7 unconventional supplements to optimize the immune system

Nowadays, various micro-organisms, bacteria and viruses affect us literally at every turn and if our immune system cannot properly resist them, we are setting ourselves up for trouble. Low immunity complicates not only the results of hard work in the gym, but also the quality of life, because we can be sick all the time. And although most athletes or experts will recommend a primarily high-quality multivitamin, there are also a number of less traditional supplements available today. And we'll break those down in today's article.

Article Content:

• Probiotics aren't just for better digestion
• Coenzyme Q10 is not just a cosmetic ingredient
• Propolis is the forgotten miracle of our ancestors
• You can't go wrong with superfoods either
• Colostrum is gaining popularity
• Manuka honey is not just a sweetener
• Glucans are real functional foods

Probiotics are not just for better digestion

Probiotics are essentially live microorganisms that are designed to optimise digestion, improve the absorption of various vitamins, minerals and other components from food and even reduce the risk of inflammation in the body. But few people know that they have been shown to reduce the growth of unwanted gut bacteria and, in turn, can promote the proliferation of beneficial ones. And since gut health is closely linked to overall immunity, there is no doubt about the importance of probiotics. There are even studies that observe a correlation between probiotic consumption and a lower risk of (or shorter recovery from) respiratory disease. But in any case, probiotics is such a complex topic that we'd rather refer you to our separate article on this key component of the diet.

Yogurts, kefirs or acidophilus milks are great sources of probiotics.

Coenzyme Q10 is not just a cosmetic ingredient

Coenzyme Q10 is certainly familiar to our readers, especially in the context of cosmetics and skin care. However, this ingredient is also extremely important in the case of our immune system. It is an antioxidant that, among other things, is involved in the production of antibodies, has been shown to reduce the risk of migraines and helps the body optimise oxidative stress levels, which can negatively affect the immune system. What's more, it is problematic that its levels decrease with age (which is why, after all, human skin becomes less elastic and firm as we age). Particularly for older athletes and people with compromised immunity, it is worth thinking about supplementing with a good quality coenzyme Q10. You can also read more about this substance in our separate article.

Propolis is the forgotten miracle of our ancestors

Chances are you've never heard of propolis, but it can still help you optimise your immune system in a big way. It is a mixture of various resins, waxes and essential oils, and bees use it mainly as a building and protective material, which they can use, for example, to seal cracks in their hives. However, the positive effect of propolis was discovered long ago and our ancestors have been using it for thousands of years. Current studies even suggest that this substance could be useful in the more severe course of coronavirus. But beyond that, it has antibiotic and antiviral effects, reduces inflammation and may even fight herpes viruses. Propolis can now be found in many larger pharmacies or ideally directly from beekeepers.

It is best to get good quality propolis directly from the beekeeper.

You can't go wrong with superfoods

A number of very ordinary products have been labelled superfoods in recent months. But you can still find plenty of items among the superfoods that have something to offer, either in their natural form or as a dietary supplement containing an extract of the substance in question. Typical examples include ginger, turmeric, garlic, green tea and various Ayurvedic mushrooms. These ingredients are often very rich not only in vitamins and minerals, but also in various antioxidants that can play a major role in the proper functioning of the immune system. We have again written about selected superfoods in our separate article based on scientific studies.

Colostrum is becoming increasingly popular

Although many vegans and animal advocates may have their reservations about it, colostrum is gaining in popularity. It is a milk-like fluid produced by mammalian mothers just after the birth of their young. As you might guess, colostrum is literally packed with health-giving substances, including many with antiviral and antibacterial properties. And just as colostrum can help a newly born mammal with immunity, it can help you too. Cow and goat colostrum are most commonly available on the market, and while cow colostrum has a lower price tag, it may not be as good quality due to the cows' inferior diet. However, if you are sure of a good quality cattle diet, there is no problem with either type of colostrum. We recommend reaching for products from proven companies such as Reflex Nutrition's Colostrum.

An ideal choice for immunity support is encapsulated goat colostrum.

Manuka honey is not just an ordinary sweetener

Manuka honey is a specific type of honey that is obtained by pollinating Leptospermum scoparium trees that grow primarily in New Zealand and Australia. In addition to simple carbohydrates, Manuka honey also contains a variety of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, such as the antibacterial methylglyoxal and leptosperine. Thanks to these substances, manuka honey has been shown to have positive properties in oral care, reducing sore throats and, because of its antibacterial effect, can even help with the treatment of acne. Although a bit of a financial investment, manuka honey is still a very good sweetener with a range of benefits.

Glucans are real functional foods

Glucans are quite common in the diet because they are just a specific type of carbohydrate and their most important representative is the so-called beta glucans. They are also extremely important for our immune system, especially because, according to available sources, they can, for example, increase the number of immunocytes (cells of the immune system), reduce the negative effects of higher cholesterol levels and even increase the effect of antimicrobial treatment. The beta-glucan content of the diet is often linked to fibre, so oats or barley are excellent sources. They can also be taken in the form of good quality supplements.

What to take away from today's article?

What you should take away from today's article is that the immune system is extremely important and that it is based on a proper and balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals. In addition to the classic multivitamin supplements, you can also bet on probiotics, coenzyme Q10, propolis, colostrum, manuka honey, beta glucans or various superfoods. Because without a functioning immune system, you can hardly expect dizzying results in the gym.