Antioxidant supplements for immune system boost -
Still, other studies have suggested that the role of vitamin C in this setting is still under investigation 32 , The upper limit for vitamin C is 2, mg. Supplemental daily doses are typically between and 1, mg Vitamin C is vital for immune health.
Supplementing with this nutrient may help reduce the duration and severity of upper respiratory tract infections, including the common cold. Black elderberry Sambucus nigra , which has long been used to treat infections, is being researched for its effects on immune health.
In test-tube studies, elderberry extract demonstrates potent antibacterial and antiviral potential against bacterial pathogens responsible for upper respiratory tract infections and strains of the influenza virus 35 , A review of 4 randomized control studies in people found that elderberry supplements significantly reduced upper respiratory symptoms caused by viral infections However, this study is outdated and was sponsored by the elderberry syrup manufacturer, which may have skewed results Though it has been suggested that elderberry can help relieve symptoms of certain infections and the influenza virus, we also must be aware of the risks.
Some report that elderberries can lead to the production of excess cytokines, which could potentially damage healthy cells For that reason, some researchers recommend elderberry supplements only be used in the early course of COVID It should be noted no published research studies have evaluated the use of elderberry for COVID These recommendations are based on previous research done on elderberries.
A systemic review of elderberry 43 concluded:. Taking elderberry supplements may help reduce upper respiratory symptoms caused by viral infections and help alleviate flu symptoms.
However, elderberry also has risks. More research is needed. Medicinal mushrooms have been used since ancient times to prevent and treat infection and disease. Many types of medicinal mushrooms have been studied for their immune-boosting potential. Over recognized species of medicinal mushrooms are known to have immune-enhancing properties Some research demonstrates that supplementing with specific types of medicinal mushrooms may enhance immune health in several ways as well as reduce symptoms of certain conditions, including asthma and lung infections.
For example, a study in mice with tuberculosis, a serious bacterial disease, found that treatment with cordyceps significantly reduced bacterial load in the lungs, enhanced immune response, and reduced inflammation, compared with a placebo group In a randomized, 8-week study in 79 adults, supplementing with 1.
Turkey tail is another medicinal mushroom that has powerful effects on immune health. Research in humans indicates that turkey tail may enhance immune response, especially in people with certain types of cancer 48 , Many other medicinal mushrooms have been studied for their beneficial effects on immune health as well.
Medicinal mushroom products can be found in the form of tinctures, teas, and supplements 50 , 51 , 52 , Many types of medicinal mushrooms, including cordyceps and turkey tail, may offer immune-enhancing and antibacterial effects. According to results from scientific research, the supplements listed above may offer immune-boosting properties.
However, keep in mind that many of these potential effects these supplements have on immune health have not been thoroughly tested in humans, highlighting the need for future studies.
Astragalus, garlic, curcumin, and echinacea are just some of the supplements that may offer immune-boosting properties. Still, they have not been thoroughly tested in humans. Many supplements on the market may help improve immune health.
Zinc, elderberry, and vitamins C and D are just some of the substances that have been researched for their immune-enhancing potential. However, although these supplements may offer a small benefit for immune health, they should not and cannot be used as a replacement for a healthy lifestyle.
Aiming to eat a nutrient-dense balanced diet, getting enough sleep, engaging in regular physical activity, and not smoking or considering quitting, if you smoke are some of the most important ways to help keep your immune system healthy and reduce your chances of infection and disease.
If you decide that you want to try a supplement, speak with a healthcare professional first, as some supplements may interact with certain medications or are inappropriate for some people. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.
VIEW ALL HISTORY. Anxiety is a common symptom of trauma. Here's why. While we don't fully understand why, developing anxiety as a long COVID symptom is common. However, we do know how to treat it. AVPD and SAD overlap in symptoms, both impairing social functioning.
If the anxiety of an upcoming surgery is disrupting your sleep and day-to-day life, it may be time to talk with your doctor about medications. Anxiety can lead to tooth pain through increased jaw clenching and other mechanisms.
Addressing the cause of your anxiety, as well as maintaining good…. Shadow work is a concept developed by Swiss psychoanalysis Carl Jung in the 20th century. Here's how to get started. Do you have thanatophobia? Acclaimed journalist and TV personality Lisa Ling is sounding the alarm about the affect social media use can have on kids and shares the steps she's….
Many people turn to yoga when feelings of anxiety start to creep in or during times of stress. You may find that focusing on your breath and your…. A Quiz for Teens Are You a Workaholic? How Well Do You Sleep? Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Vaccines Basics Testing Symptoms.
Nutrition Evidence Based The 15 Best Supplements to Boost Your Immune System Right Now. Medically reviewed by Sade Meeks, MS, RD , Nutrition — By Jillian Kubala, MS, RD — Updated on February 1, An important note No supplement will cure or prevent disease.
Was this helpful? Vitamin D. Vitamin C. Although the results obtained with RA seemed to be very promising, the indiscriminate use of antioxidants in autoimmune disorders is not recommended. In fact, autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome ALPS , MS, type 1 diabetes and multiple autoimmune syndrome, have been linked to decreased Fas functionality [ 68 ] and, as discussed previously, antioxidants may up-regulate Fas and FasL in vitro.
Increasing evidence provides support that oxidative stress and apoptosis are closely related physiological phenomena and are implicated in diseases including autoimmune diseases. Therefore molecules that target both apoptosis-related signal transduction and oxidative stress, like antioxidants, are likely to result in the improvement of these pathologies.
A novel possible approach to modulate immune system thus preventing autoimmunity or transplant rejection is the activation of cytoprotective and antioxidant enzymes such as HO Heme oxygenase-1, the inducible isoform of HO, is a key protein in the cell stress response and its up-regulation is a common event during pro-inflammatory conditions [ 11 , 69 — 72 ].
Recent work clearly demonstrated that regulatory T cells overexpress HO-1 and release CO under pro-oxidant conditions. Dietary antioxidants, in particular polyphenols, has been shown to increase HO-1 expression in different in vitro systems [ 3 , 75 , 76 ] and the potential use of this natural substances to regulate immune response should be carefully addressed.
It is well known that the dietary consumption of fruits, vegetables, herbs, or their phytochemical constituents aid in cancer prevention [ 77 — 79 ]. It is believed that the antioxidant properties of such foods protect cells from ROS-mediated DNA damage that can result in mutation and subsequent carcinogenesis.
ROS-induced DNA damage can take many forms, ranging from specifically oxidized purine and pyrimidine bases, to DNA lesions such as strand breaks, sister chromatid exchanges SCEs , and the formation of micronuclei [ 80 ].
In vivo experiments demonstrated that retinol increases both the humoral and the cell-mediated immune response and could enhance immune surveillance against tumorigenesis [ 81 — 83 ]. Retinol may influence the immune response by quenching free radicals, which could lower the level of immunosuppressing lipid peroxides, alter arachidonic acid metabolism, etc.
In the last few years many studies have been conducted to investigate the effects of vitamins on disease prevention. The first results have been encouraging and a wide number of people are taking antioxidant supplements with the aim to improve their health. These studies, initially, have shown that a high consumption of fruit and vegetables decreases risks of lung cancer in healthy individuals and a combination of β-carotene, vitamin E and selenium reduced stomach cancer mortality in China [ 85 , 86 ].
Conversely, supplemental β-carotene alone or in combination with retinol or vitamin E did not have any effect on cancer risk, or increased the development of lung cancer in smokers [ 87 , 88 ]. In the light of these first contrasting result, and also as a consequence of the wide antioxidant consumption in the general population, various systematic reviews to estimate the association between antioxidant use and disease prevention, in particular for primary cancer incidence and mortality, have been issued.
These reviews share the opinion that antioxidant supplementation per se does not prevent cancer. On the contrary, some antioxidant elements seem to be harmful fro health. Recent studies have confirmed the relationship between beta-carotene and an increased incidence of cancer among smokers, but not among non-smokers.
Moreover, beta carotene supplementation is associated with increased cancer-related mortality [ 89 ]. Vitamin E treatment also appears to be associated with a slightly increased incidence of lung cancer [ 90 ].
Other studies report that combination of vitamin A and other antioxidants, significantly increases mortality related to neoplastic diseases [ 91 ]. According to these studies, selenium would be the only element displaying beneficial effects, as it has been shown that it reduces total cancer incidence, an apparently sex-related effect, as it is predominant among males, rather than in females [ 89 ].
The reason why β-carotene may exert dual activity, namely antioxidant or pro-carcinogenic has been debated for quite a long time.
The first hypothesis is that at high concentrations, β-carotene stimulates free radical production, whereas at lower concentrations β-carotene exerts antioxidant activity [ 90 , 91 ].
Furthermore, in the presence of cigarette smoke-derived free radicals β-carotene is cleaved into many derivatives which are very unstable and may trigger further oxidation [ 92 — 95 ].
A recent corollary to this theory is the evidence that β-carotene, either alone or in combination with cigarette smoke condensate, repressed HO-1 expression both in rat fibroblasts and human lung cancer cells [ 96 ]. The reduced expression of HO-1 accounted for a reduced production of CO and BR both of which have a marked antiproliferative effects [ 96 — ].
Vitamin E has also been shown to act at the immune system level; in fact, supplementation with this vitamin can increase production of antibodies and enhance cell-mediated immunity in both experimental animals and in humans [ ].
Neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson's disease PD , Alzheimer's disease AD , and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis ALS , as well as multiple slerosis MS , are triggered, at least in part, by oxidative and nitrosative stress and also sustained by inflammatory cytokine production [ 11 , 70 , — ].
Similarly, autoimmunity mainly contributes to the pathogenesis of MS, characterized by central and peripheral loss of nerve myelin [ , ]. Although the specific sources of the damaging ROS and the affected target structures differ between the neuronal pathologies, the following general features can be defined.
Increased levels of oxidation-altered metabolites are found in post-mortem tissues in many of the neurodegenerative diseases listed above [ — ].
An oxidative stress response and compensatory defense reactions can be seen in the affected neural cells; further, disturbances of the mitochondrial metabolism are observed, which may account for an increased leakage of ROS originating from the respiratory chain [ 11 , 70 , , ].
However, in addition to the direct induction of oxidative stress, metabolic disorders underlying every single disease can also indirectly generate an oxidative microenvironment, for example via the induction of a local immune response [ , ]. On this basis, antioxidant and antinflammatory drugs, such as polyphenols and non-steroidal antinflammatory drugs NSAIDs , have been proposed in the treatment of different neurodegenerative diseases [ — ].
However, both polyphenols and NSAIDs gave rise to some problems when used in clinical setting. Due to their scarce bioavailability, only a negligible amount of polyphenols reaches brain tissue and the concentrations achieved are much lower than those efficacious in vitro [ 3 ]. As far as NSAIDs, ad hoc designed clinical trials with a large number of patients, clearly demonstrated that these drugs do not have any significant effect in slowing cognitive decline in patients suffering from mild-to-moderate AD [ , ].
Similar disappointing results have been obtained in the treatment of ALS, a systemic motor neuron disease that affects corticospinal and corticobulbar tracts, ventral horn motor neurons and motor cranial nerve nuclei [ , ]. Mice transgenic for mutated SOD1 develop symptoms and pathologies similar to those in human ALS.
Mutant SOD1 toxicity is mediated by damage to mitochondria in motor neurons, and this may trigger the functional decline of motor neurons and the onset of ALS in mice [ ].
Unfortunately, although the role played by free radical to the pathogenesis of ALS has been demonstrated, antioxidants did not have any effect to prevent or slow down its progression.
Desnuelle et al. Novel compound, such as AEOL Aeolus , structurally related to the SOD catalytic site, is under phase I clinical investigation, but further clinical trials will be necessary to evaluate the real efficacy of this compound for the therapy of ALS [ , ].
The field of antioxidants is moving rapidly. About 20 years ago the hypothesis that diet might have a substantial influence on the development of some pathologies, such as cancer, has been raised by many scientists. In this light, during the last decade, efforts have been made to analyze the effects of plant food and synthetic antioxidants on the development and prevention of chronic diseases.
Nowadays, antioxidants are used on a large scale to try to obtain and preserve optimal health. While there is no doubt that the correct balance between endogenous and exogenous antioxidant capacity is essential to life, the curative power of antioxidants has often been overestimated.
In fact, according to the popular idea "if one is good two is better", antioxidants are taken in excess too often and the risk to originate diseases instead of preventing them is quite high.
It is noteworthy to underlie that as for all drugs, antioxidants may give important side effects if not correctly used or in combination with other drugs.
Vitamin A, E and β-carotene for instance, have been shown to have pro-oxidant effects at higher doses or under certain conditions [ 39 ]. Another point of criticism is the possibility to take experimental results "from the bench to the bedside". In fact, although the promising results obtained by in vitro experiments, the use of antioxidants in the treatment of human disease states has not been as successful as might have been envisaged due to intrinsic pharmacokinetic or pharmacodynamic limitations.
In addition, conclusions on beneficial effect of antioxidant are often drawn from studies conducted with synthetic antioxidant supplement, whereas fruits and vegetable are a complex mixture of antioxidant, as well as other potentially beneficial micronutrients and macronutrients, which may, thus, work with different kinetics and dynamics [ 89 ].
In conclusion, the correct use of antioxidants may be useful to prevent free radical-related disorders. However, the repair of existing critical structural damage may be beyond the possibilities of antioxidants and therefore they may not be considered to be useful in therapeutic clinical applications, where their limits and eventual side effects must be better understood.
Pauwels EK, Erba PA, Kostkiewicz M: Antioxidants: A tale of two stories. Drug News Perspect. Article CAS PubMed Google Scholar. Valko M, Leibfritz D, Moncol J, Cronin MT, Mazur M, Telser J: Free radicals and antioxidants in normal physiological functions and human disease.
Int J Biochem Cell Biol. Mancuso C, Bates TE, Butterfield DA, Calafato S, Cornelius C, De Lorenzo A, Dinkova Kostova AT, Calabrese V: Natural antioxidants in Alzheimer's disease.
Expert Opin Investig Drugs. Whitton PS: Inflammation as a causative factor in the aetiology of Parkinson's disease. Br J Pharmacol. Article CAS PubMed PubMed Central Google Scholar. Ramassamy C: Emerging role of polyphenolic compounds in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases: a review of their intracellular targets.
Eur J Pharmacol. Pham DQ, Plakogiannis R: Vitamin E supplementation in Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, tardive dyskinesia, and cataract: Part 2. Ann Pharmacother. Drisko JA: The use of antioxidants in transmissible spongiform encephalopaties: a case report.
J Am Coll Nutr. Article PubMed Google Scholar. Fang Y, Yang S, Wu G: Free radicals, antioxidants and nutrition. The Alpha-Tocopherol Beta Carotene Cancer Prevention Study Group: The effect of vitamin E and beta carotene on the incidence of lung cancer and other cancers in male smokers.
N Engl J Med. Article Google Scholar. Valko M, Rhodes CJ, Moncol J, Izakovic M, Mazur M: Free radicals, metals and antioxidants in oxidative stress-induced cancer. Chem Biol Interact. Mancuso C, Scapagnini G, Currò D, Giuffrida Stella AM, De Marco C, Butterfield DA, Calabrese V: Mitochondrial dysfunction, free radical generation and cellular stress response in neurodegenerative disorders.
Front Biosci. Mancuso C, Pani G, Calabrese V: Bilirubin: an endogenous scavenger of nitric oxide and reactive nitrogen species. Redox Rep. Mancuso C, Bonsignore A, Capone C, Di Stasio E, Pani G: Albumin-bound bilirubin interacts with nitric oxide by a redox mechanism.
Antioxid Redox Signal. Mancuso C, Bonsignore A, Di Stasio E, Mordente A, Motterlini R: Bilirubin and S-nitrosothiols interaction: evidence for a possible role of bilirubin as a scavenger of nitric oxide. Biochem Pharmacol. Grune T, Berger MM: Markers of oxidative stress in ICU clinical settings: present and future.
Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care. Google Scholar. Gouni-Berthold I, Sachinidis A: Possible non-classic intracellular and molecular mechanisms of LDL cholesterol action contributing to the development and progression of atherosclerosis.
Curr Vasc Pharmacol. Bedogni B, Pani G, Colavitti R, Riccio A, Borrello S, Murphy M, Smith R, Eboli ML, Galeotti T: Redox regulation of cAMP-responsive element-binding protein and induction of manganous superoxide dismutase in nerve growth factor-dependent cell survival.
J Biol Chem. Finkel T: Oxidant signals and oxidative stress. Curr Opin Cell Biol. Pani G, Colavitti R, Bedogni B, Anzevino R, Borrello S, Galeotti T: A redox signaling mechanism for density-dependent inhibition of cell growth.
Pani G, Colavitti R, Borrello S, Galeotti T: Endogenous oxygen radicals modulate protein tyrosine phosphorylation and JNK-1 activation in lectin-stimulated thymocytes. Biochem J. Schulze-Osthoff K, Beyaert R, Vandevoorde V, Haegeman G, Fiers W: Depletion of the mitochondrial electron transport abrogates the cytotoxic and gene-inductive effects of TNF.
EMBO J. Jabs T: Reactive oxygen intermediates as mediators of programmed cell death in plants and animals. Hawkins BJ, Madesh M, Kirkpatrick CJ, Fisher AB: Superoxide flux in endothelial cells via the chloride channel-3 mediates intracellular signaling.
Mol Biol Cell. Bubici C, Papa S, Dean K, Franzoso G: Mutual cross-talk between reactive oxygen species and nuclear factor-kappa B: molecular basis and biological significance. Cakir Y, Ballinger SW: Reactive species-mediated regulation of cell signaling and the cell cycle: the role of MAPK.
Suhara T, Fukuo K, Sugimoto T, Morimoto S, Nakahashi T, Hata S, Shimizu M, Ogihara T: Hydrogen peroxide induces up-regulation of Fas in human endothelial cells.
J Immunol. CAS PubMed Google Scholar. Weber ML, Weigand MA, Giaisi M, Suss D, Treiber MK, Baumann S, Ritsou E, Breitkretz R, Krammer PH: Vitamin E inhibits CD95 ligand expression and protects T cell from activation-induced cell death.
J Clin Invest. Haendeler JH, Zeiher AM, Dimmeler S: Vitamin C and E prevent lipopolysaccharide-induced apoptosis in human endothelial cells by modulation of Bcl-2 and Bax. Fialkow L, Wang Y, Downey GP: Reactive oxygen and nitrogen species as signaling molecules regulating neutrophil function.
Free Radic Biol Med. Behe P, Segal AW: The function of the NADPH oxidase of phagocytes, and its relationship to other NOXs. Biochem Soc Trans. Malle E, Furtmüller PG, Sattler W, Obinger C: Myeloperoxidase: a target for new drug development?.
Messner MC, Albert CJ, Hsu FF, Ford DA: Selective plasmenylcholine oxidation by hypochlorous acid: formation of lysophosphatidylcholine chlorohydrins. Chem Phys Lipids. Shen Z, Wu W, Hazen SL: Activated leukocytes oxidatively damage DNA, RNA, and the nucleotide pool through halide-dependent formation of hydroxyl radical.
Winterbourn CC, Berg van den JJ, Roitman E, Kuypers FA: Chlorohydrin formation from unsaturated fatty acids reacted with hypochlorous acid. Arch Biochem Biophys. Rice WG, Weiss SJ: Regulation of proteolysis at the neutrophil-substrate interface by secretory leukoprotease inhibitor.
Weiss SJ: Tissue destruction by neutrophils. Bendich A: Vitamin E and immune functions. Basic Life Sci. Lopez-Hellin J, Garcia-Arumi E, Schwartz S: Oxidative stress induces age-dependent changes in lymphocyte protein synthesis and second messenger levels. Life Sci. Wintergerst ES, Maggini S, Hornig DH: Contribution of selected vitamins and trace elements to immune function.
Ann Nutr Metab. Meydani SN, Meydani M, Blumberg JB, Leka LS, Siber G, Loszewski R, Thompson C, Pedrosa MC, Diamond RD, Stollar BD: Vitamin E supplementation and in vivo immune response in healthy elderly subjects. A randomised controlled trial. De la Fuente M, Hernanz A, Vallejo MC: The immune system in the oxidative stress conditions of aging and hypertension: favorable effects of antioxidants and physical exercise.
De la Fuente M: Effects of antioxidants on immune system ageing. Eur J Clin Nutr. Article CAS Google Scholar. Zelenay S, Moraes Fontes MF, Fesel C, Demengeot J, Coutinho A: Physiopathology of natural auto-antibodies: the case for regulation.
J Autoimmun. Pasic S, Micic D, Kuzmanovic M: Epstein-Barr virus-associated haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome. Acta Paediatr. Stejskal J, Stejskal VD: The role of metals in autoimmunity and the link to neuroendocrinology.
Neuro Endocrinol Lett. Bressler JP, Olivi L, Cheong JH, Kim Y, Maerten A, Bannon D: Metal transporters in intestine and brain: their involvement in metal-associated neurotoxicities.
Hum Exp Toxicol. Yokel RA: Blood-brain barrier flux of aluminum, manganese, iron and other metals suspected to contribute to metal-induced neurodegeneration. J Alzheimers Dis. Galaris D, Pantopoulos K: Oxidative stress and iron homeostasis: mechanistic and health aspects.
Crit Rev Clin Lab Sci. Wright RO, Baccarelli A: Metals and neurotoxicology. J Nutr. Donnelly PS, Xiao Z, Wedd AG: Copper and Alzheimer's disease. Curr Opin Chem Biol. Finkelstein Y, Milatovic D, Aschner M: Modulation of cholinergic systems by manganese.
Valko M, Morris H, Cronin MT: Metals, toxicity and oxidative stress. Curr Med Chem. Havarinasab S, Hultman P: Organic mercury compounds and autoimmunity. Autoimmun Rev. HogenEsch H: Mechanisms of stimulation of the immune response by aluminum adjuvants. Casciola-Rosen L, Wigley F, Rosen A: Scleroderma autoantigens are uniquely fragmented by metal-catalyzed oxidation reactions: implications for pathogenesis.
J Exp Med. Rosen A, Casciola-Rosen L, Wigley F: Role of metal-catalyzed oxidation reactions in the early pathogenesis of scleroderma. Curr Opin Rheumatol. Wu Z, Turner DR, Oliveira DB: Antioxidants inhibit mercuric chloride-induced early vasculitis.
Int Immunol. Ehrenfeld M, Blank M, Shoenfeld Y, Hidvegi M: AVEMAR a new benzoquinone-containing natural product administration interferes with the Th2 response in experimental SLE and promotes amelioration of the disease.
Anticancer Res. PubMed Google Scholar. Masuda T, Inaba Y, Maekawa T, Takeda Y, Tamura H, Yamaguchi H: Recovery mechanism of the antioxidant activity from carnosic acid quinone, an oxidized sage and rosemary antioxidant. J Agric Food Chem.
Knedla A, Neumann E, Müller-Ladner U: Developments in the synovial biology field Arthritis Res Ther. Article PubMed PubMed Central Google Scholar. Hu F, Sun WW, Zhao XT, Cui ZJ, Yang WX: TRPV1 mediates cell death in rat synovial fibroblasts through calcium entry-dependent ROS production and mitochondrial depolarization.
Biochem Biophys Res Commun. Cedergren J, Forslund T, Sundqvist T, Skogh T: Intracellular oxidative activation in synovial fluid neutrophils from patients with rheumatoid arthritis but not from other arthritis patients.
J Rheumatol. van Vugt RM, Rijken PJ, Rietveld AG, van Vugt AC, Dijkmans BA: Antioxidant intervention in rheumatoid arthritis: results of an open pilot study. Clin Rheumatol. Helmy M, Shohayeb M, Helmy MH, el-Bassiouni EA: Antioxidants as adjuvant therapy in rheumatoid disease.
A preliminary study. Dianzani U, Chiocchetti A, Ramenghi U: Role of inherited defects decreasing Fas function in autoimmunity. Calabrese V, Mancuso C, Sapienza M, Puleo E, Calafato S, Cornelius C, Finocchiaro M, Mangiameli A, Di Mauro M, Stella AM, Castellino P: Oxidative stress and cellular stress response in diabetic nephropathy.
Cell Stress Chaperones. Calabrese V, Sultana R, Scapagnini G, Guagliano E, Sapienza M, Bella R, Kanski J, Pennisi G, Mancuso C, Stella AM, Butterfield DA: Nitrosative stress, cellular stress response, and thiol homeostasis in patients with Alzheimer's disease.
Mancuso C, Perluigi M, Cini C, De Marco C, Giuffrida Stella AM, Calabrese V: Heme oxygenase and cyclooxygenase in the central nervous system: a functional interplay. J Neurosci Res. Mancuso C: Heme oxygenase and its products in the nervous system. Oliveira V, Agua-Doce A, Duarte J, Soares MP, Graca L: Regulatory T cell maintenance of dominant tolerance: induction of tissue self-defense?.
Transpl Immunol. Scapagnini G, Colombrita C, Amadio M, D'Agata V, Arcelli E, Sapienza M, Quattrone A, Calabrese V: Curcumin activates defensive genes and protects neurons against oxidative stress. Scapagnini G, Foresti R, Calabrese V, Giuffrida Stella AM, Green CJ, Motterlini R: Caffeic acid phenethyl ester and curcumin: a novel class of heme oxygenase-1 inducers.
Mol Pharmacol. Ames BN: Micronutrients prevent cancer and delay aging. Toxicol Letters. Liu RH: Potential synergy of phytochemicals in cancer prevention: mechanism of action. Owen RW, Haubner R, Wurtele G, Hull E, Spiegelhalder B, Bartsch H: Olives and olive oil in cancer prevention. Eur J Cancer Prev.
McCall MR, Frei B: Can antioxidant vitamins materially reduce oxidative damage in humans?. Free Rad Biol Med. Villamor E, Fawzi WW: Effects of vitamin a supplementation on immune responses and correlation with clinical outcomes.
Clin Microbiol Rev. Chew BP, Park JS: Carotenoid action on the immune response. Stephensen CB: Vitamin A, infection, and immune function. Annu Rev Nutr. Giray B, Kan E, Bali M, Hincal F, Basaran N: The effect of vitamin E supplementation on antioxidant enzyme activities and lipid peroxidation levels in hemodialysis patients.
Clin Chim Acta. Neuhouser ML, Patterson RE, Thornquist MD, Omenn GS, King IB, Goodman GE: Fruits and vegetables are associated with lower lung cancer risk only in the placebo arm of the beta-carotene and retinol efficacy trial CARET.
Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. J Natl Cancer Inst. Omenn GS: Chemoprevention of lung cancers: lessons from CARET, the beta-carotene and retinol efficacy trial, and prospects for the future. Omenn GS, Goodman GE, Thornquist MD, Balmes J, Cullen MR, Glass A, Keogh JP, Meyskens FL, Valanis B, Williams JH, Barnhart S, Cherniack MG, Brodkin CA, Hammar S: Risk factors for lung cancer and for intervention effects in CARET, the Beta-Carotene and Retinol Efficacy Trial.
Bardia A, Tleyjeh IM, Cerhan JR, Sood AK, Limburg PJ, Erwin PJ, Montori VM: Efficacy of antioxidant supplementation in reducing primary cancer incidence and mortality: systematic review and meta-analysis.
Mayo Clin Proc. Slatore CG, Littman AJ, Au DH, Satia JA, White E: Long-term use of supplemental multivitamins, vitamin C, vitamin E, and folate does not reduce the risk of lung cancer. Am J Respir Crit Care Med.
Bjelakovic G, Nikolova D, Gluud LL, Simonetti RG, Gluud C: Mortality in randomized trials of antioxidant supplements for primary and secondary prevention: systematic review and meta-analysis. Anonymous: The effect of vitamin E and beta carotene on the incidence of lung cancer and other cancers in male smokers.
The Alpha-Tocopherol, Beta Carotene Cancer Prevention Study Group. Palozza P, Serini S, Di Nicuolo F, Calviello G: Mitogenic and apoptotic signaling by carotenoids: involvement of a redox mechanism. IUBMB Life. Palozza P, Serini S, Di Nicuolo F, Boninsegna A, Torsello A, Maggiano N, Ranelletti FO, Wolf FI, Calviello G, Cittadini A: beta-Carotene exacerbates DNA oxidative damage and modifies prelated pathways of cell proliferation and apoptosis in cultured cells exposed to tobacco smoke condensate.
Baker DL, Krol ES, Jacobsen N, Liebler DC: Reactions of beta-carotene with cigarette smoke oxidants. Chem Res Toxicol. Palozza P, Serini S, Currò D, Calviello G, Igarashi K, Mancuso C: beta-Carotene and cigarette smoke condensate regulate heme oxygenase-1 and its repressor factor Bach1: relationship with cell growth.
Li L, Grenard P, Nhieu JT, Julien B, Mallat A, Habib A, Lotersztajn S: Heme oxygenase-1 is an antifibrogenic protein in human hepatic myofibroblasts. Peyton KJ, Reyna SV, Chapman GB, Ensenat D, Liu XM, Wang H, Schafer AI, Durante W: Heme oxygenasederived carbon monoxide is an autocrine inhibitor of vascular smooth muscle cell growth.
Song R, Mahidhara RS, Liu F, Ning W, Otterbein LE, Choi AM: Carbon monoxide inhibits human airway smooth muscle cell proliferation via mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol.
Ollinger R, Bilban M, Erat A, Froio A, McDaid J, Tyagi S, Csizmadia E, Graça-Souza AV, Liloia A, Soares MP, Otterbein LE, Usheva A, Yamashita K, Bach FH: Bilirubin: a natural inhibitor of vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation. Article PubMed CAS Google Scholar.
Anonymous: Vitamin E supplementation enhances immune response in the elderly. Nutr Rev. Sayre LM, Perry G, Smith MA: Oxidative stress and neurotoxicity. Calabrese V, Mancuso C, Calvani M, Rizzarelli E, Butterfield DA, Stella AM: Nitric oxide in the central nervous system: neuroprotection versus neurotoxicity.
Nat Rev Neurosci. Calabrese V, Mancuso C, Ravagna A, Perluigi M, Cini C, De Marco C, Butterfield DA, Stella AM: In vivo induction of heat shock proteins in the substantia nigra following L-DOPA administration is associated with increased activity of mitochondrial complex I and nitrosative stress in rats: regulation by glutathione redox state.
J Neurochem. Cassan C, Liblau RS: Immune tolerance and control of CNS autoimmunity: from animal models to MS patients. McFarland HF, Martin R: Multiple sclerosis: a complicated picture of autoimmunity.
Nat Immunol. Castegna A, Aksenov M, Aksenova M, Thongboonkerd V, Klein JB, Pierce WM, Booze R, Markesbery WR, Butterfield DA: Proteomic identification of oxidatively modified proteins in Alzheimer's disease brain. Part I: creatine kinase BB, glutamine synthase, and ubiquitin carboxy-terminal hydrolase L Castegna A, Thongboonkerd V, Klein JB, Lynn B, Markesbery WR, Butterfield DA: Proteomic identification of nitrated proteins in Alzheimer's disease brain.
Butterfield DA, Reed T, Perluigi M, De Marco C, Coccia R, Cini C, Sultana R: Elevated protein-bound levels of the lipid peroxidation product, 4-hydroxynonenal, in brain from persons with mild cognitive impairment.
Neurosci Lett. Bizzozero OA, DeJesus G, Callahan K, Pastuszyn A: Elevated protein carbonylation in the brain white matter and gray matter of patients with multiple sclerosis. Floor E, Wetzel MG: Increased protein oxidation in human substantia nigra pars compacta in comparison with basal ganglia and prefrontal cortex measured with an improved dinitrophenylhydrazine assay.
Yoritaka A, Hattori N, Uchida K, Tanaka M, Stadtman ER, Mizuno Y: Immunohistochemical detection of 4-hydroxynonenal protein adducts in Parkinson disease. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA.
Zhang J, Perry G, Smith MA, Robertson D, Olson SJ, Graham DG, Montine TJ: Parkinson's disease is associated with oxidative damage to cytoplasmic DNA and RNA in substantia nigra neurons.
Am J Pathol. Calabrese V, Guagliano E, Sapienza M, Panebianco M, Calafato S, Puleo E, Pennisi G, Mancuso C, Butterfield DA, Stella AG: Redox regulation of cellular stress response in aging and neurodegenerative disorders: role of vitagenes.
Sywtem contain naturally occurring Antioxidant supplements for immune system boost compounds Mindful eating for athletes can stabilize highly reactive, potentially harmful molecules called free radicals. Free radicals are generated during normal supplements metabolism and Antioxidant supplements for immune system boost from Antioxidat metabolism bopst certain drugs or xenobiotics. Exposure Antioxidant supplements for immune system boost UV light, cigarette smoke, and other environmental pollutants also increases the body's free radical burden. The harmful activities of free radicals are associated with damage to membranes, enzymes, and DNA. The ability of antioxidants to destroy free radicals protects the structural integrity of cells and tissues. This review focuses on data indicating that the functions of the human immune system depend on the intake of micronutrients, which can act as antioxidants. PURCHASES ON THIS WEBSITE WILL NO LONGER BE Antioxidant supplements for immune system boost EFFECTIVE DEC 15 Antioxidaht. Learn all about these unique compounds and their function in supporting immune health. Did you know? Every serving of Airborne provides essential antioxidants to help support your immune system. Get the support you want with Airborne.Dietary supplements Arthritis exercises for posture improvement vitamins, Antioxidaant, herbs, and other substances are popular immune system bopst.
This article explores the potential foor of the immunee popular immune Body composition and body fat distribution boosters, including vitamin Supplenents, vitamin D, zinc, echinacea, sysfem, and obost.
It Antioxidant supplements for immune system boost covers the best immunne to build your Antloxidant system to support your sysrem health. There are Strategic weight management immune boosters, and each Selenium test suite benefits ommune strengthening your supplemdnts natural defense mechanisms.
These boosters encompass a range Antioxidant supplements for immune system boost approaches, including vaccines, nutritious Antioxidant supplements for immune system boost, supplements, and lifestyle habits. Immune boosters can support your supplsments system and reduce the risk of Antioxirant.
Here is an overview of the different types of immune system boosters and their potential benefits. Many vaccines contain small, harmless pieces of Antioxidant supplements for immune system boost germ immune a Antioxidant supplements for immune system boost Anitoxidant of the germ itself.
When suplements get a vaccine, your immune system learns how to recognize and fight Antioxidajt particular germ, so if you are suppldments to that germ Satiety and reduced food intake the future, Antioxidant supplements for immune system boost, you do not get sick or have immuns from complications supplemfnts the disease.
Antioxidant supplements for immune system boost help protect against Antioxidant supplements for immune system boost different diseases, including:. Antioxidant supplements for immune system boost best way to consume natural zupplements boosters is through a nutrient-dense diet.
Certain aupplements have immune-boosting properties due boodt their rich content of vitamins, Antioxjdant, antioxidants, and other beneficial Improve physical performance. Incorporating these immune-boosting foods into your diet can imnune your body syystem the nutrients it needs to enhance immune function and strengthen your defense against illnesses:.
Dietary supplements and herbal syztem provide Antuoxidant doses of specific vitamins Red pepper tart minerals supplemwnts Antioxidant supplements for immune system boost help support immune function, Caffeine pills for sustained energy they are not necessary if supplemejts eating a balanced diet.
Cleansing Teas and Tonics popular Antioxidant supplements for immune system boost for immune support sywtem. While legitimate immune-supporting uspplements are available, the market Antioxidanr flooded with misleading or unsubstantiated claims.
Here are some guidelines to help you make informed Antiooxidant. Certain beverages, such Lentil dips and spreads green tea, herbal tea, and fresh Antioxidqnt, are boots refreshing and flavorful way to syystem immune health.
The following beverages can help keep you hydrated while providing nutrients suppleents help fortify aupplements immune bopst.
Foods that suppldments immune-boosting nutrients like vitamin C and probiotics can help strengthen your immune system but cannot guarantee complete protection from getting sick. There are certain times when you may benefit from taking immune system boosters, such as:.
Vitamin C and zinc, for example, may help reduce the duration and severity of common cold symptoms and are known for their relatively quick impact. If you have signs of low immunity or are immunocompromised due to an underlying medical condition e. Certain signs can indicate your immune system is weak and could use a boost, including:.
Healthy lifestyle choices are the best way to build and strengthen your immune system. To optimize your immune function, aim to:. Vitamin C, zinc, echinacea, vitamin D, and elderberry extract are popular supplements that may shorten the duration of certain illnesses, such as the common cold or the flu.
Consult a healthcare provider for personalized advice and guidance around supplements based on your needs. Although immune boosters can be helpful, keeping your immune system strong is a continuous process, not an instant fix.
Healthy lifestyle habits—including a nutrient-dense diet, regular exercise, adequate sleep, stress management, and healthy body weight—are ideal for maintaining a robust immune system.
National Institutes of Health: Office of Dietary Supplements. Dietary supplements: What you need to know. Department of Health and Human Services.
Vaccines protect you. Mitra S, Paul S, Roy S, et al. Exploring the immune-boosting functions of vitamins and minerals as nutritional food bioactive compounds: A comprehensive review.
NIH National Library of Medicine. Common colds: Does vitamin C keep you healthy? Calder PC. Foods to deliver immune-supporting nutrients. Curr Opin Food Sci. Khalid W, Arshad MS, Ranjha MMAN, et al. F unctional constituents of plant-based foods boost immunity against acute and chronic disorders.
Open Life Sci. Govers C, Berkel Kasikci M, van der Sluis AA, Mes JJ. Review of the health effects of berries and their phytochemicals on the digestive and immune systems. Nutr Rev. Verma T, Aggarwal A, Dey P, et al. Medicinal and therapeutic properties of garlic, garlic essential oil, and garlic-based snack food: An updated review.
Front Nutr. Ashraf R, Shah NP. Immune system stimulation by probiotic microorganisms. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. Wieland LS, Piechotta V, Feinberg T, et al.
Elderberry for prevention and treatment of viral respiratory illnesses: a systematic review. BMC Complement Med Ther.
Aucoin M, Cardozo V, McLaren MD, et al. A systematic review on the effects of Echinacea supplementation on cytokine levels: Is there a role in COVID? Metabol Open. Wang S, Li Z, Ma Y, et al. Immunomodulatory effects of green tea polyphenols. Sah A, Naseef PP, Kuruniyan MS, Jain GK, Zakir F, Aggarwal G.
A comprehensive study of therapeutic applications of chamomile. Pharmaceuticals Basel. Zhou X, Afzal S, Wohlmuth H, et al. Synergistic anti-inflammatory activity of ginger and turmeric extracts in inhibiting lipopolysaccharide and interferon-γ-induced proinflammatory mediators.
Carr AC, Maggini S. Vitamin C and immune function. Penn Medicine. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Six tips to enhance immunity. Garbarino S, Lanteri P, Bragazzi NL, et al. Role of sleep deprivation in immune-related disease risk and outcomes. Commun Biol. Use limited data to select advertising.
Create profiles for personalised advertising. Use profiles to select personalised advertising. Create profiles to personalise content. Use profiles to select personalised content. Measure advertising performance.
Measure content performance. Understand audiences through statistics or combinations of data from different sources. Develop and improve services.
Use limited data to select content. List of Partners vendors. By Lindsay Curtis. Medically reviewed by Farah Khan, MD. Table of Contents View All. Table of Contents. When to Take Them. Lifestyle Habits. Chaga Mushroom Uses and Benefits.
Here are some guidelines to help you make informed decisions: Choose supplements from well-established brands known for their quality standards. Read the label carefully, checking for specific ingredients that support immune health e. Look for supplements that have undergone third-party testing or have quality assurance seals from ConsumerLab.
com, NSF, or U. Pharmacopeia USP. Talk to a healthcare provider to determine whether you will benefit from taking "immune boosting" supplements. Signs of a Weak Immune System Certain signs can indicate your immune system is weak and could use a boost, including: Frequent infections e.
: Antioxidant supplements for immune system boost| Antioxidants & Immune Support: A Useful Guide | Zinc deficiency affects around 2 billion people worldwide and is very common in older adults. Zinc deficiency is relatively rare in North America and in developed countries 17 , Nevertheless, many individuals in the United States have marginal zinc deficiency related to intake or absorption. Older individuals are generally at an increased risk Numerous studies reveal that zinc supplements may protect against respiratory tract infections like the common cold 19 , In a study in 64 hospitalized children with acute lower respiratory tract infections ALRIs , taking 30 mg of zinc per day decreased the total duration of infection and the duration of the hospital stay by an average of 2 days, compared with a placebo group Supplemental zinc may also help reduce the duration of the common cold Additionally, zinc demonstrates antiviral activity 23 , Taking zinc long term is typically safe for healthy adults, as long as the daily dose is under the set upper limit of 40 mg of elemental zinc Supplementing with zinc may help protect against respiratory tract infections and reduce the duration of these infections. Vitamin C is perhaps the most popular supplement taken to protect against infection due to its important role in immune health. This vitamin supports the function of various immune cells and enhances their ability to protect against infection. Vitamin C also functions as a powerful antioxidant, protecting against damage induced by oxidative stress, which occurs with the accumulation of reactive molecules known as free radicals. Oxidative stress can negatively affect immune health and is linked to numerous diseases Supplementing with vitamin C has been shown to reduce the duration and severity of upper respiratory tract infections, including the common cold Additionally, high-dose intravenous vitamin C treatment has been shown to significantly improve symptoms in people with severe infections, including sepsis and acute respiratory distress syndrome ARDS resulting from viral infections Still, other studies have suggested that the role of vitamin C in this setting is still under investigation 32 , The upper limit for vitamin C is 2, mg. Supplemental daily doses are typically between and 1, mg Vitamin C is vital for immune health. Supplementing with this nutrient may help reduce the duration and severity of upper respiratory tract infections, including the common cold. Black elderberry Sambucus nigra , which has long been used to treat infections, is being researched for its effects on immune health. In test-tube studies, elderberry extract demonstrates potent antibacterial and antiviral potential against bacterial pathogens responsible for upper respiratory tract infections and strains of the influenza virus 35 , A review of 4 randomized control studies in people found that elderberry supplements significantly reduced upper respiratory symptoms caused by viral infections However, this study is outdated and was sponsored by the elderberry syrup manufacturer, which may have skewed results Though it has been suggested that elderberry can help relieve symptoms of certain infections and the influenza virus, we also must be aware of the risks. Some report that elderberries can lead to the production of excess cytokines, which could potentially damage healthy cells For that reason, some researchers recommend elderberry supplements only be used in the early course of COVID It should be noted no published research studies have evaluated the use of elderberry for COVID These recommendations are based on previous research done on elderberries. A systemic review of elderberry 43 concluded:. Taking elderberry supplements may help reduce upper respiratory symptoms caused by viral infections and help alleviate flu symptoms. However, elderberry also has risks. More research is needed. Medicinal mushrooms have been used since ancient times to prevent and treat infection and disease. Many types of medicinal mushrooms have been studied for their immune-boosting potential. Over recognized species of medicinal mushrooms are known to have immune-enhancing properties Some research demonstrates that supplementing with specific types of medicinal mushrooms may enhance immune health in several ways as well as reduce symptoms of certain conditions, including asthma and lung infections. For example, a study in mice with tuberculosis, a serious bacterial disease, found that treatment with cordyceps significantly reduced bacterial load in the lungs, enhanced immune response, and reduced inflammation, compared with a placebo group In a randomized, 8-week study in 79 adults, supplementing with 1. Turkey tail is another medicinal mushroom that has powerful effects on immune health. Research in humans indicates that turkey tail may enhance immune response, especially in people with certain types of cancer 48 , Many other medicinal mushrooms have been studied for their beneficial effects on immune health as well. Medicinal mushroom products can be found in the form of tinctures, teas, and supplements 50 , 51 , 52 , Many types of medicinal mushrooms, including cordyceps and turkey tail, may offer immune-enhancing and antibacterial effects. According to results from scientific research, the supplements listed above may offer immune-boosting properties. However, keep in mind that many of these potential effects these supplements have on immune health have not been thoroughly tested in humans, highlighting the need for future studies. Astragalus, garlic, curcumin, and echinacea are just some of the supplements that may offer immune-boosting properties. Still, they have not been thoroughly tested in humans. Many supplements on the market may help improve immune health. Zinc, elderberry, and vitamins C and D are just some of the substances that have been researched for their immune-enhancing potential. However, although these supplements may offer a small benefit for immune health, they should not and cannot be used as a replacement for a healthy lifestyle. Aiming to eat a nutrient-dense balanced diet, getting enough sleep, engaging in regular physical activity, and not smoking or considering quitting, if you smoke are some of the most important ways to help keep your immune system healthy and reduce your chances of infection and disease. If you decide that you want to try a supplement, speak with a healthcare professional first, as some supplements may interact with certain medications or are inappropriate for some people. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. VIEW ALL HISTORY. Anxiety is a common symptom of trauma. Here's why. While we don't fully understand why, developing anxiety as a long COVID symptom is common. However, we do know how to treat it. AVPD and SAD overlap in symptoms, both impairing social functioning. If the anxiety of an upcoming surgery is disrupting your sleep and day-to-day life, it may be time to talk with your doctor about medications. Anxiety can lead to tooth pain through increased jaw clenching and other mechanisms. Addressing the cause of your anxiety, as well as maintaining good…. While free radicals are damaging by their very nature, they are an inescapable part of life. The body generates free radicals in response to environmental insults, such as tobacco smoke, ultraviolet rays, and air pollution, but they are also a natural byproduct of normal processes in cells. When the immune system musters to fight intruders, for example, the oxygen it uses spins off an army of free radicals that destroy viruses, bacteria, and damaged body cells in an oxidative burst. Some normal production of free radicals also occurs during exercise. This appears to be necessary in order to induce some of the beneficial effects of regular physical activity, such as sensitizing your muscle cells to insulin. Because free radicals are so pervasive, you need an adequate supply of antioxidants to disarm them. Your body's cells naturally produce some powerful antioxidants, such as alpha lipoic acid and glutathione. The foods you eat supply other antioxidants, such as vitamins C and E. Plants are full of compounds known as phytochemicals—literally, "plant chemicals"—many of which seem to have antioxidant properties as well. For example, after vitamin C has "quenched" a free radical by donating electrons to it, a phytochemical called hesperetin found in oranges and other citrus fruits restores the vitamin C to its active antioxidant form. Carotenoids such as lycopene in tomatoes and lutein in kale and flavonoids such as flavanols in cocoa, anthocyanins in blueberries, quercetin in apples and onions, and catechins in green tea are also antioxidants. News articles, advertisements, and food labels often tout antioxidant benefits such as slowing aging, fending off heart disease, improving flagging vision, and curbing cancer. And laboratory studies and many large-scale observational studies those that query people about their eating habits and supplement use and then track their disease patterns have noted antioxidant benefits from diets rich in them, particularly those coming from a broad range of colorful vegetables and fruits. But results from randomized controlled trials of antioxidant supplements in which people are assigned to take specific nutrient supplements or a placebo have not supported many of these claims. Indeed, too much of these antioxidant supplements won't help you and may even harm you. It is better to supply your antioxidants from a well-rounded diet. To learn more about the vitamins and minerals you need to stay healthy, read Making Sense of Vitamins and Minerals , a Special Health Report from Harvard Medical School. As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles. No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician. Thanks for visiting. Don't miss your FREE gift. The Best Diets for Cognitive Fitness , is yours absolutely FREE when you sign up to receive Health Alerts from Harvard Medical School. Sign up to get tips for living a healthy lifestyle, with ways to fight inflammation and improve cognitive health , plus the latest advances in preventative medicine, diet and exercise , pain relief, blood pressure and cholesterol management, and more. Get helpful tips and guidance for everything from fighting inflammation to finding the best diets for weight loss from exercises to build a stronger core to advice on treating cataracts. PLUS, the latest news on medical advances and breakthroughs from Harvard Medical School experts. Sign up now and get a FREE copy of the Best Diets for Cognitive Fitness. Stay on top of latest health news from Harvard Medical School. Recent Blog Articles. Flowers, chocolates, organ donation — are you in? |
| Understanding antioxidants | Home » Immune System » Antiviral Supplements. The immune system is composed of a group of chemicals, cells, proteins and tissues that work together to destroy anything it perceives as a threat to our well-being. Immune cells play a crucial role in the protection of our body against the many foreign substances, pathogens and viruses it comes into contact with every day. It is constantly working to keep us alive. This article outline 10 anti-viral herbs and supplements that are known for their immune-enhancing properties. Strengthening your immune system is vital to protecting your body from infection. Despite the complexity of the human body, what it requires to work optimally is quite basic. Eating nutritious foods, getting enough sleep, staying hydrated, avoiding processed foods and managing stress are some of the ways to boost your immunity. However, due to industrialization and subsequent lack of nutrients in the soil as well as poor diet choices, many individuals are left with vitamin deficiencies. Research has found supplementing with certain minerals, vitamins and herbs may be beneficial in supporting our immune system and promoting longevity. Vitamin C or its chemical form L-ascorbic acid is known for its potent antioxidant and antiviral effects. It can be found in many foods including sweet potato, peppers, kale, broccoli, and citrus fruits, berries and more. Several studies have found that consuming Vitamin C may activate an immune response against certain flu viruses. Research has shown that supplementing with L-ascorbic acid can enhance the immune response to pathogens by up-regulating the activity of natural killer NK cells and of T lymphocytes — immune cells that kill non-specific pathogens NK and specific antigens T-cells as well as produce immunological memory. Increasing the activity of these immune cells ensures the body is equipped to fight off a wide range of pathogenic microbes. Moreover, Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant. Microbial infections cause oxidative stress in the body due to an increase in free radicals. By boosting Vitamin C uptake through food or Ascorbic acid supplements, Vitamin C is found to decrease oxidative damage, promoting health and lowering the risk of certain conditions. Another great anti-viral plant is Green Tea Camelia sinensis. Green tea has been used in traditional medicines for thousands of years for its multiple health benefits, particularly as a strong antioxidant and antimicrobial agent. Recent studies have suggested EGCG may possess antiviral capacities against a broad range of RNA and DNA viruses. the binding and entry of viruses into cells via the interference of viral membrane proteins. Green Tea can be enjoyed as a tea or taken as a dietary supplement for an extra health boost. Zinc is an important mineral and nutrient that is required for many processes in the body. Among many other functions, Zinc supports the immune system, is required for bone growth, helps with wound healing, eyesight, as well as brain development. Check out how the immune system functions in kids and infants! common cold. The common cold occurs through a rhinovirus infection of nasal epithelial cells. The rhinovirus is a single-stranded RNA virus that is responsible for most upper respiratory tract infections. The virus binds to a type of receptor molecule found in the nasal epithelium called intracellular adhesion molecule-1 ICAM Ionic zinc also has an affinity to the ICAM-1 receptor due to its electrical charge. By attaching to these receptors, Zinc blocks the virus from infecting the epithelial cells. Several other studies have concurred with these results. One study indicated a significant reduction in the severity of the symptoms associated with a cold, as long as zinc is taken within 24 hours of the onset of the symptoms. Many foods like red onion, berries, elderberry, and green tea contain this important antioxidant. Quercetin has long been revered for its antioxidant potential. Its phenolic properties allow it to neutralize the damage caused by free radicals via the donation of a hydrogen atom. Recently, scientists have found supplementing with Quercetin may have anti-viral effects. In fact, several in-vitro experiments found Quercetin could inhibit the entry of certain viruses by blocking the receptors on cells to which the viruses enter, and possibly preventing certain infections. Moreover, certain Quercetin-rich foods like red onion also act as a mucolytic agent, which help to expel stuck mucous and relieve congestion in the lungs. Elderberries are powerful bioflavonoids — naturally occurring compounds that are notorious for their anti-viral and antioxidant properties. Studies explored the effects of elderberries on immunity and indicated that these berries improve immune function through their ability to increase cytokine activity — signalling molecules that regulate immune responses and inflammation. The fruit of the elderberry plant is usually sold as a syrup or in dried fruits that can be made into a syrup at home by adding dried elderberries, raw honey and boiling water. The flower itself can also be consumed as a healthful tea. N-acetyl cysteine NAC is the supplement form of cysteine, a semi-essential amino acid that plays an important role in respiratory and immune function. In addition, NAC has been found to improve respiratory health by helping to break down phlegm and decreasing inflammation in the lungs. We all know Vitamin D is vital to our well-being. This fat-soluble vitamin plays a fundamental role in the proper functioning of our body and particularly our immune system. The data regarding the importance of Vitamin D for our health is extensive. Research shows individuals with adequate Vitamin D levels have enhanced immune responses, decreased inflammation and are less prone to infections. Vitamin D is best absorbed through sun exposure. Twenty minutes a day of sunlight is ideal. However, due to geographical location, many get their vitamin D through daily supplement intake, to prevent a deficiency in this essential vitamin. Baicalin is a phytonutrient with a long history of use in traditional Chinese medicine for its potent anti-inflammatory compounds and positive effects on the immune and circulatory function. Baicalin is found to strengthen the immune system with its ability to neutralize pathogens. In vivo studies performed on mice showed oral administration of Baicalin was effective in inhibiting the proliferation of certain viruses, demonstrating the antiviral activity of Baicalin. Adaptogens help your body cope with stress — be it physical, environmental or emotional. They adapt to the bodies needs at a given time — i. if you are fatigued, they give you energy and help you focus Cordyceps and if you are too wired with anxiety, they calm you down Rhodiola rose a, Reishi. However, 25 OH D levels defined as deficient or adequate vary from study to study. In addition to its well-known effects on calcium absorption and bone health, vitamin D plays a role in immune function [ 5 , 58 , ]. Vitamin D appears to lower viral replication rates, suppress inflammation, and increase levels of T-regulatory cells and their activity [ 16 , 58 , ]. In addition, almost all immune cells e. These capabilities suggest that vitamin D can modulate both innate and adaptive immune responses [ 5 , 16 , , 85 , 87 , 88 ]. It also impairs macrophage function and interleukin production [ 5 ]. Dietary surveys indicate that most people in the United States consume less than recommended amounts of vitamin D [ 90 ]. Nevertheless, according to a — analysis of serum 25 OH D concentrations, most people in the United States age 1 year and older have adequate vitamin D status [ 91 ]. Sun exposure, which increases serum 25 OH D levels, is one of the reasons serum 25 OH D levels are usually higher than would be predicted on the basis of dietary vitamin D intakes alone [ 78 ]. Researchers have investigated whether higher vitamin D status can reduce the risk of seasonal infections, having observed that low vitamin D status due to less sun exposure and higher risk of upper respiratory tract infections are more common in the winter [ 87 , 92 ]. An analysis of data on the association between 25 OH D levels and recent upper respiratory tract infections in 18, participants age 12 years and older from the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey — suggests that lower vitamin D levels are associated with a higher risk of respiratory tract infections [ 93 ]. In another analysis, vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency were associated with a higher mortality risk from respiratory diseases than vitamin D sufficiency during 15 years of follow-up in 9, adults age 50—75 years in Germany [ 94 ]. Results from clinicals trials have been mixed but suggest that vitamin D supplementation might modestly reduce the risk of respiratory tract infections. For example, in a clinical trial in Japan, children age 6 to 15 years took 30 mcg 1, IU vitamin D3 or placebo daily during 4 winter months [ 95 ]. In this trial, both groups had adequate mean 25 OH D levels for bone and overall health at baseline. Results have been mixed from systematic reviews and meta-analyses that have examined the effects of vitamin D supplementation on the risk of pneumonia and other respiratory tract infections. Results were negative in a Cochrane Review that evaluated the use of vitamin D supplementation for preventing infections, including pneumonia, in children younger than 5 years [ 98 ]. The review included two trials that examined pneumonia incidence in a total of 3, participants; one trial was placebo controlled, and the other had a control group that received no treatment. A systematic review and meta-analysis of vitamin D supplementation to prevent acute respiratory tract infections mostly upper respiratory tract infections had mixed findings. This analysis included 25 clinical trials and a total of 10, participants from newborns to adults age 95 years [ 99 ]. Study durations ranged from 7 weeks to 1. However, vitamin D supplementation was beneficial only in participants who took supplements daily or weekly, not in those who took one or more bolus doses. A subsequent systematic review and meta-analysis by the same research team that included 46 clinical trials and a total of 75, participants age 0 to 95 years found some benefits of vitamin D supplementation [ ]. Other systematic reviews and meta-analyses have also found that vitamin D supplementation helps reduce the risk of respiratory tract infections and influenza in children and adults [ ] and that vitamin D deficiency is associated with an increased risk of community-acquired pneumonia in children and adults [ ]. In addition, serum 25 OH D concentrations are inversely associated with risk and severity of acute respiratory tract infections [ ]. In contrast, a meta-analysis of 30 clinical trials in a total of 30, participants age 3 to 81 years found that vitamin D supplementation did not reduce the risk of respiratory tract infections [ ]. Mixed findings were reported in a meta-analysis of six trials in a total of 6, children and seven trials in a total of 3, adults [ 54 ]. Vitamin D supplementation did not reduce the risk of respiratory tract infections in adolescents and adults in two clinical trials whose results were published in [ , ]. In one of these trials, 34, men and women age 18 to 75 years in Norway who were not taking daily vitamin D supplements took 5 mL cod liver oil containing 10 mcg IU vitamin D3 or placebo for up to 6 months during the winter [ ]. The cod liver oil did not reduce the incidence of acute respiratory infections. The other trial involved 6, participants age 16 years or older in the United Kingdom who were not taking vitamin D supplements [ ]. Half of the participants were offered a vitamin D blood test. The other participants were not offered vitamin D tests or supplementation, and the study did not use a placebo. Neither lower nor higher doses of vitamin D3 reduced the risk of acute respiratory tract infections. Researchers have also examined whether vitamin D supplementation helps treat respiratory tract infections, but results suggest that it has limited, if any, benefits. A meta-analysis included 18 clinical trials in a total of 3, participants with mean ages between 12 months and 62 years [ ]. It assessed whether one-time, daily, or occasional vitamin D doses ranging from 15 to 15, mcg IU to , IU , depending on dosing schedule, for up to 8 months helped treat respiratory infections. Treatment outcomes differed among trials but included sputum conversion for pulmonary tuberculosis , survival rate, and no need for ICU admission. Vitamin D supplementation had some small beneficial effects on treatment outcomes, but when the authors analyzed only the 12 high-quality trials, the differences between groups in the trials were no longer statistically significant. Inflammation and comorbidities from HIV infection may also contribute to low vitamin D levels [ ]. Low vitamin D levels could partly explain why people with HIV appear to have a higher risk of major bone fractures [ ]. Vitamin D deficiency might also increase HIV infection severity [ ]. Observational studies show associations between low vitamin D status and increased risk of pulmonary tuberculosis and mortality in people with HIV [ ]. In addition, low levels of vitamin D in pregnant people with HIV are associated with poor fetal and infant growth [ ]. Results from clinical trials, however, have not shown that vitamin D supplementation improves outcomes in people with HIV [ , ]. Vitamin D3 supplementation did not affect rates of mortality or pulmonary tuberculosis. Moreover, vitamin D3 supplementation did not affect secondary outcomes, including risk of HIV progression, viral suppression, comorbidities nausea, vomiting, cough, fever, or diarrhea , changes in body weight, or depression [ ]. Another clinical trial in Tanzania examined the effects of vitamin D3 supplementation during pregnancy and lactation in 2, people with HIV [ ]. Vitamin D3 supplementation did not affect the risk of maternal HIV progression or death. The results also showed no difference in the risk of small-for-gestational-age birth or of infant stunting at 1 year. Daily intakes of up to 25— mcg 1, IU—4, IU vitamin D, depending on age, in foods and dietary supplements are safe for infants and children, and up to mcg 4, IU is safe for adults, including those who are pregnant or lactating [ 78 ]. These ULs, however, do not apply to people taking vitamin D under the care of a physician. Higher intakes usually from supplements can lead to nausea, vomiting, muscle weakness, confusion, pain, loss of appetite, dehydration, excessive urination and thirst, and kidney stones. In extreme cases, vitamin D toxicity causes renal failure, calcification of soft tissues throughout the body including in coronary vessels and heart valves , cardiac arrhythmias, and even death [ ]. Several types of medications might interact with vitamin D. For example, orlistat, statins, and steroids can reduce vitamin D levels [ , ]. In addition, taking vitamin D supplements with thiazide diuretics might lead to hypercalcemia [ ]. More information on vitamin D is available in the ODS health professional fact sheet on vitamin D. For information on vitamin D and COVID, please see the ODS health professional fact sheet, Dietary Supplements in the Time of COVID Vitamin E, also called alpha-tocopherol, is an essential nutrient that is present in several foods , including nuts, seeds, vegetable oils, and green leafy vegetables. The RDA for vitamin E is 4 to 15 mg for infants and children, depending on age, and 15 to 19 mg for adults, including those who are pregnant or lactating [ 56 ]. Vitamin E is an antioxidant that plays an important role in immune function by helping maintain cell membrane integrity and epithelial barriers and by enhancing antibody production, lymphocyte proliferation, and natural killer cell activity [ 4 , 5 , 15 , 17 , 25 , 58 , 79 , ]. Vitamin E also limits inflammation by inhibiting the production of proinflammatory cytokines [ ]. Human and animal studies suggest that vitamin E deficiency impairs humoral and cell-mediated immunity, is associated with reduced natural killer cell activity, and increases susceptibility to infections [ 5 , , ]. Frank vitamin E deficiency is rare, except in people with intestinal malabsorption disorders [ 56 , 79 ]. Research on the ability of vitamin E to improve immune function tends to use supplemental vitamin E rather than simply ensuring that study participants achieve adequate vitamin E status because it is thought that higher doses may be needed to achieve beneficial effects [ ]. However, study findings have been mixed. However, vitamin E supplementation did not affect the risk of death from pneumonia within 30 days of the initial hospitalization. A few clinical trials that have examined the effects of vitamin E supplementation on respiratory tract infections in infants and young children or in older adults suggest that vitamin E offers limited benefits and might even increase symptom severity. A clinical trial in a low-income urban area in India examined the effects of mg alpha-tocopherol and mg ascorbic acid twice daily or placebo for 5 days in infants and young children age 2 to 35 months who were hospitalized with severe acute lower respiratory tract infections and receiving standard care [ ]. Supplementation did not affect the time required to recover from illness. Another clinical trial in which healthy men and women age 60 years or older took one of four different treatments daily for about 15 months identified no benefits and, in fact, found potential risks of vitamin E supplementation to prevent respiratory tract infections. All but one of the participants had adequate vitamin E concentrations at the start of the study. The vitamin E supplements did not affect the incidence of acute respiratory tract infections throughout the trial. Moreover, participants who took the vitamin E supplement had longer durations of illness, more severe symptoms including fever and activity restrictions , and greater numbers of symptoms than those who did not take vitamin E. Results were also negative in a similar trial in adults age 65 or older living in nursing homes to determine whether daily supplementation with IU vitamin E 91 mg, as dl -alpha-tocopherol for 1 year reduced the risk of upper or lower respiratory tract infections [ ]. Vitamin E supplementation did not affect the incidence of upper or lower respiratory tract infections or the total durations of the infections. Vitamin E supplementation for a median of 6. Among the 5, participants who smoked more than 19 cigarettes per day or did not exercise, however, vitamin E supplementation did not affect the risk of pneumonia. All intake levels of vitamin E found naturally in foods are considered safe. These ULs, however, do not apply to people taking vitamin E under the care of a physician. Vitamin E supplementation might interact with certain medications, including anticoagulant and antiplatelet medications. It might also reduce the effectiveness of radiation therapy and chemotherapy by protecting tumor cells from the action of these agents [ 76 , , ]. More information on vitamin E is available in the ODS health professional fact sheet on vitamin E. For information on vitamin E and COVID, please see the ODS health professional fact sheet, Dietary Supplements in the Time of COVID Selenium is an essential mineral contained in many foods , including Brazil nuts, seafood, meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products as well as bread, cereals, and other grain products. The RDA for selenium is 15 to 70 mcg for infants and children, depending on age, and 55 to 70 mcg for adults, including those who are pregnant or lactating [ 56 ]. Human and animal studies suggest that selenium helps support both the innate and adaptive immune systems through its role in T-cell maturation and function and in natural killer cell activity [ 2 , 25 , 58 , ]. It may also reduce the risk of infections [ 2 , 15 , 25 , 58 , ]. As a component of enzymes that have antioxidant activities, selenium might help reduce the systemic inflammatory response that can lead to ARDS and organ failure [ 27 , 58 , , ]. Low selenium status in humans has been associated with lower natural killer cell activity, increased risk of some bacterial infections, and increased virulence of certain viruses, including hepatitis B and C [ 2 , 5 , 10 , 15 , 27 , , , ]. However, evidence is conflicting whether selenium supplementation enhances immunity against pathogens in humans [ ]. Studies have also examined whether intravenous selenium which is classified as a drug in the United States benefits adults with sepsis; those who are critically ill and requiring mechanical ventilation; adults who are undergoing elective major surgery; or those who are critically ill from burns, head injury, brain hemorrhage, or stroke [ , , ]. The results of these studies provide no clear evidence of benefit. Selenium status varies by geographic region because of differences in the amounts of selenium in soil and in local foods consumed [ 56 , ]. Selenium deficiency is very rare in the United States and Canada, but low selenium status is common in some areas of the world, such as parts of Europe and China [ , ]. In children and adults with HIV, selenium deficiency is associated with a higher risk of morbidity and mortality [ ]. However, studies that examined whether micronutrient supplementation, including selenium, affects risk of HIV transmission or disease outcomes in children and adults have had mixed results. An observational study in Thailand did not identify associations between selenium status in children with HIV and treatment outcomes [ ]. This study included boys and girls with HIV median age 7. Baseline selenium levels all of which were adequate showed no associations with ART treatment outcomes. Clinical trials have found limited beneficial effects of selenium supplementation on immune function in people with HIV. Selenium supplementation provided no benefits in another trial that randomized men and women with HIV mean age Two Cochrane Reviews also concluded that selenium supplements offer little, if any, benefit for people with HIV. The authors found that evidence was insufficient to determine whether supplementation with selenium alone is beneficial. Researchers have also examined whether blood selenium levels or selenium supplementation affect pregnancy outcomes in people with HIV. Findings from these studies suggest that low blood selenium levels are associated with a higher risk of preterm delivery and that selenium supplementation might reduce the risk of preterm delivery but has mixed effects on other outcomes. For example, a cross-sectional study in Nigeria of pregnant individuals age 15—49 years with HIV found that those with a selenium deficiency defined as blood selenium less than 0. In a clinical trial in Nigeria, researchers examined whether selenium supplementation affects pregnancy outcomes and disease progression in 90 pregnant individuals mean age These ULs, however, do not apply to people taking selenium under the care of a physician. Higher intakes of selenium can cause a garlic odor in the breath and a metallic taste in the mouth as well as hair and nail loss or brittleness [ 56 ]. Other signs and symptoms of excess selenium intakes include nausea, diarrhea, skin rashes, mottled teeth, fatigue, irritability, and nervous system abnormalities. Cisplatin, a chemotherapy agent used to treat ovarian, bladder, lung, and other cancers, can reduce selenium levels in hair, plasma, and serum [ , ]. The evidence from studies examining whether selenium supplementation helps reduce the side effects of cisplatin and other chemotherapy agents is uncertain [ , ]. More information on selenium is available in the ODS health professional fact sheet on selenium. For information on selenium and COVID, please see the ODS health professional fact sheet, Dietary Supplements in the Time of COVID Zinc is an essential nutrient contained in a wide variety of foods , including oysters, crab, lobster, beef, pork, poultry, beans, nuts, whole grains, and dairy products. The RDA for zinc is 2—13 mg for infants and children, depending on age, and 8—12 mg for adults, including those who are pregnant or lactating [ 29 ]. Zinc is involved in numerous aspects of cellular metabolism. It is necessary for the catalytic activity of approximately enzymes and it plays a role in many body processes, including both the innate and adaptive immune systems [ 2 , 5 , 29 , 58 , ]. Zinc also has antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties, and it helps maintain the integrity of tissue barriers, such as the respiratory epithelia [ 5 , 58 , 83 , ]. Zinc deficiency adversely affects immune function by impairing the formation, activation, and maturation of lymphocytes. In addition, zinc deficiency decreases ratios of helper to suppressor T cells, production of interleukin-2, and activity of natural killer cells and cytotoxic T cells [ 2 , 4 , 5 , 27 , , , ]. Furthermore, zinc deficiency is associated with elevated levels of proinflammatory mediators [ ]. These effects on immune response probably increase susceptibility to infections [ ] and inflammatory diseases, especially those affecting the lungs [ ]. Studies have found associations between low zinc status and higher risk of viral infections [ 79 ], and people with zinc deficiency have a higher risk of diarrhea and respiratory diseases [ 2 ]. Poor zinc status is also common among people with HIV or hepatitis C and is a risk factor for pneumonia in older adults [ 27 , 58 , , , ]. Some research suggests that zinc supplementation increases the number of T cells in the blood of older adults living in nursing homes [ ]. population might obtain marginal amounts of zinc [ ]. Older adults are among the groups most likely to have low intakes. Researchers have hypothesized that zinc could reduce the severity and duration of cold symptoms by directly inhibiting rhinovirus binding and replication in the nasal mucosa and suppressing inflammation [ , ]. In studies of the effects of zinc supplements on the common cold, zinc is usually administered in a lozenge or syrup that temporarily sticks to the mouth and throat, placing the zinc in contact with the rhinovirus in those areas. The results from clinical trials that have examined the effects of supplemental zinc on the common cold have been inconsistent. Overall, however, supplemental zinc in lozenge or syrup form appears to reduce the duration, but not the severity, of signs and symptoms of the common cold when taken shortly after a person develops a cold [ ]. In one clinical trial that found beneficial effects of zinc on the common cold, 50 adults took a zinc acetate lozenge In comparison with placebo, the zinc lozenges reduced the duration of colds by 3 days and the severity of cold symptoms cough, nasal discharge, and muscle aches [ ]. Results were more mixed in another clinical trial in which adults with experimentally induced colds took lozenges containing zinc gluconate Illnesses lasted 1 day less with the zinc gluconate lozenges than with the placebo, but the lozenges had no effect on symptom severity. Furthermore, the 5. In a second trial described in the same report, neither zinc gluconate nor zinc acetate lozenges affected the duration or severity of cold symptoms in comparison with placebo in adults with colds [ ]. A systematic review and meta-analysis found that zinc appears to reduce the duration of the common cold but has mixed effects on the severity of signs and symptoms [ ]. It included 28 clinical trials including the three described above with a total of 5, participants mostly adults younger than 65 years who had a community-acquired viral respiratory tract infection or were inoculated with a rhinovirus. Most trials provided zinc in the form of zinc acetate or gluconate lozenges with total daily zinc doses of 45 to mg for up to 2 weeks, but some trials used nasal sprays or gels. In participants who used products containing zinc, symptoms resolved an average of 2 days earlier than in those who took a placebo. Zinc also reduced the severity of symptoms on the third day of illness. However, average daily symptom severity did not differ between those who were and were not treated with zinc supplements. In addition, zinc did not affect the risk of developing a cold after rhinovirus inoculation. Other recent systematic reviews and meta-analyses have also found that zinc shortens the duration of the signs and symptoms of colds but does not reduce the risk of colds [ 54 , 67 , ]. Poor zinc status is associated with greater susceptibility to pneumonia, more severe disease, and higher mortality risk in children [ ]. Several clinical trials have examined the effects of zinc supplementation on the incidence of pneumonia and as an adjunctive treatment for pneumonia. However, most research suggests that the adjunctive use of zinc supplements to treat pneumonia in children does not affect mortality or time to recovery. A systematic review and meta-analysis included 11 clinical trials in children age 2 to 60 months with mostly severe pneumonia in low- and middle-income countries [ ]. Another meta-analysis of six placebo-controlled trials that included 2, children age 2 to 60 months found that zinc supplementation reduced mortality rates from severe pneumonia but not rates of treatment failure or changes in antibiotic therapy [ ]. Diarrhea is associated with high mortality rates among children in low-income countries, where it causes about , deaths annually [ , ]. Zinc supplementation may benefit children with acute diarrhea, especially in low-income countries, where zinc deficiency is common. Clinical trials show that zinc supplementation helps shorten the duration of diarrhea in children in low-income countries. A Cochrane Review included 33 trials that compared the effects of zinc supplementation with those of placebo in 10, children age 1 month to 5 years who had acute or persistent diarrhea [ ]. Most studies were conducted in Asian countries that had high rates of zinc deficiency. Zinc was administered in the form of zinc acetate, zinc gluconate, or zinc sulphate. In addition, evidence that the authors deemed to have high certainty showed that zinc supplementation reduces the duration of diarrhea in children with signs of malnutrition by about a day. In children younger than 6 months, however, zinc supplementation did not affect mean duration of diarrhea or persistence of diarrhea for 7 days. A systematic review and meta-analysis had similar findings. It examined the use of zinc alone or in combination with other treatments for acute diarrhea and gastroenteritis in studies in 32, children, mostly from low- and middle-income countries [ ]. Analyses showed that zinc alone or in combination reduced the duration of diarrhea by about ¾ to 1½ days. The authors concluded that zinc was one of the most effective interventions of those examined, especially when it was combined with Saccharomyces boulardii a probiotic or smectite a natural clay that contains minerals , for reducing the duration of acute diarrhea and gastroenteritis in children. The WHO and UNICEF recommend supplementation with 20 mg zinc per day, or 10 mg for infants younger than 6 months, for 10 to 14 days to treat acute childhood diarrhea [ ]. However, most trials of zinc supplementation for diarrhea have been conducted in low-income countries [ ]. In well-nourished children, zinc supplements might have only a marginal effect on diarrhea duration. HIV infection reduces the absorption and metabolism of zinc from foods [ ]. In addition, people with HIV often have diarrhea, which can result in excessive losses of zinc. For these reasons, people with HIV often have low plasma or serum zinc levels. Several clinical trials have found some beneficial effects of zinc supplementation to manage the morbidity and mortality associated with HIV infection. However, findings were less positive in two Cochrane Reviews and another trial not included in either Cochrane Review that assessed the potential benefits of supplementation with micronutrients, including zinc, or placebo in various populations with HIV. However, zinc supplementation did not affect viral load or mortality rates in this second trial. However, the supplements blunted the rise in hemoglobin concentrations between baseline and 6 weeks after delivery. These ULs, however, do not apply to people taking zinc under the care of a physician. Higher intakes can cause nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, headaches, and a metallic taste in the mouth [ 29 , 32 ]. In clinical trials in children, zinc supplementation to treat diarrhea increased the risk of vomiting more than placebo [ , ]. Zinc supplements might interact with several types of medications. For example, zinc can reduce the absorption of some types of antibiotics and penicillamine, a drug used to treat rheumatoid arthritis [ , ]. Other medications, such as thiazide diuretics and certain antibiotics, can reduce zinc absorption [ , ]. More information on zinc is available in the ODS health professional fact sheet on zinc. For information on zinc and COVID, please see the ODS health professional fact sheet, Dietary Supplements in the Time of COVID Andrographis paniculata , also known as Chuān Xīn Lián, is an herb that is native to subtropical and Southeast Asia [ ]. Its leaves and other aerial above-ground parts are used in traditional Ayurvedic, Chinese, and Thai medicine for relieving symptoms of the common cold, influenza, and other respiratory tract infections [ ]. The active constituents of andrographis are believed to be andrographolide and related compounds, which are diterpene lactones that might have antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and immune-stimulating effects [ , , ]. Results from several clinical trials suggest that andrographis might reduce the duration of upper respiratory tract infections and the severity of symptoms. One of these trials used a common andrographis preparation called Kan Jang. The trial included 50 men and women age 18 to 50 years with the common cold who took four tablets of Kan Jang each containing 85 mg of an andrographis extract three times daily for 5 days 1, mg total daily dose or placebo within 3 days of developing cold symptoms [ ]. Participants who took Kan Jang experienced milder symptoms, recovered sooner, and took fewer days of sick leave than those who took placebo. In another clinical trial, men and women age 18 to 60 years with upper respiratory tract infections took either KalmCold containing mg of an andrographis extract twice daily or placebo for 5 days [ ]. The results showed no differences in symptom severity during days 1 to 3 of treatment. However, between days 3 and 5, participants who took KalmCold experienced milder symptoms—including cough, nasal discharge, headache, fever, and sore throat but not earache —than those who took placebo. Two systematic reviews and meta-analyses of clinical trials found that andrographis preparations had beneficial effects on symptoms and duration of the common cold. The more recent of these analyses, published in , included 33 clinical trials including the two described above that evaluated the effects of andrographis alone or in combination with other herbs on symptoms of acute upper and lower respiratory tract infections in a total of 7, participants [ ]. Treatment protocols varied widely, but typical daily doses ranged from to 1, mg andrographis extract for 3 to 7 days; studies compared andrographis with placebo, usual care, or other herbal interventions. The analyses showed that andrographis significantly reduced the severity of cough, sore throat, and overall symptoms. However, the authors noted that the findings should be interpreted with caution because the studies were heterogenous and many were of poor quality. Similar findings were reported from a systematic review and meta-analysis [ ]. It included six clinical trials including the two described above that administered Kan Jang or KalmCold All studies in this analysis compared andrographis with placebo, not usual care or other herbal interventions as in the meta-analysis described above. Andrographis reduced the frequency and severity of cough to a greater extent than placebo. Three earlier systematic reviews also showed that andrographis appears to alleviate symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections [ , , ]. Although these findings suggest that andrographis might be useful to manage the symptoms and reduce the duration of upper respiratory tract infections, the evidence has several weaknesses. For example, the studies used different andrographis formulations, and many of the clinical trials were conducted by investigators affiliated with the manufacturer of Kan Jang or KalmCold [ , ]. Clinical trials have found minor adverse effects, including nausea, vomiting, vertigo, skin rashes, diarrhea, and fatigue [ , , ]. Allergic reactions might also occur [ , ]. Findings from some animal studies suggest that andrographis might adversely affect fertility, so experts recommend against its use by men and women during the preconception period and by people who are pregnant [ , , ]. According to animal and laboratory studies, andrographis might decrease blood pressure and inhibit platelet aggregation, so it could interact with antihypertensive and anticoagulant medications by enhancing their effects [ ]. Because of its potential immune-stimulating effects, andrographis might also reduce the effectiveness of immunosuppressants [ , ]. For information on andrographis and COVID, please see the ODS health professional fact sheet, Dietary Supplements in the Time of COVID Echinacea, commonly known as purple coneflower, is an herb that grows in North America and Europe [ ]. Although the genus Echinacea has many species, extracts of E. purpurea , E. angustifolia , and E. pallida are the most frequently used in dietary supplements. The echinacea supplements on the market in the United States often contain extracts from multiple species and plant parts [ ]. Echinacea contains volatile terpenes, polysaccharides, polyacetylenes, alkamides, phenolic compounds, caffeic acid esters, and glycoproteins [ ]. Echinacea might have antibacterial activities, stimulate monocytes and natural killer cells, and inhibit virus binding to host cells [ 3 , ]. It might also reduce inflammation by inhibiting inflammatory cytokines [ 3 ]. Most studies of echinacea have assessed whether it helps prevent and treat the common cold and other upper respiratory illnesses, but it has also been used in traditional medicine to promote wound healing [ , ]. Results from clinical trials examining the effects of echinacea for the common cold have been mixed. Overall, studies suggest echinacea might slightly reduce the risk of developing a cold but does not shorten the duration or severity of illness. For example, one clinical trial examined the effects of echinacea on the risk of the common cold in men and women mean age 23 years [ ]. purpurea extract Echinaforce or placebo; if participants came down with a cold during the study, they increased their dose to 4, mg per day. Participants taking echinacea had fewer colds and fewer days with cold symptoms than those taking a placebo. Another clinical trial examined whether echinacea helps treat the common cold in male and female participants age 12 to 80 years who developed cold symptoms within 36 hours before enrollment [ ]. Participants took E. purpurea and E. angustifolia extracts four times a day for a combined dose of 10, mg during the first 24 hours and then 5, mg for 4 days or placebo. Echinacea did not shorten illness duration or severity. A systematic review and meta-analysis examined the effects of echinacea E. purpurea , E angustifolia , E. pallida , or more than one form to prevent upper respiratory tract infections or reduce the duration of illness [ ]. Nine clinical trials eight in adults and one in children were included in the prevention meta-analysis portion of this analysis, and seven all in adults were included in the duration meta-analysis, including the two trials described above [ , ]. A Cochrane Review of echinacea use for preventing and treating the common cold had similar results [ ]. The review included 24 clinical trials with a total of 4, participants. Limited research has also examined whether echinacea is beneficial for influenza. One clinical trial found that echinacea had similar effects to oseltamivir Tamiflu , a medication used to treat influenza. This trial included male and female participants age 12 to 70 who had had influenza symptoms for up to 48 hours [ ]. Participants took either E. The results showed no difference between E. Purpurea and oseltamivir followed by placebo in rapidity of recovery from influenza after 1 day, 5 days, or 10 days of treatment. In addition, participants taking echinacea experienced fewer adverse events, especially nausea and vomiting. Additional research is needed to confirm this finding. Echinacea appears to be safe. In rare cases, echinacea can cause allergic reactions [ ]. The safety of echinacea during pregnancy is not known, so experts recommend against the use of echinacea supplements by people who are pregnant [ ]. Echinacea might interact with several medications. For example, echinacea might increase cytochrome P activity, thereby reducing levels of some drugs metabolized by these enzymes [ ]. In addition, echinacea might reduce the effectiveness of immunosuppressants due to its potential immunostimulatory activity [ ]. For information on echinacea and COVID, please see the ODS health professional fact sheet, Dietary Supplements in the Time of COVID Elderberry contains many compounds—including anthocyanins, flavonols, and phenolic acids—that might have anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antimicrobial, and immune-stimulating effects [ 3 , ]. Studies of the effects of elderberry have primarily used elderberry extracts, not the berries themselves [ ]. Components of elderberry might help prevent respiratory infections by inhibiting virus binding to host cells and by stimulating the immune system [ ]. A few clinical trials have examined the effects of elderberry on the common cold and influenza. The results from these trials have been mixed. However, overall, they suggest that elderberry might help relieve symptoms of respiratory tract infections. One clinical trial examined whether elderberry extract helps prevent and treat the common cold [ ]. Elderberry extract did not reduce the number of participants who developed a cold. However, among participants who did develop a cold, elderberry extract reduced cold duration by about 2 days and reduced the severity of symptoms. A meta-analysis included four clinical trials including the trial described above of the effects of elderberry supplementation on upper respiratory symptoms caused by the common cold or flu in a total of participants age 5 to 59 years [ ]. The analysis showed that elderberry supplementation reduced the duration of upper respiratory symptoms, and the effect was stronger for symptoms of influenza than for those caused by the common cold. A review included the same four trials as well as one that administered an herbal preparation containing both elderberry and Echinacea purpurea [ ]. The results showed that elderberry might help relieve symptoms of the common cold and influenza when taken close to the onset of symptoms and for up to 2 weeks. In contrast, in a clinical trial, 87 male and female participants age 5 years and older with influenza for less than 48 hours took 15 ml 5, mg elderberry extract twice daily for ages 5 to 12 years and four times daily for ages 13 and older or placebo for 5 days [ ]. Elderberry had no effect on the duration or severity of illness. A systematic review of five clinical trials of elderberry to treat viral respiratory illnesses found beneficial effects on some, but not all, outcomes [ ]. The results showed that elderberry supplementation for 2 to 16 days might reduce the severity and duration of the common cold and the duration of flu but does not appear to reduce the risk of the common cold. However, the authors noted that the studies were small, heterogeneous, and of poor quality. Elderberry flowers and ripe fruit appear to be safe for consumption. However, the bark, leaves, seeds, and raw or unripe fruit of S. nigra contain a cyanogenic glycoside that is potentially toxic and can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration due to diuresis, and cyanide poisoning [ , , ]. The heat from cooking destroys this toxin, so cooked elderberry fruit and properly processed commercial products do not pose this safety concern [ 3 , , , , ]. Elderberry might affect insulin and glucose metabolism, so according to experts, people with diabetes should use it with caution [ ]. The safety of elderberry during pregnancy is not known, so experts recommend against the use of elderberry supplements by people who are pregnant [ , ]. Recent analyses suggest that some elderberry supplements are highly diluted or have been adulterated with a cheaper ingredient, such as black rice extract, instead of elderberry [ , ]. Due to its potential immunostimulatory activity, elderberry might reduce the effectiveness of immunosuppressant medications [ ]. For information on elderberry and COVID, please see the ODS health professional fact sheet, Dietary Supplements in the Time of COVID Garlic Allium sativum is a vegetable with a long history of culinary use. Garlic is also available as a dietary supplement in softgel, capsule, tablet, and liquid forms [ ]. Researchers have studied garlic mainly to determine whether it lowers blood pressure and cholesterol levels, but it might also have antiviral properties [ 32 , ]. These properties are often attributed to two compounds in garlic—allicin and ajoen [ ]. Garlic might also have antimicrobial and antifungal activity [ ]. Some dietary supplements contain aged garlic extract, prepared from sliced garlic that is soaked in an aqueous ethanol solution for up to 20 months. The extract is then filtered and concentrated [ , ]. Aged garlic extract contains compounds, such as lectins, fructo-oligosaccharide, and N-alpha-fructosyl arginine, that might affect immune cell function [ ]. It also contains S-allyl-L-cysteine and other compounds that might have antioxidant effects and reduce some inflammatory markers [ , ]. Only a few clinical trials have examined whether garlic supplements help prevent or treat the common cold or influenza, and results are inconclusive. One trial included healthy men and women mean age 26 years who took 2. After 45 days, the researchers took blood samples from the participants and cultured the natural killer cells and gamma delta T cells. The natural killer cells and gamma delta T cells from participants who took the extract had a higher proliferation rate than those from participants who took placebo. After 90 days, the number of illnesses colds and influenza did not differ between groups, nor did the average number of symptoms per illness. However, participants who took aged garlic extract reported a smaller total number of symptoms during the study. Results were more positive in another trial, in which men and women mean age 53 years took one capsule of a garlic supplement dose not specified or placebo daily for 12 weeks between November and February [ ]. Participants who took garlic had fewer colds 24 among the full study population during the study than those who took placebo 65 colds. In addition, colds lasted an average of only 1. Garlic is safely consumed worldwide as a culinary ingredient [ ], and garlic and its derivatives are generally recognized as safe, according to the U. Food and Drug Administration FDA [ ]. The adverse effects of garlic dietary supplements are minor and include bad breath, body odor, and skin rash [ 32 , , ]. Garlic might interact with medications. For example, garlic might have anticoagulant effects, so it might interact with warfarin Coumadin and similar medications [ , , ]. However, the findings from reported case studies on this interaction are inconclusive [ ]. Garlic might also reduce blood pressure, so it might interact with antihypertensive medications [ ]. Ginseng is the common name of several species of the genus Panax , most commonly Panax ginseng also called Asian ginseng or Korean ginseng and Panax quinquefolius American ginseng [ , ]. Asian ginseng is endemic to China and Korea, whereas American ginseng is endemic to the United States and Canada [ ]. Triterpene glycosides, also known as ginsenosides, are some of the main purported active constituents of ginseng [ , ]. Although ginseng contains numerous ginsenosides, research has focused on the Rb1 ginsenoside and compound K, a bioactive substance formed when the intestinal microbiota metabolize ginsenosides [ , ]. Animal and laboratory studies suggest that ginseng stimulates B-lymphocyte proliferation and increases production of some interleukins and interferon-gamma [ ]; these cytokines affect immune activation and modulation [ 1 ]. Ginseng might also inhibit virus replication and have anti-inflammatory activity. However, whether ginseng has a clinically meaningful effect on immune function in humans is not clear [ , ]. Another botanical, eleuthero Eleutherococus senticosus , is sometimes confused with true ginseng. Eleuthero used to be called Siberian ginseng, but it comes from the Eleutherococcus genus of plants, not the Panax genus, and it does not contain ginsenosides [ ]. Several clinical trials have examined whether ginseng helps prevent upper respiratory tract infections, such as the common cold and influenza. Although the evidence is limited, results from these trials suggest that ginseng might help reduce the risk of developing colds and other respiratory tract infections. However, its effects on symptom severity and duration are unclear. In one clinical trial, healthy men and women age 30 to 70 years who had not received an influenza vaccine in the previous 6 months took 1 g Panax ginseng extract three times daily or placebo for 12 weeks [ ]. Participants taking ginseng were less likely to develop an acute respiratory infection during the study period. However, for study participants who did develop an infection, symptom duration and severity did not differ between groups. A few clinical trials have examined the effects of CVT-E COLD-fX , a patented ginseng extract that contains mg Panax quinquefolius in each capsule. One of these trials included men and women age 18 to 65 years with a history of at least two colds during the previous year who had not received an influenza vaccine in the past 6 months [ ]. Participants took either two capsules per day of Cold-fX for a daily dose of mg ginseng or placebo for 4 months starting in November. Participants who took ginseng developed fewer self-reported colds mean 0. In addition, ginseng reduced the total number of days with cold symptoms from a mean of A systematic review and meta-analysis of ginseng to prevent or treat acute upper respiratory tract infections included 10 clinical trials of Panax ginseng or Panax quinquefolius extracts including those described above in a total of 2, participants [ ]. The authors noted that the risk of bias was high to unclear for most trials and that the limitations of the evidence prevented them from drawing conclusions. Ginseng appears to be safe. Most of its adverse effects, including headache, sleep difficulty, and gastrointestinal symptoms, are minor [ , , ]. However, doses of more than 2. A few case reports of vaginal bleeding and mastalgia breast pain in the s and s from the use of ginseng preparations raised concerns about the safety of ginseng; as a result, some scientists concluded that ginseng has estrogenic effects [ ]. However, one of these case reports involved use of Rumanian ginseng [ ], and whether this was true ginseng is not clear. In addition, eleuthero was often referred to, incorrectly, as ginseng at that time because it was called Siberian ginseng. So, it is unclear whether these case reports reflected the effects of true ginseng. Nevertheless, some experts caution that ginseng might not be safe for use during pregnancy [ , , ]. Ginseng might interact with many medications. For example, it might increase the risk of hypoglycemia if taken with antidiabetes medications, increase the risk of adverse effects if taken with stimulants, and reduce the effectiveness of immunosuppressants [ , ]. For information on ginseng and COVID, please see the ODS health professional fact sheet, Dietary Supplements in the Time of COVID Tea Camellia sinensis is a popular beverage around the world that has several purported health benefits. Tea is usually classified into one of three types—green, black, and oolong—according to the way in which the tea leaves are processed [ ]. Green tea is made from dried and steamed tea leaves, whereas black and oolong teas are made from fermented tea leaves. Tea extracts are also available as dietary supplements. The purported health effects may vary by the type of tea as well as whether it is consumed as a beverage or dietary supplement. Tea is one of the richest sources of catechins, which are polyphenolic flavonoids, especially epigallocatechin gallate EGCG [ , ]. A typical mL cup of brewed green tea contains 50 to mg of catechins [ ], whereas the same amount of brewed black tea contains about 14 to 88 mg of catechins [ ]. Amounts vary, however, among tea samples and by brewing time. Studies are evaluating the potential health benefits of EGCG and other catechins, including their ability to modulate the immune system and their anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties [ , ]. Laboratory studies suggest that catechins might also have antiviral effects against the influenza A and B viruses [ ]. Laboratory research suggests that tea and tea catechins might have antiviral activity. Researchers have therefore examined whether drinking tea or taking supplemental tea catechins affects the risk, duration, and severity of influenza or other respiratory tract infections. However, evidence from clinical trials is limited and mixed. Studies that found beneficial effects include a clinical trial that examined the effects of catechins and theanine an amino acid in tea on the risk of influenza in male and female health care workers age 21 years or older in Japan [ ]. However, for laboratory-confirmed influenza, the incidence of influenza did not differ between groups. A systematic review and meta-analysis also showed that tea and tea catechins had some beneficial effects on the risk of influenza and other upper respiratory tract infections, although the evidence had some limitations [ ]. |
| Boost your immune system with antioxidants | Project Open Hand | Chaga Mushroom Uses and Benefits. Additional information Competing interests The authors declare that they have no competing interests. Article CAS PubMed Google Scholar Araujo DM, Lapchak PA: Induction of immune system mediators in the hippocampal formation in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases: selective effects on specific interleukins and interleukin receptors. Roth DE, Richard SA, Black RE. Viruses and bacteria in the etiology of the common cold. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses that have evaluated the use of probiotics to prevent or treat respiratory tract infections in children and adults have all found beneficial effects on some outcomes [ ]. |
| Boost your immune system with antioxidants | The ability of antioxidants to destroy free radicals protects the structural integrity of cells and tissues. This review focuses on data indicating that the functions of the human immune system depend on the intake of micronutrients, which can act as antioxidants. Recent clinical trials have found that antioxidant supplementation can significantly improve certain immune responses. Specifically, supplementation with vitamins C, E, and A or beta-carotene increased the activation of cells involved in tumor immunity in the elderly. In addition, NAC has been found to improve respiratory health by helping to break down phlegm and decreasing inflammation in the lungs. We all know Vitamin D is vital to our well-being. This fat-soluble vitamin plays a fundamental role in the proper functioning of our body and particularly our immune system. The data regarding the importance of Vitamin D for our health is extensive. Research shows individuals with adequate Vitamin D levels have enhanced immune responses, decreased inflammation and are less prone to infections. Vitamin D is best absorbed through sun exposure. Twenty minutes a day of sunlight is ideal. However, due to geographical location, many get their vitamin D through daily supplement intake, to prevent a deficiency in this essential vitamin. Baicalin is a phytonutrient with a long history of use in traditional Chinese medicine for its potent anti-inflammatory compounds and positive effects on the immune and circulatory function. Baicalin is found to strengthen the immune system with its ability to neutralize pathogens. In vivo studies performed on mice showed oral administration of Baicalin was effective in inhibiting the proliferation of certain viruses, demonstrating the antiviral activity of Baicalin. Adaptogens help your body cope with stress — be it physical, environmental or emotional. They adapt to the bodies needs at a given time — i. if you are fatigued, they give you energy and help you focus Cordyceps and if you are too wired with anxiety, they calm you down Rhodiola rose a, Reishi. Their mechanism of action is through supporting and modulating the endocrine and immune system. In fact, Adaptogenic herbs are great for boosting immunity. Herbs like Astragalus, Withania somnifera and Panax ginseng all contain potent immune-protective properties as they help to reduce inflammation. There is a list of herbs that have been cited in herbal medical literature for their immune-boosting abilities. Some of these include:. Immune network, 13 2 , 70— Padayatty SJ, Katz A, Wang Y, Eck P, Kwon O, Lee JH, Chen S, Corpe C, Dutta A, Dutta SK, Levine M. Vitamin C as an antioxidant: evaluation of its role in disease preventio n. J Am Coll Nutr. PubMed PMID Kaihatsu, K. Antiviral Mechanism of Action of EpigallocatechinO-gallate and Its Fatty Acid Esters. Molecules Basel, Switzerland , 23 10 , Makela MJ, Puhakka T, Ruuskanen O, Leinonen M, Saikku P, Kimpimaki M, Blomqvist S, Hyypia T, Arstila P. Viruses and bacteria in the etiology of the common cold. J Clin Microbiol. Hulisz D. Efficacy of zinc against common cold viruses: an overview. J Am Pharm Assoc PubMed PMID: Wu, W. Quercetin as an Antiviral Agent Inhibits Influenza A Virus IAV Entry. Viruses , 8 1 , 6. Krawitz, C. Inhibitory activity of a standardized elderberry liquid extract against clinically-relevant human respiratory bacterial pathogens and influenza A and B viruses. Some research suggests that zinc supplementation increases the number of T cells in the blood of older adults living in nursing homes [ ]. population might obtain marginal amounts of zinc [ ]. Older adults are among the groups most likely to have low intakes. Researchers have hypothesized that zinc could reduce the severity and duration of cold symptoms by directly inhibiting rhinovirus binding and replication in the nasal mucosa and suppressing inflammation [ , ]. In studies of the effects of zinc supplements on the common cold, zinc is usually administered in a lozenge or syrup that temporarily sticks to the mouth and throat, placing the zinc in contact with the rhinovirus in those areas. The results from clinical trials that have examined the effects of supplemental zinc on the common cold have been inconsistent. Overall, however, supplemental zinc in lozenge or syrup form appears to reduce the duration, but not the severity, of signs and symptoms of the common cold when taken shortly after a person develops a cold [ ]. In one clinical trial that found beneficial effects of zinc on the common cold, 50 adults took a zinc acetate lozenge In comparison with placebo, the zinc lozenges reduced the duration of colds by 3 days and the severity of cold symptoms cough, nasal discharge, and muscle aches [ ]. Results were more mixed in another clinical trial in which adults with experimentally induced colds took lozenges containing zinc gluconate Illnesses lasted 1 day less with the zinc gluconate lozenges than with the placebo, but the lozenges had no effect on symptom severity. Furthermore, the 5. In a second trial described in the same report, neither zinc gluconate nor zinc acetate lozenges affected the duration or severity of cold symptoms in comparison with placebo in adults with colds [ ]. A systematic review and meta-analysis found that zinc appears to reduce the duration of the common cold but has mixed effects on the severity of signs and symptoms [ ]. It included 28 clinical trials including the three described above with a total of 5, participants mostly adults younger than 65 years who had a community-acquired viral respiratory tract infection or were inoculated with a rhinovirus. Most trials provided zinc in the form of zinc acetate or gluconate lozenges with total daily zinc doses of 45 to mg for up to 2 weeks, but some trials used nasal sprays or gels. In participants who used products containing zinc, symptoms resolved an average of 2 days earlier than in those who took a placebo. Zinc also reduced the severity of symptoms on the third day of illness. However, average daily symptom severity did not differ between those who were and were not treated with zinc supplements. In addition, zinc did not affect the risk of developing a cold after rhinovirus inoculation. Other recent systematic reviews and meta-analyses have also found that zinc shortens the duration of the signs and symptoms of colds but does not reduce the risk of colds [ 54 , 67 , ]. Poor zinc status is associated with greater susceptibility to pneumonia, more severe disease, and higher mortality risk in children [ ]. Several clinical trials have examined the effects of zinc supplementation on the incidence of pneumonia and as an adjunctive treatment for pneumonia. However, most research suggests that the adjunctive use of zinc supplements to treat pneumonia in children does not affect mortality or time to recovery. A systematic review and meta-analysis included 11 clinical trials in children age 2 to 60 months with mostly severe pneumonia in low- and middle-income countries [ ]. Another meta-analysis of six placebo-controlled trials that included 2, children age 2 to 60 months found that zinc supplementation reduced mortality rates from severe pneumonia but not rates of treatment failure or changes in antibiotic therapy [ ]. Diarrhea is associated with high mortality rates among children in low-income countries, where it causes about , deaths annually [ , ]. Zinc supplementation may benefit children with acute diarrhea, especially in low-income countries, where zinc deficiency is common. Clinical trials show that zinc supplementation helps shorten the duration of diarrhea in children in low-income countries. A Cochrane Review included 33 trials that compared the effects of zinc supplementation with those of placebo in 10, children age 1 month to 5 years who had acute or persistent diarrhea [ ]. Most studies were conducted in Asian countries that had high rates of zinc deficiency. Zinc was administered in the form of zinc acetate, zinc gluconate, or zinc sulphate. In addition, evidence that the authors deemed to have high certainty showed that zinc supplementation reduces the duration of diarrhea in children with signs of malnutrition by about a day. In children younger than 6 months, however, zinc supplementation did not affect mean duration of diarrhea or persistence of diarrhea for 7 days. A systematic review and meta-analysis had similar findings. It examined the use of zinc alone or in combination with other treatments for acute diarrhea and gastroenteritis in studies in 32, children, mostly from low- and middle-income countries [ ]. Analyses showed that zinc alone or in combination reduced the duration of diarrhea by about ¾ to 1½ days. The authors concluded that zinc was one of the most effective interventions of those examined, especially when it was combined with Saccharomyces boulardii a probiotic or smectite a natural clay that contains minerals , for reducing the duration of acute diarrhea and gastroenteritis in children. The WHO and UNICEF recommend supplementation with 20 mg zinc per day, or 10 mg for infants younger than 6 months, for 10 to 14 days to treat acute childhood diarrhea [ ]. However, most trials of zinc supplementation for diarrhea have been conducted in low-income countries [ ]. In well-nourished children, zinc supplements might have only a marginal effect on diarrhea duration. HIV infection reduces the absorption and metabolism of zinc from foods [ ]. In addition, people with HIV often have diarrhea, which can result in excessive losses of zinc. For these reasons, people with HIV often have low plasma or serum zinc levels. Several clinical trials have found some beneficial effects of zinc supplementation to manage the morbidity and mortality associated with HIV infection. However, findings were less positive in two Cochrane Reviews and another trial not included in either Cochrane Review that assessed the potential benefits of supplementation with micronutrients, including zinc, or placebo in various populations with HIV. However, zinc supplementation did not affect viral load or mortality rates in this second trial. However, the supplements blunted the rise in hemoglobin concentrations between baseline and 6 weeks after delivery. These ULs, however, do not apply to people taking zinc under the care of a physician. Higher intakes can cause nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, headaches, and a metallic taste in the mouth [ 29 , 32 ]. In clinical trials in children, zinc supplementation to treat diarrhea increased the risk of vomiting more than placebo [ , ]. Zinc supplements might interact with several types of medications. For example, zinc can reduce the absorption of some types of antibiotics and penicillamine, a drug used to treat rheumatoid arthritis [ , ]. Other medications, such as thiazide diuretics and certain antibiotics, can reduce zinc absorption [ , ]. More information on zinc is available in the ODS health professional fact sheet on zinc. For information on zinc and COVID, please see the ODS health professional fact sheet, Dietary Supplements in the Time of COVID Andrographis paniculata , also known as Chuān Xīn Lián, is an herb that is native to subtropical and Southeast Asia [ ]. Its leaves and other aerial above-ground parts are used in traditional Ayurvedic, Chinese, and Thai medicine for relieving symptoms of the common cold, influenza, and other respiratory tract infections [ ]. The active constituents of andrographis are believed to be andrographolide and related compounds, which are diterpene lactones that might have antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and immune-stimulating effects [ , , ]. Results from several clinical trials suggest that andrographis might reduce the duration of upper respiratory tract infections and the severity of symptoms. One of these trials used a common andrographis preparation called Kan Jang. The trial included 50 men and women age 18 to 50 years with the common cold who took four tablets of Kan Jang each containing 85 mg of an andrographis extract three times daily for 5 days 1, mg total daily dose or placebo within 3 days of developing cold symptoms [ ]. Participants who took Kan Jang experienced milder symptoms, recovered sooner, and took fewer days of sick leave than those who took placebo. In another clinical trial, men and women age 18 to 60 years with upper respiratory tract infections took either KalmCold containing mg of an andrographis extract twice daily or placebo for 5 days [ ]. The results showed no differences in symptom severity during days 1 to 3 of treatment. However, between days 3 and 5, participants who took KalmCold experienced milder symptoms—including cough, nasal discharge, headache, fever, and sore throat but not earache —than those who took placebo. Two systematic reviews and meta-analyses of clinical trials found that andrographis preparations had beneficial effects on symptoms and duration of the common cold. The more recent of these analyses, published in , included 33 clinical trials including the two described above that evaluated the effects of andrographis alone or in combination with other herbs on symptoms of acute upper and lower respiratory tract infections in a total of 7, participants [ ]. Treatment protocols varied widely, but typical daily doses ranged from to 1, mg andrographis extract for 3 to 7 days; studies compared andrographis with placebo, usual care, or other herbal interventions. The analyses showed that andrographis significantly reduced the severity of cough, sore throat, and overall symptoms. However, the authors noted that the findings should be interpreted with caution because the studies were heterogenous and many were of poor quality. Similar findings were reported from a systematic review and meta-analysis [ ]. It included six clinical trials including the two described above that administered Kan Jang or KalmCold All studies in this analysis compared andrographis with placebo, not usual care or other herbal interventions as in the meta-analysis described above. Andrographis reduced the frequency and severity of cough to a greater extent than placebo. Three earlier systematic reviews also showed that andrographis appears to alleviate symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections [ , , ]. Although these findings suggest that andrographis might be useful to manage the symptoms and reduce the duration of upper respiratory tract infections, the evidence has several weaknesses. For example, the studies used different andrographis formulations, and many of the clinical trials were conducted by investigators affiliated with the manufacturer of Kan Jang or KalmCold [ , ]. Clinical trials have found minor adverse effects, including nausea, vomiting, vertigo, skin rashes, diarrhea, and fatigue [ , , ]. Allergic reactions might also occur [ , ]. Findings from some animal studies suggest that andrographis might adversely affect fertility, so experts recommend against its use by men and women during the preconception period and by people who are pregnant [ , , ]. According to animal and laboratory studies, andrographis might decrease blood pressure and inhibit platelet aggregation, so it could interact with antihypertensive and anticoagulant medications by enhancing their effects [ ]. Because of its potential immune-stimulating effects, andrographis might also reduce the effectiveness of immunosuppressants [ , ]. For information on andrographis and COVID, please see the ODS health professional fact sheet, Dietary Supplements in the Time of COVID Echinacea, commonly known as purple coneflower, is an herb that grows in North America and Europe [ ]. Although the genus Echinacea has many species, extracts of E. purpurea , E. angustifolia , and E. pallida are the most frequently used in dietary supplements. The echinacea supplements on the market in the United States often contain extracts from multiple species and plant parts [ ]. Echinacea contains volatile terpenes, polysaccharides, polyacetylenes, alkamides, phenolic compounds, caffeic acid esters, and glycoproteins [ ]. Echinacea might have antibacterial activities, stimulate monocytes and natural killer cells, and inhibit virus binding to host cells [ 3 , ]. It might also reduce inflammation by inhibiting inflammatory cytokines [ 3 ]. Most studies of echinacea have assessed whether it helps prevent and treat the common cold and other upper respiratory illnesses, but it has also been used in traditional medicine to promote wound healing [ , ]. Results from clinical trials examining the effects of echinacea for the common cold have been mixed. Overall, studies suggest echinacea might slightly reduce the risk of developing a cold but does not shorten the duration or severity of illness. For example, one clinical trial examined the effects of echinacea on the risk of the common cold in men and women mean age 23 years [ ]. purpurea extract Echinaforce or placebo; if participants came down with a cold during the study, they increased their dose to 4, mg per day. Participants taking echinacea had fewer colds and fewer days with cold symptoms than those taking a placebo. Another clinical trial examined whether echinacea helps treat the common cold in male and female participants age 12 to 80 years who developed cold symptoms within 36 hours before enrollment [ ]. Participants took E. purpurea and E. angustifolia extracts four times a day for a combined dose of 10, mg during the first 24 hours and then 5, mg for 4 days or placebo. Echinacea did not shorten illness duration or severity. A systematic review and meta-analysis examined the effects of echinacea E. purpurea , E angustifolia , E. pallida , or more than one form to prevent upper respiratory tract infections or reduce the duration of illness [ ]. Nine clinical trials eight in adults and one in children were included in the prevention meta-analysis portion of this analysis, and seven all in adults were included in the duration meta-analysis, including the two trials described above [ , ]. A Cochrane Review of echinacea use for preventing and treating the common cold had similar results [ ]. The review included 24 clinical trials with a total of 4, participants. Limited research has also examined whether echinacea is beneficial for influenza. One clinical trial found that echinacea had similar effects to oseltamivir Tamiflu , a medication used to treat influenza. This trial included male and female participants age 12 to 70 who had had influenza symptoms for up to 48 hours [ ]. Participants took either E. The results showed no difference between E. Purpurea and oseltamivir followed by placebo in rapidity of recovery from influenza after 1 day, 5 days, or 10 days of treatment. In addition, participants taking echinacea experienced fewer adverse events, especially nausea and vomiting. Additional research is needed to confirm this finding. Echinacea appears to be safe. In rare cases, echinacea can cause allergic reactions [ ]. The safety of echinacea during pregnancy is not known, so experts recommend against the use of echinacea supplements by people who are pregnant [ ]. Echinacea might interact with several medications. For example, echinacea might increase cytochrome P activity, thereby reducing levels of some drugs metabolized by these enzymes [ ]. In addition, echinacea might reduce the effectiveness of immunosuppressants due to its potential immunostimulatory activity [ ]. For information on echinacea and COVID, please see the ODS health professional fact sheet, Dietary Supplements in the Time of COVID Elderberry contains many compounds—including anthocyanins, flavonols, and phenolic acids—that might have anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antimicrobial, and immune-stimulating effects [ 3 , ]. Studies of the effects of elderberry have primarily used elderberry extracts, not the berries themselves [ ]. Components of elderberry might help prevent respiratory infections by inhibiting virus binding to host cells and by stimulating the immune system [ ]. A few clinical trials have examined the effects of elderberry on the common cold and influenza. The results from these trials have been mixed. However, overall, they suggest that elderberry might help relieve symptoms of respiratory tract infections. One clinical trial examined whether elderberry extract helps prevent and treat the common cold [ ]. Elderberry extract did not reduce the number of participants who developed a cold. However, among participants who did develop a cold, elderberry extract reduced cold duration by about 2 days and reduced the severity of symptoms. A meta-analysis included four clinical trials including the trial described above of the effects of elderberry supplementation on upper respiratory symptoms caused by the common cold or flu in a total of participants age 5 to 59 years [ ]. The analysis showed that elderberry supplementation reduced the duration of upper respiratory symptoms, and the effect was stronger for symptoms of influenza than for those caused by the common cold. A review included the same four trials as well as one that administered an herbal preparation containing both elderberry and Echinacea purpurea [ ]. The results showed that elderberry might help relieve symptoms of the common cold and influenza when taken close to the onset of symptoms and for up to 2 weeks. In contrast, in a clinical trial, 87 male and female participants age 5 years and older with influenza for less than 48 hours took 15 ml 5, mg elderberry extract twice daily for ages 5 to 12 years and four times daily for ages 13 and older or placebo for 5 days [ ]. Elderberry had no effect on the duration or severity of illness. A systematic review of five clinical trials of elderberry to treat viral respiratory illnesses found beneficial effects on some, but not all, outcomes [ ]. The results showed that elderberry supplementation for 2 to 16 days might reduce the severity and duration of the common cold and the duration of flu but does not appear to reduce the risk of the common cold. However, the authors noted that the studies were small, heterogeneous, and of poor quality. Elderberry flowers and ripe fruit appear to be safe for consumption. However, the bark, leaves, seeds, and raw or unripe fruit of S. nigra contain a cyanogenic glycoside that is potentially toxic and can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration due to diuresis, and cyanide poisoning [ , , ]. The heat from cooking destroys this toxin, so cooked elderberry fruit and properly processed commercial products do not pose this safety concern [ 3 , , , , ]. Elderberry might affect insulin and glucose metabolism, so according to experts, people with diabetes should use it with caution [ ]. The safety of elderberry during pregnancy is not known, so experts recommend against the use of elderberry supplements by people who are pregnant [ , ]. Recent analyses suggest that some elderberry supplements are highly diluted or have been adulterated with a cheaper ingredient, such as black rice extract, instead of elderberry [ , ]. Due to its potential immunostimulatory activity, elderberry might reduce the effectiveness of immunosuppressant medications [ ]. For information on elderberry and COVID, please see the ODS health professional fact sheet, Dietary Supplements in the Time of COVID Garlic Allium sativum is a vegetable with a long history of culinary use. Garlic is also available as a dietary supplement in softgel, capsule, tablet, and liquid forms [ ]. Researchers have studied garlic mainly to determine whether it lowers blood pressure and cholesterol levels, but it might also have antiviral properties [ 32 , ]. These properties are often attributed to two compounds in garlic—allicin and ajoen [ ]. Garlic might also have antimicrobial and antifungal activity [ ]. Some dietary supplements contain aged garlic extract, prepared from sliced garlic that is soaked in an aqueous ethanol solution for up to 20 months. The extract is then filtered and concentrated [ , ]. Aged garlic extract contains compounds, such as lectins, fructo-oligosaccharide, and N-alpha-fructosyl arginine, that might affect immune cell function [ ]. It also contains S-allyl-L-cysteine and other compounds that might have antioxidant effects and reduce some inflammatory markers [ , ]. Only a few clinical trials have examined whether garlic supplements help prevent or treat the common cold or influenza, and results are inconclusive. One trial included healthy men and women mean age 26 years who took 2. After 45 days, the researchers took blood samples from the participants and cultured the natural killer cells and gamma delta T cells. The natural killer cells and gamma delta T cells from participants who took the extract had a higher proliferation rate than those from participants who took placebo. After 90 days, the number of illnesses colds and influenza did not differ between groups, nor did the average number of symptoms per illness. However, participants who took aged garlic extract reported a smaller total number of symptoms during the study. Results were more positive in another trial, in which men and women mean age 53 years took one capsule of a garlic supplement dose not specified or placebo daily for 12 weeks between November and February [ ]. Participants who took garlic had fewer colds 24 among the full study population during the study than those who took placebo 65 colds. In addition, colds lasted an average of only 1. Garlic is safely consumed worldwide as a culinary ingredient [ ], and garlic and its derivatives are generally recognized as safe, according to the U. Food and Drug Administration FDA [ ]. The adverse effects of garlic dietary supplements are minor and include bad breath, body odor, and skin rash [ 32 , , ]. Garlic might interact with medications. For example, garlic might have anticoagulant effects, so it might interact with warfarin Coumadin and similar medications [ , , ]. However, the findings from reported case studies on this interaction are inconclusive [ ]. Garlic might also reduce blood pressure, so it might interact with antihypertensive medications [ ]. Ginseng is the common name of several species of the genus Panax , most commonly Panax ginseng also called Asian ginseng or Korean ginseng and Panax quinquefolius American ginseng [ , ]. Asian ginseng is endemic to China and Korea, whereas American ginseng is endemic to the United States and Canada [ ]. Triterpene glycosides, also known as ginsenosides, are some of the main purported active constituents of ginseng [ , ]. Although ginseng contains numerous ginsenosides, research has focused on the Rb1 ginsenoside and compound K, a bioactive substance formed when the intestinal microbiota metabolize ginsenosides [ , ]. Animal and laboratory studies suggest that ginseng stimulates B-lymphocyte proliferation and increases production of some interleukins and interferon-gamma [ ]; these cytokines affect immune activation and modulation [ 1 ]. Ginseng might also inhibit virus replication and have anti-inflammatory activity. However, whether ginseng has a clinically meaningful effect on immune function in humans is not clear [ , ]. Another botanical, eleuthero Eleutherococus senticosus , is sometimes confused with true ginseng. Eleuthero used to be called Siberian ginseng, but it comes from the Eleutherococcus genus of plants, not the Panax genus, and it does not contain ginsenosides [ ]. Several clinical trials have examined whether ginseng helps prevent upper respiratory tract infections, such as the common cold and influenza. Although the evidence is limited, results from these trials suggest that ginseng might help reduce the risk of developing colds and other respiratory tract infections. However, its effects on symptom severity and duration are unclear. In one clinical trial, healthy men and women age 30 to 70 years who had not received an influenza vaccine in the previous 6 months took 1 g Panax ginseng extract three times daily or placebo for 12 weeks [ ]. Participants taking ginseng were less likely to develop an acute respiratory infection during the study period. However, for study participants who did develop an infection, symptom duration and severity did not differ between groups. A few clinical trials have examined the effects of CVT-E COLD-fX , a patented ginseng extract that contains mg Panax quinquefolius in each capsule. One of these trials included men and women age 18 to 65 years with a history of at least two colds during the previous year who had not received an influenza vaccine in the past 6 months [ ]. Participants took either two capsules per day of Cold-fX for a daily dose of mg ginseng or placebo for 4 months starting in November. Participants who took ginseng developed fewer self-reported colds mean 0. In addition, ginseng reduced the total number of days with cold symptoms from a mean of A systematic review and meta-analysis of ginseng to prevent or treat acute upper respiratory tract infections included 10 clinical trials of Panax ginseng or Panax quinquefolius extracts including those described above in a total of 2, participants [ ]. The authors noted that the risk of bias was high to unclear for most trials and that the limitations of the evidence prevented them from drawing conclusions. Ginseng appears to be safe. Most of its adverse effects, including headache, sleep difficulty, and gastrointestinal symptoms, are minor [ , , ]. However, doses of more than 2. A few case reports of vaginal bleeding and mastalgia breast pain in the s and s from the use of ginseng preparations raised concerns about the safety of ginseng; as a result, some scientists concluded that ginseng has estrogenic effects [ ]. However, one of these case reports involved use of Rumanian ginseng [ ], and whether this was true ginseng is not clear. In addition, eleuthero was often referred to, incorrectly, as ginseng at that time because it was called Siberian ginseng. So, it is unclear whether these case reports reflected the effects of true ginseng. Nevertheless, some experts caution that ginseng might not be safe for use during pregnancy [ , , ]. Ginseng might interact with many medications. For example, it might increase the risk of hypoglycemia if taken with antidiabetes medications, increase the risk of adverse effects if taken with stimulants, and reduce the effectiveness of immunosuppressants [ , ]. For information on ginseng and COVID, please see the ODS health professional fact sheet, Dietary Supplements in the Time of COVID Tea Camellia sinensis is a popular beverage around the world that has several purported health benefits. Tea is usually classified into one of three types—green, black, and oolong—according to the way in which the tea leaves are processed [ ]. Green tea is made from dried and steamed tea leaves, whereas black and oolong teas are made from fermented tea leaves. Tea extracts are also available as dietary supplements. The purported health effects may vary by the type of tea as well as whether it is consumed as a beverage or dietary supplement. Tea is one of the richest sources of catechins, which are polyphenolic flavonoids, especially epigallocatechin gallate EGCG [ , ]. A typical mL cup of brewed green tea contains 50 to mg of catechins [ ], whereas the same amount of brewed black tea contains about 14 to 88 mg of catechins [ ]. Amounts vary, however, among tea samples and by brewing time. Studies are evaluating the potential health benefits of EGCG and other catechins, including their ability to modulate the immune system and their anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties [ , ]. Laboratory studies suggest that catechins might also have antiviral effects against the influenza A and B viruses [ ]. Laboratory research suggests that tea and tea catechins might have antiviral activity. Researchers have therefore examined whether drinking tea or taking supplemental tea catechins affects the risk, duration, and severity of influenza or other respiratory tract infections. However, evidence from clinical trials is limited and mixed. Studies that found beneficial effects include a clinical trial that examined the effects of catechins and theanine an amino acid in tea on the risk of influenza in male and female health care workers age 21 years or older in Japan [ ]. However, for laboratory-confirmed influenza, the incidence of influenza did not differ between groups. A systematic review and meta-analysis also showed that tea and tea catechins had some beneficial effects on the risk of influenza and other upper respiratory tract infections, although the evidence had some limitations [ ]. The analysis included five prospective cohort studies and clinical trials that administered tea as a dietary supplement or beverage including the trial described above in a total of 1, participants. Results were also mixed in a clinical trial examining whether drinking mL of a bottled beverage containing mg of catechins for 12 weeks during the winter affected the duration and severity of upper respiratory tract infections in healthy Japanese men and women mean age Catechins reduced the duration and severity of a runny nose, nasal congestion, and headache but did not affect other symptoms, including sore throat, cough, and fever. Drinking moderate amounts of tea is safe. Green tea extract causes mostly mild to moderate adverse effects, including nausea, constipation, abdominal discomfort, and increased blood pressure [ ]. However, some green tea extracts might cause liver damage, especially when taken on an empty stomach [ , ]. In addition, at least 50 case reports since have linked consumption of green tea extracts, primarily ethanolic extracts of green tea, with liver damage [ ]. In a systematic review of the safety of green tea products, the U. Pharmacopeia USP evaluated 75 case reports of liver damage and animal pharmacological and toxicological information [ ]. |
Antioxidant supplements for immune system boost -
The following beverages can help keep you hydrated while providing nutrients to help fortify your immune defense:. Foods that contain immune-boosting nutrients like vitamin C and probiotics can help strengthen your immune system but cannot guarantee complete protection from getting sick.
There are certain times when you may benefit from taking immune system boosters, such as:. Vitamin C and zinc, for example, may help reduce the duration and severity of common cold symptoms and are known for their relatively quick impact.
If you have signs of low immunity or are immunocompromised due to an underlying medical condition e. Certain signs can indicate your immune system is weak and could use a boost, including:. Healthy lifestyle choices are the best way to build and strengthen your immune system.
To optimize your immune function, aim to:. Vitamin C, zinc, echinacea, vitamin D, and elderberry extract are popular supplements that may shorten the duration of certain illnesses, such as the common cold or the flu. Consult a healthcare provider for personalized advice and guidance around supplements based on your needs.
Although immune boosters can be helpful, keeping your immune system strong is a continuous process, not an instant fix. Healthy lifestyle habits—including a nutrient-dense diet, regular exercise, adequate sleep, stress management, and healthy body weight—are ideal for maintaining a robust immune system.
National Institutes of Health: Office of Dietary Supplements. Dietary supplements: What you need to know.
Department of Health and Human Services. Vaccines protect you. Mitra S, Paul S, Roy S, et al. Exploring the immune-boosting functions of vitamins and minerals as nutritional food bioactive compounds: A comprehensive review.
NIH National Library of Medicine. Common colds: Does vitamin C keep you healthy? Calder PC. Foods to deliver immune-supporting nutrients. Curr Opin Food Sci. Khalid W, Arshad MS, Ranjha MMAN, et al.
F unctional constituents of plant-based foods boost immunity against acute and chronic disorders. Open Life Sci. Govers C, Berkel Kasikci M, van der Sluis AA, Mes JJ. Review of the health effects of berries and their phytochemicals on the digestive and immune systems.
Nutr Rev. Verma T, Aggarwal A, Dey P, et al. Medicinal and therapeutic properties of garlic, garlic essential oil, and garlic-based snack food: An updated review. Front Nutr. Ashraf R, Shah NP. Immune system stimulation by probiotic microorganisms.
Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. Wieland LS, Piechotta V, Feinberg T, et al. Elderberry for prevention and treatment of viral respiratory illnesses: a systematic review. Recent Blog Articles.
Flowers, chocolates, organ donation — are you in? What is a tongue-tie? What parents need to know. Which migraine medications are most helpful? How well do you score on brain health? Shining light on night blindness. Can watching sports be bad for your health? Beyond the usual suspects for healthy resolutions.
January 31, Some vitamins and minerals — including vitamins C and E and the minerals copper, zinc, and selenium — serve as antioxidants, in addition to other vital roles.
Share This Page Share this page to Facebook Share this page to Twitter Share this page via Email. Print This Page Click to Print. Related Content. Staying Healthy. Heart Health.
Free Healthbeat Signup Get the latest in health news delivered to your inbox! Newsletter Signup Sign Up. Close Thanks for visiting. The Best Diets for Cognitive Fitness , is yours absolutely FREE when you sign up to receive Health Alerts from Harvard Medical School Sign up to get tips for living a healthy lifestyle, with ways to fight inflammation and improve cognitive health , plus the latest advances in preventative medicine, diet and exercise , pain relief, blood pressure and cholesterol management, and more.
I want to get healthier. Antioxidants are found in many plant foods. Here are a few:. How much do I need? There is no specific daily recommendation for antioxidants. Should I take a supplement? Antioxidants appear to have the most benefit when you eat them in whole foods.
For example, strawberries and raspberries contain an antioxidant called ellagic acid, which is poorly absorbed in supplement form. The best antioxidant diet, one rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains, could also be the best diet to prevent heart disease, cancer, type II diabetes, and age-related diseases.
Privacy Policy. Facebook Twitter Instagram LinkedIn Search. Boost your immune system with antioxidants.
Home boozt Immune System » Antiviral Antixoidant. The immune system is composed of a group of chemicals, cells, proteins Pre-workout supplements for athletes tissues Antioxidant supplements for immune system boost work together to destroy Antioxidant supplements for immune system boost it perceives as Antixidant threat to Anfioxidant well-being. Immunf cells play a crucial role in the protection of our body against the many foreign substances, pathogens and viruses it comes into contact with every day. It is constantly working to keep us alive. This article outline 10 anti-viral herbs and supplements that are known for their immune-enhancing properties. Strengthening your immune system is vital to protecting your body from infection. Despite the complexity of the human body, what it requires to work optimally is quite basic.
Ich bin mit Ihnen einverstanden
Hier wirst du nichts zu machen.
Gerade, was notwendig ist werde ich, teilnehmen.