Of all vitamins and minerals, 10 are known to contribute towards a healthy immune system:
Vitamin C helps to maintain a healthy immune system. It has been observed that vitamin C increases the proliferation of certain immune cells (T lymphocytes) in vitro (1, 2)and encourages the production of certain molecules in the immune system known as interferons) in cell cultures (3, 4). The concentration of vitamin C is 100 times greater in certain immune cells (phagocytes and lymphocytes) than in plasma, suggesting that it has a physiological role in the immune system's cells.
Vitamins B6, B9, B12, D and A as well as selenium, zinc, copper and iron also play a role in the body's defenses.
(1) Manzella JP, Roberts NJ. Human macrophage and lymphocyte response to mitogen stimulation after exposure to influenza virus, ascorbic acid, and hyperthermia. J Immunol. 1979;123:1940-1944. (2) Smit MJ, Anderson R. Inhibition of mitogen-activated proliferation of human lymphocytes by hypochlorous acid in vitro: protection and reversal by ascorbate and cysteine. Agents Actions. 1990;30:338-343. (3) Dahl H, Degre M. The effect of ascorbic acid on production of human interferon and antiviral activity in vitro. Acta Pathol Microbiol Scand B. 1976;84B:280-284. (4) Siegel BV. Enhancement of interferon production by poly(rI)-poly(rC) in mouse cell cultures by ascorbic acid. Nature. 1975;254:531-532.