With the flu season upon us and a contagious virus going around, now might be the best time to consider just what the immune system might need.

“There are definitely a lot of supplements that can be helpful,” says Good N’ Natural Health Food Store Senior Product Adviser Kaitlin Sylvester, “Vitamin D, Zinc, and Vitamin C are some of the top ones and we’ve seen a lot of people coming in for those things.”

Sylvester says Vitamin D also assists with stress levels and recommends 3,000 to 5,000 IUs daily while suggesting 2,000 milligrams of Vitamin C.

“Your immune system can’t function properly when zinc is deficient, and a lot of us do have a zinc deficiency,” says Sylvester who suggests a daily dose of 25 to 50 milligrams.

Sylvester says that 80% of the immune system resides in the gut and so regularly taking probiotics is another way to help the body.

“If you’re looking for prevention, or even if you get sick, elderberry, echinacea, and oregano oil are all fantastic herbs that can be really helpful in supporting immune function and are anti-bacterial and anti-viral as well.”

Sylvester also mentions hydration’s importance as it flushes toxins and bacteria out of the body. “About half to one ounce of water per pound of bodyweight is the recommended amount,” she informs, “so it’s going to look like 8 to 10 cups for a lot of people, but if you’re more active or drink a lot of coffee in the day, I would definitely up that to maybe 12 or 14.”

On top of that, Sylvester says some exercise is needed to get the lymph flowing and activating the lymphatic system, an important part of the immune system. “Going out for a little walk can be super helpful, even a 20-minute walk can really make a huge difference.”

Lastly, Sylvester suggests focusing on whole foods and avoiding sugars wherever possible.

“Sugar is an anti-nutrient,” she informs, “so it’s going to stop the body from absorbing the nutrients that you need to keep healthy.”

15-minute consults with Sylvester for advice on a number of health topics are available at their store.