Specific vitamins and minerals have immune supportive and anti-viral properties.
Taking supplements helps to optimize nutrients that influence immune function.
For those that are at higher risk of infection due to age or an underlying condition, specific supplements may be even more important in providing an additional layer of protection.
Your body knows how to fight a virus. The immune system is a complex system of organs, tissues and cells throughout the body that communicate and work together to protect you from what is not you.
It includes the skin, mucous membranes, and the digestive system that create barriers allowing nutrients to get in and keep pathogens out. It also includes innate immunity, which is your general defense against invaders and acquired immunity where your body creates antibodies to a specific microbe. All of this requires various nutrients, in good supply, so that each part of the system can do its job effectively.
Eating a healthy, nutrient dense diet is a great start, however, most diets are lacking the vitamins and minerals necessary to reach optimal status.
Bottom Line: Most of us need more of many nutrients. Using high quality supplements is a great way to cover your bases and improve the structure and function of systems throughout the body.
Many clinical studies are being done on the roles that these compounds have on preventing or reducing the impact of Covid-19. Based on the research available, here is a list of supplements that may be useful in the prevention as well as potentially inhibiting the replication of this virus.
Zinc is a critical nutrient for the immune system, and one that those most at risk for COVID-19, including the elderly, tend to be deficient in.
Zinc functions in both the innate (first line of defense) and adaptive immune systems and even suppresses viral attachment, playing a role in fighting respiratory infections. For these reasons, zinc is a key player in the protocol used in COVID-19 treatment.
As we age, zinc status tends to go down for a variety of factors including not eating enough zinc-rich foods like grass-fed beef, oysters and pumpkin seeds.
In addition, stomach acid tends to decline with age making it harder to digest protein and extract the minerals from these foods.
Did you know that zinc also plays a role in our sense of taste? When we are deficient in zinc we can’t taste our food as well and might go for more salty, sweet or processed options.
Interestingly, a loss of taste and smell is a documented symptom of COVID-19 and in some cases is the first, or only, sign of the disease.
Reference:
Vitamin D is often thought of in terms of bone health, but it is also critically important for the immune system to be able to do its job.
Some preliminary research makes the link between low vitamin D levels and the severity of COVID-19 outcomes.
Lower vitamin D levels are also linked to an increased susceptibility to infection and higher levels may protect against auto-immune diseases.
The standard vitamin D recommendations (600IU per day) are woefully low for maintaining optimal blood levels between 50 and 80 ng/mL, the recommended levels for prevention of COVID-19 infection and complications.
The best course of action is to have your vitamin D levels checked every year and adjust supplementation accordingly.
In absence of testing, I suggest following the Institute for Functional Medicine recommendations and supplementing with 5000 IU per day.
Reference:
Evidence Regarding Vitamin D and Risk of COVID-19 and Its Severity
Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant with anti-inflammatory and immune supportive properties. It contributes to immune defense by supporting various cellular functions of the immune system.
The coronavirus and other severe acute respiratory illnesses increase oxidative stress in the body which can lead to cellular and tissue damage. High-doses of vitamin C have been shown to be a safe, effective, and valuable therapeutic agent for respiratory infections.
Since this essential vitamin is not synthesized in the body we either need to ingest from food, or take as a supplement.
Reference:
Possible application of high-dose vitamin C in the prevention and therapy of coronavirus infection
Quercetin is a flavonoid found in a variety of foods (including the herbs cilantro and dill as well as onions, kale, cranberries, and capers). It is a natural zinc ionophore. Zinc-ionophores transport the zinc in and out of the cell and can increase the effects of zinc in the cell.
It is well recognized that zinc is an essential trace element, influencing growth and affecting the development and integrity of the immune system, and that severe zinc deficiency depresses immune function.
Reference:
Omega-3 fatty acids are required for a number of body functions, from proper blood flow to brain development.
These long-chain fatty acids are integral components of tissues and organ systems throughout the body, including the heart, skin, joints, eyes and immune system. Recent research suggests that EPA and DHA supplementation is potentially beneficial in managing inflammation or “cytokine storm” in Coronavirus disease.
Reference:
Probiotics support nutrient absorption, help maintain a healthy balance of organisms in the intestinal tract, and support immune function.
The microbiome is a key factor in building immune resilience and an imbalance is associated with developing inappropriate immune responses.
Gut issues are often one of the root causes to symptoms and disease, including immune diseases.
Probiotics help to restore gut health and microbial balance, which in turn fosters the foundation for resilient immunity.
Resveratrol is a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory nutraceutical with antiviral and antimicrobial properties. It has been studied for its therapeutic potential against viruses that are responsible for severe respiratory infections or pneumonia like the influenza virus, and Covid-19.The anti-inflammatory benefits may be potentially valuable to the severe virus-associated complications that are related to the overactivation of the host-immune response, known as the cytokine storm.
Reference:
Therapeutic potential of resveratrol against emerging respiratory viral infections
A review of numerous studies confirm how curcumin may inhibit a number of different molecules that play a role in inflammation.
Curcumin supports immune function, intestinal health, detoxification, healthy aging, mental health, joint health, cardiovascular health and pain management.
It’s also an important antioxidant compound that fights free radicals throughout the body.
The liposomal form offers greatest absorption and bioavailability.
Reference:
Potential effects of curcumin in the treatment of COVID-19 infection
Nitric oxide (NO) is an antimicrobial molecule with key roles in pulmonary vascular function in the context of viral infections and other pulmonary diseases.
Reference:
Glutathione is the body’s master antioxidant, important for protecting cells from the damage caused by viruses and other infections.
Glutathione also plays a key role in detoxification and immune health.
Glutathione deficiency has been linked to serious illness from COVID-19 and glutathione therapy is potentially a beneficial treatment during the illness and throughout recovery.
Internally, I recommend liposomal glutathione for the best bioavailability. Glutathione can also be nebulized for direct effect on the lungs.
To amplify the effect of glutathione, build your sulfur pool by eating at least 1 serving of cruciferous veggies daily such as broccoli, arugula, cabbage or cauliflower.
Reference:
Magnesium is a truly magical mineral and helps facilitate over 300 chemical reactions in the body. Magnesium supports cardiovascular health, muscles, nerves, bones, mood, brain health and metabolism.
Based on magnesium’s many functions, it plays an important role in prevention and treatment of many diseases. Low levels of magnesium have been also associated with a number of chronic diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease, insulin resistance and type-2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease.
Reference:
L-lysine, vitamins A and C, pantothenic acid and B12 plus botanical extracts like black elderberry, astragalus, echinacea, and andrographis, all of which have been used traditionally for their clinically effective immune- modulating properties.
Reference:
Immunomodulatory and antimicrobial effects of some traditional chinese medicinal herbs: a review
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Wishing everyone a beautiful and love-filled Mother’s Day.💐🌸💖
Today, I’m so grateful for my amazing mom, who turned 94 in April. Her support and encouragement have been a constant source of strength throughout my life.
She’s shown me what it means to be strong, compassionate, and resilient. And she raised three daughters to be independent and confident, each in our own way.💞
I also feel deeply grateful to be a mom myself. Being a mother to two grown men fills my heart in ways words can’t fully express.
If you’re fortunate enough to celebrate with your mom today, hold her close and cherish the time together.🤗
To all the mothers, grandmothers, and mother figures, thank you for your love, your strength, and the quiet ways you shape the world.
Pictured here with my mom, one of my sisters, and her two daughters, my beautiful nieces.💗
With love,
Dr. Ann
#happymothersday #motherslove❤️
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MAFLD (Metabolic-Associated Fatty Liver Disease) is often reversible, especially when caught early.
If you’ve been told you have fatty liver, or suspect you might, here’s how to begin healing from a root-cause perspective:
1️⃣ Balance Blood Sugar + Address Insulin Resistance
It’s not fat that causes fatty liver—it’s sugar and refined carbs.
Focus on whole, nutrient-dense foods:
– Organic veggies + fruits
– High-quality protein
– Healthy fats (olive oil, avocado, wild fish)
And don’t forget movement, sleep, and stress—these are key to restoring insulin sensitivity.
2️⃣ Reduce Your Toxic Load
Give your liver a break by reducing exposures:
– Minimize alcohol
– Swap plastics for glass or stainless steel
– Ditch synthetic fragrances + toxic cleaners
– Use an air filter + check air quality before heading outside
3️⃣ Get the Right Labs
Talk to your provider or functional medicine practitioner about:
– Liver enzymes (ALT, AST, GGT)
– Fasting insulin + glucose
– A1C + lipid panel
These give powerful insight into early metabolic changes.
4️⃣ Support Detox Pathways
Your liver is constantly working to detoxify—let’s give it a hand.
Consider nutrients like:
– Glutathione
– NAC
– Milk thistle
– Curcumin
– Alpha-lipoic acid
– Methylated B vitamins
Fatty liver is more than a liver issue—it’s a sign your body is under metabolic stress.
But you can turn it around.
By addressing the root causes, you’re not just reversing MAFLD—you’re also reducing the risk of chronic disease and supporting your overall health
Dr. Ann
#fattyliver #fattyliverdisease #liverhealth #liverhealth
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Healthy aging doesn’t just depend on eating well and exercising.
Daily exposure to toxins can damage your cells, influencing how your body and brain age.
We often think that decline with age is inevitable. However, how we age is deeply influenced by our environment, including daily exposure to toxins.
Even low-level, chronic exposure to chemicals in our food, air, water, personal care, and home products can quietly disrupt the biological processes that keep us healthy and resilient.
Here’s how toxins accelerate aging at the cellular level:
➡️ They increase oxidative stress, damaging DNA and accelerating cellular wear
➡️ They impair mitochondrial function, draining your energy and vitality
➡️ They fuel chronic inflammation, the root of many age-related diseases
➡️ They disrupt hormone signaling, affecting detox, metabolism, and longevity
Over time, this hidden toxic burden can impact your brain, skin, energy, joints, and more, making you feel older than you are.
When you reduce your toxic exposures and support your detox pathways, your body responds.👏
Your cells begin to repair. Inflammation calms. Energy returns.💪
Healthy aging becomes possible because you’re removing what stands in the way of your body’s natural resilience.
Small changes truly make a big difference.
👉Swipe through to learn more and discover how to protect your cells, your brain, and your future.
Want to learn more? Download my free guide, How to Be Safe in a Toxic World — link in bio.
Dr. Ann
#agingwell #agingbackwards #getbetterwithage #healthyliving #longevity #healthspan #healthyaging
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You are doing your best to eat a healthy, whole-food diet full of organic vegetables and fruits.
Yet you are suffering with symptoms like bloating, joint pain, brain fog, skin irritation, fatigue, or even kidney stones.
This may be due to how your body responds to certain naturally occurring compounds in otherwise healthy foods. Histamines or oxalates, and sometimes both.
Under healthy conditions, enzymes in the gut, liver, and kidneys help break down histamines and excrete oxalates efficiently.
But when gut health is compromised, detox pathways are overwhelmed, or nutrients like vitamin B6, magnesium, or sulfur compounds are depleted, these compounds can accumulate.
👉 Histamines may trigger immune and neurological responses, leading to inflammation, rashes, anxiety, and digestive symptoms.
👉 Oxalates can bind to minerals, irritate tissues, and contribute to joint pain, fatigue, urinary discomfort, or kidney stones.
Even nutritious foods can become problematic when the body’s ability to process them is impaired.
Histamine intolerance and oxalate sensitivity are more common than you may think.
See slides 👆 for symptoms to watch for and some of the high histamine and high oxalate foods that could be causing your health issues.
If you would like to learn more, download my free Low Histamine and Low Oxalate Diet Guide. Link in bio.
Dr. Ann
#histamineintolerance #histamine #oxalates #kidneystones #symptoms
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This study was published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, and the findings make it clear: removing ultra-processed foods from your diet should be one of your top priorities for your health and wellbeing❗️
The researchers analyzed dietary and mortality data from 8 countries, including the U.S., U.K., and Brazil, and found that:
➡️ Every 10% increase in Ultra-processed food (UPF) intake raises the risk of early death by 3%.
➡️ In the U.S., 124,000 preventable deaths in 2018 alone were linked to UPF consumption.
➡️ In countries where UPFs make up more than half of daily calories, up to 14% of deaths may be preventable.
UPFs are made from refined ingredients and chemical additives, with little or no whole food content. They’re engineered for convenience, not nutrition.
Examples:
• Packaged snacks and chips
• Sweetened cereals
• Sodas and energy drinks
• Fast food and instant meals
• Flavored yogurts and processed meats
It’s not just that they contain excess sugar, salt, or unhealthy fat.
UPFs also contain artificial sweeteners, preservatives, and colorings, plus emulsifiers that disrupt the gut.
They’ve also been linked to over 30 diseases, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, depression, and some cancers.
Which means that they will likely contribute to more preventable deaths.
What you can do:
✅ Choose whole, nutrient-dense foods
✅ Cook more at home
✅ Travel with healthy, whole food snacks
✅ Read ingredient labels carefully
✅ Avoid packaged, ready-to-eat items
✅ Support public policies that protect food quality and health
Dr. Ann
#healthresearch #processedfood #newstudy #unhealthyfood
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More and more couples are struggling to conceive, and the reasons go beyond hormones and genetics.
Environmental toxins, like mercury, play a major role in fertility challenges—and their impact extends far beyond conception.
New research show that mercury exposure can significantly damage male reproductive health—even at low levels.
Found in contaminated seafood, pollution, dental fillings, and industrial waste, mercury builds up in the body over time.
It disrupts essential functions, damaging sperm, lowering testosterone, and increasing oxidative stress, which can affect not only fertility but also the health of future generations.☹️
This isn’t just about getting pregnant—it’s about supporting the healthiest possible start for your baby. 🥰
The good news? There are steps you can take to reduce your exposure and support detoxification for both parents.👆See slides for tips.
Want to learn more? Download my FREE guide: “How to Conceive a Healthy Baby in a Toxic World.” Link in bio!
Tag someone who needs to know this!
Dr. Ann
#mercury #toxins #toxinsout #fertility #infertilityawareness #maleinfertility #maleinfertilityawareness #infertilityjourney #everybabywell
Dr. Ann
...
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For Tips, News, Recipes And Inspiration To Restore Your Health And Live Vibrantly!