The grass is getting greener, trees are blooming, and you’re sneezing — again. If spring means constant trips to the store for nasal tissues and over-the-counter allergy medications, it’s no wonder you might not be too excited about nature springing back to life.
Fortunately, there are ways to support your immune system and keep it from feeling chaotic.
For example, common immune system boosters such as vitamin C offer natural antihistamine benefits, with studies suggesting it can help with runny noses, itching, and sneezing. Zinc helps regulate how your body reacts to potential threats.
When combined to suit your needs (based on blood tests), minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants can significantly improve your immune responses and overall health.
At Church Street Medical Center and Aesthetics, our experts use IV therapy to deliver beneficial nutrients directly into your bloodstream. That method bypasses the digestive system, which breaks down most supplements before they’re fully absorbed.
Here, our team discusses how some IV therapy ingredients support your immune system.
Vitamin C: The cornerstone of immune health
Vitamin C is an antioxidant that supports your body in several ways, including:
- Stimulates production of the cells (white blood cells) that fight infections
- Strengthens epithelial barriers (skin, mucous membranes) against pathogens
- Reduces oxidative stress, neutralizing free radicals to protect cells from damage
Vitamin C requirements vary from person to person. Your diet — especially sugar intake — can impact how much vitamin C your body needs. The more sugar you eat, the more vitamin C you may require; high sugar consumption can decrease vitamin C absorption.
Zinc: Your immune system regulator
Zinc is involved in over 300 enzymatic processes, but perhaps its most important role is calibrating the immune response.
Zinc helps ensure immune system balance — not too weak (which could leave you vulnerable to illness) or too strong (which could lead to autoimmune issues or allergies). It also helps lower inflammation, a risk factor for immune dysregulation that can do more harm than good.
Antioxidant blend: Ensuring your immune cells stay healthy
Your immune cells take care of you, but who takes care of them? Fortunately, antioxidants do. Glutathione and alpha-lipoic acid are just a few of the antioxidants used in IV therapy that protect immune cells from oxidative stress.
Immune cells are as susceptible to damage as other cells in the body, so having antioxidants to protect them is vital for a robust and well-functioning immune system.
This spring, smell the flowers — without sneezing
Unlike oral supplements, IV therapy has a high absorption rate of up to 99%, ensuring that all the vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants have a significant positive impact.
Plus, under the guidance of our medical providers, you receive a personalized blend based on your blood tests and unique needs.
If you dread spring allergies, know that there are ways to support your immune system. Call our office in Lenoir, North Carolina, or book your appointment online today so you can enjoy the season without a pocketful of tissues.