^

Vitamins for immunity: what everyone needs to know?

, medical expert
Last reviewed: 08.07.2025
Fact-checked
х

All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.

We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.

If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.

Vitamins for immunity are an important component for the normal functioning of our body. A strong immune system is the key to health and a cheerful disposition at any time of year and under any circumstances. Environmental conditions, exhaustion of the body by mental and physical stress, constant stress are not very favorable conditions for good physical shape. Our task is to strengthen the body's defense system and one of the best ways to do this is to choose the right vitamins for immunity.

During the cold season, a favorable time for all infectious diseases, the best defender of the body is not a warm scarf and hot tea, but immunity. A person who can boast of a good immune system feels great both during the flu epidemic and in the cold season.

Immunity is a rather complex and multifaceted system that maintains the body's endurance and health, and ensures resistance to diseases and viruses. There are innate and acquired immunity, and if few can boast of innate immunity, then we can take care of strengthening and, so to speak, acquiring immunity ourselves by taking vitamins for immunity.

To nourish the immune system, antioxidant vitamins (vitamins A, E, C) are initially needed, which help produce antibodies capable of fighting cells of foreign viruses. Vitamins for immunity of group B are also important: they help the body recover from stressful situations, provide it with the necessary energy. Not only vitamins for immunity help to be healthy; the presence of such elements as zinc, magnesium, iodine and others in the body is extremely important.

What vitamins are there for immunity?

Vitamin A, or retinol, is important for the body to form protective antibodies that fight viral cells in the blood. Retinol also slows down the aging process and restores protective cells of the gastrointestinal tract and respiratory system. These vitamins for immunity are mainly found in plant-based foods: it is not for nothing that experts recommend eating fresh vegetables, fruits, and berries (pay special attention to bright red and orange foods, this is a sign of retinol content).

Vitamin C is especially important in winter. People call it ascorbic acid (surely everyone remembers sweet "vitamins" from childhood). During cold and flu epidemics, doctors recommend drinking tea with lemon, citrus juices, and rosehip infusion for good reason. These products contain vitamins for immunity, which are necessary to fight viruses at the cellular level.

Vitamin E prevents the body from being affected by respiratory infections, which are dangerous at any time of the year. These vitamins for immunity are found in vegetable oils, wheat sprouts, legumes, fresh spinach and are absolutely necessary for all people of mature and old age.

Human immunity especially needs vitamin D in winter, since in summer, under the influence of sunlight and ultraviolet radiation, it is quite capable of synthesizing without outside interference. In winter, to get these vitamins for immunity, increase the amount of fermented milk products (kefir, sour cream, cottage cheese) and white fish consumed.

Vitamins for immunity of group B are a kind of energy for the human body. They tone and provide normal functionality to all internal organs, help restore the body after severe injuries and stressful situations. If we take into account natural sources, vitamins of this group are contained in beans, peas, chickpeas, whole grain flour.

For a person, not only vitamins for immunity are important, but also a balanced amount of essential minerals, microelements and, of course, a healthy lifestyle.

If you do not have the opportunity to eat a balanced diet and pay due attention to composing your daily diet so that the body receives the necessary amount of vitamins and nutrients every day, pay attention to vitamins for immunity, which are formulated by specialists and are freely available in any pharmacy. Taking vitamins, sports training, proper nutrition - these are the basic rules, by following which you will easily strengthen your immune system and be able to boast of heroic health.

You are reporting a typo in the following text:
Simply click the "Send typo report" button to complete the report. You can also include a comment.