The Top Supplements for Summer Health: How to Support Your Immune System and Overall Wellness During This Season

Supplements- Gut Health Multiple

As the summer season arrives, there are many opportunities to optimize your health - particularly when it comes to supplements. In functional medicine, we recognize the importance of eating seasonally, so it only makes sense that your supplements would evolve as well. So as we spend more active time outside exposed to the heat and sunshine, there are a few key nutrients that can help us thrive and propel us into fall feeling better than we did at the start of the summer. Read on to learn more about my favorite supplements you need for your best summer ever.

ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW

Make Your Life a Cleanse

SUBSCRIBER-ONLY GUIDES FOR GUT HEALTH, VIBRANT ENERGY, HEALTHY FOOD & CLEAN ALCOHOL

 

Get FREE access to these + giveaways, recipes, & discount codes in personal emails from Dr. Will Cole.

1. Vitamin D

I can’t talk about the best summer supplements without mentioning vitamin D. Known as the sunshine vitamin, our bodies synthesize Vitamin D when we are exposed to the sun. And while we do get our fair share of sun this time of year, it isn’t always enough to boost any deficiencies (which 1 billion people globally (1) and 41% (2) of the U.S.population has!). Since Vitamin D is essential for a strong immune system I recommend starting daily supplementation now in order to reap the rewards come fall and winter.

2. Electrolytes

Electrolytes, such as sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium, play a vital role in maintaining proper hydration and overall health, especially during the scorching summer months. When we sweat, we lose essential minerals along with water, disrupting the delicate electrolyte balance necessary for optimal bodily functions. By replenishing these electrolytes through supplementation, we can restore hydration levels, support efficient muscle function, promote nerve transmission, and regulate blood pressure. 

These mineral powerhouses also help combat fatigue, prevent heat exhaustion, and improve your energy levels so you can keep up with all your summer plans. You can find electrolyte supplements in convenient sachets in flavors like lime and watermelon. Just add one to water and you are good to go! LMNT is my personal favorite.

3. Antioxidants

Spending more time outdoors during the summer exposed us to increased levels of UV radiation and environmental pollutants. These external factors can cause harmful free radicals in our cells, leading to oxidative stress and potential damage to our DNA. Antioxidants - like polyphenol compounds and vitamins A, C, and E - act as powerful defenders against these oxidative processes by neutralizing free radicals to reduce inflammation, support immune function, and protect our cells. They also play a crucial role in maintaining healthy skin, which can be particularly vulnerable to sun damage during the summer months. 

You can find antioxidants naturally in seasonal foods like berries however, a targeted supplement is also a great choice to add in during the summer. The Antioxidant from my supplement line The Collection that is formulated with a blend of fruit extracts from extensively studied super-fruits and berries work together to provide the ultimate antioxidant protection.

4. Omega-3s

Although sitting in the sun is good for our vitamin D levels, it isn’t always the best for our skin, with prolonged sun exposure having been linked to everything from sunburns to accelerated aging, sun spots, and wrinkles. Omega-3s like DHA and EPA possess potent anti-inflammatory properties that can help counteract oxidative stress to reduce redness, swelling, and irritation. Healthy fats also promote moisture retention to support your skin’s natural barrier function, which can be compromised from sun exposure. You can find omega-3s abundantly in fish oil supplements like my supplement, The Omega+.

5. Magnesium

I mentioned magnesium earlier when talking about electrolytes, but a stand-alone magnesium supplement is a game-changer if you are traveling this summer! Traveling can do a number on your regular sleep patterns and lead to increased stress levels. Rather than turning to melatonin supplements (which can mess with your natural melatonin production), fight the jet and support your body’s natural sleep patterns by taking a magnesium supplement instead. Plus, it can help ease any discomfort and bloating that often coincides from flying and calm any nerves in the process!

Shop This Article

Dr. Will Cole's Personal Picks

To Elevate Your Wellness

6. Vitamin C

Another great skin supporter and antioxidant, Vitamin C can help support healthy skin by fighting against oxidative stress from increased UV radiation. Vitamin C is also the queen of immune support which can be extra beneficial if you are traveling and exposed to more germs.

7. Astaxanthin

While general antioxidant supplementation is beneficial, there are certain antioxidants that have been studied extensively for their ability to protect against sun damage. And when it comes to summertime skin protection, astaxanthin proves to be a remarkable ally. A type of carotenoid pigment derived from microalgae, astaxanthin offers unique benefits for skin health with studies (3) showing that it can actually help protect against skin damage and deterioration from UV rays while improving overall moisture on dry skin.

8. Zinc

As a key ingredient in sunscreen, zinc oxide helps protect your skin from the effects of UV radiation when used topically. This is most likely due to the fact that your skin’s epidermis contains highly concentrated levels of zin. But this antioxidant’s summertime benefits don’t stop there. Taking zinc in supplement form can also protect (4) against UV radiation and enhance your body’s ability to heal from wounds. And if you take zinc and Vitamin C together, this power duo can take your immune health to a whole new level. 

9. Probiotics

No matter what time of year it is, probiotics deserve a spot in your regular supplement routine. Not only do probiotics act as an insurance policy that you are giving your gut what it needs to thrive, studies have found that certain strains of probiotics can even help fight against long-term effects of sun damage, (5) especially when paired with antioxidant supplements.

10. Alpha lipoic acid

Your body naturally produces Alpha lipoic acid (ALA) on its own, but not always enough to capitalize on its UV protecting properties. ALA also aids in energy production and supports mitochondrial function, (6) helping to combat fatigue and maintain optimal energy levels during the active summer season.

As one of the first functional medicine telehealth clinics in the world, we provide webcam health consultations for people around the globe.

Photo: unsplash.com

Start Your Health Journey Today

FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE CONSULTATIONS FOR PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD

References:

  1. Palacios, Cristina, and Lilliana Gonzalez. “Is vitamin D deficiency a major global public health problem?.” The Journal of steroid biochemistry and molecular biology vol. 144 Pt A (2014): 138-45. doi:10.1016/j.jsbmb.2013.11.003
  2. Forrest, Kimberly Y Z, and Wendy L Stuhldreher. “Prevalence and correlates of vitamin D deficiency in US adults.” Nutrition research (New York, N.Y.) vol. 31,1 (2011): 48-54. doi:10.1016/j.nutres.2010.12.001
  3. to, Naoki et al. “The Protective Role of Astaxanthin for UV-Induced Skin Deterioration in Healthy People-A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.” Nutrients vol. 10,7 817. 25 Jun. 2018, doi:10.3390/nu10070817
  4. Rostan, Elizabeth F et al. “Evidence supporting zinc as an important antioxidant for skin.” International journal of dermatology vol. 41,9 (2002): 606-11. doi:10.1046/j.1365-4362.2002.01567.x
  5. Bouilly-Gauthier, D et al. “Clinical evidence of benefits of a dietary supplement containing probiotic and carotenoids on ultraviolet-induced skin damage.” The British journal of dermatology vol. 163,3 (2010): 536-43. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2133.2010.09888.x
  6. Dos Santos, Sávio Monteiro et al. “Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Alpha-Lipoic Acid: Beneficial or Harmful in Alzheimer's Disease?.” Oxidative medicine and cellular longevity vol. 2019 8409329. 30 Nov. 2019, doi:10.1155/2019/8409329

View More At Our Store

Purchase personally curated supplements
and Dr. Will Cole’s books!

Bew Global Shop Banner

The information on this website has not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration or any other medical body. We do not aim to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any illness or disease. Information is shared for educational purposes only. You must consult your doctor before acting on any content on this website, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition.

Our content may include products that have been independently chosen and recommended by Dr. Will Cole and our editors. If you purchase something mentioned in this article, we may earn a small commission.

Bio-Image

BY DR. WILL COLE

Evidence-based reviewed article

Dr. Will Cole, DNM, IFMCP, DC is a leading functional medicine expert who consults people around the globe, starting one of the first functional medicine telehealth centers in the world. Named one of the top 50 functional and integrative doctors in the nation, Dr. Will Cole provides a functional medicine approach for thyroid issues, autoimmune conditions, hormonal imbalances, digestive disorders, and brain problems. He is the host of the popular The Art Of Being Well podcast and the New York Times bestselling author of Intuitive Fasting, Ketotarian, The Inflammation Spectrum and the brand new book Gut Feelings: Healing the Shame-Fueled Relationship Between What You Eat and How You Feel.

Gut Feelings Dr. Will Cole 6

Gut Feelings

Healing The Shame-Fueled Relationship
Between What You Eat And How You Feel