We’ve established that by now, immunity is of the utmost importance. Social distancing and hand washing, while effective, don’t feel like enough to me – I’m always on the hunt to do more for my body. So of course, I turned to immune boosting supplements and tonics. There are tons of different options for how to naturally boost your immune system, and I always prefer to go the natural route as often as I can. Below, read up on some of the most common immune boosting vitamins and minerals to add to your routine and shop some of our favorite supplements themselves.

Vitamin C

At the first sign of Everyone reaches for Emergen-C, and while there’s nothing wrong with it, there’s a much easier way to get that vitamin C. Rather than drinking artificially flavored tonics, grab any citrus fruit, be it an orange, a grapefruit, a tangerine, or even a lemon, and add those to your daily routine instead. Eating the fruit itself promises more nutritional benefits with the same amount of vitamin C, and it’s sure to be a tastier alternative. If you are a fan of an easy-to-grab tonic, might I suggest Hilma’s Immune Support instead? Without fillers, dyes, and added sugar, this also delivers a hefty dose of vitamin C to your body in addition to turmeric, ginger, and echinacea.

Turmeric

This golden powder has been everywhere over the past few months, from face masks to oat milk lattes — but with reason! Turmeric is known for having a ton of anti-inflammatory properties, but did you know these properties also help boost the immune system? Curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric, is anti-viral and anti-fungal, thus fighting anything trying to penetrate your immune system. I personally have opted for Golde’s Matcha Turmeric blend to not only give my body what it needs in terms of a hefty immune boost, but to also give me an energy boost in the AM.

Propolis

If you’ve never heard of this magic ingredient before, let me introduce you. Meet the bulletproof immunity that bees have been using for years. Found inside beehives and even used as a doormat to the hive, propolis has incredible germ-fighting properties and even contains over 300 beneficial vitamins, minerals, and compounds to keep any bacteria at bay. I have sprayed this in my throat every time I feel a little tickle or get a cough and rarely become incredibly sick. I personally get mine from Beekeepers Naturals, and it comes in a TSA-approved bottle, so you can bring it where you need it most when this is all said and done.

Fermented Foods

Anything fermented, from kombucha to kimchi, is a great addition to your winter diet. Fermented foods all carry probiotics, otherwise known as the good bacteria, to help balance the flora in your gut. Did you know that 70 percent of your immune system lives in your gut? Because of this, keeping your gut balanced will help to boost your immune system and keep illnesses at bay. But if fermented foods aren’t your thang, ginger is another great source to boost your immune system. I personally like to go in with a one-two punch and drink ginger kombucha the second the weather gets frigid. Instead of eating probiotics, opt for probiotic capsules if you want your gut health in check without having to go food shopping.

Zinc

I truly didn’t know about the importance of zinc until recently, but it’s definitely an underdog in the world of immunity. It’s an essential mineral that’s key in allowing tons of bodily functions to occur, most importantly in this case, activating your immune system. Zinc is found in tons of foods such as chickpeas, lentils, cashews, hemp seeds, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, and red meat so you can begin by adding more high-value foods to your diet. If you feel like that’s not enough, zinc is also added to the Immune Support mentioned above and is a great way to sneak some extra benefits in.

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Feature image via Victoria Morris