The Importance of Year-round Immune Health

by Eric Munson | November 26, 2024

Experts offer health and lifestyle advice for the immune system.

Immune health remains a popular category for both holistic medicine practitioners and dietary supplement manufacturers.

According to Grand View Research, the global immune health supplements market size was valued at $26.6 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.72 percent from 2024 to 2030.

“A healthy immune system is critical for countless reasons including preventing infection, cancer, autoimmune disease, pain and numerous other health conditions,” said Jacob Teitelbaum, a medical doctor and author based in Kailua-Kona, HI.

Autoimmune disorders are on the rise. A 2024 study from Stanford Medicine estimated between 24 and 50 million Americans have an autoimmune disorder. As many as four out five of these people are women.

The Importance of Immune Health

The immune system is one of the most crucial systems in the body because it helps defend the body against pathogens, such as bacteria, viruses, parasites, fungi and cancer cells.

“Immune health is critical because the immune system is the body’s system of defense against both environmental and internal aggressors,” said Céline Torres-Moon, senior scientist at Illinois-based Protocol for Life Balance. “It is very complex. It is needed throughout the body at all times, and it needs to work in a balanced manner. Every day, trillions of immune cells patrol inside the body to detect, identify, capture and ultimately destroy elements that are recognized as ‘alien’ to the body.”

Rosia Parrish, ND, owner of Naturopathic Wellness Center of Boulder in Boulder, CO, noted that a well-functioning immune system identifies and eliminates abnormal cells before they can develop into malignancies. Her specialty is fertility, and added the immune system provides an optimal environment for conception, implantation and healthy pregnancy.

“Chronic immune imbalances, such as low-grade inflammation or autoimmunity, can impair this surveillance, increasing the risk of chronic conditions and disease,” Dr. Parrish explained. “Naturopathic care focuses on supporting immune balance through nutrition, lifestyle and natural therapies, promoting long-term resilience and reducing the likelihood of future health issues.”

Dayna Dye, education content writer at Life Extension (Fort Lauderdale, FL) said with a growing population and frequent travel, people have greater exposure to infectious microorganisms causing colds, influenza and other infections. Good immune health is essential to protect against communicable diseases.

“Without a healthy immune system, people could not live in a world of constant exposure to microorganisms. Individuals with poor immune health are susceptible to numerous diseases, as seen in those who have acquired the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) which, prior to the development of new therapies, severely impaired immune function,” said Dye. “Another example of immune impairment is severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID), a genetic disorder that causes a lack of immune cells known as T cells and working B cells.”

Slawomir Gromadzki, nutritionist at California-based HealthAid America, agreed with Dye, adding, “Without the immune system no one can live. The best example of how important for us is our immune cells is a dead body. When we die, our immune system stops working, and as a result the bacteria take over and our body starts decaying very quickly.”

According to Hank Cheatham, vice president of Daiwa Health Development (Gardena, CA), the immune system is made up of special organs, cells and chemicals that fight against microbes.

The main parts are white blood cells, antibodies, the complement system, the lymphatic system, the spleen, the thymus and bone marrow, Cheatham said. Gromadzki added deficiencies in vitamins D, C and B12, zinc, selenium, magnesium and antioxidants are among the main causes of compromised immunity.

“Immunocompromised is a broad term which means the immune system is weaker than expected and not functioning properly,” Cheatham noted. “The immune system is made up of an army of different types of cells all working to protect one against bacteria, viruses and other things that might cause infection. When this system isn’t functioning properly, the body is immunocompromised and much more susceptible to illness.”

Corey B. Schuler, PhD, FNP, CNS, medical affairs at Utah-based Allergy Research Group (ARG) described the immune system as a “marvel of nature.”

“It is an intricate dance of cells, signals and reactions, responding to threats with elegance and precision,” Dr. Schuler said. “Consider the macrophage, a vigilant guardian, roaming through tissues and identifying invaders with expert skills. When a pathogen is detected, it engulfs the intruder, breaking it down and presenting its fragments to other immune cells, such as T cells, which then orchestrate a targeted response.”

He added this system isn’t only reactive, but also helps to maintain balance. Regulatory T cells ensure immune response is controlled, preventing excessive inflammation or damage. This balance is what makes the immune system “not only powerful but beautifully nuanced.”

“It is not just lungs, sinuses and the gastrointestinal tract that benefit from immune resilience,” Dr. Schuler said. “Brain function, including mood and cognition, hormone balance, and energy status may be dependent upon the choreography and performance of this dance.”

According to Pam Conboy, health care practitioner education and support at Omni-Biotic/AllergoSan USA (Austria/Port Chester, NY), the immune system is akin to “effective Secret Service protection.”

“When working optimally, it operates quietly in the background, to fight invaders, recognize danger (self from non-self), and balance inflammatory response,” Conboy said. “When dysfunctional, risk for acquiring infectious disease increases, as does the onset of autoimmune and chronic inflammatory disorders which include a broad range of conditions from diabetes to depression.”

Serena Goldstein, a naturopathic doctor based in Delray Beach, FL explained that people commonly associate immune health with the cold and flu season. However, there is growing evidence the immune system has been found to be an influence throughout many other systems including gut health, autoimmune disease, cancer, cardiovascular disease, psychological disorders and nervous system issues.

“Further, certain immune-related concerns can be a contributing factor to diagnoses listed in other categories, as one example is Hashimoto’s (autoimmune hypothyroid), which has been linked to the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV),” Dr. Goldstein said. “Therefore, a more specific treatment may also include panels for EBV, in addition to addressing concerns as the practitioner deems appropriate.”

Cheryl Myers, chief of scientific affairs and education at EuroMedica (Green Bay, WI) agreed with Dr. Goldstein that immune health is more complex than simply “cold and flu.”

“Everyone wants relief from immune-related issues, whether it is a bout of flu, seasonal allergies or chronic sinusitis,” Myers said. “But I think that since the pandemic, people are more aware than ever of the connections between the immune response, systemic inflammation, and even cognitive and emotional well-being. Inflammatory cytokines that can’t be properly regulated by an immune response can lead to long-term issues that go far beyond a cough or runny nose.”

Health and Lifestyle Advice

Industry experts and practitioners offered their advice for how consumers and patients can change their lifestyles to improve their immune health. Conboy, Torres-Moon and Dr. Teitelbaum agreed some of the cornerstones of immune health are optimal nutrition, sleep and exercise.

“While hygienic practices like hand washing and minimizing exposure to pathogens are essential for maintaining immune health, expanding the concept of hygiene to include sleep, stress and diet can be transformative for long-term immune resilience,” said Dr. Schuler. “Just as we recommend handwashing to prevent acute infections, we can develop habits that ‘cleanse’ and strengthen our internal systems.”

Dr. Goldstein added other basics including healthy relationships, stress management, regular exercise, exposure to sunlight, increasing water consumption and decreasing intake of sugary foods and drinks.

“Using botanical medicine and biotherapeutic medicine helps treat the body’s internal terrain, similar to tending to the soil of a plant rather than just addressing the plant itself,” Dr. Parrish said. “By restoring the body’s ecosystem, we address root causes so symptoms can shift naturally.”

She added regular comprehensive bloodwork can provide crucial insights into underlying imbalances and can guide a tailored health care plan to address illness susceptibility.

“Minimizing environmental toxins reduces immune burden, and fostering meaningful social connections strengthens emotional well-being and immune resilience,” Dr. Parrish said. “This whole-person approach supports a balanced and resilient immune system, promoting long-term health and vitality.”

Cheatham said practitioners should encourage a healthy lifestyle by advising patients to avoid smoking, excessive alcohol consumption and eating an unhealthy diet.

“The best protection against bacteria, viruses and other antigens is prevention. Prevention can be provided by a strengthened immune system,” Cheatham said. “Everyone should be aware that their bodies are constantly exposed to foreign invaders, not only during the winter months of cold and flu.”

Myers emphasized it is incredibly important to remember that lifestyle measures significantly impact immune health so diet and exercise matter.

“It’s not that a person won’t catch a virus or bacterial infection if they eat healthy meals, but I’m willing to bet that their symptoms won’t typically be as severe, and their bout of illness won’t last as long,” Myers said. “Also, because there is so much information out there regarding supplements, I think that it is key for naturopaths to share their knowledge and experience to help guide patients to the nutrients that work best for stopping colds, flus and other illnesses.”

Products and Ingredients

As one of the most popular natural health categories, there is a plethora of products and ingredients recommended by both practitioners and manufacturers.

For general immune support, Dr. Teitelbaum recommends a good multivitamin and a sustained-release melatonin if needed. He added when inflammation is involved, it is important to optimize omega-3s in the diet and balance inflammation with herbal such as curcumin and boswellia. He recommended several products from EuroMedica including Melatonin, EurOmegea 3, Curaphen, CuraPro and BosPro.

“Unlike NSAID (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug) medications like ibuprofen, which kill about 50,000 Americans each year, the herbals are as or more effective and have side benefits instead of side effects,” Dr. Teitelbaum said. “When pain accompanies immune disease such as arthritis, I recommend a mix of a unique highly absorbed mix of curcumin and boswellia.”

Myers elaborated further on EuroMedica’s Melatonin and BosPro. She explained the use of boswellia (Boswellia serrata) resin dates back thousands of years to traditional ayurvedic practice. In recent decades, the herb’s mechanisms of action have become the subject of extensive research.

It has been shown that boswellia affects multiple pathways in the body and is especially adept at modulated the 5-LOX (5-lipoxygenase) pathway. 5-LOX inflammation is associated with many conditions such as autoimmune diseases, allergies, asthma and respiratory inflammation, Myers explained.

“Scientific research has shown that boswellia can inhibit the action of mast cells and reduce histamine levels. Because boswellia also keeps inflammation at bay, it is perfect for reducing the sinus pressure and swelling that often make allergy flare-ups so miserable,” Myers said. Myers explained melatonin preserves overall health in more ways than one. In addition to helping set circadian rhythms, it also boosts immune resistance.

“Our natural levels of melatonin decline as we get older,” Myers said. “You may experience the results of this if you have interrupted sleep at night, and a general lack of feeling rested in the morning. But the overall impact of a lack of melatonin also means that your immune system is at risk. And the reason for that isn’t simply due to fewer hours of rest.”

Some of Dr. Goldstein’s favorite immune support supplements include Host Defense’s MyCommunity; Bio Vegetarian from Priority One; Vitamin C, Zinc or Oil of Oregano Caps from Gaia Herbs; and an elderberry tincture.

“Depending on how the person feels or the case at hand, the practitioner can also look at adrenal specific herbs such as astragalus, valerian, holy basil and oats, for example, to help mitigate stress and inflammation, which can affect their immune system,” Dr. Goldstein said.

According to Dr. Schuler, ARG offers several unique products for immune resilience including its Vitamin D3 Complete 5000, which contains other fat-soluble vitamins alongside high potency vitamin D3, and Zen Adapt, which provides ashwagandha in clinically relevant amounts alongside 200 mg of L-theanine and GABA for anxiety, sleep support and relaxation.*

Life Extension provides numerous products for immune health including Whole Food Multivitamin; Florassist; Enhanced Zinc Lozenges; Black Elderberry + Vitamin C; Mushroom Immune with Beta Glucans; and Echinacea Elite, according to Dye.

Dr. Parrish uses a combination of complex botanical medicines, nutrient support and targeted treatments tailored to individual needs.

She explained that Chinese herbal formulations, such as Astra Isatis offer “excellent immune modulation” and Western formulas such as Viracon provide “broad-spectrum support.” If someone presents with low lymphocytes, she recommends astragalus and if someone has a low neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, she recommends medicinal mushrooms such as turkey tail, reishi, chaga, lion’s mane and shiitake.

She also recommends botanical ingredients such as black seed extract, curcumin, echinacea and goldenseal for immune modulation and inflammation, and oil of oregano and goldenseal tincture for antimicrobial support.

Omni-Biotic manufactures Omni-Logic Immune Probiotic for immune health. It is the company’s baseline microbiome supportive probiotic formulation, which was formulated specifically to balance immune function.

“Omni-Logic Immune is a precision probiotic targeted to feed and nurture the commensal, immune-supporting gut bacteria including lactic acid producers,” Conboy said. “It’s a wonderful daily addition to bolster immune support, especially in cold and flu season.”

Daiwa’s flagship supplement is BRM4 (also known by its retail name PeakImmune4), a well-researched product produced with rice bran arabinoxylan compound (RBAC). RBAC has been shown in studies that it can more than triple natural killer (NK) cell activity if required, but not overstimulate immune response, according to Cheatham.

Cheatham said the active ingredient in BRM4 is safe and non-toxic and has been tested in more than 80 published clinical trials and other research. Its ability to enhance leukocytes, such as T and B cells, indicates it provides effective protection against invading antigens.

“Even in healthy people, RBAC, the active ingredient in BRM4, helps to strengthen immune health by increasing activity of white blood cells, enhancing the body’s ability to destroy infections and abnormal cells before they spread,” Cheatham said. “The body tolerates RBAC like food, so it can safely and effectively be taken over long periods of time.”

Protocol for Life recently launched its AHCC Powder and AHCC Capsules with beta-glucan that are designed to support immune health.* According to Torres-Moon, AHCC is extracted from the mycelia of shiitake mushrooms and has been extensively studied in many randomized clinical trials in which it has been shown to support immune health.* It also supports liver health and may contribute to the support of a healthy response to everyday stress.*

“You often see dietary supplements claiming to ‘boost’ the immune system. My concern with this type of claim is how far can you ‘boost’ the immune system without the risk of sending it into ‘overdrive,’ which might lead to health issues,” Torres-Moon said. “For healthy individuals, the immune system is typically very well self-regulated and does not need to be ‘boosted.’ However, if the immune system has the nutrients it needs, it will work optimally on its own.”

HealthAid provides several products for immune health including Black Seed Oil, Immuprotect and Zincovit C. According to Gromadzki, black seed (Nigella sativa) comes from a flowering plant that is grown in Southwest Asia and the Middle East. Its large fruit contains numerous small black seeds and is known for its immune boosting properties.

“Historical accounts of black seed use date back as far as the times of Tutankhamun, the famous Egyptian pharaoh of the 18th dynasty who lived in 1332 to 1323 BC,” Gromadzki said. “Black seed oil was found in his tomb. Queen Cleopatra used black cumin oil to maintain beautiful skin and hair. Also, Hippocrates, known as the ‘Father of Medicine’ was recommending it for various ailments.”

Immune health will remain as one of humanity’s biggest health threats especially in a world of nutritional deficiencies and constant exposure to pathogens.

“In our modern world, given widespread nutritional deficiencies and the countless thousands of chemicals added to our environment, immune illness represents our biggest health threat,” Dr. Teitelbaum said. “Being involved in everything from cancers to infections, autoimmune and heart disease, standard medicine is limited to extremely toxic approaches to help optimize immunity. Natural medicine shines at treating these conditions, both safely and effectively.”

Dr. Goldstein added, “This is also a really good time to feel pampered (i.e. take a relaxing bubble bath), get back to old hobbies (i.e. time to read a book), or perhaps have delivery for soup or other meals so your body can focus more on rest, relaxation and healing.”

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Healthy Take Aways

• The global immune supplements market is expected to grow with a CAGR of 10.72 percent from 2024 to 2030.
• According to Stanford Medicine, between 24 and 50 million Americans have an autoimmune disorder. Four in five are women.
• The immune system is one of the most crucial systems in the body because it helps defend the body against pathogens, such as bacteria, viruses, parasites, fungi and cancer cells.