Everyone you know is catching it. First the kids. Then the adults. But it’s hitting everyone - and it’s knocking a lot of people way off their game. You’re doing everything you can to avoid it. But you feel like it’s just a matter of time.
Here’s the thing – It doesn’t have to be.
You can prepare your immune system… get it in the best shape possible to help you combat the latest threat.
Eating right, exercise, and restorative sleep will move you in the right direction. But you’ll need an assist from nature for robust immune function in order to confidently meet each day head on.
Thankfully, nature provides a wealth of options for full-coverage immune support. (1) Powerful plants… essential nutrients (2)… healing herbs…
But with hundreds of things to choose from, it can be tricky to know which will work best for your immune system. As we at Just Thrive like to say: When in doubt, go with the science.
Here are 10 clinically proven herbs and nutrients you need for superior immune health.
1. Echinacea
People have relied on echinacea for centuries to stay vibrantly healthy, and it’s often considered the “go-to herb” for immune health. This familiar botanical contains potent polyphenols and dozens of other immune-friendly compounds. Those healthful plant chemicals give echinacea the ability to support immune health by:
- Mobilizing important immune cells, such as NK (natural killer) cells, when your body detects a threat (3)
- Supporting the growth of white blood cells that your immune system mobilizes to fight infections (4)
- Neutralizing seasonal bugs (5)
- Encouraging proper immune responses while guarding against potential immune overreactions (6)
2. Elderberry
This bright purple fruit from the Sambucus tree contains plentiful vitamins and antioxidants. These berries have been used for centuries to support immune health. Research shows that compounds in elderberries help modulate immune function. (7)
3. Epicor
You may not have ever heard of Epicor, but this special fermented whole food supplement might become your new must-have for an immunity dream team. (8) It comes from a unique yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which goes through special fermentation and drying processes. And the compound that emerges - Epicor - contains dozens of beneficial constituents including antioxidants, proteins, and peptides that work together to keep you in peak health.
Epicor has been the subject of 15 scientific studies… including 8 human clinical trials. And all of these studies clearly demonstrate its ability to support healthy immune function. Epicor has been shown to promote a healthy inflammatory response, (9) because inflammation is an important tool your immune system uses to keep you well… as long as it is used the RIGHT way (and as you may know, it’s all too easy for inflammation to go sideways).
Epicor can also help minimize occasional GI discomfort (10) and support the activation of important immune system fighters such as NK (natural killer) cells and T-cells. (11)
4. Ginger
Ginger has been a key staple of traditional Chinese medicine for generations. This warming spice supports immune health with strong antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. (12) It’s also known for easing occasional GI upset and supporting a healthy inflammatory response.
5. Pomegranate
Ruby-red pomegranates are packed with powerful plant chemicals called polyphenols, a family of compounds well known for encouraging optimal immune function. Polyphenols support your immune system in many important ways such as:
- Activating crucial immune cells (13)
- Providing strong antioxidant defenses (14)
- Supporting healthy inflammatory responses (15)
Pomegranates in particular deliver the goods (16) thanks to a unique polyphenol called punicalagins… and you won’t find those anywhere else. Punicalagins provide ultra high-level antioxidant protection along with strong antimicrobial activity. (17)
6. Turmeric
Turmeric, the bright yellow spice, contains a powerful compound called curcumin. It supports immune health by encouraging a healthy inflammatory response and providing antioxidant protection. Turmeric also helps activate key immune cells and antibodies. (18)
7. Selenium
Your immune system cannot effectively fight off infections without plenty of selenium on hand. But unfortunately, up to a billion people are selenium deficient. (19) Plus, infections drain your body’s selenium supplies, leaving you more vulnerable to everything going around. (20) So making sure you get enough of this essential mineral can help you stay well all season long. Selenium supports immune function by
- Delivering high-level free radical scavenging abilities (21)
- Activating your immune system’s first line of defense to stay ahead of threats while modulating a balanced immune response (22)
- Supporting a healthy immune system as it fights off threats (23)
8. Zinc
Optimal immune function depends heavily on zinc. In fact, your immune system cannot work properly without it. But here’s the catch: zinc deficiency is surprisingly common around the world, and that can cause all sorts of health problems. (24)
Your body needs zinc to create key immune cells… and those cells can’t do their jobs without zinc. (25) In fact, your immune system counts on zinc to round up the fighters that can effectively handle threats. (26) Zinc supports antibody production, T-cell activation, and immune cell division. And – It’s especially useful for supporting health and wellness for older adults. (27)
And when zinc gets paired with selenium, your immune health gets an extra dose of support. These two minerals work together to protect your cellular DNA, which helps ensure your healthy cells grow and multiply. (28) The pair also plays a key role in supporting mental health and proper brain function. (29)
9. Vitamin A
Your body uses vitamin A to protect your vision, support a healthy inflammatory response, and help your body make sure your immune system doesn’t under- or over-react.. (30) This fat-soluble vitamin also has strong antioxidant properties. You can get your daily allowance of vitamin A by eating foods rich in beta-carotene, which your body converts into vitamin A. Beta-carotene rich foods include carrots, sweet potatoes, and butternut squash.
10. Vitamin D3
You need vitamin D3 for more than your teeth and bones. The “sunshine” vitamin is critical for proper immune function. (31) Unfortunately, it can be hard to get enough of this key nutrient, especially during the dark winter months. So look for vitamin D rich foods such as salmon, sardines, and enriched orange juice.
Just Thrive Immune Health Products
Just Thrive Immunity Plus Delivers Unmatched Immune Support
With the right support, your immune system can be like a suit of armor, helping you stay healthy against the many threats you face. But strong resilience doesn’t just happen by chance – You need to give your body the essential nutrients, powerful plant polyphenols, and helpful herbs it requires to thrive… And that’s exactly what you’ll find in Immunity Plus.
Just Thrive Immunity Plus contains the supportive nutrients and botanicals you need for abundant wellness all year round. Each capsule of Just Thrive Immunity Plus contains:
- Echinacea, the preferred immune-supporting herb for generations
- Pomanox® Pomegranate Extract, which supplies 300% more polyphenols than red wine or green tea
- Epicor®, shown in 8 human clinical trials to deliver significant support when you need it most
- Selenium, a powerful antioxidant mineral that keeps your immune system going strong
- Zinc, an essential mineral necessary for proper immune system function and response
Keep your immune system in fighting shape every day with Immunity Plus.
>> Try Immunity Plus and save 22% with a subscription
And remember…
All Just Thrive purchases are COMPLETELY covered by our Bottom of the Bottle, 100% money back guarantee.
That means you can give any Just Thrive product or bundle a try, and if you don’t love how you feel, simply ask for a full refund at any time... Whether it’s 2 weeks, 2 months or 2 years… Even if the bottle is empty!
>> Test drive Immunity Plus 100% risk free
Sources:
- Isbill J, Kandiah J, Kružliaková N. Opportunities for Health Promotion: Highlighting Herbs and Spices to Improve Immune Support and Well-being. Integr Med (Encinitas). 2020 Oct;19(5):30-42.
- Institute of Medicine (US) Committee on Military Nutrition Research. Military Strategies for Sustainment of Nutrition and Immune Function in the Field. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 1999. 16, Trace Minerals, Immune Function, and Viral Evolution. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK230971/
- Park SJ, Lee M, Kim D, Oh DH, Prasad KS, Eun S, Lee J. Echinacea purpurea Extract Enhances Natural Killer Cell Activity In Vivo by Upregulating MHC II and Th1-type CD4+ T Cell Responses. J Med Food. 2021 Oct;24(10):1039-1049. doi: 10.1089/jmf.2021.K.0064. PMID: 34668764.
- Abouelella AM, Shahein YE, Tawfik SS, Zahran AM. Phytotherapeutic effects of Echinacea purpurea in gamma-irradiated mice. J Vet Sci. 2007 Dec;8(4):341-51. doi: 10.4142/jvs.2007.8.4.341. PMID: 17993747; PMCID: PMC2868149.
- Pleschka S, Stein M, Schoop R, Hudson JB. Anti-viral properties and mode of action of standardized Echinacea purpurea extract against highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (H5N1, H7N7) and swine-origin H1N1 (S-OIV). Virol J. 2009 Nov 13;6:197. doi: 10.1186/1743-422X-6-197.
- Hudson JB. Applications of the phytomedicine Echinacea purpurea (Purple Coneflower) in infectious diseases. J Biomed Biotechnol. 2012;2012:769896. doi: 10.1155/2012/769896. Epub 2011 Oct 26. PMID: 22131823; PMCID: PMC3205674.
- Stich L, Plattner S, McDougall G, Austin C, Steinkasserer A. Polysaccharides from European Black Elderberry Extract Enhance Dendritic Cell Mediated T Cell Immune Responses. Int J Mol Sci. 2022 Apr 1;23(7):3949. doi: 10.3390/ijms23073949. PMID: 35409309; PMCID: PMC8999536.
- Meletis CD, Wilkes K. Immune Competence and Minimizing Susceptibility to COVID-19 and Other Immune System Threats. Altern Ther Health Med. 2020 Aug;26(S2):94-99. PMID: 33245701.
- Jensen GS, Carter SG, Reeves SG, Robinson LE, Benson KF. Anti-inflammatory properties of a dried fermentate in vitro and in vivo. J Med Food. 2015 Mar;18(3):378-84. doi: 10.1089/jmf.2013.0158. Epub 2014 Aug 8. PMID: 25105458; PMCID: PMC4350453.
- Pinheiro I, Robinson L, Verhelst A, Marzorati M, Winkens B, den Abbeele PV, Possemiers S. A yeast fermentate improves gastrointestinal discomfort and constipation by modulation of the gut microbiome: results from a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled pilot trial. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2017 Sep 4;17(1):441. doi: 10.1186/s12906-017-1948-0. PMID: 28870194; PMCID: PMC5584023.
- Jensen GS, Redman KA, Benson KF, Carter SG, Mitzner MA, Reeves S, Robinson L. Antioxidant bioavailability and rapid immune-modulating effects after consumption of a single acute dose of a high-metabolite yeast immunogen: results of a placebo-controlled double-blinded crossover pilot study. J Med Food. 2011 Sep;14(9):1002-10. doi: 10.1089/jmf.2010.0174. Epub 2011 Apr 18. PMID: 21501093; PMCID: PMC3157306.
- Ozkur M, Benlier N, Takan I, Vasileiou C, Georgakilas AG, Pavlopoulou A, Cetin Z, Saygili EI. Ginger for Healthy Ageing: A Systematic Review on Current Evidence of Its Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, and Anticancer Properties. Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2022 May 9;2022:4748447. doi: 10.1155/2022/4748447. PMID: 35585878; PMCID: PMC9110206.
- Ding S, Jiang H, Fang J. Regulation of Immune Function by Polyphenols. J Immunol Res. 2018 Apr 12;2018:1264074. doi: 10.1155/2018/1264074. PMID: 29850614; PMCID: PMC5925142.
- Pandey KB, Rizvi SI. Plant polyphenols as dietary antioxidants in human health and disease. Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2009 Nov-Dec;2(5):270-8. doi: 10.4161/oxim.2.5.9498. PMID: 20716914; PMCID: PMC2835915.
- Hussain T, Tan B, Yin Y, Blachier F, Tossou MC, Rahu N. Oxidative Stress and Inflammation: What Polyphenols Can Do for Us? Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2016;2016:7432797. doi: 10.1155/2016/7432797. Epub 2016 Sep 22. PMID: 27738491; PMCID: PMC5055983.
- Zarfeshany A, Asgary S, Javanmard SH. Potent health effects of pomegranate. Adv Biomed Res. 2014 Mar 25;3:100. doi: 10.4103/2277-9175.129371. PMID: 24800189; PMCID: PMC4007340.
- Kupnik K, Primožič M, Vasić K, Knez Ž, Leitgeb M. A Comprehensive Study of the Antibacterial Activity of Bioactive Juice and Extracts from Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) Peels and Seeds. Plants (Basel). 2021 Jul 28;10(8):1554..
- Jagetia GC, Aggarwal BB. "Spicing up" of the immune system by curcumin. J Clin Immunol. 2007 Jan;27(1):19-35. doi: 10.1007/s10875-006-9066-7. Epub 2007 Jan 9. PMID: 17211725.
- Shreenath AP, Ameer MA, Dooley J. Selenium Deficiency. [Updated 2022 Jul 19]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482260/
- Duncan, A., et al., Quantitative data on the magnitude of the systemic inflammatory response and its effect on micronutrient status based on plasma measurements, The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Volume 95, Issue 1, January 2012, Pages 64–71, https://doi.org/10.3945/ajcn.111.023812
- Hoffmann PR, Berry MJ. The influence of selenium on immune responses. Mol Nutr Food Res. 2008 Nov;52(11):1273-80. doi: 10.1002/mnfr.200700330. PMID: 18384097; PMCID: PMC3723386.
- Huang Z, Rose AH, Hoffmann PR. The role of selenium in inflammation and immunity: from molecular mechanisms to therapeutic opportunities. Antioxid Redox Signal. 2012 Apr 1;16(7):705-43. doi: 10.1089/ars.2011.4145. Epub 2012 Jan 9. PMID: 21955027; PMCID: PMC3277928.
- Chaari A, Bendriss G, Zakaria D, McVeigh C. Importance of Dietary Changes During the Coronavirus Pandemic: How to Upgrade Your Immune Response.
- Maxfield L, Shukla S, Crane JS. Zinc Deficiency. [Updated 2022 Oct 12]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK493231/
- Prasad AS. Zinc in human health: effect of zinc on immune cells. Mol Med. 2008 May-Jun;14(5-6):353-7. doi: 10.2119/2008-00033.Prasad. PMID: 18385818; PMCID: PMC2277319.
- Rahman MT, Idid SZ. Can Zn Be a Critical Element in COVID-19 Treatment? Biol Trace Elem Res. 2021 Feb;199(2):550-558. doi: 10.1007/s12011-020-02194-9. Epub 2020 May 26. PMID: 32458149; PMCID: PMC7250542.
- de Almeida Brasiel PG. The key role of zinc in elderly immunity: A possible approach in the COVID-19 crisis. Clin Nutr ESPEN. 2020 Aug;38:65-66. doi: 10.1016/j.clnesp.2020.06.003. Epub 2020 Jun 16. PMID: 32690179; PMCID: PMC7297178.
- Yildiz A, Kaya Y, Tanriverdi O. Effect of the Interaction Between Selenium and Zinc on DNA Repair in Association With Cancer Prevention. J Cancer Prev. 2019 Sep;24(3):146-154. doi: 10.15430/JCP.2019.24.3.146. Epub 2019 Sep 30. PMID: 31624720; PMCID: PMC6786808.
- Wang J, Um P, Dickerman BA, Liu J. Zinc, Magnesium, Selenium and Depression: A Review of the Evidence, Potential Mechanisms and Implications. Nutrients. 2018 May 9;10(5):584. doi: 10.3390/nu10050584. PMID: 29747386; PMCID: PMC5986464.
- Huang Z, Liu Y, Qi G, Brand D, Zheng SG. Role of Vitamin A in the Immune System. J Clin Med. 2018 Sep 6;7(9):258. doi: 10.3390/jcm7090258. PMID: 30200565; PMCID: PMC6162863.
- Aranow C. Vitamin D and the immune system. J Investig Med. 2011 Aug;59(6):881-6. doi: 10.2310/JIM.0b013e31821b8755. PMID: 21527855; PMCID: PMC3166406.
