Comprehensive Protocol for Defending Immunity

Maintaining a healthy immune system is critical to supporting a patient’s overall well-being and productivity in daily life. No one likes to be laid low while meeting work deadlines, taking care of the kids, or letting the housework pile up. Especially in elderly patients, immune system challenges can also be life-threatening.

Effectively supporting immunity in patients is challenging since the immune system works via a complicated network of coordinated interactions involving many cells, proteins, and molecules to defend the host from foreign agents penetrating the body’s defenses.

In this protocol, I will discuss a highly effective and simple 8-step approach for supporting both types of immunity in our patients.

 

Addressing Immune Challenges

This approach involves supporting the immune system all year long. I have found the most effective combination of ingredients includes EpiCor®, Astragalus, and N-acetyl L-cysteine. EpiCor®, Astragalus, and NAC are three cornerstone ingredients to look for in an immune support product, so I’ll address those in this protocol.

EpiCor®

EpiCor® is a dried, modified Saccharomyces cerevisiae oral fermentation product that acts as a novel immune modulator and enhances secretory IgA. I share with my patients that sIgA waterproofs or Scotch Guards the immune system by strengthening the mucosal membrane. Scientists have found EpiCor® is effective in a variety of applications, including reducing nasal congestion related to colds and cases of flu and reducing allergic rhinitis symptoms.¹

In a 12-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 96 subjects with a history of seasonal allergies were given 500 mg of EpiCor® or a placebo once daily during the weeks. Total pollen counts were the highest for this Midwest geographic area.²

During the period of the highest pollen count (weeks 1-6), EpiCor® significantly lowered the mean severity of specific allergic rhinitis symptoms, including nasal congestion, rhinorrhea, and a significant reduction in total number of days with nasal congestion (12.5 fewer days) compared with placebo. Subjects who received EpiCor® also experienced notably higher salivary IgA levels.

Astragalus

Astragalus is an immune-enhancing botanical and a powerful adaptogen. In cells infected with the influenza virus, Astragalus membranaceus defended against influenza virus activity. It improved the survival rate of cells infected with influenza virus and had beneficial effects on innate immunity.³

One 6-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial investigated Astragalus in 48 adult patients with moderate to severe seasonal allergic rhinitis due to weed pollen.⁴ The study found that Astragalus membranaceus significantly decreased the intensity of rhinorrhea and improved the quality of life and symptom score compared with placebo.

N-Acetyl L-Cysteine (NAC)

NAC is an anti-mucolytic that is beneficial for lung health. Research in humans has found that NAC treatment over six months led to a pronounced decrease in the frequency of influenza-like episodes, severity of the flu, and duration of time spent in bed. NAC significantly reduced local and systemic symptoms.⁵

Other effective Immune Support ingredients to look for include:  vitamin C, zinc, olive leaf extract, berberine, garlic, and citrus bioflavonoids.

Related Article: Is Your Immune System Susceptible or Strong?

 

Shoring Up The Immune System with Vitamin D

Vitamin D plays a vital role in the innate immune response. Vitamin D is produced at sites of infection, which triggers the expression of genes involved in antimicrobial response.⁶ Low vitamin D levels are associated with an increased risk of infections, and studies have shown that this vitamin may support respiratory health.⁷

Although vitamin D is produced in the skin after sun exposure, too many factors deplete its production, including too much time spent indoors, the use of suntan lotion, and reduced production during aging. It often takes targeted vitamin D supplementation above the amount typically found in a multivitamin to help achieve optimal vitamin D levels. Using a highly bioavailable vitamin D3 supplement is important to ensure its effectiveness.

 

Nourishing The Body

In a perfect world, all our patients would eat a nutrient-rich diet. However, most of us fail to get the optimal 5 to 7 servings of fruits and veggies daily. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), only about 10% of adults eat the recommended amounts of fruit and vegetables.⁸ Taking an effective  multivitamin can help fill the dietary gaps.

The bioavailable form of traditional nutrients in a Multivitamin combined with ingredients like elderberry extract (Sambucus nigra) can promote overall health while at the same time supporting immunity.⁹  I like to recommend A multivitamin that also contains strawberry and blueberry fruit extracts and organic spinach leaf to help compensate for a diet lacking fruits and vegetables.

Combining an effective multivitamin with a healthy diet containing fruits and vegetables, omega-3 fats, fermented foods containing probiotics, herbs, and spices can be particularly effective for sustaining a healthy immune system.

 

Counteracting Stress

Psychological stress contributes to susceptibility to colds, flu, and other immune threats. Workplace stress is pervasive in our modern world, with more than 9 in 10 (94%) workers experiencing ongoing stress at work.¹⁰ Also, 10.4% of the American workforce is overworked, putting in over 50 hours weekly.¹⁰ It’s estimated that workplace stress causes as many as 120,000 deaths every year, and workplace stress is the fifth major cause of death in the U.S.¹¹

A remedy to this modern plight is desperately needed. In my clinical practice, I routinely use cannabidiol (CBD) as a way to support a healthy stress response. CBD resolves endocannabinoid deficiency, a condition that is linked to the inability to cope with stress. CBD’s ability to conquer everyday stress has good support in the medical literature, with several human studies showing CBD can reduce the stress of public speaking.^12-14

CBD also has other actions relevant to immunity. It supports the activity of natural killer cells,¹⁵ a major player in the body’s response to the presence of viruses. It also promotes a healthy gut microbiota and has been found to support a healthy intestinal inflammatory response in a human trial.¹⁶ With a large proportion of the immune system located in the GI tract, maintaining the gut microbiota is also likely to support immunity.

Taking advantage of CBD’s powerful effects while promoting sleep at the same time is ideal. Ensure you are getting the most out of CBD and the other traditionally low bioavailability ingredients with enhanced absorption.  The VESIsorb® delivery system is clinically proven for maximum absorption and bioavailability.

 

Support Immunity by Improving Sleep

Sleep is integral to a healthy immune system. Sleep supports immunity, promoting host defense against infection and supporting a healthy inflammatory response.¹⁷ On the other hand, sleep deprivation is linked to changes in the innate and adaptive immune system, leading to inflammation and increasing the risk for infections and inflammation.¹⁷

Because sleep is so crucial for immunity, I support a restorative night’s sleep in my patients using the supplementation of CBD, melatonin, and beta-caryophyllene, all known to encourage a healthy night’s rest.

Research has shown that CBD supports a good night’s rest by:

• Improving sleep quality,
• Reducing occasional stress to promote healthy sleep, and
• Supporting a healthy pain response.

In one study, people who received 160 mg CBD slept more and awakened less during the night compared with the placebo.¹⁸ Another study found similar results when investigating the effects of CBD in 103 patients.¹⁹ CBD enhanced sleep quality in 66.7% of participants.

 

Beta-caryophyllene (BCP) is a terpene that governs the activation of one of the two primary receptors in the endocannabinoid system. It is found in many herbs, including lavender, and is thought to play a role in lavender’s ability to help people sleep longer. BCP promotes a healthy inflammatory and pain response.^20,21 This antioxidant is also calming and can promote relaxation and sleep.²²

Melatonin is best known for regulating circadian rhythm and promoting a good night’s rest, but it’s also very efficient at regulating the immune system. Melatonin plays a role in supporting the immune system’s innate and specific responses. Melatonin may stimulate the immune system for a more effective early immune response against external threats.¹⁷

 

Three Other Strategies for Healthy Immunity

In addition to addressing the factors I mentioned in this protocol, three other lifestyle measures can be used to enhance immunity:

• Moderate, regular exercise can boost immune function, but caution patients against overdoing it since strenuous exercise can impair immunity.
• Staying hydrated keeps the body healthy and the immune system working properly. Water maintains the production of lymph, which transports white blood cells and other key players in immunity.
• Practicing good hygiene, including frequently washing hands and keeping your distance from sick individuals, can stop infections from spreading and eliminate a burden on the immune system.

 

 

References

1. Moyad MA, Robinson LE, Zawada ET, et al. Immunogenic yeast-based fermentate for cold/flu-like symptoms in nonvaccinated individuals. J Altern Complement Med. 2010;16(2):213-218.
2. Moyad MA, Robinson LE, Kittelsrud JM, et al. Immunogenic yeast-based fermentation product reduces allergic rhinitis-induced nasal congestion: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Adv Ther. 2009;26(8):795-804.
3. Liang Y, Zhang Q, Zhang L, Wang R, Xu X, Hu X. Astragalus Membranaceus Treatment Protects Raw264.7 Cells from Influenza Virus by Regulating G1 Phase and the TLR3-Mediated Signaling Pathway. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2019;2019:2971604.
4. Matkovic Z, Zivkovic V, Korica M, Plavec D, Pecanic S, Tudoric N. Efficacy and safety of Astragalus membranaceus in the treatment of patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis. Phytother Res. 2010;24(2):175-181.
5. De Flora S, Grassi C, Carati L. Attenuation of influenza-like symptomatology and improvement of cell-mediated immunity with long-term N-acetylcysteine treatment. Eur Respir J. 1997;10(7):1535-1541.
6. Ismailova A, White JH. Vitamin D, infections and immunity. Rev Endocr Metab Disord. 2022;23(2):265-277.
7. Johnson CR, Thacher TD. Vitamin D: immune function, inflammation, infections and auto-immunity. Paediatr Int Child Health. 2023;43(4):29-39.
8. Seung Hee Lee LVM. Adults Meeting Fruit and Vegetable Intake Recommendations — United States, 2019. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. 2022;71(1):1-9.
9. Tiralongo E, Wee SS, Lea RA. Elderberry Supplementation Reduces Cold Duration and Symptoms in Air-Travellers: A Randomized, Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial. Nutrients. 2016;8(4):182.
10. Julia N. Stress in the Workplace Statistics (2024 Update). https://cfah.org/workplace-stress-statistics/#references. Published 2024. Accessed October 5, 2024.
11. Lynch S. Why Your Workplace Might Be Killing You. Graduate School of Stanford Business. https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/insights/why-your-workplace-might-be-killing-you. Published 2015. Accessed2024.
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13. Linares IM, Zuardi AW, Pereira LC, et al. Cannabidiol presents an inverted U-shaped dose-response curve in a simulated public speaking test. Braz J Psychiatry. 2019;41(1):9-14.
14. Bergamaschi MM, Queiroz RH, Chagas MH, et al. Cannabidiol reduces the anxiety induced by simulated public speaking in treatment-naïve social phobia patients. Neuropsychopharmacology. 2011;36(6):1219-1226.
15. Ignatowska-Jankowska B, Jankowski M, Glac W, Swiergel AH. Cannabidiol-induced lymphopenia does not involve NKT and NK cells. J Physiol Pharmacol. 2009;60 Suppl 3:99-103.
16. Irving PM, Iqbal T, Nwokolo C, et al. A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled, Parallel-group, Pilot Study of Cannabidiol-rich Botanical Extract in the Symptomatic Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis. Inflamm Bowel Dis. 2018;24(4):714-724.
17. Garbarino S, Lanteri P, Bragazzi NL, Magnavita N, Scoditti E. Role of sleep deprivation in immune-related disease risk and outcomes. Commun Biol. 2021;4(1):1304.
18. Carlini EA, Cunha JM. Hypnotic and antiepileptic effects of cannabidiol. J Clin Pharmacol. 1981;21(S1):417s-427s.
19. Shannon S, Lewis N, Lee H, Hughes S. Cannabidiol in Anxiety and Sleep: A Large Case Series. Perm J. 2019;23:18-041.
20. Scandiffio R, Geddo F, Cottone E, et al. Protective Effects of (E)-β-Caryophyllene (BCP) in Chronic Inflammation. Nutrients. 2020;12(11).
21. Paula-Freire LI, Andersen ML, Gama VS, Molska GR, Carlini EL. The oral administration of trans-caryophyllene attenuates acute and chronic pain in mice. Phytomedicine. 2014;21(3):356-362.
22. Galdino PM, Nascimento MV, Florentino IF, et al. The anxiolytic-like effect of an essential oil derived from Spiranthera odoratissima A. St. Hil. leaves and its major component, β-caryophyllene, in male mice. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry. 2012;38(2):276-284.