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How to Boost Your Immune System with Supplements

March 27, 2020

“The modern diet is grossly deficient in hundreds of important plant-derived immunity-building compounds which makes us highly vulnerable to viruses, infections and disease.”

Joel Fuhrman, MD

Whether it’s flu season or the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, there are many reasons why it’s important to foster immune resilience. A measure of the body’s ability to handle an attack, immune resilience can vary significantly based on factors like current health and nutrition. As you might imagine, the stronger the immune system is, the greater its odds of effectively fighting off any virus.

Fortunately, there are several things you can do to start strengthening your immune system right now. For instance, vitamin D supplements have been shown to reduce influenza mortality rates, especially in elderly individuals. Some experts have even speculated that it can play an important role in enhancing resistance — perhaps even as effectively as a flu shot. [1]

At Cenegenics, we have pioneered the medical specialty of age management medicine. We therefore believe in supporting a healthy immune system in our patients of all ages to help improve their resistance to illness of any kind. For this reason, we take a highly scientific approach to getting the body tuned at the cellular level, prompting ideal functioning. Oftentimes, this includes introducing a supplement regimen. Discover our take on how to boost your immune system with the supplements below.

How Gut Health Enhances Your Immune System

When it comes to boosting your immune system, the importance of gut health cannot be overstated. There is significant interaction between gut bacteria and the immune system. While researchers are still studying this interplay, it’s apparent that the ecology of the gut can either help or hinder disease prevention. [2]

To that end, it’s critical to continue promoting a healthy population of gut microflora by eating a variety of nutrient-rich foods while avoiding processed foods. Aside from practicing sound nutrition, however, you can further boost your immune system with probiotics. These supplements provide the body with a healthy dose of “good” bacteria and have been shown to mediate immunoregulatory effects. In fact, they’ve shown therapeutic potential for not only chronic conditions such as allergies and eczema but also viral infections. [3] While you can take probiotic supplements, you can also explore dietary sources, including fermented foods such as sauerkraut or kimchee.

In addition, you might also consider taking prebiotics. While probiotics are beneficial bacteria, prebiotics help to promote the development of the good bacteria that already exists in your microbiome. These, too, have been shown to stimulate the immune system. [4]

Finally, to further promote gut health, avoid any triggering foods if you have a food allergy or intolerance. For many individuals, grain and dairy sensitivities may require some extra attention.

Beneficial Supplements for Ideal Immune Heath

Young doctor holding pill to boost patient's immune system

Beyond promoting gut health, you can also boost your immune system across the entire body by taking supplements. Here are a few to consider:

  • Vitamin D3: This vitamin modulates both the innate and adaptive immune responses in the body. You can only take in vitamin D through your skin (via sunlight), from diet, and from supplements. A deficiency in vitamin D is associated with increased susceptibility to infection. [5] Vitamin K2 is often paired with vitamin D3. While vitamin D ensures proper calcium absorption, K2 directs it to the bones instead of the arteries, where issues such as calcification could otherwise occur.
  • Andrographis: This powerful herb has compounds known as andrographolides which appear to have antioxidant, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties. [6]
  • Beta-Glucan: Found naturally in yeast, some cereal grains, and certain mushrooms, beta-glucans are polysaccharides that have been linked to improvements in immunity, blood sugar management, and cholesterol. [7]
  • Green Tea Extract & L-Theanine Blend: L-theanine is an amino acid found in green tea leaves which has been linked to immune-boosting benefits, such as decreased incidence of upper respiratory tract infections and improvements in gastrointestinal inflammation. [8]
  • Elderberry: Hailed as a natural way to boost the immune system during flu seasons, this plant has been used to combat upper respiratory infections and strengthen immunity for centuries. [9]
  • Arthricor Olive Extract: Olive leaf extract has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and immune-stimulating properties, making it a powerful therapy for the prevention and treatment of infections. [10]
  • Vitamin C: Vitamin C intake is essential to immune function. Your body can’t produce or store vitamin C, but a lack of the nutrient could make you more susceptible to illness. [11]

The Importance of Immune Resilience – In Conclusion

Whether it’s an outbreak of a novel illness or the height of cold and flu season, hearing reports of thousands falling ill can be alarming. Yet, the goal for staying healthy should always be preparation, not panic.

Cenegenics patients already have an advantage over their peers when it comes to immune resilience. Through tactics like individualized nutraceutical recommendations, our doctors prioritize immune function and help patients look, feel and be their best. In fact, many of our patients are doctors and their families who trust in our physicians to help them achieve the best line of defense against illness: optimized health at every age. Find out what they’re saying about their experience with the program by visiting our Cenegenics review page.

If you’re ready to discover how we can help you boost your wellness, want to inquire about Cenegenics cost, or are ready to schedule your Elite Health Evaluation, contact your nearest Cenegenics location today.

Next Steps – Strengthen your Immune System

Our world-class physicians create a personalized plan to help you feel 10+ years younger. You’ll be more energetic, lose weight, sleep better, have more libido, and think more clearly. Click below to schedule a free consultation with one of our physicians. It’s quick + easy.

Key Resources

This guide was produced with contributions from the following key resources:

The Cenegenics Education and Research Foundation  

The Textbook of Age Management Medicine Volume 1: Mastering Healthy Aging Nutrition, Exercise and Hormone Replacement Therapy

Click to purchase

The Cenegenics Education and Research Foundation  

The Textbook of Age Management Medicine Volume 2: Mastering Healthy Aging Nutrition, Exercise and Hormone Replacement Therapy

Click to purchase

Textbook Authors:

Jeffrey Park Leake, M.D., CPT

Dr. Jeffrey Park Leake is a Partner and Director of Education at Cenegenics Elite Health specializing in age management and wellness. Having trained hundreds of physicians worldwide, Dr. Leake is also the Director of Education for the Clinical Strategies for Healthy Aging course at AMM Educational Foundation.

 

Todd David Greenberg, M.D., CSCS

Dr. Todd Greenberg is a practicing physician with a broad range of expertise, including wellness, exercise, sports injuries, and MRI of sports injuries. He is a Radiology Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Washington.

Additional Resources

Personalized Medicine: Don’t Settle for Anything Less

What Happened to Our Food?

What is Age Management Medicine?

Types of Stress: Understanding Stressors

Advanced Glycation End-Products (AGEs) and Food Preparation Tips for Reducing Inflammation in Your Diet

Why Can’t I Sleep? – Clinical Explanations

How Cenegenics Can Help Relieve Stress in Executives & Professionals

References

[1] Vitamin D and Influenza—Prevention or Therapy? Gruber-Bzura. National Institutes of Health. Derived from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6121423/

[2] The Gut: Where Bacteria and Immune System Meet. Fields. The Johns Hopkins University, Johns Hopkins Hospital, and Johns Hopkins Health System. Derived from: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/research/advancements-in-research/fundamentals/in-depth/the-gut-where-bacteria-and-immune-system-meet

[3] Probiotics and immune health. Yan, Fan and Polk, D.B. National Institutes of Health. Derived from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4006993/

[4] Effects of prebiotics on immune system and cytokine expression. Shokryazdan,  Faseleh, Jahromi M, Navidshad, B, and Liang, JB. National Institutes of Health. Derived from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27704207

[5] Vitamin D and the Immune System. Aranow, Cynthia, MD. National Institutes of Health. Derived from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3166406/

[6] The Health Benefits of Andrographis. Wong, Cathy and Fogoros, Richard MD. Very Well Health. Derived from: https://www.verywellhealth.com/can-andrographis-boost-immune-function-89538

[7] The Health Benefits of Beta-Glucan. Wong, Cathy and Fogoros, Richard MD. Very Well Health. Derived from: https://www.verywellhealth.com/the-benefits-of-beta-glucan-89418

[8] l-Theanine as a Functional Food Additive: Its Role in Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. Williams, Jackson, Kellett, Jane, Roach, Paul Daniel, McKune, Andrew Mello, Duane, Jackson, Thomas and Naumovski, Nenad. MDPI. Derived from:  https://www.mdpi.com/2306-5710/2/2/13/htm

[9] Elderberry: A Natural Way to Boost Immunity During Cold and Flu Season? Health Essentials. Derived from: https://health.clevelandclinic.org/elderberry-a-natural-way-to-boost-immunity-during-cold-and-flu-season/

[10] The Health Benefits of Olive Leaf Extract. Wong, Cathy and Fogoros, Richard MD. Very Well Health. Derived from: https://www.verywellhealth.com/the-benefits-of-olive-leaf-extract-89489

[11] 3 Vitamins That Are Best for Boosting Your Immunity. Cleveland Clinic. Derived from: https://health.clevelandclinic.org/3-vitamins-best-boosting-immunity/

Contributor: Rudy Inaba Vice President of Health Performance

Rudy Inaba is Cenegenics’ Vice President of Health Performance. He is a recognized fitness and sports nutrition consultant with nearly 15 years of experience in clinical exercise physiology and lifestyle management. After pursuing his Master of Science in Clinical Exercise Physiology at the University of Nevada Las Vegas, Rudy joined Cenegenics where he leads 19 clinical locations nationwide in their advancements in kinesiology, nutritional biochemistry, and their analyses of industry research & market trending.

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