The 5 Supplements That Actually Support Your Immune System
by The Candidly Team
While we’ve spent the last year downing a cocktail of elderberry chews and echinacea and drinking our weight in green tea, it’s hard to tell which of these, if any, are actually making a difference.
But emerging studies suggest that the following 5 immune-supporting supplements can help ward off disease, and lessen the effects of various viruses.
Some of them you’ve heard about before. Some you probably haven’t. And when taken together, they can be particularly powerful at alleviating the symptoms of colds, viruses, and infections.
All 5 of these supplements are recommended by Dr. Paul E. Merik, Chief of Critical Care Medicine at Eastern Virginia Medical School, as part of his Covid-19 management protocols.
And of course, practice common sense. We are in the middle of a global pandemic. Taking supplements won’t mean you’re immune to Covid-19. We are all relying on one another to make the safest choices possible, to show our humanity by wearing masks and distancing, to being as cautious as humanly possible, until this moment in time becomes a moment in history.
First, a note on supplements.
We talk a lot about all the products in our lives that are murky and confusing— jeans, olive oil, serums.
But, the horror of shopping for those products pale in comparison to that of shopping for supplements. You basically must have a PhD to sort through the sea of awful packaging, polysyllabic words, and unverifiable claims to find supplements are effective, healthy, and not riddled with random crap.
So from our endless, extensive research, here are a few things we’ve learned to look for, as a very general, idealistic guide. And who doesn’t love a guide?
Keep an eye out for products that are free from: artificial colors, flavors, additives, GMOs, added sugar, yeast, eggs, soy, artificial preservatives. And for people with nut allergies, look for brands that are clear about their nut policy.
Quality of ingredients: Here’s a “hack” to know whether a brand generally uses high quality ingredients in their supplements. Look for a product they sell that contains Vitamin B-12; if the form of B-12 they use is cyanocobalamin, which is a cheap, less effective source, it means they’re probably using low-quality ingredients across the board. Instead, look for brands that use methylcobalamin as their B-12 source.
Look at the dosage: If studies show that Ashwagandha is only effective at 300mg/day, but that Ashwaganda dust you’ve been eyeing only contains 75mg/recommended dose, it may not be worth the (likely) exorbitant price.
Go for extracts over powders: Simply put, extracts are more potent than powders.
Pay attention to fillers: Fillers like magnesium stearate, silicon dioxide, titanium dioxide, maltodextrin, stearic acid, and starch all add volume to the product, without adding efficacy. Some high quality supplements might have 1-2 of these fillers, but if the pill is ALL filler, it’s probably less effective.
Strive for one of these certifications: This means the product/company has been certified by a 3rd party certification process.
Of course, talk to your doctor before taking any supplements or changing your regimen. And remember, these are guidelines, not hard-and-fast rules; these are the perfect-world ideals that we strive for when looking for products. But the right/best product for you might not fit all of these “perfect” conditions. For example, if you have a nut allergy, and the only nut-free supplement you can is a powder, not an extract, then go with whatever works best for you.
Without further ado, here are 5 supplements that offer immune system support:
At The Candidly, we try a lot of stuff so you don’t have to. We only recommend things we truly love, and that we think you’ll love, too. All products are chosen independently by our creative team, and all details reflect the price and availability of products at the time of publication. If you buy something we link to, The Candidly may earn a commission.
We have to eat.
This article is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be used in place of professional advice, medical treatment, or professional care in any way. This article is not intended to be and should not be a substitute for professional care, advice or treatment. Please consult with your physician or healthcare provider before changing any health regimen. This article is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent disease of any kind. Read our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.