Experts in Sport Podcast: Can supplements boost your immune system?

University courses Physical Sciences
1

As Covid strikes again, and as many of us catch the common cold again in the New Year, it’s really interesting to hear of ways that we might be able to optimise our immune system - especially if you are an athlete, and have important competitions coming up over the colder months.

This podcast talks about the use of Vitamin D supplement, zinc, vitamin C. Professor Gleeson also offers advice on how athletes can overcome the lack of vitamin D in the winter months:

“In the summer months, it’s not a problem. Once we get into April, the UV rays from sunlight become strong enough for us to produce vitamin D in the skin. We only generally need around 15-20 minutes of exposure a day to meet our requirements. In the winter it’s a different picture and you become reliant on what’s in the diet…which can be difficult. To get to the levels needed you probably do need supplements.”

Listen here!

4 Likes
2

As someone who was a professional athelete for 16 years, the topic of supplements has always interested me! Have always wondered if they’re beneficial for the immune system. Will definitely have a go at listening for this podcast😄

1 Like
3

would u wanna do a podcast on this topic?

4

this podcast is a great starting point for you! definitely worth considering at least a maintenance dose of 1000 IU vitamin D over the winter months in the UK… and if you start feeling a cold developing, taking lozenges that have zinc in them!

5

Definitely a timely topic! Especially with the cold and flu season hitting alongside COVID. :rofl:

1 Like