Can Immunity-Boosting Supplements Keep You From Getting Sick?

There’s No Such Thing As A Sure Thing

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Having a healthy immune system is part of the equation of remaining healthy – but it isn’t the whole picture. There are a number of factors that contribute to your chances of getting sick. These include:

• Living conditions. Living in close quarters with multiple people puts you at a higher risk of getting sick.
• Lack of sleep. Sleep-deprived individuals are more likely to get sick after being exposed to a virus.
• Genetics. Researchers at the NIH have identified a certain set of genes that help one fight viruses – but the set looks slightly different from one person to another.
• Previous infection. Having been infected with a virus can give you a limited period of immunity.

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• Time of exposure. The phase of incubation or infection the infected individual you come in contact with impacts your chances of getting sick.

Then there are the matter of personal choices like washing your hands, wearing a mask, avoiding crowded places, and canceling plans with a friend who has a sore throat. You can take a consistent regimen of USP-verified supplements but if any of these other factors are playing against you, supplements cannot keep you from getting sick.