5 lesser known supplements-prime immune defenses
Winter is an opportune time for viruses to flourish and spread. People spend more time indoors and in close contact with each other. Dry air may compromise nasal and respiratory passages making it easier for germs to take hold.
There’s no way to avoid viruses and bacteria during the winter months. There are ways, however, to reduce the odds of missing work or school because of them. Simple habits—like getting adequate sleep, eating a healthy diet and frequent hand washing—are tried and true strategies.
A survey of more than 20,000 Americans found that people who sleep less than five hours a night are 28 percent more likely to get a cold and 82 percent more likely to get an infection than those who sleep seven to eight hours a night.
Likewise, of more than 70,000 adults surveyed, people with a very high intake of sugary foods are 40 percent more likely to get upper respiratory-tract infections than those with a low intake.
Healthy lifestyle habits lay a solid foundation for immune strength and the ability to resist common colds and infections. For those who need additional immune support through the winter months, supplementation with nutrients and botanicals can be invaluable.
Supplements for Immune Support
Certain supplements are routinely recommended during the winter months. Vitamins A, C, and D support immune health and antioxidant defenses along with zinc.* Probiotics help to optimize mucosal immunity in the digestive and respiratory tracts.* Mushrooms, elderberry (Sambucus nigra) and olive leaf further support immune defenses.*
As science advances, researchers continue to discover compounds that support immune health. Here are five lesser-known supplements that support immune function in both the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts, which may help your patients stay healthy throughout the winter season.
Wellmune WGP
This commercially available (1,3)/(1,6)-
β-glucan contains polysaccharides that are naturally found in foods like baker’s yeast, shiitake mushrooms, barley, oats, and rye. These β-glucans are incorporated into cell walls to serve as energy storage for these plant foods.
Some β-glucans also modulate immune function in humans.* Those from fungi and yeast are best known for their ability to interact with innate immune cells of the gastrointestinal mucosa.
The β-glucan in Wellmune WGP is a proprietary and highly purified extract from the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Its benefits are supported by more than a dozen studies—in children, healthy adults, older adults, and athletes, and most effective when taken daily.
A recent study evaluated supplementation with Wellmune in athletes participating in the 2017 Austin Marathon. The athletes took 250 mg per day of Wellmune or a placebo for 45 days before and 45 days after running the marathon. The runners who took Wellmune ended up missing fewer post-marathon workouts.*
Also, during the winter months of 2009, researchers gave healthy adults either 500 mg per day of Wellmune or a placebo for 12 weeks. The participants taking the placebo missed an average of 1.38 days of work, but none of the -participants taking Wellmune missed any work.*
Select Products Containing Wellmune WGP:
IgY Max
Immunoglobulins (Ig) are antibodies produced by the immune system to neutralize pathogens. There are five main immunoglobulins in humans, and additional types in other animals. IgY is the dominant type of antibody in birds and reptiles. It’s also concentrated in chicken egg yolks.
By immunizing chickens before they lay eggs, scientists are able to create egg yolks with IgY antibodies that target specific organisms. These antibodies are then isolated at low heat and made available for oral supplementation. A specific preparation of IgY has been shown in a meta-analysis of 17 clinical trials to support intestinal microbial balance in infants and children.*
IgY Max contains antibodies that target 26 different bacterial strains. It’s thought to work by blocking pathogens within the intestinal lumen so that they’re unable to enter the enterocytes. Laboratory and animal studies suggest that IgY Max supports mucosal immune function of the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts.*
Select Products Containing IgY Max:
Colostrum and IgG
Colostrum is the first milk that’s generated after a mammal gives birth to a baby. It’s produced by human mothers, but is also available as a supplement in the form of bovine colostrum. Colostrum is naturally rich in amino acids, growth factors, and immunoglobulins—including IgG.
IgG is the most prevalent form of antibody in humans, defending the body against foreign invaders. Although it’s inherently produced by the immune system, taking IgG orally can also support immune function.* Studies show that about 25 percent of ingested IgG resists digestion in the upper gastrointestinal tract and survives stomach acid.
Research shows that the IgG in colostrum confers a form of passive immunity—helping to neutralize microorganisms in the gastrointestinal tract. Other studies of IgG and colostrum show they support gut-barrier function and immune balance.*
Colostrum supplementation has been evaluated in adults and children. In one study, 53 men took either 20 grams of colostrum per day or a placebo for 12 weeks during the winter months, and found that colostrum supported immune function in healthy adults.* In children, colostrum has been shown to support gastrointestinal and respiratory immune health.*
Select Products Containing Colostrum and IgG:
Lactoferrin
Like IgG, lactoferrin is found in colostrum and can be isolated for supplementation. Lactoferrin is a glycoprotein that’s synthesized by epithelial cells in the human body and concentrated primarily in mucosal secretions. It’s considered part of the body’s first line of immune defense.
Lactoferrin has many different mechanisms of action. It’s able to bind to large quantities of iron, sequestering the iron from nonbeneficial organisms. It supports adaptive immunity by promoting the maturation of T cells and the differentiation of B cells. Lactoferrin has also been shown to help modulate redox balance and cytokine production.*
Animal studies suggest that lactoferrin supports immune function in both the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts.* Although more human studies are needed, lactoferrin is emerging as a popular ingredient for supporting immune function.
Select Products Containing Lactoferrin:
Monolaurin
This patented product comes from the chemical compound glycerol monolaurate, which is a derivative of lauric acid—a medium-chain fatty acid concentrated in coconut oil and human breast milk.
Although some lauric acid is converted to monolaurin in the human body, the rate of this conversion is unknown. Supplementation with monolaurin is, therefore, a way to reach higher levels than can be achieved by eating lauric acid–rich foods.
Laboratory and animal studies have defined many mechanisms by which monolaurin supports immune function. Monolaurin has been shown to interact with phospholipids in cell membranes of nonbeneficial organisms and interact with signal transduction.*
Human studies are needed to confirm what’s been seen in these laboratory and animal studies. Still, monolaurin’s mechanisms of action are compelling. As more research emerges, monolaurin may rise to the top of supplements that support immune function.
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Other Winter Immune Strategies
Herbal teas are also a soothing way to both hydrate and deliver plant nutrients. Ginger tea is warming and supports healthy circulation-helpful when temperatures outside begin to drop. Cinnamon, cloves, turmeric, or cayenne can be added for even more warming effect. In addition, there are many herbal tea formulas containing delicious immune supporting herbs such as echinacea, licorice and elderberry.* Lemon is an excellent source of vitamin C and can be added to any herbal tea.
We all hope that if we sleep well, eat well and supplement well that we’ll remain healthy through the winter months. That’s always a possibility, but the odds are not in our favor. According to research conducted by Germany’s Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care, adults average two to four colds per year, and children average six to eight.
So, as cold weather approaches, consider combining multiple options into a winter survival plan for your patients. Many products are formulated with combinations of herbs and nutrients to provided targeted support for immune health, and starting early to prime the immune system is the key to better outcomes.
By supporting healthy immune function before challenges arise, your patients may be able to stay healthy no matter what the weather.