Dairy Supports Immune Function

A strong immune system helps you feel good no matter what comes your way!  

When germs enter your body, your immune system has a plan of attack – your white blood cells jump into action when they identify a foreign organism in your blood stream and work to contain and eliminate them¹. 

Dairy foods, as a part of an overall healthy diet, offer nutrients that can support normal immune function.  

• Protein: Consuming adequate amounts of protein helps fuel the white blood cells that are directly fighting off infection². Without enough protein, your white blood cells can’t work efficiently. The average adult should consume 0.36 grams of protein per pound of body weight³. One 6-ounce serving of Greek yogurt contains ~16 grams of protein (38% of your daily value). 

• Selenium: This mineral serves as an antioxidant to help protect white blood cells from oxidative stress and defend against chronic inflammation⁴. Dietary sources of selenium include grains, vegetables, meat/seafood, dairy foods and nuts. Adults need 55 micrograms of selenium per day⁵. Combining foods like 1 cup of fortified cereal with milk can increase your selenium intake up to ~15 micrograms (27% of your daily value). 

• Vitamin B12: Another name for this water-soluble vitamin is cobalamin. Vitamin B12 works to help regulate your immune system and support antiviral cellular activity⁶. Eggs, meat and dairy foods contain Vitamin B12, which is not naturally found in plants. The average adult needs 2.4 micrograms of zinc daily⁷. One slice (22 grams) of Swiss cheese contains 0.9 micrograms of Vitamin B12 (28% of your daily value). 

• Zinc: To regulate your body’s immune system, zinc is an essential micronutrient that is commonly found in meat foods, dairy foods, fortified grains and nuts⁸. Consuming these foods is the most bioavailable way for your body to metabolize and utilize zinc. Each day adults need 8-11 milligrams of zinc⁹. Every 8-ounce glass of dairy milk provides 1 milligram of zinc (9% of your daily value).  

These nutrients work together to support your muscles, brain, heart and lungs to create white blood cells and fight off infections. It is best to get nutrients from the foods you eat, and milk, cheese and yogurt are cost-effective ways to keep you healthy all year long!