0
en
US
WSMCA
35304174
FREE delivery on orders over $25
X
× SuperSmart Shop by health concern Shop by product Bestsellers New products Promotions blog My account Smart Prescription Blog Loyalty program Language: English
Welcome Shop by health concern Immunity

Immune system strengthening

Immunity

Would you like to help support your immune system in a completely natural way? You've come to the right place.

Many factors influence the quality of the immune response to everyday aggressions: the quality of sleep, exposure to stress, but also and above all the diet. Many micronutrients are involved in the normal functioning of the immune system, such as zinc and vitamin C, which are available in food and in the form of food supplements.

Don't miss the products that are most appreciated by our customers: Green Propolis, a natural substance of incredible biological richness, Rhodiola rosea, an adaptogen excellent for the body, and Adaptix, a formula rich in high quality plant extracts. Two other products also deserve your attention: Bacillus subtilis and AHCC, two great classics of supplementation.

AHCCAHCC
AHCC is an extract of cultured shiitake mushroom root (Lentinus edode extract)
60 Veg. Caps
$83.00
+
5 6 reviews
Organic MycoComplex SupplementOrganic MycoComplex
Organic MycoComplex is a super-complex of 7 medicinal mushrooms (Shiitake, Chaga, Reishi, Maitake, Cordyceps, Polypore, and Agaricus)
90 Veg. Caps
$38.00
+
0 No reviews
Green Propolis SupplementGreen Propolis
Green Propolis is a natural antibiotic with an incredible range of biological activities
90 Veg. Caps.
$47.00
+
0 No reviews
Bacillus Subtilis SupplementBacillus Subtilis Probiotic Supplement
Bacillus subtilis is a probiotic bacteria strain
60 DRCaps™
$16.00
+
4.5 16 reviews
Organic Defense Mix Organic Defense Mix
Organic Defense Mix is the most effective blend of essential oils for fighting infection
60 softgels
$17.00
+
0 No reviews
Organic Royal Jelly SupplementOrganic Royal Jelly 4% 10-HDA
Organic Royal Jelly is considered as mother nature’s vitality gem
90 Veg. Caps.
$23.00
+
0 No reviews
Neem ExtractNeem Extract
Our neem supplement is extracted from the neem tree in India
90 Veg. Caps
$20.00
+
0 No reviews
-40%
PP 40PP 40
PP 40 is a standardized Pao Pereira (PP) extract
90 Veg. Caps
$43.80$73.00
+
5 1 reviews
-40%
Lactoferrin Lactoferrin
Our lactoferrin supplement is a glycoprotein with powerful antioxidant properties
60 Veg. Caps
$25.80$43.00
+
0 No reviews
Colostrum Supplement Colostrum
Colostrum nutritional supplement to boost the immune system
60 DRCaps™
$22.00
+
0 No reviews
Oil of Oregano SupplementOil Of Oregano
Oil of oregano contains an extract of oregano standardized 70% carvacrol
120 Softgels
$24.00
+
5 1 reviews
Astragalus Extract SupplementAstragalus Extract
Astragalus Extract is an extract of Astragalus membranaceus, traditionally used as a tonic to fight weakness and infection
30 ml
$19.00
+
0 No reviews
AC-11® Supplement AC-11®
AC-11®, also known as cat’s claw extract, is a natural DNA regenerator extracted from Uncaria tomentosa
60 Veg. Caps.
$38.00
+
5 4 reviews
-35%
Adaptix Supplement Adaptix
Adaptix is a combination of 8 plant extracts with adaptogen properties
90 vegetarian capsules
$14.95$23.00
+
0 No reviews
Advanced Zinc LozengesAdvanced Zinc Lozenges
Excellent zinc lozenge supplement which helps boost the immune system
90 lozenges
$23.00
+
0 No reviews
-50%
Agarikon 50% PolysaccharidesAgarikon 50% Polysaccharides
An immunity-boosting mushroom, referred to as the 'elixir of long life' in ancient Greece
60 tablets
$14.50$29.00
+
5 1 reviews
Aller Fight SupplementAller Fight
Aller Fight is a blend of extracts for allergy relief
120 Veg. Caps
$24.00
+
0 No reviews
Arabinogalactan SupplementArabinogalactan
Arabinogalactan is an extract of American larch that stimulates immunity naturally
60 Veg. Caps.
$19.00
+
0 No reviews
ArtemisininArtemisinin
Our artemisinin supplement is the best immunostimulant for fighting infections and corrupted cells
60 Veg. Caps
$25.00
+
5 1 reviews
Beta 1.3/1.6 Glucan SupplementBeta 1.3/1.6 Glucan
Beta 1.3/1.6 Glucan contains at least 70% beta-(1,3/1,6)-glucan with powerful biological effects
60 Veg. Caps250 mg
$24.00
+
0 No reviews
Broccoli Sulforaphane GlucosinolateBroccoli Sulforaphane Glucosinolate
Broccoli Sulforaphane Glucosinolate is formulated from a standardized extract of broccoli (Brassica oleracea)
60 Veg. Caps
$50.00
+
5 4 reviews
Caprylic Acid SupplementCaprylic Acid
Caprylic Acid is a medium-chain saturated fatty acid with anti-fungal properties
90 Veg. Caps
$25.00
+
0 No reviews
Coleus Forskohlii SupplementColeus Forskohlii
Coleus forskohlii is an ayurvedic herb extract with benefits for re-sensitizing cell receptors
120 Veg. Caps
$29.00
+
0 No reviews
Ginseng 30%Ginseng 30%
Ginseng extract standardized to 30% ginsenosides, with benefits for overall health and well-being
60 Veg. Caps
$29.00
+
5 1 reviews
GlycineGlycine
An essential amino acid for strengthening and protecting the body
180 g
$24.00
+
0 No reviews
-35%
Goji Berry Extract SupplementGoji Berry Extract
Goji Berry Extract is a high-quality and natural goji berry supplement
100 Veg. Caps
$13.65$21.00
+
0 No reviews
New
Guduchi dietary supplementGuduchi
Guduchi extract, also known as Ayurveda's 'nectar of immortality', excellent for immunity
60 Veg. Caps
$28.00
+
0 No reviews
-60%
Immunity BoosterImmunity Booster
A formulation rich in organic echinacea for boosting the immune and respiratory systems
60 tablets
$14.40$36.00
+
0 No reviews
Iron Bisglycinate SupplementIron Bisglycinate
Iron Bisglycinate is an anti-fatigue form of iron with excellent bioavailability
60 Veg. Caps.
$14.00
+
0 No reviews
IsoQuercitrin SupplementIsoQuercitrin
Our Isoquercetin supplement is 17 times more bioavailable than quercetin
60 Veg. Caps.
$28.00
+
4 2 reviews
Lactobacillus Plantarum PostbioticLactobacillus Plantarum Postbiotic
The number 1 "immunobiotic"
60 Veg. Caps
$27.00
+
0 No reviews
New
Natural liposomal quercetinLiposomal Quercetin
Premium liposomal quercetin supplement in liquid form standardized to 95%
250 mL
$49.00
+
0 No reviews
New
Maitake D-Fraction dietary supplementMaitake D-Fraction®
A premium extract of maitake, the Japanese 'king of the mushrooms', widely studied in immunology
30 Veg. Caps
$47.00
+
0 No reviews
PectaSol®PectaSol®
PectaSol® is a natural concentrate of citrus pectins (hydrolyzed)
454 g
$120.00
+
0 No reviews
Red Propolis SupplementRed Propolis
Red Propolis is the rarest, wildest, and most effective type of propolis
60 Veg. Caps
$49.00
+
0 No reviews
Rhodiola RoseaRhodiola Rosea
Rhodiola rosea extract has been considered one of the principal adaptogen substances
60 Veg. Caps
$31.00
+
0 No reviews
-70%
Schisandra Chinensis Schisandra Chinensis
Schisandra Chinensis is an extract of Schizandra berry
60 Veg. Caps
$9.00$30.00
+
5 1 reviews
Spirulina SupplementSpirulina
Spirulina is natural alga extract, considered a superfood of exceptional quality
240 tablets
$25.00
+
0 No reviews
Super Quercetin Super Quercetin
Super Quercetin offers the benefits of the natural flavonol quercetin
60 tabs
$42.00
+
0 No reviews
Super Shilajit Super Shilajit
Super Shilajit contains an extract of shilajit standardized to provide 60% fulvic acid
60 Veg. Caps
$34.00
+
0 No reviews
Wild Maqui Berry SupplementWild Maqui Berry
Wild Maqui Berry offers the medicinal properties of the small berries Aristolochia chilensis
90 Veg. Caps.
$33.00
+
0 No reviews

Immune system: 5 dietary supplements that support your body’s defenses

Discover how the body’s immune system works, and the 5 most effective supplements for helping to maintain this vital, natural shield.

Immunity: a complex system

From birth, the body has at its disposal a number of mechanisms with which to defend itself against foreign invaders and pathogens: collectively, this is known as innate immunity.

Acquired through millions of years of evolution, and passed on from mothers to babies during pregnancy, this immunity is made up of many different cells and proteins. The main ones are macrophages, neutrophils, monocytes, dendritic cells, cytokines, and interferons. Most importantly, innate immunity is not dependent on infectious agents: it is not specialised.

In addition, the body encounters various infectious agents throughout life, against which it learns how to specifically defend itself: this is called acquired or adaptive immunity.

The main ‘weapons’ in acquired immunity are B lymphocytes, which produce antibodies, CD8+ T lymphocytes, which destroy infected cells, and CD4+ T lymphocytes, helper cells, which stimulate B lymphocytes.

So when the body encounters an infectious agent, this acquired immunity enables it to produce both specific antibodies which are more effective against the agent in question, and crucially, memory cells. These lodge in bone marrow, ready to be quickly converted into cytotoxic T lymphocytes should this same infectious agent reappear sometime in the future. This defense strategy makes the body more responsive and effective when faced with a new infection.

The principle behind vaccination is actually based on acquired immunity: it prepares the body to marshal the necessary defenses when it encounters a real infection. Vaccines work by exposing the body to either an inactivated pathogen (not dangerous but with the same characteristics) or one of its proteins, or the pathogen’s RNA messenger.

But this system is complex and fragile: oxidative stress, aging, various diseases, etc, can generate weaknesses in the immune system. The good news is that dietary supplements have been developed to support immunity and help our defenses function properly. Here are 5 of the most effective.

Vitamin D and natural defenses

Vitamin D stimulates the expression and secretion of anti-microbial peptides by monocytes/macrophages which supports mucous membrane defenses, as well as the synthesis of anti-inflammatory cytokines, while at the same time, inhibiting that of pro-inflammatory cytokines.

Numerous studies have demonstrated that a lack of vitamin D is often associated with an increase in respiratory infections, and that equally, supplementation with vitamin D helps to reduce such infections.

That’s why in 2020, the French medical journal La Revue du Praticien recommended generalised vitamin D supplementation on the basis that it is “simple, effective, safe and inexpensive”.

Particularly so since aging, obesity and low winter sunlight levels at Northern European latitudes result in relative deficiencies in vitamin D.

Given that we know vitamin D supports normal immune system function, it makes sense to supplement with vitamin D3 5000IU or use a vitamin D3 2000IU spray in order to boost your intake for winter!

A reishi supplement for your immune system

A mushroom used for thousands of years in traditional Chinese and Japanese medicine, Ganoderma lucidum, better known as reishi, has enjoyed renewed interest across the world since the 1970s when its cultivation became possible.

Several studies have thus shown that consuming reishi leads to a probable increase in natural cytotoxic lymphocytes, agents of innate immunity, and may help maintain normal levels of CD4 and CD8 T lymphocytes.

According to scientists, it may be the specific polysaccharides in reishi that are responsible for this stimulation of innate immunity. In fact, the European Union recently funded a huge study involving scientists from academic institutions and from within the agro-food and pharmaceutical industry in order to understand the mechanisms linking non-digestible polysaccharides with the immune system.

This research demonstrated that these polysaccharides activate certain genes related to immunity and stimulate specific bacteria in the colon, producing positive effects on health.

To obtain the benefits of reishi and other mushrooms, you can actually take a synergistic formulation combining several organic mushroom extracts: reishi, shiitake, chaga, cordyceps, etc. (such as the product Organic MycoComplex).

Immunity: why take a zinc supplement?

An essential trace element, in other words, one that has to be provided by the diet, zinc plays a role in a number of processes such as growth, neurological function and immunity.

To confirm how zinc benefits the body, scientists first examined the effects of zinc deficiency. They found that a lack of zinc stimulates inflammation, by causing inappropriate activation of immune cells which, instead of fighting inflammation, aggravates it.

These same researchers also discovered a direct correlation between chronic inflammation, one of the most common immune problems in elderly people, and deficiency in zinc.

This important trace element thus supports normal immune system function, with supplementation recommended for older individuals as well as vegans, the foods richest in zinc being mainly animal-source protein.

To ensure a good intake of this trace element, choose a supplement offering a form of zinc with good bioavailability, such as zinc orotate.

An excellent trio of plants to support your health

In addition to vitamins and essential trace-elements, there are also a number of plant extracts, in the form of dietary supplements, which help to support the body’s defenses in fighting foreign invaders and in keeping us physically and mentally strong.

One such plant is astragalus which, like reishi, comes from the traditional Chinese pharmacopoeia and contains a significant amount of non-digestible polysaccharides. At SuperSmart, we advise taking the whole root of astragalus in the form of a glycerin liquid extract, diluted in a glass of water, (such as Astragalus Extract).

Ginseng is another plant used in traditional Chinese medicine which as a result of its active ingredients, a type of saponin called ginsenosides which have significant antioxidant potency, helps to support the immune system and maintain vitality. Make sure you choose a supplement with a high ginsenoside content (such as Ginseng 30%).

Last but not least, echinacea, a plant from the aster family, is recognized for helping to support our natural defenses and for soothing a sore throat. It’s thus an excellent ally for the winter season (and is also the key ingredient in the formulation Immunity Booster).

Vitamin C, queen of the immune defenses

A veritable ‘grandma’s remedy’, so long has it been used to fight winter ailments, vitamin C is actually one of your immune system’s best friends.

We humans have to obtain it from our diets, but this powerful antioxidant helps to protect cells from oxidative stress and is also a cofactor in biosynthesis and gene regulation.

Its antioxidant properties help to boost cells’ natural defenses and it is also present in white blood cells, thus improving their ability to destroy germs. At the same time, it promotes apoptosis (destruction) of senescent and/or dysfunctional cells.

As with zinc, it has recently been discovered that vitamin C deficiency correlates with a higher incidence of infection, and that infections tend to reduce the body’s vitamin C levels, thus creating a vicious circle.

It seems then that our grandmothers were right: vitamin C supports healthy immune system function. So we should make sure we eat plenty of raw fruits and vegetables all year round (especially white and red cabbage which contain high levels of the vitamin). Taking a high-quality vitamin C supplement is also a good way of boosting your intake (try, for example, the product Triple C).

© 1997-2024 Fondation pour le Libre Choix. All rights reserved
© 1997-2024 Fondation pour le Libre Choix. All rights reserved
Nortonx
secure
Warning
ok