You likely think of stocking up on immune-supporting supplements to keep you feeling your best when the cooler weather rolls around.* Though the seasons are built-in reminders to care for your immune system, we always recommend taking a proactive approach to immune health, as it can have an impact on everything from digestive health to sleep.*

Caring for your immune health can be as simple as remembering to take a supplement or sipping on some delicious black elderberry syrup; it may become one of your favorite daily rituals.* Make it a part of your routine not just in the winter months, but all year round, and encourage your family to do the same.

However, supporting your immune system isn't always as easy as popping over to the health food store, grabbing a bottle, and voila! There are so many options to choose from, from elderberries to vitamins to minerals. Which one is right for you? Everyone's wellness journey is different, and different ingredients may work better for you than others. If you're into traditional herbal supplements, you may be more interested in echinacea than zinc, for example. Then again, you may want to try them all and see which you like best!

Let's demystify some of the most popular immune supporting ingredients out there so you can better understand the options and find something that works for you, your lifestyle, and your unique wellness journey.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D3 is the active and preferred form of vitamin D and it's a key player in supporting both proper immune function and bone health.* Vitamin D supplements are popular in the winter months, especially for those who live in a region where sunlight is scarce — the sun is a great source of vitamin D! Nature's Way® Vitamin D3 Gummies are a delicious way to make sure you're consuming enough vitamin D; they're formulated with 250% of the recommended Daily Value of vitamin D3 per two-gummy serving, and their strawberry, mango, and peach flavors are hard to beat. If you prefer softgels or chewables, try Vitamin D3 Max for the ultimate in vitamin D.

Try vitamin D if … you live in a region with low sunlight in winter, you want to support healthy bones, you love softgels.*

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is one of the immune support heavy-hitters and probably the one you're most familiar with.* Outside of citrus fruits, you can find vitamin C in many fruits and veggies, including strawberries, Brussels sprouts, and kale. Vitamin C is water-soluble, which means it isn't stored by your body and needs to be replenished often. It's a multitasker with potent antioxidant properties, making it a great option for immune health and healthy skin.* At Nature’s Way, we offer many different vitamin C-based formulas, from Sambucus Vitamin C Lozenges to Alive!® Fruit Source Vitamin C powder to the deliciously juicy Vitamin C Gummies.

Try vitamin C if … you love citrusy flavor, you want to support healthy skin and collagen production, you like drink mixes.*

Elderberry

We've talked about the power of elderberry at length before; it's one of our favorite ways to traditionally support immune health, not to mention one of the most delicious.* Nature's Way Sambucus® products are made with high quality elderberries that are rich in anthocyanins (read more about them here), and many formulas also feature immune support all-stars like vitamin C and zinc.*

Try elderberry if … you embrace the wisdom of the past, you want options for the whole family.

Zinc

Zinc is an essential mineral, found in meat, nuts, and seafood. It's found in all tissues and organs of the body and supports general health.* Zinc is a popular choice for immune support.* One of our favorite ways to enjoy zinc is via Sambucus Organic Zinc Lozenges, made with a great source of zinc (5mg), vitamin C, and black elderberry extract. Another great option is Zinc Chelate, which is provided in a chelate form for optimal absorption in your body.

Try zinc if … you're all about convenience, you lead a busy lifestyle, you eat a vegetarian or vegan diet.

Echinacea

The purple-pink echinacea flowers aren't just pretty – they're a time-honored botanical traditionally used for immune support.* Echinacea is native to North America and is grown in direct sunlight and has been used by Native Americans for centuries. We offer echinacea-based products in a variety of formulas, including Echinacea-Goldenseal capsules and Esberitox® chewables, which are made with echinacea and a blend of immune supporting herbs.*

Try echinacea if … you're all about the earth, you prefer botanical and herbal supplements.