I think its definitely important to think of it as modulating instead of straight boosting, but its important to remember that many ingredients work different in general in people with autoimmune disorders. Certain ingredients at certain dosages can be effective for modulating immune function in people with autoimmune disorders that may be thought of as just boosting in people without them.
Here is a break down on some ingredients that are commonly thought of as immune enhancing ingredients and how they can be very helpful in people with autoimmune disorders and then 2 at the end that used to have some misconceptions about them.
Quercetin:
Quercetin for example has been shown to help stop or reduce histamine release - to a normal person, this applies moreso to allergies and respiratory health, but to a person with an autoimmune disorder, it can have a lot more implications. It has also been shown to possibly help with various autoimmune disorders including RA and Lupus, which I've studied a lot because mine is very similar to Lupus.
The downside to Quercetin is its poor oral bioavailability, which is why Quercefit is so beneficial because it is a phytosomal Quercetin with much better oral bioavailability.
Olive Leaf:
Olive Leaf has been studied for its protective benefits in inflammatory autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. There are studies showing it to help with reduced pain and inflammation in RA patients, others showing it helps reduce cell damage in RA patients, and another that states that it is shown to support anti-inflammatory and anti-rheumatic benefits.
Black Currant:
Black Currant is typically thought of as immune enhancing, but the way through which it does it can be very beneficial to people with autoimmune disorders and it has been specifically studied and shown to help support the lessening of symptoms in people with inflammatory bowel disorders.
Vitamin C:
Vitamin C has been shown to help with autoimmune disorders by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress, and by supporting the immune system.
Vitamin C may help with symptoms of autoimmune diseases including Lupus, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and Systemic Sclerosis.
Zinc:
Zinc is important for proper immune function and has been researched with various autoimmune disorders. Zinc deficiency has been linked to an increased risk of autoimmune disorders.
Selenium:
Selenium is important for proper immune function and deficiency has been linked to an increased risk for autoimmune disorders. Selenium deficiency has been on the rise since Covid19, but I don't think anyone has been able to establish for 100% why that is. It has been studied extensively to help people with the autoimmune disorders Hashimoto's thyroiditis and autoimmune thyroiditis.
Grape Seed:
Grape Seed Extract has been researched for various autoimmune disorders and is considered a therapeutic agent for rheumatoid arthritis because it regulates inflammatory T cell differentiation.
Elderberry:
A good example of where there was some confusion in the past was that some people thought that people with autoimmune disorders should avoid elderberry, but the complete information on that was that they should avoid elderberry IF they were on immunosuppressants - and if someone is on immunosuppressants, they should avoid supplements in general except for anything they talk over with their doctor.
Echinacea:
Echinacea is something that can stimulate the immune system, so if used by someone with an autoimmune disorder, you would want to use an effective but low dose and not mega dose it. It should not be used by anyone on immunosuppressants - but no supplements should be by people on those without discussing it with their physicians.
I'll try to go through some more ingredients when I have time on this.
It's a subject of great interest to me because I have an autoimmune condition and am part of several groups that discuss and help with mental health issues for people with autoimmune conditions.
iconicformulations.com
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
