A strong immune and properly functioning system is vital to overall health and wellness—whether a person is nine months old or 90 years old. Infection, a poor diet, stress, smoking and other lifestyle-related choices can all weaken the body’s immune response. During cold and flu season, and after viral outbreaks like the 2009 H1N1 flu pandemic, people often turn to dietary supplements and functional foods and beverages formulated to support a healthy immune system.
Consumer interest in immune products is boosting manufacturer and supplier development of new nutritional ingredients, dietary supplements and foods and drinks targeted to immune health. Although new innovative immune ingredients hit the market all the time, key nutritional products in this area include medicinal mushrooms, beta-glucans, Echinacea and other herbs, zinc, and vitamins A, C and E. The strong connection between digestive and immune health is driving the creation of immune-support products based on probiotics, prebiotics, enzymes and other ingredients commonly found in gastrointestinal health products.
