Our body’s immune system is a complex and dynamic defense system that comes to our rescue at the first sign of exposure to an outside invader. The dynamic nature of the immune system means that all factors that affect health need to be addressed in order for it to function at peak performance. The immune system is very sensitive to nutrient deficiencies. While vitamin deficiencies can compromise the immune system, consuming immune enhancing nutrients and botanicals can support and strengthen your body’s immune response. This product’s synergistic formula significantly boosts immune cell function including antibody response, natural killer (NK) cell activity, thymus hormone secretions, and T-cell activation. This product also helps soothe throat irritations and nasal secretions, and promotes healthy inflammatory balance by increasing antioxidant levels throughout the body.

This product contains the synergistic nutrient blend of zinc, vitamin C, vitamin A, L-lysine and pantothenic acid which each play a major role in maintaining a healthy, functioning immune system.

Zinc is a mineral that works synergistically with vitamin A in activating thymic factor, a thymus hormone with vital immune supporting properties. ^[1] Maintaining optimal zinc levels also helps maintain helper T-cell lymphocyte function, NK cell activity, macrophage function, and antibody production. ^[2]

Vitamin C is well known for its ability to support immune response. Vitamin C concentrations decline rapidly in the body during periods of stress. Dietary intake is therefore crucial during immune challenges. ^[3] Vitamin C has been found to be helpful in supporting specific components of the immune system including NK cell activity and lymphocyte function. ^[3] Vitamin C also provides antioxidant support by protecting cells against reactive oxygen species that are generated during normal inflammatory response. ^[3]

Vitamin A helps support mucous membranes. When vitamin A is lacking, mucus-producing cells are replaced by keratin- producing cells, and the membranes become tough and more vulnerable to organisms. Vitamin A is a critical immune supporting nutrient.^[4] Vitamin A also supports the immune system by stimulating white blood cell function and increasing antibody response. ^[4]

L-lysine is an essential amino acid that cannot be synthesized in the body on its own. Lysine must be derived from protein sources in the diet in order for the body to function properly. Many biological functions require lysine including boosting immune defense. A study conducted in China examined the immunological effects of lysine. Of eighty-eight families included in the study, half received wheat flour fortified with 3 g of lysine per kilogram of flour, the other half received wheat flour without fortification. Those given the fortified flour showed improved immune function, versus the placebo group, specifically showing an increase of CD3 T-cells, IgG, IgA, and IgM. ^[5]

Pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) is a water-soluble B complex vitamin. D-calcium pantothenate is a heat stable form of B5. About 85% of pantothenic acid in food occurs as a component of coenzyme A (CoA). As a component of CoA, pantothenic acid is essential for the production of energy from carbohydrates, fats and protein. Maintaining optimal pantothenic acid levels is crucial for supporting immune system energy, thymic function and healthy white blood cell levels. ^[6,7]

Black elderberry (Sambucas nigra) has a long history of traditional use among herbalists and is native to Europe, Northern Africa, and Western and Central Asia. Elderberry preparations range from expressed juice to syrup, tea decoction, powdered extract, and powdered extract in the form of lozenges or capsules. ^[8] The bioactive components of elderberry include the flavonoid anthocyanin. ^[9] This product is standardized to include black elderberry extract with 13% anthocyanins. Black elderberry preparations have also been shown to enhance immune cell killing potential by supporting healthy cytokine production, including IL-8 and IL-10, the cellular pathways used to eliminate foreign invaders. ^[10]

Astragalus membranaceus is native to northern China and has been traditionally used to strengthen the immune system. ^[11] The root of A. membranaceus is one of the two commonly used species in traditional Chinese medicine. Research has demonstrated the immune-regulating effects of astragalus which include boosting T-dependent antigens, and lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells and macrophage activity.^[12] Additional studies have demonstrated that A. membranaceus root extract supports immune response by boosting T3, T4and T4/T8 cell ratios. ^[13]

Echinacea purpurea is a perennial herb that has been used for centuries in Native American medicine. Current research has supported echinacea’s clinical applications as this botanical has been the subject of more than 300 scientific studies. ^[14,15] Echinacea activates multiple aspects of immune function including enhancing leukocyte and granulocyte counts, activating neutrophils, monocytes, and eosinophils and solubilizing immune complexes. ^[16] Echinacea has been shown to compete with pathogens by blocking viral receptors on cell surfaces. Echinacea also diminishes hyaluronidase, a compound which increases connective tissue permeability and allows pathogenic organisms to become more invasive. ^[16]

Andrographis paniculata is a plant that has been used in Asian medicine for centuries. Traditionally, the plant has been used as an infusion, decoction or powder, either alone or in combination with other herbal plants. In a study examining 158 patients, a standardized preparation of A. paniculata dried extract administered for five days significantly supported immune response while decreasing throat irritations and nasal secretions. ^[17] An additional study examining the effects of A. paniculata found that andrographolide administration significantly improved CD4+ lymphocyte count in patients which immune challenges. ^[18] A. paniculata has also been reported to provide strong antioxidant support due to its ability to activate highly protective antioxidant reactions including superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione-S- transferase. ^[19]

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