The Best Supplements for the Immune System: Recommendations

A well-functioning immune system is the foundation that allows the body to hold its own against external influences day after day. Especially during the cold season, in times of high stress or in phases with little sleep, the topic of immune defence comes into focus. If you want to supplement your diet in a targeted way, you should know which nutrients play a recognised role for the immune system and how to identify high-quality products. This guide shows you what matters and which Scheunengut products make sense alongside it.

Important first: no single preparation makes the immune system strong on its own. What is decisive is an interplay of a nutrient-rich diet, recovery and targeted supplementation where intake through food is difficult. The following recommendations are therefore based on nutrients with authorised EU health claims and honestly classify what plant-based companions contribute and what they do not.

What matters for the goal of immune defence

For immune defence, three micronutrients in particular are well researched scientifically and carry authorised EU health claims. Thus: Vitamin C contributes to the normal function of the immune system. Likewise Zinc contributes to the normal function of the immune system and Selenium contributes to the normal function of the immune system. These three substances form, so to speak, the foundation when it comes to targeted supplementation.

Beyond that, antioxidant processes play a role, because cells are exposed to oxidative stress in everyday life. Here further claims apply: Vitamin C contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress, likewise Zinc contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress and Selenium contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress. In addition, it is worth knowing: Vitamin C contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism and Vitamin C contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue – factors that indirectly contribute to general well-being.

Besides these vitamins and trace elements, many people turn to plant-based companions. Herbs such as lungwort or extracts from the French maritime pine (pine bark with OPC) are traditionally used and have long been valued in naturopathy. For such plant substances there are no specific EU health claims, which is why they are classified here as traditionally used ingredients. In the products, their actual nutritional-physiological justification is usually provided by the added vitamins.

Our product recommendations

Extensive lungwort complex optimised with vitamin C

This 14-in-1 complex combines traditionally used lungwort with further plant-based ingredients and is optimised with vitamin C. For immune defence this is decisive, because Vitamin C contributes to the normal function of the immune system. If you are looking for a broadly based herbal complex with a clear vitamin C base, you are in good hands here. View the extensive lungwort complex optimised with vitamin C

French maritime pine high-dose 25:1 with 95% OPC and vitamin C

The pine bark extract provides high-dose OPC from the French maritime pine, combined with vitamin C. The addition of vitamin C makes twofold sense here: Vitamin C contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress and Vitamin C contributes to the normal function of the immune system. In this way the product combines a traditionally valued plant extract with a clearly evidenced nutrient. View French maritime pine with 95% OPC and vitamin C

Fadogia power complex optimised with ashwagandha & zinc

Besides traditionally used Fadogia agrestis and ashwagandha, this complex contains zinc. And that is exactly what matters for immune defence, because Zinc contributes to the normal function of the immune system. In addition: Zinc contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress. A product for everyone who wants to combine their zinc contribution with plant-based classics. View Fadogia power complex with ashwagandha & zinc

T3 T4 thyroid complex with iodine, selenium and thyme

This complex combines iodine and selenium with traditionally used thyme. For immune defence, the selenium is especially interesting: Selenium contributes to the normal function of the immune system and Selenium contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress. In this way the product covers the third important immune nutrient alongside vitamin C and zinc. View T3 T4 thyroid complex with iodine and selenium

Gentle cycle complex with vitamin C, B6 and zinc

This lab-tested vital complex with chasteberry, lady's mantle and saffron is additionally equipped with vitamin C, vitamin B6 and zinc. It thus combines two recognised immune nutrients at once: Vitamin C contributes to the normal function of the immune system and Zinc contributes to the normal function of the immune system. For women who use a cycle complex anyway, this is a practical added benefit. View the gentle cycle complex with vitamin C, B6 and zinc

Foundations first

As practical as food supplements are – they do not replace a balanced diet or a healthy lifestyle. You lay the basis for a well-functioning immune system with a varied diet, plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, sufficient sleep, regular exercise and a sensible approach to stress. If you eat a varied diet, you already take in many of the mentioned nutrients through food. Supplements then come into play when intake through the diet is difficult, in special phases of life or when you want to supplement individual nutrients in a targeted way. They are a sensible supplement, but never a substitute for healthy habits. Also pay attention to the recommended intake amount and make sure you do not overdose the same nutrients through several products at the same time.

The interplay of factors is especially effective. Anyone who sleeps too little, eats a one-sided diet and is permanently under tension cannot fully compensate for this with any preparation. Conversely, a solid basic supply forms the best precondition for targeted supplementation to be able to take effect meaningfully at all. In practical terms this means: first rely on fresh, colourful foods, sufficient drinking water, regular exercise in the fresh air and fixed rest periods in the daily routine. Supplements with vitamin C, zinc or selenium are then a sensible building block if you struggle to cover individual nutrients through your diet or see your requirement increased in certain phases. In this way you understand food supplementation as what it is: a targeted supplement to your foundations and not a substitute for them.

How to find the right product

When choosing, it is worth first looking at the micronutrients contained. For immune defence, vitamin C, zinc and selenium are the decisive quantities, because only for them are there the authorised statements on the normal function of the immune system. A good product makes transparent how much of these nutrients is contained per daily dose and does not put the plant-based ingredients alone in the foreground.

In a second step, consider which nutrients you already cover well through your diet. Vitamin C is abundant in fruit and vegetables, zinc mainly in whole-grain products, legumes and animal foods, selenium in nuts and fish. Where you suspect gaps, a suitable product can start in a targeted way. In this way you avoid combining many preparations indiscriminately and instead start where supplementation is really sensible.

A third point is quality: pay attention to clear information on the composition, a comprehensible dosage and a production that you can classify. The Scheunengut complexes presented here each combine a recognised immune nutrient with traditionally used plants. So depending on your preference you can choose a vitamin C, zinc or selenium focus without losing track of the overall intake.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which nutrients are most important for the immune system?

For immune defence, vitamin C, zinc and selenium in particular are backed by authorised EU health claims. For all three it applies that they contribute to the normal function of the immune system. They therefore form the sensible basis when you want to supplement your diet in a targeted way.

Can I take several immune products at the same time?

In principle yes, as long as you keep an eye on the recommended daily dose of the individual nutrients. If several products contain, for example, zinc or vitamin C, you should add up the amounts to avoid unnecessary overdosing. When in doubt, a look at the respective label information helps.

Do plant-based ingredients such as lungwort or pine bark act on the immune system?

These plant substances are traditionally used and have long been valued in naturopathy. However, there are no specific EU health claims for them. The nutritionally justified effect in the products is usually provided by the added vitamins such as vitamin C.

When is supplementation especially sensible?

Many people turn to immune products in the cold season, with a one-sided diet, in stressful phases or with increased requirements. In principle, a balanced diet is the first choice; supplements complement it where intake through food is difficult.

Do supplements replace a healthy lifestyle?

No. A balanced diet, sleep, exercise and a good approach to stress remain the foundation. Food supplements are a supplement, not a substitute. They help to supply individual nutrients in a targeted way but cannot make up for healthy habits.

Note: In the case of existing illnesses, during pregnancy and breastfeeding or when taking medication, please speak with your doctor before use.