Immunity

Ensuring your body has enough vitamin C is essential for it to work as it should - having a lack of vitamin C can increase your chances of becoming unwell.

Vitamin B6, which you can take in a vitamin B complex, produces cells that will regulate your immune response, while vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that can help your body to fight off an infection.

It’s important to note that no vitamin can cure or prevent you from catching a disease.

While no research currently supports the use of a supplement against the protection of covid-19, boosting your immune system may prevent you from catching two viruses at the same time, and in turn, reducing the severity of your symptoms.

Vitamin C, D and zinc are all essential to the normal function of your immune system.

Whilst taking a vitamin C supplement won’t prevent you from catching a cold or flu virus, it may play an important role in helping you to feel better.

Taking a vitamin C supplement every day, or making sure you’re getting enough through your diet, may help to shorten the amount of time you’re sick.

You should, however, aim to keep your vitamin C levels at an adequate level all the time, not just when you’ve got a cold.

The trouble with a vitamin D deficiency is that it isn't always easy to spot.

Symptoms of a vitamin D deficiency can be subtle and you may not realise that you are deficient.

Signs of a vitamin D deficiency can include:

• Fatigue or tiredness
• Bone, joint or muscle pain
• Low mood or energy
• Being frequently ill
• Feeling anxious
• Irritability
• Weight gain
• Hair loss

A deficiency in children and babies can be quite dangerous, as it can lead to a disease called rickets.

This is a serious bone problem that can cause complications, such as bowed legs.

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