxidant.
Dietary source of Vitamin E include eggs, vegetable oils, margarine, mayonnaise; nuts, seeds, fortified cereals.

The recommended dietary allowance for vitamin E is 15mg for people over age 14.

Check out some over-the-counter medicines and generic drugs available at Nahdi Online Pharmacy for self-medication.

By giving your body the nutrition and immune boost it needs, you can strengthen it to fight the virus off effectively.