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Caroline Igo Editor, Sleep
Caroline Igo (her) is a health editor and holds Sleep Science Coach and Stress Management certificates from the Spencer Institute. He received his bachelor’s degree in creative writing from Miami University and continues to pursue his craft in his spare time. Before joining CNET, Caroline wrote for previous CNN anchor, Daryn Kagan.
- Carl R. Greer/Andrew D. Hepburn Award for Best Nonfiction Essay (Miami University, 2020)
It’s cold and flu season, which makes it a good time to start thinking about how to keep your immune system healthy. If you or someone you know is often sick this time of year, strengthening the immune system through diet, exercise and other strategies can help. Adding dietary supplements can also improve your immune health, fill nutritional gaps and help address issues such as vitamin D deficiency.
To help you strengthen your immune system and stay healthy, we’ve rounded up the best immunity-boosting supplements packed with essential vitamins.
What vitamins are good for boosting immunity?
When deciding on the best multivitamin or immune supplement, pay attention to which vitamins and nutrients are included on the label. The best vitamins, minerals and herbs for immunity include:
The following supplements have a high amount of vitamins on the immune system.
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Dosage: 2 softgels, taken daily with food
Nature’s Bounty has been around for over 50 years and is a brand that regularly appears on our best vitamins lists. Its products are non-GMO and contain no artificial colors, flavors, sugar, starch, milk, lactose, soy, gluten, yeast, sodium or fish.
Two softgels of his Immune 24 Hour Plus supplements contain 750 mg of vitamin A, 1,000 mg of vitamin C, 15 mcg of vitamin D, 2 mg of vitamin B6, 666 mcg of folate, 6 mcg of vitamin B12, 600 mcg of biotin , 10 mg of pantothenic acid, 25 mg of magnesium, 15 mg of zinc, 17 mg of elderberry, 16.5 mg of echinacea and 16.6 of astragalus. Other ingredients include rice bran oil, gelatin, vegetable glycerin and 2% or less carob powder (color), natural caramel color, sunflower lecithin and yellow beeswax.
These immune boosting supplements rely on immune support to Ester-Ca version of vitamin C that lasts up to 24 hours in the body. High doses of vitamin A, zinc and B vitamins also support immune function.
Take two softgels daily, preferably with a meal. One bottle lasts about 25 days.
Advantages:
- Contains Vitamin C that stays in your white blood cells for up to 24 hours
- Packed with 13 vitamins, minerals and herbal supplements
Cons:
- Not vegan, contains yellow beeswax and gelatin
- One bottle only lasts 25 days
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Dosage: 2 capsules, daily with food
The Vitamin Shoppe has brick-and-mortar stores nationwide, as well as an online store. The familiar brand name offers a couple of immunity supplements, and we’ve included the best two on this list.
One serving of Immune Essentials contains 1,000 mg of vitamin C, 50 mcg of vitamin D3, 50 mg of zinc and 250 mg of elderberry extract. Other ingredients include hypromellose (capsule), rice flour, magnesium stearate and silicon dioxide. The capsules are free of gluten, dairy, soy, nuts, sugar, salt and preservatives. Elderberry extract can support a healthy immune system during cold and flu season.
Take two capsules daily, preferably with a meal. One bottle lasts about 30 days.
Advantages:
- Contains no sugar
- High potency of vitamin C, vitamin D3 and zinc
Cons:
- Contains only three vitamins and an herbal supplement
- One bottle only lasts 30 days
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Dosage: 1 gummy, daily with food
My favorite vitamins on this list are the gummy supplements from The Vitamin Shoppe. I personally take these daily because of their high elderberry potency. More than that, they are delicious.
One elderberry gummy contains 90 mg of vitamin C, 1 g of total carbohydrates, 40 mg of elderberry extract, 1 g of total sugar and 1 g of added sugar. Other ingredients include sugar, organic tapioca syrup, purified water, MCT (medium chain triglycerides) oil, pectin, tapioca starch, natural raspberry flavor, citric acid, natural color, sunflower lecithin extract for color. The gummies are free of gluten, dairy, soy, nuts, gelatin, synthetic colors and artificial colors. In addition to vitamin C and elderberry, supplements contain propolis extract, which can be used as an anti-inflammatory. Echinacea extract also supports a healthy immune system.
Take two gummies a day, preferably with a meal. One bottle lasts about 60 days.
Advantages:
- The raspberry flavor is amazing
- Lasts you about 60 days
Cons:
- Each serving contains 4 grams of sugar
- The sweet taste is not for everyone
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Dosage: 1 to 2 gummies
Olly was sold to Batas, CVS, Walgreens and Amazon. The company’s products are also certified by National Sanitation Foundationwhich guarantees that the products meet strict standards for public health safety. Olly is also B-Corporation certified, meaning that the corporation is transparent about environmental performance (such as waste management) and social performance (such as employee benefits).
Depending on the serving size, Olly’s Kids Immunity supplements contain 15 to 30 mg of vitamin C, 2.5 to 5 mcg of vitamin D, 1.5 to 3 mcg of zinc, 50 to 100 mg of acerola cherry extract (a many sources of vitamin C) , 35 to 70 mg of Wellmune baker’s yeast beta glucan (a researched and lab-grown nutrient with multiple health benefits) and 12.5 to 25 mg of elderberry juice powder. The gummies are gluten-free and made with natural colors and no artificial flavors. Other ingredients include glucose syrup, beet sugar, water, gelatin, citric acid, natural flavors, pectin, coloring (from sweet potato, apple, radish, cherry, carrot and chokeberry juices) and lactic acid.
Olly recommends that children ages 2 to 4 should only chew one gummy per day. Those aged 5 and above can chew two gummies per day. Consult your doctor before giving your children any supplements. One bottle will last anywhere from 25 to 50 days if taken daily.
Advantages:
- Easy for children to chew
- Great taste that kids love
Cons:
- Recommend finding a doctor before giving any vitamins to children
- It’s easy for kids to confuse gummy vitamins with candy
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Liquid IV has become popular in the last couple of years. The company’s claim to fame is this Cellular Transport Technologywhich combines sodium, glucose, potassium and water. This delivery system makes it easier for the body to absorb water and other nutrients directly into the bloodstream.
Liquid IV’s Hydration Multiplier Plus mix now includes additional immune support. One stick contains 45 calories, 500 mg sodium, 11 g carbohydrates, 10 g sugar, 370 mg potassium, 504 mg vitamin C, 24.4 mg niacin, 2.5 mg vitamin B6, 7.8 mcg vitamin B12, 11.5 mg of pantothenic acid and 10.5 mg of zinc. Other ingredients include natural flavors and stevia leaf extract. In addition to hydration and immune support, the B vitamins in Liquid IV will also supply you body with strength.
Choose between tangerine and wild berry flavors. Dissolve one stick of mix in two cups (16 ounces) of water. One package contains 14 sticks of drink mix.
Advantages:
- There are two delicious flavors: tangerine and wild berry
- Faster hydration than just water
Cons:
- Most expensive on this list
- One stick contains 10 g of sugar
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The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider about any questions you may have about a medical condition or health goal.
