Food sources to naturally boost immune system function

Best Supplements for Immune System Function: Top Nutrients to Look For

The immune system is designed to provide rapid, specific, and protective responses against foreign pathogens while also eliminating toxic or allergenic compounds that may enter through mucosal surfaces. When immune function is compromised, the body’s defense mechanisms weaken, increasing susceptibility to various health conditions.     

Supporting immune function is essential for maintaining overall health. Regular intake of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants through a balanced diet has been found to promote optimal immune function. However, dietary gaps can occur, and targeted immune health supplements can help fill these nutritional deficiencies.  

What are the most effective supplements and top nutrients for immune system support, and how do they work? In this article, we address these questions–exploring the science behind immune health supplements and their role in supporting overall wellness. Use the links below to jump ahead to different topics on the page.

The Role of Immune Health Supplements

Immune responses are orchestrated by various immune cells, including T cells, B cells, neutrophils, macrophages, dendritic cells, and natural killer cells, among others. These responses are regulated through complex signaling pathways and transcription factors, such as nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB). Although weakened immune responses can increase susceptibility to infections, an overactive immune response may lead to damage of the body’s own tissues, contributing to autoimmunity or an unhealthy inflammatory response.

Immune health supplements come into play as they can strengthen the body’s defense mechanisms against invading pathogens, toxins, and allergens.* These supplements are also instrumental in helping to maintain the body’s normal inflammatory responses and suppressing the overactivation of immune cells by modulating critical cell signaling pathways.*

Common Immune Health Supplements

Vitamins and minerals–including vitamins A, C, D, and E, and selenium and zinc–are common immune health supplements that promote optimal immune function.* Clinical deficiencies of these micronutrients have been associated with weakened immune function.* The following table highlights how these supplements work to promote immune health.* 

Common Immune Health Supplements
Vitamin A 
  1. It is required to form and maintain epithelial tissue that acts as a barrier to pathogens. 
  2. It is involved in the differentiation, maturation, and function of immune cells and in regulating inflammatory cytokines — the signaling molecules secreted by immune cells that promote inflammation. 
  3. Vitamin A deficiency can cause altered immune responses with increased susceptibility to infections. 
Vitamin C
  1. It is an essential nutrient that is critical in influencing both innate and adaptive immunity.*
  2. It exerts antioxidant effects on immune system modulators and helps maintain epithelial integrity.*
  3. Vitamin C enhances the differentiation and proliferation of B and T cells, normalizes cytokine production, and lowers histamine levels —  a signaling chemical often associated with allergic responses.* 
Vitamin D
  1. Almost all immune cells express the vitamin D receptor, which helps vitamin D modulate innate and adaptive immune responses.*
  2. Vitamin D helps maintain a normal inflammatory response and enhances the level and activity of T-regulatory cells — a specialized sub-population of T-cells that suppresses adverse immune reactions.*
  3. Vitamin D deficiency impacts the body’s susceptibility to infections by weakening tissue barriers and impairing macrophage functions.* 
Vitamin E 
  1. It is an antioxidant that helps maintain cell membrane integrity and epithelial barriers. 
  2. Vitamin E enhances antibody production, lymphocyte proliferation, and natural killer cell activity. 
  3. It helps maintain the body’s natural inflammatory response by inhibiting the production of proinflammatory cytokines. 
Selenium
  1. Selenium plays a role in T-cell maturation and function and in natural killer cell activity to support innate and adaptive immune responses. 
  2. Selenium is one of the critical components of antioxidant enzymes, and it helps limit the systemic inflammatory response. 
Zinc
  1. Zinc is necessary for the catalytic activity of several enzymes and plays a role in innate and adaptive immune responses.*
  2. Zinc helps maintain the integrity of tissue barriers, such as the respiratory epithelia.*   

3 Important Botanicals that Promote Immune Health 

Botanicals are plants or plant-derived compounds recognized for their beneficial effects on health and wellness. Many botanicals contain active ingredients that exhibit antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties that promote optimal immune function.* Some common botanicals that benefit immune function include elderberry, garlic, ginseng, green tea, turmeric, barberry, onion, and others. Interestingly, some of these botanicals may already be a part of your diet, contributing to supporting immune function naturally. 

The following sections discuss the immune function benefits of the plant-derived compounds curcumin, quercetin, and berberine.*

Curcumin and Immune Health

Turmeric root and curcumin capsules in a bowl

Curcumin is a polyphenol extracted from the roots and rhizome of turmeric (Curcuma longa). Curcumin has been shown to target multiple signaling molecules to exert numerous health benefits.* Curcumin is mainly known for exerting antioxidant effects and helping to maintain the body’s natural inflammatory response.* The following table summarizes how curcumin benefits immune health.*

Curcumin’s Beneficial Effects on Immune Health*
Interacting with various immune cells: Curcumin helps to up-regulate various immune cells, including the macrophages, dendritic cells, B, T, and natural killer cells, to strengthen the body’s defense capacity.* 
Altering circulating concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines: The intake of curcumin supplements has been found1 to downregulate the activity of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-1β, IL-4, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).*
Modulating metabolic pathways: Curcumin inhibits cytokine production and cell proliferation by inhibiting NF-κB target genes involved in inducing immune responses.*

Quercetin and Immune Health

Food rich in quercetin

Quercetin is the most abundant dietary flavonoid in several fruits, green leafy vegetables, and tea. The compound is an antioxidant that scavenges free radicals to protect cellular components from oxidative stress. The antioxidant properties of quercetin help balance various cell signaling pathways to exert therapeutic effects on immune health. 
The following table highlights how quercetin influences immune functions.  

Quercetin’s Benefits for Immune Health*
Inhibiting histamine release: Quercetin helps stabilize mast cells that release histamine, a signaling chemical involved in local immune response communication.*
Inhibiting proinflammatory cytokine production: Quercetin downregulates2 the NF-κβ1 and Iκβ cell signaling pathways, which inhibits the production of proinflammatory cytokines.*
Inhibiting the production of leukotrienes: Quercetin downregulates the production of leukotrienes, the mediators produced in white blood cells that cause adverse immune responses, such as the tightening of airway muscles.*
Enhancing Th1/Th2 balance: Quercetin enhances the balance between T-helper (Th) cell types—Th1 and Th2—critical to beneficial adaptive immune responses.*
Down-regulation of antigen-specific IgE antibody formation: Quercetin inhibits the formation of Immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies that trigger antigen-specific allergic reactions.*

 

Berberine and Immune Health

Barberry tree with fruits. Image

Berberine is one of the primary active ingredients extracted from the roots, rhizomes, and stems of European barberry, goldenseal, Oregon grape, and tree turmeric. It has been traditionally used across cultures for its antioxidative and immunosupportive effects on various health functions.* The following table summarizes how berberine supports immune health.* 

How Berberine Supports Immune Health*
Suppressing pro-inflammatory responses of Th cells: Berberine helps3 suppress functions and differentiation of pro-inflammatory Th1 and Th17 cells, which helps limit cell-mediated inflammatory responses.*
Modulating immune function: Berberine upregulates the functioning of beneficial immune cells, such as dendritic cells, macrophages, and regulatory T cells, which helps to down-regulate adverse immune responses and lower risks of autoimmunity — the condition when the immune system mounts an attack against its own cells.*
Influencing cell signaling pathways: Berberine beneficially interacts with immune cell signaling pathways to inhibit the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines.*

Delivery Technology in Advanced Immune Health Supplements

Although the beneficial health effects of curcumin, quercetin, and berberine are well-established, their poor bioavailability and absorption can hinder their efficacy. The pharmacological properties of these compounds contribute to their limited bioavailability in the body. The distinct bitter taste of unformulated curcumin and berberine further complicates oral ingestion, potentially challenging patient compliance. 

Various approaches have been used to enhance the palatability, solubility, and absorption of these nutrients. Different formulation techniques, such as co-administration with adjuvants, incorporation into micelles, nanoparticles, micro/nanoemulsions, liposomes, and solid dispersions, have been implemented to improve their efficacy. Encapsulation techniques are often preferred to protect the integrity of the nutrient molecules and enhance their functional properties, such as stability, solubility, and controlled release.   

Among encapsulation techniques, nano-delivery systems are considered the most effective in encapsulating the active ingredient and gradually releasing it at the target site.     

Best Supplements for Immune Health Developed by Tesseract Medical Research

The immune health supplements developed by Tesseract Medical Research contain potent botanical extracts formulated for optimal bioavailability and absorption. The proprietary CyLoc® – DexKey® nutrient delivery nanotechnology enables the maximum solubility of trusted nutrients that have previously been difficult to absorb. The CyLoc® technology encases active nutrient molecules in its dextrin fiber delivery cage. The accompanying DexKey® reactors release the active ingredient molecules at the desired point in the intestinal tract for optimal absorption and efficacy. 

The revolutionary smart nutrient delivery system protects the integrity of the active nutrients as they transit through the stomach. The nanoencapsulation also masks the unpleasant taste and odor of these nutrients to make them palatable and achieve user compliance. The following table highlights the best supplements for immune health developed by Tesseract Medical Research.

Best Supplements for Immune Health
TetraCumin®: This turmeric supplement formulation contains Tetrahydrocurcumin — a more stable and bioavailable form of curcumin that helps maintain healthy inflammatory responses.* The enhanced bioavailability and absorption of tetrahydrocurcumin enhance its efficacy in promoting healthy immune function.*
QuerciSorb® Immunophore SR: A single supplement capsule contains four immune-supportive nutrients — quercetin, zinc, vitamin C, and vitamin D.* Quercetin binds with zinc to exert its beneficial effects on immune function.* The formulation delivers the active nutrients through the gut wall in a sustained-release format to promote healthy immune function.*
BerberActiv®:  This hypoallergenic berberine supplement is available in quick-release and sustained-release formulations. It contains a proprietary berberine complex that helps down-regulate adverse immune reactions and helps maintain the body’s natural inflammatory response.*

With Tesseract’s best supplements for immune health, you can support your healthy immune function with proven nutrients and take them in micro-doses to achieve the desired health and wellness outcomes.* 

The power of Tesseract supplements lies in enhancing palatability, maximizing absorption and bioavailability, and micro-dosing multiple nutrients in a single, highly effective capsule. Shop products our website for more information about how Tesseract’s products can support immune health.* 

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Citations: 

1Gao X, Kuo J, Jiang H, et al. Immunomodulatory activity of curcumin: suppression of lymphocyte proliferation, development of cell-mediated cytotoxicity, and cytokine production in vitro. Biochem Pharmacol 2004 Jul 1;68(1):51-61. doi: 10.1016/j.bcp.2004.03.015. PMID: 15183117.

2Yao L, et al. Quercetin, inflammation and immunity. Nutrients vol. 8,3 167. 15 Mar. 2016, doi:10.3390/nu8030167
3Seyed-Morteza E, et al. Anti-inflammatory and immune-modulatory impacts of berberine on activation of autoreactive T cells in autoimmune inflammation. Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine vol. 24,23 (2020): 13573-13588. doi:10.1111/jcmm.16049

Al Czap, Founder | Tesseract

Al Czap has more than four decades of professional experience in preventative medicine. He founded Thorne Research in 1984 (sold in 2010) and he published Alternative Medicine Review for 17 years beginning in 1996. AMR was a highly acclaimed, peer-reviewed, and indexed medical journal. Al was the first to recognize the need for hypoallergenic ingredients and to devise methods of manufacture for and delivery of hypoallergenic products to underserved patient populations. His work has greatly impacted those with impaired immune and digestive systems and compromised health due to environmental exposures.

The advanced formulations based on our revolutionary, patented, and patent-pending technology are only available through Tesseract. No other medical, pharmaceutical, or supplement company is licensed to utilize our proprietary technology.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
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