Immune Boosters That Are Safe During Pregnancy

/ Cincinnati Birth Center/
 

In the midst of cold & flu season, keeping our immune systems strong is at the forefront of all of our minds. But when you’re pregnant, it can be tricky to know what immune boosters are safe to use.

Luckily, there are a few natural immune boosters that are pregnancy-safe. Here are four immune boosters that will help you to strengthen your body’s ability to fight off seasonal sickness:


1. SPEARMINT
It’s safe to use throughout your pregnancy (and with your kids), and makes for a great soothing tea. Our favorite way to get a regular dose of spearmint is by drinking it as a tea. Spearmint teas can be found at your local grocery or drugstore.

2. VITAMIN D3/K2
During the winter months, our bodies normally don’t get enough D3 from sunlight (especially in the midwest). It’s important to make sure that your body is getting at least 6,400 IU of D3 per day. This will help to prevent gestational diabetes, hypertension, colds, and the flu. Breastfeeding moms who take this amount don’t need to give their baby additional vitamin D drops, as the vitamin D will go through the breastmilk.

3. MUSHROOMS
Mushrooms contain strong antioxidants and nutrients that have proven immunological properties. We recommend incorporating reishi, maitake, and shitake mushrooms into your diet. Add them into a stir fry, roast, or saute them and eat them as a side dish.

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If mushrooms aren’t your cup of tea, you can take capsules of reishi, maitake, and shitake blends as an alternative.

4. ZINC
This is an essential mineral often found in seafood, pumpkin seeds, and organ meats. We recommend eating seafood or supplementing it with grass-fed beef liver capsules during your pregnancy. 

For more prenatal and postpartum nutrition tips, connect with us on Instagram at @cincinnati.birth.center. To learn how to prevent high blood pressure during pregnancy, read our recent blog post.