Supplements for Immune Health
Maintaining a robust, healthy immune system is vital for defending the body against infections and maintaining overall health. While a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle are foundational, you can also use certain supplements to improve immune system function, including white blood cells’ ability to attack pathogens.
With so many important ingredients to look for, ranging from Vitamin C to adaptogenic mushrooms, it can be challenging to know which supplements for the immune system will be the best for you. In this article, we'll explain the rudiments of the immune system and explore the best, most effective supplements to boost immune system operations.
After learning about supplements for immune health, it is important to find a healthy balance between whole foods, micronutrient supplements, and lifestyle changes like regular exercise and adequate sleep. Seeking the support of board-certified nutritionists and expert health coaches can help provide detailed guidance tailored to your unique wellness journey.
How Does the Immune System Work?
The human body’s immune system is a complex network of cells, organs, and proteins that defend the body against infection. When needed, the immune system can repair damaged tissues and remove harmful cells to maintain homeostasis throughout the body.
Some key components of the immune system include:
- White blood cells – T-cells, natural killer cells, and macrophages work together as the body’s primary defense against pathogens, targeting and destroying harmful invaders like bacteria and viruses.
- Antibodies – Proteins created by B-cells can recognize and neutralize foreign invaders by attaching to specific antigens, blocking their harmful effects or marking them for destruction.
- Cytokines – Signaling proteins that help regulate the immune response by coordinating cell communication, guiding white blood cells to infection sites, and controlling inflammation.
- Lymph nodes – Small lumps of tissue that filter harmful substances and hold immune cells like white blood cells. They are key in detecting and responding to infections and may swell when the immune system is active.
- Skin – A unique organ that acts as a physical and chemical barrier to prevent pathogens from entering the body. It can secrete antimicrobial substances to help stop infections at the surface.
It is important to take care of your body because an unhealthy lifestyle or nutrient deficiencies can lead to a weakened immune system and increased susceptibility to infections. Regular exercise and adequate consumption of macronutrients and micronutrients are crucial for the health of your immune system.
How Can Supplements Help Boost the Immune System?
Consuming certain nutrients can help support the body’s natural processes and immune defenses. However, some people may struggle to reach the recommended nutrient amount exclusively through the whole foods in their diet. In that case, supplements can provide additional servings of essential nutrients needed to support the body's natural defense mechanisms.
Gut health supplements can be especially helpful because the gut microbiome plays a crucial role in immune health. In fact, the gut lodges about 70% of the immune system, rendering it indispensable for defending against pathogens. When well-nourished, beneficial gut bacteria generate metabolites like short-chain fatty acids that fortify the gut lining and control inflammation, keeping dangerous pathogens out of circulation.
Sometimes, immune system dysfunction, elevated inflammation, and a heightened risk of infections can result from disruptions to the gut microbiome, such as those caused by poor eating habits or antibiotic use. Thus, diet and supplementation protocols are important for maintaining a robust immune system.
What Ingredients To Look for in Immune System Supplements
There are many nutrients that contribute to the immune system’s operations, potentially making it challenging to know what to include in your diet or supplementation protocol. Some examples of ingredients you should try to find during your supplement selection are:
- Vitamin C – Protects cells from oxidative stress, encourages white blood cell production, and boosts the skin’s defense mechanism.
- Vitamin D – Activates T cells and enhances the pathogen-fighting abilities of monocytes and macrophages, which are critical for defending against infections.
- Zinc – Crucial for developing, activating, and facilitating communication for immune cells like T cells and natural killer cells. It also plays a role in maintaining skin integrity and mucosal membranes.
- Iron – Supports the production of reactive oxygen species in immune cells to kill pathogens. It also helps lymphocytes, particularly T cells, proliferate and mature.
- Magnesium – Supports the function of natural killer cells and T lymphocytes and offers anti-inflammatory properties.
- Phytonutrients – Plant-based compounds, like flavonoids and carotenoids, with antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties.
- Antioxidants – Neutralize free radicals that cause oxidative stress to protect immune cells and enhance their infection-fighting effectiveness.
- Adaptogenic mushrooms – Reishi and cordyceps may enhance immune system performance by controlling immune activity, reducing inflammation, and boosting the body’s resistance to stressors.
Always check ingredient labels because a supplement is only as good as the ingredients that make it up. It is also important to research potential side effects and consult a knowledgeable healthcare provider to ensure your supplement meets your health-related needs.
The Best Supplements for the Immune System
By choosing the right supplements to promote your immune health, you may experience various benefits, ranging from enhanced protection against infections to improved energy levels. Try the following supplements to support your body and its natural defenses.
Immune:Renew
Immune:Renew is a dual-function supplement that targets gut health and immune resilience. It can repair the gut immune barrier, which is crucial for preventing infections and maintaining overall wellness. Its high-quality, clinically tested ingredients work together to support cellular repair, develop the intestinal microbiome, and strengthen the immune system.
Immune:Renew is crafted with whole-food-based, excipient-free ingredients. The key components of this supplement are:
- BGF-Immune® – This proprietary blend of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals can promote protein synthesis, support cellular vitality, and enhance immune function, helping the body be more resilient against infections while fostering gastrointestinal health.
- 3 beta glucan – Derived from natural sources like oats and fungi, this polysaccharide can reinforce the body's defenses by stimulating the immune system, minimizing inflammation, and contributing to heart health.
- Organic turmeric – Since it is rich in curcumin, turmeric can provide powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that help mitigate inflammation, support joint health, and sustain cognitive function.
- Immunell™ – This proprietary mix of nucleotides supports cellular functions and energy production, assisting tissue repair and bolstering the body’s natural immune response.
Be proactive and fortify your immune health year-round by taking two Immune:Renew capsules every day. If you are actively sick, take six Immune:Renew capsules: two in the morning, two in the middle of the day, and two in the evening.
Hydro:Active
Hydro:Active is a molecular hydrogen water additive that has been strategically designed to reduce oxidative stress at the cellular level. It adds 8-10 ppm of hydrogen in water to improve metabolic health and support cellular hydration. These mechanisms can enhance overall wellness and indirectly strengthen immune function by reducing inflammation and promoting recovery. Moreover, this supplement’s ability to deliver anti-aging and liver health benefits can further contribute to a balanced and resilient immune response.
Magnesium is the key ingredient of Hydro:Active. Magnesium plays a crucial role in immune system support by helping with cellular energy production, reducing inflammation, and managing immune responses. Its inclusion enhances the supplement's ability to combat oxidative stress, which is known to weaken immune function and overall health.
To receive ongoing benefits to metabolic and immune health, take two Hydro:Active tablets daily. Fully dissolve each tablet in a cup or bottle filled with 12-17 oz of water by waiting one to two minutes. Then, drink the glass as soon as possible for maximum efficiency.
Multi-Greens Caps
Multi-Greens caps fill in nutritional gaps and provide immune-boosting benefits from a concentrated blend of organic greens. It delivers a wide spectrum of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, such as vitamins C and A, to strengthen immune function, detoxify the body, and reduce inflammation. Its iron content also supports red blood cell production, which is crucial for immune health.
The five organic greens included in this supplement are:
- Organic barley grass – Loaded with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals to support detoxification and digestion, supporting overall immune function.
- Organic oat grass – Rich in vitamins and antioxidants to boost energy, facilitate detoxification, and support overall wellness, strengthening immunity.
- Organic kale – Packed with vitamins A, C, and K, which promote cellular immunity, reduce inflammation, and strengthen the immune response.
- Organic chlorella – High in chlorophyll, vitamins, and minerals that detoxify the body, boost energy, and improve immune health. It is especially effective due to its vitamin C content.
- Organic alfalfa – Also rich in chlorophyll, vitamins, and minerals to further support immune health and aid in digestion.
Every day, take five capsules with or without food, washing them down with ample water to get the best results possible.
Daily Wellness Blend
The Daily Wellness Blend features antioxidant-rich ingredients that aid overall immune function, including milk thistle, which contains silymarin, a powerful antioxidant that helps detoxify the liver and reduces oxidative stress. This blend also includes green tea extract packed with catechins to offer anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that protect cells from damage and enhance immune response. It also features bear garlic, which is rich in allicin and antioxidants, further supporting immune health by combating pathogens and reducing inflammation.
This blend is also rich in minerals, considering it includes Aquamin F mineralized red algae with calcium, magnesium, and trace minerals to promote bone health, joint function, and overall vitality, encouraging a balanced immune response. The Daily Wellness Blend also boasts adaptogenic ingredients like cordyceps, a type of fermented mushroom that can enhance energy, reduce stress, and strengthen immune defenses, and reishi extract, which is known for its bioactive compounds that support immune balance, reduce inflammation, and enhance stress resilience.
You can take three capsules once daily to support overall health and immunity. Alternatively, you can take one capsule thrice daily for consistent daily nutrient absorption.
Other Ways To Support Your Immune System
In addition to implementing immune system-focused supplements, adopting other healthy habits is crucial. Some examples of lifestyle changes you can make to support your immune system are:
- Exercise regularly – Working out can promote circulation, helping immune cells detect and respond to infections while reducing inflammation.
- Maintain a nutrient-rich diet – Regularly consume fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains to absorb essential nutrients and antioxidants that can strengthen your immunity.
- Get adequate sleep – Sleeping for seven to eight hours nightly can support cytokine production and immune repair. If you believe falling asleep is challenging, try hormone-balancing supplements with melatonin.
- Manage stress – Chronic stress may weaken immunity, so you should practice relaxation techniques like meditation, yoga, or deep breathing. You should also consider cortisol-reducing supplements to regulate stress hormones.
- Practice good hygiene – Wash hands regularly to mitigate the spread of germs and reduce infection risks.
- Try reliable wellness programs – re:vitalize's Weight Loss & Metabolic Reset programs can help you build healthy habits that improve metabolic health and immunity.
Although the tips above can be invaluable, you should consult a healthcare professional for personalized advice if you have concerns about your immune system. If applicable, they can help you address underlying health conditions.
Achieve Sustainable Weight Loss with re:vitalize
Complementing nutritious whole foods with supplements to improve immune system operations can fortify your body’s natural defenses. When searching for supplements for the immune system, look for essential nutrients like Vitamins C and D and zinc.
To promote ease and efficiency, re:vitalize has curated a top-of-the-line selection of the best supplements for the immune system, including Immune:Renew, Hydro:Active, Multi-Greens caps, and our Daily Wellness Blend. Their strategically chosen ingredients can support various elements of your immune system, from white blood cells to cytokines.
Still, you don’t have to rely solely on supplements to boost immune system function—re:vitalize offers holistic weight loss programs that not only focus on weight reduction but also provide non-scale benefits, including improved energy levels and immune health. Each program is customized to meet the unique body composition and health goals of a specific member, suggesting specific nutrients and realistic lifestyle changes to help them meet their wellness goals. Schedule an in-person or virtual consultation with our team to learn which nutrients can facilitate your weight loss or wellness journey.
