POLOKWANE – “Which multivitamin is the best?” the mother asked me.
Her 2-year-old, flushed with fever, was squirming on her lap. It was late, and I wanted to give a blunt answer like ‘none of them’, ‘It’s a waste of money’ or ‘I’ve never taken a vitamin in my life’.
The fact is that vitamins are not the immune boosters we make it out to be.
When vitamins were discovered in the early half of the twentieth century, diseases like scurvy, beri-beri and rickets were common in the general population.
Vitamin deficiencies were identified as the cause behind them.
Food fortification by governments and individualised supplements in certain at-risk groups have made these illnesses a rare occurrence in first world countries and most parts of South Africa, but the substance of science and fact made way for the shadow of folklore and habit.
Vitamins are still inextricably linked to a strong immune system and companies are constantly tapping into that narrative and exploiting ignorance to sell all types of combinations, labeled as “immune boosters”.
You can get a general booster for kids, specific ones to protect against those nasty crechè bugs.
Scared of germs in the sky? An airplane-themed multivitamin has got you covered.
Not to mention the myriad of multivitamins for hair loss, arthritis, fatigue and infertility. All with a hint of scientificism on the label.
If you really want to boost your immune system, here are some evidence-based methods to do it:
• Healthy diet
Our diet contains enough vitamins and minerals, but it also contains more than enough fat and carbohydrates. The latter keeps your body in a constant state of inflammation and is detrimental to your immune system.
• Adequate sleep
Sleep loss (just like a poor diet) increases inflammation in the body that can lead to heart disease and other chronic illnesses. It also makes your immune system lazy and takes away its defenses.
• Exercise
There is a whole field of medicine dedicated to the positive effect that exercise has on the immune system, called “Exercise Immunology”.
• Stop smoking
Smoking needs no introduction as the wellspring of many health problems of which a weakened immune system is one.
The mother in front of me was still awaiting my answer, her toddler getting more irritated with the lack of attention. I started giving the information about a healthy lifestyle, but I saw this is not the right time.
“Which supplement are you taking currently?”
She mentioned one that the child likes.
“You can continue with it,” I said, “but give it as a reward for finishing a healthy meal.”
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