A woman’s immune system is a very intricate system of various tissues, cells and organs that work in unison to protect your body from things like disease and infection. While we have access to vaccines that can help boost our immunity to certain illnesses, our natural response ability is also very important. Getting enough sleep at night, eating healthy, working out and reducing your stress levels are just some of the ways that a woman can boost her immune system. There are also supplements that can assist.
Unfortunately, many women are deficient in nutrients. Either they aren’t able to get all of their healthy fruits, vegetables, lean protein and whole grains in their diet each day or they have other factors that are preventing them from absorbing nutrients, such as poor gut health. In this article I’m going to cover some of the ways that vitamin supplements can strengthen the female immune system. I’ll also point you in the direction of some of the best women's multivitamin supplements that can help boost immunity.
Quick Table of The Top Vitamins To Help Women's Immune System
Women's Vitamin for Immune Support | Price & Where to buy |
|---|---|
1. Ritual Essential for Women Multivitamin | |
2. Opositiv DISCO Women’s Multi | $31.99, buy at official website |
3. First Day Women’s Multivitamin Gummy | |
4. Zuzili Elderberry Gummies | |
5. Mary Ruth’s Women’s Multivitamin Gummies | $29.95, buy at official website (use coupon code: FITHEALTHY) |
6. 1st Phorm M-Factor Goddess | $24.99, buy at official website |
7. Complement Essential for Immune Defense Support |
Why Should Women Strengthen Their Immune System?
It has been scientifically proven that women have stronger immune systems than men, but that doesn’t mean that their immune systems are functioning optimally all the time.
Women these days are busier than ever before with working, taking care of their family, keeping up with household duties and much more. All of this can take a real toll on our bodies and immune systems.
When illness is present, but an immune system isn’t optimally active, symptoms can be severe, last longer than they normally would, and the body will find it challenging to fight off the illness.
It has become more important than ever to strengthen the immune system, and now women are understanding how important this function in their body is after experiencing the stress and risks of Covid-19.
Now is the perfect time to utilize products that will help strengthen your immune system if you’re a female and you think that this additional support is important.
Can Multivitamins Help Boost Immunity for Women?
Multivitamins contain a number of nutrients that can boost immunity and immune function. Optimal nutrition is an important part of gut health, and the state of our gut determines how healthy our immune systems are.
Much of our immune system exists in our gut, and things like inflammation, lack of beneficial bacteria and irregular bowel movements can all contribute to poor gut health. Just one cause of these issues are nutritional deficiencies.
When you’re looking for a health supplement that will help boost immune function, there are certain nutrients to keep in mind.
Vitamins A, C, D and E are just some of the components of a multivitamin for immune support that can help you feel your best and boost immunity. Other ingredients like elderberry and functional mushrooms can also play an important role in immune support.
Vitamins and Minerals Women Need for a Healthy Immune System
Let’s take a more in-depth look at some of the vitamins and minerals that women need in order to maintain a healthy immune system.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin that most people associate with a healthy immune system. The female body is unable to produce vitamin C on its own, so it’s important to get enough from diet and supplementation.
Contributing to the growth and repair of tissue, vitamin C has antioxidant properties that fight free radical damage that can lead to disease and cancer. Women are more prone to osteoporosis over the age of 50, but vitamin C can prevent cartilage loss and promote bone health.
Taking vitamin C on a daily basis might not prevent you from getting sick all together, but some information suggests that this potent vitamin can shorten the length of your symptoms. You can get your C naturally from oranges, citrus fruits, tomatoes, berries, bell peppers, potatoes and broccoli. You can also supplement with it if you don’t feel you can change your current diet.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is a group of eight different fat-soluble compounds that have very potent antioxidant effects. While you can find it in foods like nuts, seeds and vegetables, most people are deficient.
Vitamin E is an essential nutrient included in multivitamin supplements for women looking to boost immune function. It protects your cells from oxidative damage and neutralizes free radicals. Our immune system relies on vitamin E for optimal protection.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is essential for the body to be able to conduct proper cell division and provide immune protection. With antioxidant properties, vitamin A can reduce your risk of damage from free radicals, radiation and pollution. It’s also very important for eye health.
Vitamin D
Over 40 percent of the female population in the U.S. is deficient in vitamin D. When the sun doesn’t show itself much in the winter months, we’re not able to keep our levels high enough that vitamin D can boost our immune function and keep us healthy. Your doctor may have recommended that you take a vitamin D supplement, as you can’t usually get enough from your diet alone.
Vitamin D deficiency can put you at an elevated risk of catching an illness from a virus or bacteria. You may also be at an elevated risk of cancer or disease. Since our immune system is our first line of defense, it’s ideal that a multivitamin supplement contains D in it.
Folate / Folic Acid
Folic acid is also known as vitamin B9, and it is an essential nutrient that the female body needs in order to form red blood cells. It’s also used to repair and build cells in the body and replace old cells with new ones. We need protective cells as part of our immune system to keep us healthy and folic acid can provide us with this support.
Iron
Iron is an element that the body needs in order to regulate the immune system. It aids in the production of lymphocytes, which are white blood cells that fight disease and infection. Women are frequently deficient in iron when they are at the ages of menstruation. When iron levels are low (also known as anemia), we are more prone to disease and severe illness.
Selenium
Selenium is a powerful antioxidant that can protect against free radicals and oxidative stress. It can protect cells in the body, boost the immune system and reduce your risk of getting cancer. Selenium is found in foods such as nuts, fish and fortified foods, but it’s something most women don’t get enough of from their diet alone.
Zinc
Zinc is an essential nutrient that has a large role in immune function and cell function. When you’re deficient in zinc, you are at a higher risk of becoming ill from a pathogen that you come into contact with. Many immune boosting supplements utilize zinc to fight infection faster and diminish symptoms.
The Seven Best Vitamins for Women’s Immune System
Let’s break down seven of the best immune system vitamin products for women.
#1. Ritual Essential for Women Multivitamin
Formulated for women ages 18 to 49, Ritual Essential for Women Multivitamin provides powerful immune support thanks to antioxidant-rich ingredients like vitamin E, vitamin D and iron. It can fight against free radicals and boost your immune system. This supplement also has the potential to boost your brain health, bone health and blood health.
Ritual also has a vitamin line for women over the age of 50. Women at this age have different nutritional needs when they are post-menopausal. Vegan-certified Vitamin D3 from lichen is included to boost the body’s natural immune response. It also protects the heart and contributes to bone health which is important over the age of 50 when a woman’s risk of osteoporosis increases.
Pros
- Provides antioxidant support to boost immune function
- Supports bone and brain health
- Contains traceable ingredients
- Third-party testing is used
- Products for women over the age of 50 are available
Cons
- If you’re post-menopausal, you have to switch over to the 50+ vitamin. Women at that age do not need to supplement with additional iron, so it hasn’t been added to that variety.
Fifteen different vitamins and minerals have been added to Opositiv DISCO Women’s Multi such as vitamins A, B complex, C, D, E and DHA. Also included are adaptogens such as ashwagandha and rhodiola. All of these ingredients together provide immune support, stress relief and improved brain function. This is a multivitamin for women that has been taken to a new level. They taste great thanks to flavors like pineapple, tropical punch, and strawberry so you won’t have any trouble remembering to take them each day. It’s vegan friendly and gluten free.
Pros
- Contains 15 core vitamins and minerals
- Includes adaptogens
- Provides antioxidant support for an immune boost
- Pleasant taste
Cons
- Contains non-organic natural flavors
First Day Women’s Multivitamin Gummy is designed for females over the age of 17 and is free of corn syrup, artificial flavors, synthetic colors and GMOs. It contains 80 percent less sugar than your average gummy vitamin, and includes plenty of potent nutrients such as A, B1, B2, B6, B9, B12, C, D3, and K. Backed by scientific advisors, First Day Women’s Multivitamin Gummy is the perfect addition to your routine if you’re looking for optimal immune support and to fill in any nutritional gaps that are in your diet.
Pros
- Contains 80 percent less sugar than your average gummy vitamin
- Free of artificial ingredients
- Science backed product that uses updated research to formulate effective products
- Gelatin free and gluten free
- Made with organic fruits and vegetables
Cons
- Contains less than 100 percent daily values
Zuzili Elderberry Gummies are a wellness supplement that you can take daily for powerful antioxidant support that will boost immunity, reduce your stress levels and speed up recovery. All you need to do is take two gummies per day, which is easy thanks to the mildly sweet and fruity flavor of the product. More than just essential nutrients and trace minerals, elderberry has been included in Zuzili Elderberry Gummies thanks to its high nutritional and antioxidant composition. The body will be able to easily absorb these ingredients with minimal stomach or digestive upset.
Pros
- Provides antioxidant support designed to reduce inflammation
- Has potential to strengthen the immune system
- Fights back against the common cold and the flu
- Reduces stress levels
Cons
- Contains coconut
Mary Ruth’s has designed these strawberry flavored gummies to support overall health and immune function. Mary Ruth’s Women’s Multivitamin Gummies are made with wholesome and nutritional ingredients to provide your body with everything that it needs for optimal immune health such as vitamins A, C, D3, E, B6, B12 and zinc. Potassium iodide has also been included for thyroid health and the regulation of hormone production.
Pros
- Formulated for women with immune support in mind
- Delicious natural strawberry flavor
- Vegan friendly
- Also supports overall health
- Free from all major allergens
- Made in a GMP facility
Cons
- Iron has not been included
- Contains stevia
1st Phorm M-Factor Goddess provides a woman’s body with all of the essential vitamins, minerals, amino acids and nutrients that are needed for healthy immune function, hormone production, energy production, anti-aging effects and much more. Also included is a blend of green tea that will promote healthy energy levels, reduce inflammation in the body and much more.
This product can protect your body from free radical damage and oxidative stress. Made from pharmaceutical grade ingredients, 1st Phorm M-Factor Goddess contains very precise ratios of ingredients that will balance all of your biochemical functions and keep your body in check.
Pros
- Fills in nutritional gaps
- Boosts natural immune function
- Contains green tea and amino acids
- Powerful superfood blend
- Balances hormone production
Cons
- A little pricey
- Newer product, but many women love it
Complement Essential for Immune Defense Support is designed to support the body’s natural immune defenses while also protecting the heart, regulating metabolism, boosting brain function and much more. It is a capsule-based product that has been essence with peppermint to prevent any kind of bad taste or aftertaste. Third-party testing has been used to confirm the integrity and safety of the product. Complement Essential for Immune Defense Support is designed with women in mind so you can fill in nutritional gaps and focus on optimal health. It contains ingredients such as K2, D3, selenium, iodine, DHA and zinc.
Pros
- Vegan friendly
- Contains traceable ingredients
- Third-party tested
- Supports healthy immune function
- Promotes brain health
- Capsule design
Cons
- Comes in a refillable container design that is great for the environment, but the packaging doesn’t look childproof
What to Look For
I put together a resourceful list of what to look for when choosing an effective vitamin for women's immune system. Call it a check list, if you will, but this is something that I use to this day.
The Product Contains Vitamins and Minerals That Help Boost Immunity
The marketing that you’ll find on a bottle of supplements or on a brand’s website can provide you with important information regarding the potential benefits you can achieve from that product. Look for something that explains that the product contains vitamins and minerals that will help boost your immunity. This is likely a much different formulation than a traditional multivitamin for women. Included nutrients may include vitamin C, D and zinc just to name a few.
Quality of Ingredients
The quality of the ingredients used in an immune boosting supplement for women is important. You don’t want to put anything into your body that will harm you rather than help you. High quality ingredients should come from trusted sources, so you get the immune boosting assistance that you’re looking for.
Brands That Focus on Women’s Health and Wellness
There are specific brands in the health and wellness industry that develop products with women specifically in mind. It’s beneficial to find a supplement that is made specifically for your gender and needs. This is your best chance at getting the protection and nutrient boosting benefits that you desire. Mary Ruth’s and First Day are just a couple of the brands that have supplements specifically designed for women.
Third-Party Tested Vitamins
Third-party testing is used to check the safety and purity of a product. This testing is done by a provider that is different from the company that made the vitamins so you know that you can trust the results.
The Bottom Line
When you’re a woman looking to boost your immune health, there are lifestyle and dietary changes that you can utilize to improve your health. However, it’s difficult to get everything that you need from your diet alone.
That’s why I recommend you seriously look into a vitamin supplement designed for women that has ingredients which will boost your immune system. This will help protect your body from long term issues like cancer and heart disease, but you should also see a difference in how you feel when you come into contact with an illness like the cold or flu.
We could all benefit from being able to get back on our feet quicker after getting sick.
Tips for Success from the Nutritionist
Looking for other ways to boost your immune system besides taking a multivitamin supplement? Here are some of my tips for success.
- Getting enough sleep at night is incredibly important. Get at least eight hours of quality sleep and listen to your body when it’s telling you that it’s tired. Sleep is the perfect time for your body to recharge.
- Drinking more water helps the body remain more oxygenated, which boosts the immune system. Strive for eight glasses of water each day, but more fluids are optimal.
- Eating healthy fats like those that are in fish, olive oil and avocados may have the potential to boost your immune function. Work them into your diet each day.
Should You Take a Women’s Vitamin for Immune System Support?
Wondering if you should take a women’s vitamin to support your immune system? Consider your lifestyle and your diet.
Are you eating enough plant-based foods and whole foods? Do you feel that you’re eating a healthy diet that contains all of the right nutrients? If not, a supplement can fill in any nutritional gaps that you have.
Also, think about how you feel when you do get sick. Does it take you a while to get over your illnesses? Your immune system might be struggling and could use some additional support.