January 13, 2022Immune Support

6 Supplements That Help Boost Your Immune System Naturally

It is often said that there is little you can do against viruses other than vaccinate or use conventional treatments. But remember, plants have been dealing with viruses for as long as they’ve been on the planet, and some of the phytochemicals they produce as part of their own defence have also been studied for their potential usefulness in humans.

The objective of this post is to share some of the botanicals and other supplements I have found particularly useful during cold, flu and virus season.

Some of the Optimum Health formulas discussed below were developed based on years of practical experience with these ingredients. I'm not suggesting that you use everything on this list. Rather, think of it as a quick reference to some of the options I have turned to over the years. Everyone is different, and what works well for one person may not be the right choice for another.

1.) Propolis, Goldenseal, and Echinacea Combinations

One of the natural substances I have valued over the years is bee propolis, particularly when combined with other immune-supporting botanicals. The antimicrobial properties of propolis are well established. [1] Also called “bee glue,” propolis is a resinous substance bees use to seal, repair and protect their hive.

For years, a propolis-based formula was one of my go-tos during cold and flu season. The original product I used was called Bee-Fense, produced by Solaray. When the company pulled out of Canada and we could no longer get it, we decided to produce our own version, with a few variations, and named it Bee-Immune. If I feel something coming on, I take 4-5 capsules, 3 times per day on an empty stomach, and have had good success in reversing development even after the symptoms setting-in were obvious. Propolis can also be used on an ongoing basis, and for this application I have found that 2-4 capsules per day taken on an empty stomach usually suffices.

Echinacea and goldenseal are two other botanicals with a long history of use in natural health, which is why you'll often see them paired with propolis in immune-support formulas. Their immune-supporting properties are well established, and interestingly, echinacea has recently been found to engage your endocannabinoid receptors, thereby potentially providing an anti-anxiety effect in addition to an immune boost. [2]

2.) Optimum Immunity

I designed Optimum Immunity to address not only the first stages of avoiding a cold or flu, but also to shorten duration or reduce the severity if you get sick. It can downgrade the symptoms of a cold or flu because the ingredients are anti-inflammatory and help keep your energy levels up.

My experience has shown that Optimum Immunity works best taken two capsules at a time, up to 3 times per day between meals. Many find it works well when taken at bedtime. I use it on somewhat of an ongoing basis during the winter to keep my immune system balanced, but don’t take it for more than three weeks or so without a break. I have also found it useful in clients for food allergies/reactions and candida yeast. (When using it for candida, start slowly and work your way up to avoid die-off reactions.)

3.) Oregano Oil

At the first sign of a sore throat or nausea, or for bug-ridden places like airplanes and hospitals, I reach for our Opti-Potency Oregano Max. A study from the University of British Columbia which looked at the activity of different oregano preparations against the influenza virus found that though all preparations demonstrated antimicrobial activity, Oreganum minutiflorum was the most potent strain. [3] This is the type of Oregano used in our Opti-Potency Oregano Max.

I'll be upfront - this product tastes awful! If you're trying it for the first time, you may want to have some water nearby!

For me, oregano oil is simply a useful product to keep on hand during the season. One practical tip: if you're storing the bottle for an extended period, keep it upright so the oil doesn't come into prolonged contact with the rubber dropper.

How I use it

I use one squirt at a time—about ½ to ¾ of an inch in the dropper—aiming it right at the sore area of my throat. I then just grin and bear it while I experience “the burn”. If I am taking it for nausea, I will immediately swallow it and drink a glass of water. I will do this 3 to 5 times per day for up to 3 days. If after this it hasn't done the trick, chances are it's not going to.

4.) Opti-Silver Solution

Internal use:

Though many people use this and similar products internally with great success, I find that in order to get concentrations high enough to be effective, you’ve got to take a lot of it on an empty stomach... a minimum of 1 ounce, 3 times a day. I find this very effective for nausea. I have also used it for sore throats: I pour it into a small spray bottle and spray directly on the sore area many times in succession.

Topical use for infections:

I have also used a spray of Opti-Silver Solution for myself and my family applied to the eyes, ears, nose, or throat. In this regard it can be used frequently to provide a barrier to entry of bugs while on planes, or in a hospital etc. I also find it great as a tissue friendly hand sanitizer. I even use it to mist leftover food that I am putting in the fridge, to prevent mould growth. Recent studies have shown silver can enhance the effectiveness of antibiotics, and even possesses anticancer properties…which isn’t a surprise given that knocking out bugs reduces inflammation.

5.) Microencapsulated Vitamin D

Consider this: with full summer sun exposure and no sunscreen, a Caucasian person can produce approximately 1,000 IU of vitamin D per minute! By October, when those of us in Canada can no longer rely on the sun for meaningful vitamin D production, I increase my own intake to 10,000 IU per day.(I may miss one or two days a month) If I am fighting a bug I may take 20,000-25,000 IU for one to three days. As spring arrives I decrease this until the summer, where if I get good sun exposure, I may not take any that day or the next. I have always gotten and seen the best results for immunity and inflammation with Opti-Vitamin D3 MAX 2500IU. And at higher doses like those mentioned, I also always include Vitamin K.

6.) Probiotics

We've been talking about the importance of probiotics at Optimum Health for decades, and our understanding of the relationship between the intestinal microbiome and overall health has come a long way during that time.

One thing hasn't changed: everyone's gut microbiota is different. Finding the foods or probiotic products that work best for you can take some trial and error.

Fermented foods work very well for some people, but they're not right for everyone. The same is true of probiotic supplements. That's why I tend to focus less on simply finding the product with the biggest number on the front of the bottle and more on choosing the right strains and formula for the individual.

As for dosage, for daily maintenance I take 3 capsules of our Opti-Elite Probiotics up to 3 times a day. Yet if you are actively fighting off a bug, you can safely take far more than this. Even though the numbers seem high, remember that you are adding this to well over 100 trillion bugs already in your gut...it's like adding a pinch of sand in a 5 gallon pail! Morning and bedtime are usually what I recommend, but those with digestive difficulties may find that taking their probiotic supplements with their meal.

Hope this information is helpful. Until next time -

Be well!

John

References:

Disclaimer: The above information is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace the advice of your physician.