TIPS FOR A WELL-BALANCED

AND PROPERLY FUNCTIONING

IMMUNE SYSTEM
Are you getting the essential vitamins you
need to take on cold and flu season?
During cold and flu season, it’s critical to take
a few extra support measures. Having a
well-balanced and properly functioning immune
system is essential for maintaining your health.

BASED ON US
GUIDELINES

HERE ARE A FEW VITAMINS AND FOODS THAT CAN

HELP YOU GET THAT EXTRA SUPPORT YOU NEED.

Zinc Bee Propolis

Zinc is a well-recognized essential trace element influencing To produce propolis, honeybees collect glue materials actively
growth and affecting the development and integrity of the exuding from wounds and different parts of plants.3 The
immune system.1 Zinc is found in cells throughout the body chemical composition of propolis is quite complicated. It
and it participates in the function of about 300 enzymes that contains more than 600 constituents, such as polyphenols
has a range of effects on the immune system. Zinc deficiency (flavonoids, phenolic acids, and their esters), terpenoids,
may affect human health and also affects development of steroids, and amino acids. Polyphenols are antioxidants that
acquired immunity. help to support immune system. Studies have suggested that
propolis showed immunomodulatory effects on macrophages
FOOD SOURCES: function. A macrophage is a large white blood cell that is an
Zinc is found in a wide variety of foods. You can get important part of our immune system. The word 'macrophage'
recommended amounts of zinc by eating a variety of foods
literally means 'big eater.' It's an amoeba-like organism, and its
including the following2:
job is to clean our body of microscopic debris and invaders.4
• Oysters, which are the best source of zinc.
Propolis is a complementary and alternative agent that may
• Red meat, poultry, seafood such as crab and lobsters, and achieve a more effective immune system when the immune
fortified breakfast cereals, which are also good sources of zinc.
response is not sufficient.
• Beans, nuts, whole grains, and dairy products, which
provide some zinc. FOOD SOURCES:
There is no food to get propolis in your diet.
FOREVER SUPPLEMENTS PROVIDING ZINC:
• Forever ImmuBlend® (15mg) FOREVER SUPPLEMENTS PROVIDING BEE PROPOLIS:
• Forever Bee Propolis®
• Forever Kids® (3.8mg for 1-3 years of age,
7.5 mg for 4 years and older)
• Forever Nature-Min® (15mg)
• Forever iVisionTM (12mg)
• Forever Vision® (15mg)
• Vitolize Men® (15mg)
Vitamin C Vitamin D
Vitamin C is an essential micronutrient for humans with Vitamin D is a fat-soluble micronutrient that is only “conditionally
potent antioxidant properties. There is good evidence that essential”, because it can be synthesized by UV-B light (290-
supplementation with a small daily dose of vitamin C in order 319nm).6 Vitamin D has important functions beyond those of
to achieve the recommended daily allowance helps calcium and bone homeostasis which include the beneficial
the immune system work properly. effects on protective immunity due in part to its effects on the
innate immune system.7 The innate immune system is the first line
FOOD SOURCES: of defense against anything that is identified as foreign. The main
Fruits and vegetables are the best sources of vitamin C. You can purpose of the innate immune response is to immediately prevent
get recommended amounts of vitamin C by eating a variety of
the spread and movement of foreign pathogens throughout
foods including the following:
the body.8 “Immunomodulatory actions of vitamin D have been
• Citrus fruits (such as oranges and grapefruit) and their juices,
recognized for a long time, but it is only in the last few years that
as well as red and green pepper and kiwifruit, which have a
lot of vitamin C. the significance of this has become apparent”.9

• Other fruits and vegetables—such as broccoli, strawberries,

FOOD SOURCES:
cantaloupe, baked potatoes, and tomatoes—which also
Very few foods naturally have vitamin D. Fortified foods
have vitamin C.
provide most of the vitamin D in American diets.
• Some foods and beverages that are fortified with vitamin C.
• Fatty fish such as salmon, tuna, and mackerel are among the
To find out if vitamin C has been added to a food product,
best sources.
check the product labels.
• Beef liver, cheese, and egg yolks provide small amounts.
• The vitamin C content of food may be reduced by prolonged
storage and by cooking. Steaming or microwaving may • Mushrooms provide some vitamin D. In some mushrooms that
lessen cooking losses. Fortunately, many of the best food are newly available in stores, the vitamin D content is being
sources of vitamin C, such as fruits and vegetables, are boosted by exposing these mushrooms to ultraviolet light.
usually eaten raw.5 • Almost all of the U.S. milk supply is fortified with 400 IU of
vitamin D per quart, and so are many of the plant-based
FOREVER SUPPLEMENTS PROVIDING VITAMIN C: alternatives such as soy milk, almond milk, and oat milk.
• Forever Absorbent-C® (60mg) But foods made from milk, like cheese and ice cream, are
• ARGI+® (100mg) usually not fortified.

• Forever Calcium® (60mg) • Vitamin D is added to many breakfast cereals and to

some brands of orange juice, yogurt, margarine, and soy
• Forever SupergreensTM (80mg) beverages; check the labels.
• Forever Daily® (120mg) • The body makes vitamin D when skin is directly exposed to
• Forever Immublend® (90mg) the sun as well.
• Forever Kids® (30mg for 1-3 years of age,
60 mg for 4 years and older) FOREVER SUPPLEMENTS PROVIDING VITAMIN D:
• Forever iVisionTM (80mg) • ARGI+® (62.5 mcg)

• Vitolize® Men (80mg) • Vitolize® Men (25mcg)

• Vitolize® Women (40mg) • Forever Calcium® (20 mcg)

• Forever Gin-Chia® (50mg) • Forever Kids® (5mcg for 1-3 years of age,
10 mcg for 4 years and older)
• Forever ImmuBlend® (10mcg)
• Forever Daily® (10mcg)

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9701160
2. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Zinc-Consumer/#h6
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6335834/
4. https://study.com/academy/lesson/macrophages-definition-function-types.html
5. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminC-Consumer/#h3
6. https://foodsupplementseurope.org/wp-content/themes/fse-theme/documents/publications-and-guidelines/facts-about-vitamins-minerals.pdf
7. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3166406/
8. https://www.healio.com/hematology-oncology/learn-immuno-oncology/the-immune-system/the-innate-vs-adaptive-immune-response
9. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21849106