Feel Your Best With 2020’s Best Immune Boosters
It’s important to do all you can to avoid getting sick. Immune supplements can improve your body’s natural defenses and healing rate.
Tom is a lifelong nutrition enthusiast who recently retired from his career in pharmacology to write about natural health. When he isn’t researching health products, Tom enjoys exploring local farmers markets and growing his own organic vegetables.
It never fails… Everything is going well, then one morning you wake up and it’s immediately obvious. You’re sick, complete with a scratchy throat, nose that’s stuffed up on one side and runny on the other, body aches, and watery eyes.
Fortunately, there are plenty of immune boosters on the market that promise to strengthen your body’s defenses. But finding the right one can be overwhelming and confusing.
That’s why we’ve put together this guide — to help you understand what to look for and what to avoid when choosing one. And after extensive research, we’ve also compiled our top 5 immune-boosting supplements on the market today.
Key Ingredients To Look For In An Immune Supplement
- Elderberry
Elderberry (Sambucus nigra) has been shown in extensive studies to boost immune health and help the body recover faster, working as a perfect complement to Pelargonium sidoides. - Vitamins C, D, & E
These three vitamins are essential for respiratory and immune health. Together, they help repair tissue, maintain normal cell health, and boost immunity. Because the lungs are such a sensitive organ — constantly changing and repairing itself — these vitamins are particularly important. - Marshmallow Root
Marshmallow root (Althea officinalis) is an herb that helps relieve the discomfort and aches caused by thick mucus and coughing. It is a natural source of mucilage, a lubricating compound that alleviates discomfort in the respiratory tract caused by excessive coughing. - N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC)
N-acetyl cysteine is notable for its powerful ability to help clean and repair tissues damaged by pollution. It has also been shown to promote white blood cell production and to help thin out overly thick mucus. The effectiveness of NAC is so well-documented, the World Health Organization has designated it an “essential medicine.” - African Geranium
African geranium (pelargonium sidoides), also known as umcka, is a break-through, traditional herb clinically proven to help maintain a healthy immune system. Over 11 clinical studies have demonstrated how pelargonium sidoides works by stimulating immune cell function and by directly interfering with pathogens attempting to bind to your cells.
Key Ingredients To Look For In An Immune Supplement
Zinc is a popular ingredient in immune health supplements. However, if you take too much zinc (the upper limit appears to be close to 40 mg per day), you may feel unpleasant side effects.
That’s why we recommend a dosage of between11 and 25 mg per day, so you can still take full advantage of zinc without any of the effects of taking too much.
Now that you know which ingredients to look for and which to avoid, it’s important to keep these additional tips in mind when shopping for an immune system supplement:
- Clinically Recommended Dosages
Some brands will use quality ingredients, but skimp out on dosages in order to save money. So even if you’re getting the right ingredients, if they’re not in their recommended dosages, you won’t experience the full benefits. We recommend looking for a supplement that lists at least 80mg of African geranium and 600mg of NAC per serving. - Doctor-Formulated
It takes specific expertise to form an effective immune health formulation. More is not necessarily better. The exact combination of clinically studied ingredients and dosages determines the product’s quality. Look for real doctors specializing in immune health backing the product. - Money-Back Guarantee
It’s always a good idea to invest in an immune system supplement that offers a 100% money-back guarantee, which shows the company’s faith in its product. Look for brands that offer at least a 60-day money-back guarantee.
TOP 5 Immune Boosters
Using our ranking system and other research, here are the Smarter Reviews Picks for 2020’s Top 5 Immune Boosters.
1. XXXPRODUCT NAME
by Name Here
TOTAL RANKING
OVERALL GRADE
INGREDIENT SAFETY
9.7/10
PROJECTED EFFECTIVENESS
9.7/10
VALUE
9.7/10
RETURN POLICY
9.7/10
CUSTOMER SATISFACTION
9.7/10
VOTE AND REVIEW
Customer Satisfaction
Pros
- Doctor-Recommended
- African Geranium
- N-Acetyl Cysteine
- Marshmallow Root
- Elderberry
- Vitamins C, D, and E
- Zero artificial additives or fillers
- 90-day money-back guarantee
Cons
- Sold only in the United States and Canada
- Only available online
The Bottom Line
ImmunityMD Plus is a comprehensive formula that includes clinically proven dosages of African geranium, N-Acetyl Cysteine, and elderberry. These ingredients work together to fend off pathogens and help keep you healthy.
This doctor-backed formula also includes marshmallow root, a safe quantity of zinc, and Vitamins C, D3, and E to help support your immune system and help bring relief.
This product also contains no artificial fillers or additives, meaning that all of its ingredients are dedicated to strengthening your immune health. ImmunityMD Plus comes with a rock-solid 90-day money-back guarantee, showing us that this company stands behind its product, though it should be noted it is only available online.
*Results are based on the Smarter Reviews Ranking System and do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. Please visit product websites for more information.
2. Ultimate Immune Defense
by Gannon MED
TOTAL RANKING
OVERALL GRADE
INGREDIENT SAFETY
9.1/10
PROJECTED EFFECTIVENESS
8.8/10
VALUE
9.3/10
RETURN POLICY
9.1/10
CUSTOMER SATISFACTION
8.8/10
VOTE AND REVIEW
Customer Satisfaction
Pros
- African Geranium
- Elderberry
- Vitamin C
- 100% Satisfaction Guarantee
Cons
- Lacks NAC
- Lacks Marshmallow Root
- Lacks Vitamins D and E
- Contains Fillers
- 50 mg of Zinc
The Bottom Line
Ultimate Immune Defense includes a powerful combination of African geranium and elderberry, which work together to support the body’s recovery and promote immune health. It also contains Vitamin C, which is important for a strong immune system and includes a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
However, Ultimate Immune Defense lacks NAC, which is one of the most important ingredients for immune health. It also lacks Marshmallow Root and Vitamins D and E, which would help make this formula even better at combating pathogens and their symptoms. Also, be aware, it contains more zinc than might be normally recommended for daily intake.
This formula contains some additives and fillers, though the fact that it contains African geranium and elderberry makes it a strong supplement that earned a solid position at our Number 2 spot.
*Results are based on the Smarter Reviews Ranking System and do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. Please visit product websites for more information.
3. Clean & Ultra Pure Immunity Boost
by BioSchwartz
TOTAL RANKING
OVERALL GRADE
INGREDIENT SAFETY
8.5/10
PROJECTED EFFECTIVENESS
8.7/10
VALUE
8.4/10
RETURN POLICY
9.1/10
CUSTOMER SATISFACTION
8.2/10
VOTE AND REVIEW
Customer Satisfaction
Pros
- Elderberry
- Vitamins C and E
- 15 mg of Zinc
- No additives or fillers
- 100% Satisfaction Guarantee
Cons
- Lacks African Geranium
- Lacks N-Acetyl Cysteine
- Lacks Marshmallow Root
- Lacks Vitamin D
The Bottom Line
Our third winner is BioSchwartz’s Clean & Ultra Pure Immunity Boost for its long list of helpful, natural ingredients. It contains elderberry, Vitamins C and E, and zinc at an effective dosage. All the while, it has no additives or fillers and is supported by a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
This said, Clean & Ultra Pure Immunity Boost lacks two of the most clinically studied, most powerful ingredients available: African geranium and NAC. Without these two, this supplement may not be as effective at supporting healing and immune health. It also lacks Vitamin D and Marshmallow Root, which are noted as important for immunity.
At the same time, BioSchwartz’s clear and natural formula free from fillers and with supportive ingredients means it earns a spot as our Number 3 Immune Health Supplement.
*Results are based on the Smarter Reviews Ranking System and do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. Please visit product websites for more information.
4. Wellness Formula
by Source Naturals
TOTAL RANKING
OVERALL GRADE
INGREDIENT SAFETY
7.7/10
PROJECTED EFFECTIVENESS
9.7/10
VALUE
7.1/10
RETURN POLICY
8.2/10
CUSTOMER SATISFACTION
6.5/10
VOTE AND REVIEW
Customer Satisfaction
Pros
- Elderberry
- Vitamins C and E
- 23 mg of Zinc
Cons
- Lacks African Geranium
- Lacks N-Acetyl Cysteine
- Lacks Marshmallow Root
- Lacks Vitamin E
- Contains Fillers
The Bottom Line
Our fourth winner is Source Naturals’ Wellness Formula. This natural formula contains elderberry, Vitamins C and D, and (not too much) zinc, all great additions to any formula looking to boost immune health.
This said, Clean & Ultra Pure Immunity Boost lacks two of the most clinically studied, most powerful ingredients available: African geranium and NAC. Without these two, this supplement may not be as effective at supporting healing and immune health. It also lacks Vitamin D and Marshmallow Root, which are noted as important for immunity.
At the same time, BioSchwartz’s clear and natural formula free from fillers and with supportive ingredients means it earns a spot as our Number 3 Immune Health Supplement.
*Results are based on the Smarter Reviews Ranking System and do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. Please visit product websites for more information.
5.Rainbow Light Counter Attack
by Rainbow Light
TOTAL RANKING
OVERALL GRADE
INGREDIENT SAFETY
7.1/10
PROJECTED EFFECTIVENESS
6.5/10
VALUE
6.5/10
RETURN POLICY
8.8/10
CUSTOMER SATISFACTION
8/10
VOTE AND REVIEW
Customer Satisfaction
Pros
- Elderberry
- Vitamin C
- 10 mg of Zinc
Cons
- Lacks African Geranium
- Lacks N-Acetyl Cysteine
- Lacks Marshmallow Root
- Lacks Vitamins D and E
The Bottom Line
Rainbow Light Counter Attack is a great supplement for immune support, containing natural immune-boosters elderberry and Vitamin C. It also contains a small but helpful quantity of zinc.
This formula could have been stronger had it featured African geranium or N-Acetyl Cysteine, both of which work to keep your immune system strong and your body healthy. This blend also lacks marshmallow root extract and Vitamins D and E.
This said Rainbow Light Counter Attack contains a straightforward, natural formula with powerful ingredients that may help boost your immune system, earning it a spot on our list.
*Results are based on the Smarter Reviews Ranking System and do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. Please visit product websites for more information.