Kourt's Doctor Shares Supplements for a Healthy Immune System

Our immune system doesn’t operate on a switch. This is actually good news—it’s not just on or off depending on how many supplements we take. However, things like stress, anxiety, sleep troubles, or any inflammatory input (think any processed food, sugar, etc.) can kick our regular defenses down a notch.

Kourt’s personal doctor, Dr. George Byrnes, ran us through his top recos for covering our basic bases when it comes to immune support. While vaccines are happening, it’s not soon enough for everyone, and we strongly urge taking all the recommended measures to keep ourselves and our community safe, along with supplementing when we can.

Dr. Byrnes is frequently asked to provide some guidance on improving immune function, but he tells us frankly that there is no replacement for “the necessary lifestyle steps, such as getting enough sleep, moderate exercise, and eating a balanced diet with lots of fruits, vegetables, and adequate protein, as well as practicing stress-reduction techniques like meditation.” That being said, he does swear by some proven dietary supplements that are supported by both scientific literature and time-tested in his practice for over 20 years.

Vitamin D

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Liposomal Vitamin D 1000iu Spray

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Now Supplements

“Really more of a synthesized hormone than a vitamin, it is one of the most powerful agents in supporting a healthy immune response. The U.S. has quite poor vitamin D levels on testing throughout our population, and may be as high as 42% deficient.

It is really a reflection of poor metabolic health, and U.S. levels are much poorer than countries such as Japan (which has had much fewer deaths during the pandemic). I recommend 5000 IU per day during the winter season.”

Zinc

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Zinc Picolinate

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Solgar

“Zinc is an important catalyst in immune function, as well as hundreds of enzymatic reactions in the body. Zinc plays a major role in a proper immune response. It is often deficient in people due to poor dietary choices, soil depletion, and medications. I recommend 50mg as zinc picolinate, citrate, or bisglycinate.” Capsule form is fine.

Vitamin C

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Camu-Camu Nature's Vitamin C

Price: $27

Harmonic Innerprizes

“This is a time-proven powerful antioxidant in building immune response. During an illness, I will often recommend a buffered vitamin C that acts as a natural antihistamine and anti-inflammatory. Take 1 to 3 grams spaced throughout the day. However, as ongoing immune support, I find that camu berry, nature’s highest source of the complete vitamin C complex, to be much more effective in assisting the building of immunity.”

Vitamin A

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Carotenoid Complex

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Country Life

“This is another powerful antioxidant that helps balance B and T cell immune responses in the body. It’s a good idea to up your food intake of vitamin A-rich foods, such as beef or chicken livers, fatty saltwater fish, and various vegetables such as broccoli, carrots, squash, and sweet potatoes. Supplement if needed with 10,000-25,000 IU/day mixed carotenoids in gel caps or liposomal liquid.”

Elderberry (Sambucus Nigra)

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Elderberry Liquid Extract

Price: $33

Gaia Herbs

“This herb has had widespread use medicinally as a potent antiviral for many years. It is best used preventatively for up to 12-week intervals during the winter. I often recommend this along with olive leaf extract, even in acute viral infections, to help the immune response. Gaia Herbs makes a very good product and gives options in both capsules and liquids as well as children’s gummies!”

Dr. Byrnes shares that while there are many other supplements that he uses in his armamentarium for immune function, these are the basics that will help most without additional testing and knowledge. And he reminds us again, “Don’t forget the importance of the foundational support with lifestyle modifications as nothing replaces keeping a balanced, healthy body.”

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