5 Best Supplements That Boost Your Immune System

Are you wondering how to boost your immune system?

Chances are, the answer is a resounding “yes” considering our world’s current situation.

People across the globe are finding ways to boost immunity to fight Coronavirus and for overall good health.

Of course, a balanced diet filled with fresh fruits and vegetables is crucial for a strong defense system.

However, it can be a struggle to get a wide enough variety of fresh foods during quarantine or isolation.

To fill any gaps, you should take a high-quality immune system boosting supplement.

To help you to fight viruses and bacteria, we have found the five best immune system boosting supplements you can easily access.

Best Immune System Boosting Supplements

	Immune Support	Immune Defence	Instant Immunity
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1. Immune Support

Immune Support (made by USA company Vita Balance Inc.) is a more comprehensive immunity-boosting multivitamin than Immune Defence above.

It has a much longer ingredients list with herbal extracts, antioxidants, vitamins, a herbal complex, and a mushroom complex. It has a strong focus on antioxidants.

It’s important to note that one particular ingredient, Graviola leaf may cause complications with the liver and kidneys ¹, and may even damage nerves.

Talk to your doctor before taking Immune Support if you have Parkinson’s disease, liver or kidney issues, have diabetes, or are pregnant or breastfeeding.

You can buy it directly from the website: www.immunesupport.net.

A 30-day supply (1 bottle) costs $39.07, 2 bottles for $70.41, or 4 bottles for $140.79.

They don’t offer a money-back guarantee unless something is faulty, you get sent the wrong item, or you change your mind within 7 days of ordering.

Key features

• Wide range of antioxidants, vitamins, and plant extracts.
• Made in the USA in FDA-approved facilities.
• Third-Party tested.

Ingredients

• Vitamin C.
• Vitamin E.
• Selenium.
• Graviola Leaf: contains antioxidants, as well as B vitamins (for energy) and zinc for immune support.
• Raspberry leaf powder: contains antioxidants, and B & C vitamins.
• Green Tea leaf: antioxidant.
• Turmeric Rhizome Powder: antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial.
• Beta-Glucans Powder: increases immune cells and immune response.
• Cat’s Claw Bark Powder: helps to increase immune response (research is lacking).
• Garlic bulb powder: contains vitamin C, B6, B1 and zinc.
• Panax ginseng root powder.
• Lycopene: a carotenoid (antioxidant).
• Quercetin: a flavonoid (strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory).
• Pine bark: antioxidant.
• Grape seed: antioxidant.
• Pomegranate: a source of vitamin C, A, and E, also a powerful antioxidant.
• Olive leaf: contains an antioxidant called oleuropein. Olive leaf is also anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial.
• Arabinogalactan: boosts probiotics in the gut, and activates immune cells and antibodies.

Herbal complex 100mg:

• Rhubarb root powder: contains antioxidants such as anthocyanins.
• Burdock root powder: antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and a source of antioxidants.
• Sheep sorrel aerial parts powder: evidence for this ingredient lacks, but it may help to reduce inflammation and provide antioxidants.
• Slippery elm bark powder: most commonly used to IBS symptoms and digestive issues, but may help to soothe a sore throat and respiratory issues (lacking evidence).

Mushroom complex 80mg:

• Shiitake, reishi, maitake mushrooms: mushrooms contain beta-glucans ² that support the immune system by triggering immune response. They also increase white blood cell production.

How does it work?

Dosage: Take two capsules per day with food.

Immune Support works by serving the body with a wide range of antioxidants, anti-inflammatories, antimicrobials, and beta-glucans to improve immune function.

• Antioxidants fight free radicals that damage and weaken cells, including immune cells.
• Beta-Glucans help to trigger the immune system to launch attacks on viruses and bacteria.

Pros and cons

2. Immune Defence

When it comes to boosting immunity to help fight viruses such as COVID-19, Vitamin C and Zinc are the “it works”.

Immune Defence (distributed by Swiss Research Labs Ltd.) is an immunity booster in the form of a lozenge, no water required.

Immune Defence is a reasonably simple supplement, with a short ingredients list containing two vitamin C sources and zinc.

However, we had to raise our eyebrows at the inclusion of sugar in the ingredients list.

You get 120 lozenges in each bottle, and it’s recommended that you take no more than 4 lozenges a day.

A 1-month supply costs $44.95, a 3-month supply costs $114.85, and 5 months costs $174.75.

Key features

• Lozenges that dissolve quickly (no water needed).
• Increases the recovery time when you have a cold.
• Supports overall immune strength.
• Suitable for anyone over the age of 12.
• No questionable or risky ingredients.
• Coats the throat to fight bacteria during a cold or flu.

Ingredients

• Zinc 3.5mg.
• Vitamin C (from Acerola powder and rosehip powder) 2.5mg per lozenge.
• Oil of aniseed.

How does it work?

Because Immune Defence comes in the form of lozenges that you suck as opposed to swallowing, the ingredients coat the throat and tongue.

Vitamin C and zinc help to kill viruses and bacteria, shortening the lifespan of your cold, flu, and associated symptoms.

Plus, a lozenge can help to soothe a dry and irritated throat when you’re sick.

• Zinc isn’t stored in the body ³ so you need to keep your stores constantly boosted to reap the immunity-boosting benefits.
• Zinc is very important as it is needed for the growth and function of cells that are involved in the immune system.
• Vitamin C helps to fight free radicals that cause oxidative stress and disease and is a well-known supporter of the immune system.

Pros and cons

3. Instant Immunity

Instant Immunity is an extremely similar multivitamin to Immune Support, with an almost identical ingredients list.

The main difference is that Instant Immunity is a capsule as opposed to a lozenge.

Unlike Immune Support, Instant Immunity doesn’t specify the amounts of each ingredient, instead, giving an overall amount of 1544 mg for the ingredients combined.

However, they market this product as “advanced triple strength”, and “30x more effective than other products” which is hard to vouch for considering we don’t know how much of each ingredient is included.

The capsules are “potent absorb caps” that help to protect and preserve the potency of the ingredients and supposedly makes the nutrients last longer in your body.

You can buy Instant Immunity from Amazon, at a pretty reasonable cost of $39.95 for a bottle of 60 (1 month supply).

Key features

• Wide range of antioxidants, vitamins, and plant extracts.
• Made in the USA in FDA-approved facilities.
• Money-back guarantee.
• Potent Absorb Caps for increased effectiveness.

Ingredients

Proprietary blend: 1544 mg.

• Vitamin C.
• Vitamin E.
• Selenium.
• Graviola Leaf: contains antioxidants, as well as B vitamins (for energy) and zinc for immune support.
• Red raspberry juice extract: contains antioxidants, and B & C vitamins.
• Green Tea: antioxidant.
• Beta-Glucan: increases immune cells and immune response.
• Curcumin powder.
• Cat’s Claw: helps to increase immune response.
• Garlic: contains vitamin C, B6, B1 and zinc.
• Korean ginseng.
• Lycopene: a carotenoid (antioxidant).
• Quercetin: a flavonoid (strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory).
• Pine bark: antioxidant.
• Pomegranate: a source of vitamin C, A, and E, also a powerful antioxidant.
• Olive leaf: contains an antioxidant called oleuropein. Olive leaf is also anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial.
• ARA 6 Arabinogalactan: boosts probiotics in the gut, and activates immune cells and antibodies.
• Grape seed.

Essiac tea complex:

• Indian Rhubarb.
• Burdock root powder.
• Sheep sorrel aerial parts powder.
• Slippery elm powder.

Mushroom complex:

• Shiitake, reishi, maitake mushrooms: mushrooms contain beta-glucans ⁴ that support the immune system by triggering an immune response. They also increase white blood cell production.

How does it work?

Dosage: take 2 capsules each day, with water.

• Antioxidants fight against free radicals, stopping them from harming immune cells.
• Beta-Glucans spark an immune response to fight bacteria and viruses.

Pros and cons

4. Deep Immune by Dr. Tobias

Now for a change of pace with a different approach to immune support.

Deep Immune by Dr. Tobias is a highly-rated blend of probiotics and prebiotics, containing 4.4 billion CFU probiotics.

This is a smart formula that doesn’t require refrigeration and uses durable, spore-forming probiotics that resist stomach acid damage.

As well as supporting the immune system, probiotics are great for easing digestive issues and supporting healthy moods and energy levels.

You can grab these from Amazon, for a suprisingly low cost of $22.47 for a bottle of 60 (1 month supply).

There are codes available ⁵ for discounted bundles, i.e. 25% off when you buy 4 bottles, or 15% off when you buy 3.

Key features

• Provides both pre and probiotics.
• Refrigeration-free formula.
• A robust formula that doesn’t break down with stomach acids.

Ingredients

PreForPro (registered) 15mg:

(This is a prebiotic formula)

• LH01 Myoviridae.
• LL5 Siphoviridae.
• T4D Myovirida.
• LL12 Myoviridae.

Probiotic Bacteria 4.4 billion CFU 27mg:

• DE111 Bacillus subtilis: a spore-forming probiotic that acts as an antioxidant and may trigger immune responses in the body.
• Bacillus coagulans: a strong probiotic that survives against harsh stomach acid.
• Lactobacillus acidophilus: a probiotic that produces lactic acid and is thought to ease and reduce cold symptoms.
• Bifidobacterium lactis: a probiotic that can boost T-cell activity (T-cells are immune cells).

How does it work?

Dosage: take 2 capsules per day.

The prebiotics and probiotics in Deep Immune support the immune system by:

• The phages in the PreForPro formula bind to bad bacteria, killing them, and making room for health bacteria (probiotics) to populate the gut.
• Prebiotics act as food for the probiotics.
• Bacillus subtilis acts as an antioxidant to kill harmful free radicals.
• Bifidobacterium lactis boosts the effectiveness of immune cells (T-cells).

Pros and cons

5. Grass-Fed Colostrum

Last but not least, we have Grass-Fed Colostrum (from cows) by Ancestral Supplements (a Texas-based supplement company).

Colostrum is the milk that mothers (all mammals) produce as soon as they give birth.

Colostrum is the “first meal” that mammal babies drink as soon as they’re born, to dose them up with strong nutrients to get through their first days.

Colostrum contains concentrated enzymes, minerals, and antibodies to support the newborn’s immune system and overall strength.

Each bottle contains 30 servings (6 capsules per serving/day) and costs a rather steep $68.

Key features

• Sourced from grass-fed, grass-finished cows in New Zealand.
• No hormones or pesticides used.
• GMO-free.
• Third-party tested for quality.
• Freeze-dried so the nutrients are preserved.

Ingredients

• New Zealand Grass Fed Colostrum (Bovine) 3000 mg.

How does it work?

Grass-Fed Colostrum supports the immune system by serving the body with high amounts of antibodies.

Antibodies find, identify, and destroy harmful viruses and bacteria in the body.

Pros and cons

How Do Immune Boosting Supplements Work to Fight Illness?

Generally speaking, immunity boosters work by using ingredients that support the immune system.

• Vitamin C (and other ingredients) increase the production of special white blood cells phagocytes and T-lymphocytes that kill bacteria and boost antibodies.
• Immune-loving ingredients increase the production of interferons, cells that are released when a virus is present, triggering the immune system to get to work.
• Immune boosters provide antioxidants that protect cells from damage that can wear down the body’s general health and defenses.
• Important nutrient zinc can reduce the duration of a cold.

Who Should Take an Immunity Booster?

Of course, you should talk to a healthcare professional before taking any new supplements.

Even natural ingredients can interfere with medications and existing health conditions.

However, everyone should take immunity-boosting supplements to fight viruses and infections, especially during winter or stressful times.

Take an immunity booster if:

• You have a heavy work schedule and sufficient sleep is hard to achieve.
• Those around you are sick with colds and flu.
• You are feeling run-down, stressed, and often tired.
• Cold and flu season is approaching or has started.
• You are a regular smoker.
• You are a regular drinker.
• You have an injury or illness that prevents you from regular exercise.

Which Ingredients Should I Expect to See in an Immune Booster?

The majority of immune boosters will have:

• A variety of vitamins such as A, C, D, and E
• Minerals like zinc, potassium, iron, and selenium
• Probiotics
• Prebiotics
• Digestive enzymes
• Herbs such as chicory root, green tea extract, rosehip, mushrooms
• Fiber

How Can I Decide on Which Immune System Booster to Use?

One of the things to look at when picking an immune booster is the ingredients.

You should opt for one that has the right elements, including vitamins and minerals.

If you are looking at boosting your digestive system, you should consider the number of probiotics infused in the formula.

Looking at what other customers are saying is also essential as it can give you an idea of the efficacy of the product.

Are Immunity Boosting Supplements Safe?

It all depends on the ingredients used, the individual taking them.

Even if a supplement uses the “safest” ingredients possible, some people may have special intolerances or allergies.

However, immunity boosters are generally very safe as, unlike other supplements such as fat burners and nootropics, they don’t contain caffeine or stimulants that cause a racing heart, anxiety, and sleep issues.

Do Vitamin Supplements Have Side Effects?

Vitamin C side effects

Generally, multivitamin supplements and immunity boosters are not associated with common side-effects.

You have to ingest a large dosage of vitamin supplements and fortified foods to experience a “vitamin overdose”.

Excess vitamin C, the most popular immune-boosting vitamin, will simply be released from your body in your urine.

Therefore, while taking huge doses of vitamin C isn’t dangerous, it’s unnecessary as your system will get rid of it anyway.

At worst, you may experience a slightly upset stomach and diarrhea.

Zinc side effects

Zinc, the other headlining name in immunity supplements, is a little more delicate when it comes to dosage and side-effects.

Too much zinc may cause ⁶:

• Diarrhea and sore stomach.
• Headaches.
• Chills.
• Tiredness.
• Inhibition of copper absorption.

To avoid this, simply take the recommended dosage of your chosen supplement and never exceed it.

If you’re already taking zinc-containing supplements or medication check with your doctor before taking any other supplements.

Should I combine a gym workout with immune system boosters?

Yes, this would be advisable.

Regular exercise has numerous health benefits, including strengthening the immune system.

Exercise can help slow down pathogens, reduce inflammation, and minimize the chances of infection.

Some immune boosters, such as Performance Lab Prebiotic, actually recommend that you pair them with a healthy diet and exercise.

Conclusion

It’s important to support your immune system via a varied diet of nutrient-dense foods, proper sleep, exercise, and avoiding cigarettes and excess alcohol.

However, immune-boosting supplements can further arm you with the defenses you need to stave off viruses and infections and reduce the duration of a cold or flu.

The five best immunity boosters on our list are great for supporting you during times of stress, poor sleep, and when bugs and viruses are rife in your environment.

There are complex formulations, simple probiotics, and even bovine colostrum, each providing various types of immune support.

Before taking an immune-boosting supplement, (especially those with lengthy ingredients lists), consult your doctor.

They’ll make sure that there are no ingredients that may react with your existing medications or health issues.