Immune System Supplements

The immune system is your body's defense system. It protects you from bacteria and viruses by producing the immune response, which involves many tissues, organs and cells including, lymph nodes, the spleen, and antibodies. Immune supplements can help support this system and keep it running smoothly.

Benefits of immune system supplements

Immune system supplements provide your body with added defense against bacteria and viruses that may harm it and make you sick. Vitamin or mineral deficiency may hinder immune system function, so taking relevant supplements may help remedy the problem, for example.

Key supplements

Colostrum

Immune System

This milky fluid that originates from mammal breasts (including humans) following the birth of a baby, before actual milk comes. In addition to proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals, colostrum is a rich source of antibodies that fight bacteria and viruses. It can have 100 times the level of antibodies than cow's milk. Researchers created hyperimmune bovine colostrum that comes from cows vaccinated against organisms that cause disease. It has been used in clinical trials to treat diarrhea associated with AIDS ^[1], and can also help athletes avoid getting sick while taking a breaks from intense training.^[2] Research is mixed regarding the ability of cow colostrum to improve immunity in humans, however.^[1]

Lactoferrin

This protein is found in colostrum -- in both human and cow's milk. Colostrum has about seven times as much lactoferrin as actual breast milk. Lactoferrin is also in eye, nasal, intestinal, and respiratory tract fluids. It serves as an antioxidant, guarding against infection. It is said to stimulate the immune system and regulates the immune response, but more research is needed to confirm effectiveness as an immunostimulant.^[3,4,5]

Artemisinin

This antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial agent comes from the herb Artemisia annua. It's mostly used to treat malaria. Research shows that it is not an effective immune system stimulator.^[6,7,8]

Other potential immune boosters

Many vitamins, minerals, and other substances may play an important role in immune system function. Here is a sampling.

Vitamins

Minerals

Herbs

Miscellaneous

Safety concerns and side effects

• Cow colostrum can cause potential side effects including nausea, vomiting, and reduced red blood cell count, especially in people with HIV.^[1]

• Avoid cow colostrum, ginseng, and beta-carotene if you are pregnant or breast feeding.^[1,12,25]

• Adult women shouldn't exceed 10,000 units of vitamin A daily when pregnant or breast feeding. Vitamin A can cause birth defects.^[14]

• Avoid mixing alcohol with vitamin A to help avoid liver problems. Don't take vitamin A if you have liver disease.^[14]

• Avoid mixing alcohol with beta-carotene since alcohol reduces levels of beta-carotene. Also avoid olestra (a fat substitute) since it interferes with beta-carotene levels.^[25]

• Don't give ginseng to children. Ask your child's doctor before administering garlic as well.^[12,27]

• Side effects of garlic include stomach upset, bloating, bad breath, body odor, stinging sensation, headache, fatigue, muscle aches, rash, or asthmatic reaction.^[27]

• Artemisinin (Sweet Annie) may not kill malaria parasites, but may just inactivate them without using stronger artemisinin-containing malaria drugs with it.^[8]

• Avoid vitamin A supplements if you have type V hyperlipoproteinemia (a type of high cholesterol). It can boost chances of vitamin A poisoning.

• Avoid cow colostrum if you are allergic to milk products.^[1]

• Diarrhea is a side effect of lactoferrin. Excessive dosages bring on such side effects as skin rash, fatigue, and chills.

• Lactoferrin from food is safe if you are pregnant and breast feeding, but don't take medicinal dosages.

• Ginseng may cause headaches, upset stomach, and dizziness. It may also cause breast tenderness and changes in a woman's menstrual cycle.^[12]

• Recommended duration of ginseng usage is a few week to a few months at a time to avoid potential side effects.

• Topical vitamin E may cause skin irritation.

• Beta-carotene may be unsafe in high doses, especially when used long-term.

• High doses of antioxidants could do more harm than good. Consult your doctor before use.

• Don't take beta-carotene if you smoke or have been exposed to asbestos because it may increase the chances of developing cancer.

• Don't take beta-carotene before or after angioplasty since it might interfere with the healing process.

• High doses of B1 (thiamine) may cause stomach problems.

• High doses of B2 (riboflavin) can cause side effects including itching, numbness, yellow/orange urine, and light sensitivity.

• Taking a non-acidic, buffered form of vitamin C may help avoid stomach irritation.

• Don't take more than 2000mg of vitamin C daily. Higher amounts could cause upset stomach and diarrhea.

• Don't take more than 10,000 units per day of vitamin A. Higher doses may cause hip fractures and osteoporosis in older adults, and increased risk of death.

• Side effects such as fatigue, irritability, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, and excessive sweating can result from long-term consumption of vitamin A.

• Tell your doctor if you're taking garlic. It may cause bleeding, so discontinue it at least two weeks before surgery.

Medication Interactions

The following are some specific medication interactions involving various immune system supplements, but to be safe, ask your doctor before starting supplemental therapy if you're on any medications.

• Ask your doctor before taking vitamin E or garlic if you are on blood thinners.

• Don't take ginseng without talking to your doctor first if you're taking diabetes medication.

• Garlic may reduce the effectiveness of birth control pills, Isoniazid (tuberculosis medication), cyclosporine (post-organ transplant medication), blood thinners, ibuprofen, naproxen, and HIV/AIDS medication.

• Vitamin A may interact with retinoids (medications for skin conditions), tetracycline antibiotics, medications that may harm the liver, and blood thinners.

• Avoid taking beta-carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E, and selenium together since the combination may hinder cholesterol lowering medication and B3 (niacin) effectiveness.

• Vitamin D interacts with a variety of medications including prednisone, cholestyramine, and phenobarbital.

• Don't take vitamin B2 if you are on medications including tetracycline, tricyclic antidepressants, water pills, and many others.

• Don't mix B1 with digoxin (reduces heart cells' ability to use B1), water pills (reduces B1 levels in the body), or phenytoin (reduces B1 levels).

• Don't take selenium with cisplatin, a cancer medication. If you are on any medications, have your selenium levels checked regularly.

• B12 levels can be reduced by anti-seizure, chemotherapy, cholesterol lowering, diabetes, and stomach-acid reducing medications as well as colchicine (treats gout). B12 can hinder tetracycline antibiotic absorption and effectiveness, so avoid taking them together.

Considerations

• Dosages vary depending on age, diagnosis, and other factors. Contact your doctor, holistic health professional, or registered dietician for more information before taking supplements or giving them to children.

• The American Heart Association and American Dietetic Association recommend adding more fruits and vegetables to your diet before trying supplements, since you get more varied nutrients from food.

  Taking a B complex vitamin that has all B vitamins, rather than just one particular B vitamin, can help avoid a vitamin B imbalance.

• Always buy supplements from a reliable, respected source. Quality and active ingredients vary, making standard dosing difficult. Ginseng, for example, is expensive, so some manufacturers may skimp on the amount used in their products while claiming a higher potency on the bottle.
• Take B2 (riboflavin) between meals.
• Beta-carotene supplements aren't recommended for general use.