Antioxidants’ role in improving your immune system

No matter your age, your immune system is a fortress for the body against serious infections, germs, pathogens, or in other words, invaders that affect quality of life. For this you need both vitamin and mineral antioxidants, often called the “free-radical scavengers”. This is because they are a type of substance you can get from food to prevent or slow damage to cells caused by free radicals from the environmental and other pressures. Especially for seniors, who need all the help they can get, nutrition is very important. When food alone is not enough, it is okay to work in nutritional supplements (eg. Ensure Gold contains 12 immunity supporting nutrients⁹ such as protein, Vitamin A, B6, B12, C, D, E, Folate, Selenium, Copper, Zinc and Iron) to fill in the daily immune support nutrients, especially the antioxidants. ^{1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10}

Vitamin Antioxidants

A – also known as beta-carotene, is a type of carotenoid, which are naturally occurring pigments in plants. As such it is a fat-soluble vitamin, when the body properly receives it, Vitamin A influences cell development, especially the activity of immune-system cells. This in turn supports the health of skin, lungs, and gut.^{3, 4}

Best sources – Dairy products, eggs, liver, and any collection of red, orange or green fruits and vegetables (think colorful).^{3, 4}

E – is responsible for helping enhance antibody concentration and help improve production of natural born killer cells in the body’s immune system. Since seniors can potentially have a less efficient immune system due to aging, an uptake of vitamin E can help support against oxidative damage for the cells.^{2, 3}

Get it from – almonds, sunflower seeds, vegetable oils, and enriched grains.^{2, 3}

Mineral Antioxidants

Selenium – this compound is needed by dependent enzymes that help regulate your immune system responses. This is so that it is more efficient in identifying and warding off potentially harmful threats. Similar in protective properties with Vitamin E, it aids in lowering oxidative stress, which reduces inflammation (excessive inflammation can damage healthy cells).^{3, 5}

Best sources – Rice, corn, flour, eggs, nuts, cheese, peas and beans.^{3, 5}

Zinc – potentially best in slot for helping fight infections and wound healing (collagen synthesis) part of the immune system. It aids it by improving cell signaling, so deficiency can lead to poor immune response and antibody productions. Also important for sense of smell and taste, and because zinc is not stored easily by the body, can take out your enjoyment of food, hindering your nutritional intake.^{3, 6}

Get it in – Meat, shellfish, legumes, seeds, nuts, dairy foods, eggs and whole grains.^{3, 6}

What can you do for additional support?

Because the immune system is part of something bigger, improving it through consumption of nutrients is just the beginning. The important nutrients seniors should get enough besides antioxidants are proteins for muscle preservation, calcium for bones, and D vitamins to help improve immunity. These can be easily found in fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, but seniors can choose an alternative supplemental nutrition when food alone is not enough. Made with high-quality protein and HMB (β-Hydroxy β-methylbutyric, a metabolite of amino acid leucine), and 28 vitamins and minerals (12 of which supports immunity, including ß-carotene, vitamins E, zinc & selenium)⁹, Ensure Gold can help restore strength in 8 weeks.^{7, 10} Rated as No. 1 Physician Recommended Oral Nutritional Supplement in the U.S.,⁸ 2 servings a day (6 scoops + 185ml of water per serving), your nutrition foundation is taken care of so you can live life to the fullest.⁷

For healthier and happier days ahead, antioxidants play an important role in our immune system. We can make or break our immune system unknowingly, so seniors need all the help they can get. To live well, one must eat well and when food alone is not enough, Ensure Gold is here to help. But how about for those who do not like the taste of milk? For that Ensure Gold Plant Based is now available. Made with plant-based protein from soy, rice, and quinoa, it is a non-milk alternative with the same scientific formulation of 28 vital nutrients that can help support strength, vitality, and activity.⁷

To sample both Ensure options before committing to the full course, visit Ensure Myanmar today to sign up.