Immune Support+ Kit

How the Immune System Works

To better understand immune support, we first need to understand how the immune system works. We often refer to the immune system as one thing, which is true, but in the same way that a mechanical wristwatch, with all of its gears and interlocking parts, is one thing. The immune system is astonishingly and brilliantly complex, but can be thought of simply as three layers of protection:

• barriers like skin and mucous membranes
• innate immunity that we are born with
• adaptive immunity that develops after exposure

Once past the skin or mucus membranes, the next line of defense against a microbial invader is our innate immunity. Innate immunity is able to defend against an intruder, but will not remember it for next time. Adaptive immunity, by contrast, is able to remember specific invaders, making antibodies to protect us in future exposures.

Immune-Supporting Nutrientsᶧ

Vitamin C may help to support all three parts of immunity – skin and mucous membrane barriers, innate immunity, and adaptive immunity.ᶧ Because of its role in collagen production, it helps to keep skin and mucous membranes healthy and intact.ᶧ It may also help with antioxidant support and protection from free radicals.ᶧ¹ Vitamin D receptors exist on many immune cells of both innate and adaptive immunity, and studies have shown that maintaining normal vitamin D levels supports healthy immunity.ᶧIn addition, vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) helps with the absorption of dietary calcium, contributing to strong bones and teeth.ᶧ² Vitamin K2 (MK-7) works synergistically with vitamin D to help support bone health.ᶧ³ Zinc supports both innate and adaptive immunity, and studies have shown that maintaining normal zinc levels supports healthy immunity.ᶧ Zinc may also help with antioxidant support,⁴ and the bisglycinate form offers superior bioavailability.ᶧ⁵

Other Factors Affecting Immunity

Did you know that stress and sleep deficits may weaken our immune system’s ability to protect us?⁶,⁷ Environmental pollution may also affect immune function.ᶧ⁸ Now more than ever, it’s important to use a multi-faceted approach for immune health.

This Immune Support Plus Kit contains the same vitamin and mineral immune support as our Immune Support Kit (C, D, K, and zinc), with the addition of herbs to support healthy relaxation, sound sleep, and healthy detoxification.ᶧ

Vitamin C – helps support all three facets of immune protection, and may help with antioxidant support by neutralizing free radicals.ᶧ¹

Vitamins D3/K2 – D3 helps support both innate and adaptive immunity, and K2 works synergistically with vitamin D3 to support bone health.ᶧ²,³

Zinc – helps support both innate and adaptive immunity, and may also help with antioxidant support.ᶧ⁴

RelaxMedix – a proprietary blend of valerian root and samento extracts that may promote healthy relaxation and sleep.ᶧ⁹

Burbur-Pinella – combining the traditional cleansing herbal support of Peruvian Desmodium molliculum and Pimpinella spp. to support healthy detoxification.ᶧ

¹ Carr, A. C., & Maggini, S. (2017). Vitamin C and Immune Function. Nutrients, 9(11), 1211.

² Prietl, B., Treiber, G., Pieber, T. R., & Amrein, K. (2013). Vitamin D and immune function. Nutrients, 5(7), 2502–2521.

³ Kidd P. M. (2010). Vitamins D and K as pleiotropic nutrients: clinical importance to the skeletal and cardiovascular systems and preliminary evidence for synergy. Alternative medicine review : a journal of clinical therapeutic, 15(3), 199–222.

⁴ Wessels, I., Maywald, M., & Rink, L. (2017). Zinc as a Gatekeeper of Immune Function. Nutrients, 9(12), 1286.

⁵ Gandia, P., Bour, D., Maurette, J. M., Donazzolo, Y., Duchène, P., Béjot, M., & Houin, G. (2007). A bioavailability study comparing two oral formulations containing zinc (Zn bis-glycinate vs. Zn gluconate) after a single administration to twelve healthy female volunteers. International journal for vitamin and nutrition research. Internationale Zeitschrift fur Vitamin- und Ernahrungsforschung. Journal international de vitaminologie et de nutrition, 77(4), 243–248.

⁶ Dragoş, D., & Tănăsescu, M. D. (2010). The effect of stress on the defense systems. Journal of medicine and life, 3(1), 10–18.

⁷ Besedovsky, L., Lange, T., & Haack, M. (2019). The Sleep-Immune Crosstalk in Health and Disease. Physiological reviews, 99(3), 1325–1380.

⁸ Murrison, L. B., Brandt, E. B., Myers, J. B., & Hershey, G. (2019). Environmental exposures and mechanisms in allergy and asthma development. The Journal of clinical investigation, 129(4), 1504–1515.

⁹ Bent, S., Padula, A., Moore, D., Patterson, M., & Mehling, W. (2006). Valerian for sleep: a systematic review and meta-analysis. The American journal of medicine, 119(12), 1005–1012.