General Health

Immune Support

About Immune Support — General Health.

Frequent illness, weak immune response, slow recovery from infections.

7studies analysed

5compounds with evidence

Meta-analysisstrongest evidence

Where research is strongest

Add your outcome — free & pseudonymous

Tried something for Immune Support? Share how it went — only ever published as part of a group of 10+.

8linked compounds

58linked studies

0published community reports

Results By the numbers Community Research Compounds

Headline results for Immune Support.

Figures as the studies reported them.

Colour keyReported a benefitNo clear benefitUnclearPossible harmAmber is for highlights, such as where the most research is. It never means a result was good.

Vitamin C

1 of 3 results reported a benefit

1 review of trials

Respiratory infection casesNo clear difference6% lower risk1 review of trials2022 study ↗
Respiratory infection durationSlight effectslightly better than the comparison group1 review of trials2022 study ↗
Respiratory infection severityNo clear differencenegligible standardised effect1 review of trials2022 study ↗

Every result

Spirulina

9 of 13 results reported a benefit

3 randomised trials, 169 people

HIV viral loadFell from 74.7 to 30.87 copies/mL1 randomised trial, compared with the start of the study1 of 2 results reported a benefit2015 study ↗

No figure given: CD4 T-cell count (no clear benefit).

Also measured alongside: Body weight (unclear); Fasting blood glucose (reported a benefit); Haemoglobin (reported a benefit); and 6 more.

Every result

Probiotics

3 of 3 results reported a benefit

1 randomised trial

Also measured alongside: Gut immune signalling proteins (reported a benefit); Immune-regulating protein (galectin-1) (reported a benefit); Interferon beta levels (reported a benefit).

Every result

Spermidine

3 of 3 results reported a benefit

1 randomised trial, 40 people

Neutralising antibody activityReported a benefitmeasurement not reportedSpermidine (6 mg daily) improved Neutralising antibody activity in vaccine non-responders compared with placebo in 40 (13 weeks).1 randomised trial2026 study ↗

No figure given: Vaccine antibody response (reported a benefit).

Also measured alongside: Memory B-cell recall (reported a benefit).

Every result

Urolithin A

2 of 2 results reported a benefit

1 randomised trial, 50 people

Also measured alongside: T-cell fat-burning capacity (CD8+) (reported a benefit); Younger-profile CD8+ T cells (reported a benefit).

Every result

Where the evidence is concentrated.

Published research

Immune Support: findings by compound

What this means: Bars count reported findings, not treatment effectiveness or certainty.

One study may report several findings or appear in more than one pairing. Counts do not show the size of an effect. Comparable numerical estimates are not established for this summary.

View the full data table

Published research: reported directions by pairing
Compound and condition	Findings (count)	Studies (count)	Reported results (finding counts)	How sure?
Vitamin C	3	1	Benefit: 1; no benefit: 2; harm: 0; unclear: 0; not recorded / unrecognised: 0	Not formally graded
Spirulina	15	3	Benefit: 9; no benefit: 4; harm: 1; unclear: 1; not recorded / unrecognised: 0	Not formally graded
Probiotics	3	1	Benefit: 3; no benefit: 0; harm: 0; unclear: 0; not recorded / unrecognised: 0	Not formally graded
Spermidine	3	1	Benefit: 3; no benefit: 0; harm: 0; unclear: 0; not recorded / unrecognised: 0	Not formally graded
Urolithin A	2	1	Benefit: 2; no benefit: 0; harm: 0; unclear: 0; not recorded / unrecognised: 0	Not formally graded

Degree of benefit for Immune Support

Strongest evidence first.

Published research: Immune Support. Study design is not a certainty grade.
Compound	Study designs	Reported findings
Vitamin CResearch score 17/100 · Mixed/Weak	1 systematic review/meta-analysis — 1 study	1/3 outcomes showed benefit Duration of respiratory infectionSlightly better than the comparison group (slight effect)benefit2022 study ↗ Exact figures SMD -0.36 (95% CI -0.62 to -0.09, P = 0.01) · Follow-up: Not reported · Sample (as reported): Not reported · Recorded unit: Not reported · Effect of Vitamin C Supplements on Respiratory Tract Infections: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. · Meta-Analysis · meta-analysis · PMID 34967304 Incidence of respiratory illnessNo clear difference (6% lower risk)no benefit2022 study ↗ Exact figures 0.94 (95% confidence interval of 0.87 to 1.01, P= 0.09) · Follow-up: Not reported · Sample (as reported): Not reported · Recorded unit: Not reported · Effect of Vitamin C Supplements on Respiratory Tract Infections: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. · Meta-Analysis · meta-analysis · PMID 34967304 Severity of respiratory illnessNo clear difference (negligible standardised effect)no benefit2022 study ↗ Exact figures SMD 0.14 (95% CI -0.02 to 0.30: I2 = 22%, P=0.09) · Follow-up: Not reported · Sample (as reported): Not reported · Recorded unit: Not reported · Effect of Vitamin C Supplements on Respiratory Tract Infections: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. · Meta-Analysis · meta-analysis · PMID 34967304
SpirulinaResearch score 50/100 · Moderate	3 randomised trials — 3 studies	9/15 outcomes showed benefit Immune activation by CD8 T-cells expressing CD38No clear benefit found — measurement not reportedno benefit2014 study ↗ Exact figures n=73 · Follow-up: three-month · Sample (as reported): 73 · Recorded unit: Not reported · The effect of Arthrospira platensis capsules on CD4 T-cells and antioxidative capacity in a randomized pilot study of adult women infected with human immunodeficiency virus not under HAART in Yaoundé, Cameroon · Randomized Controlled Trial · rct · PMID 25057105 Viral load levelsFell from 74.7 to 30.87 copies/mLbenefit2015 study ↗ Exact figures 74.7×10(3)-30.87×10(3) copies/mL n=169 · Follow-up: 12 months · Sample (as reported): 169 · Recorded unit: copies/mL · Impact of daily supplementation of Spirulina platensis on the immune system of naïve HIV-1 patients in Cameroon: a 12-months single blind, randomized, multicenter trial · Randomized Controlled Trial · rct · PMID 26195001 Total antioxidant capacity of the serum (TAOS) — overall antioxidant level in the blood56 µM higherbenefit2014 study ↗ Exact figures 56 (p < 0.001) n=73 · Follow-up: three-month · Sample (as reported): 73 · Recorded unit: µM · The effect of Arthrospira platensis capsules on CD4 T-cells and antioxidative capacity in a randomized pilot study of adult women infected with human immunodeficiency virus not under HAART in Yaoundé, Cameroon · Randomized Controlled Trial · rct · PMID 25057105 Fasting blood glucose concentration — blood sugar after not eatingReported a benefit — measurement not reportedbenefit2015 study ↗ Exact figures No figures reported · Follow-up: 12 months · Sample (as reported): Not reported · Recorded unit: Not reported · Impact of daily supplementation of Spirulina platensis on the immune system of naïve HIV-1 patients in Cameroon: a 12-months single blind, randomized, multicenter trial · Randomized Controlled Trial · rct · PMID 26195001 +11 more outcomes →
ProbioticsResearch score 44/100 · Limited	1 randomised trial — 1 study	3/3 outcomes showed benefit Immunoregulatory galectin-1Reported a benefit — measurement not reportedbenefit2021 study ↗ Exact figures No figures reported · Follow-up: first months of life · Sample (as reported): Not reported · Recorded unit: Not reported · Bifidobacteria-mediated immune system imprinting early in life. · Randomized Controlled Trial · rct · PMID 34143954 Interferon beta (IFN-beta)Reported a benefit — measurement not reportedbenefit2021 study ↗ Exact figures No figures reported · Follow-up: first months of life · Sample (as reported): Not reported · Recorded unit: Not reported · Bifidobacteria-mediated immune system imprinting early in life. · Randomized Controlled Trial · rct · PMID 34143954 Intestinal T helper 2 (Th2) and Th17 cytokinesReported a benefit — measurement not reportedbenefit2021 study ↗ Exact figures No figures reported · Follow-up: first months of life · Sample (as reported): Not reported · Recorded unit: Not reported · Bifidobacteria-mediated immune system imprinting early in life. · Randomized Controlled Trial · rct · PMID 34143954
SpermidineResearch score 44/100 · Limited	1 randomised trial — 1 study	3/3 outcomes showed benefit Memory B cell recall responses in vaccine non-respondersReported a benefit — measurement not reportedbenefit2026 study ↗ Exact figures n=40 · Follow-up: 13 weeks · Sample (as reported): 40 · Recorded unit: Not reported · Spermidine Mitigates Immune Cell Senescence and Boosts Vaccine Responses in Healthy Older Adults-A Pilot Study · Randomized Controlled Trial · rct · PMID 42169618 Neutralising antibody activity in vaccine non-respondersReported a benefit — measurement not reportedbenefit2026 study ↗ Exact figures n=40 · Follow-up: 13 weeks · Sample (as reported): 40 · Recorded unit: Not reported · Spermidine Mitigates Immune Cell Senescence and Boosts Vaccine Responses in Healthy Older Adults-A Pilot Study · Randomized Controlled Trial · rct · PMID 42169618 Spike-specific IgG secretion in vaccine non-respondersReported a benefit — measurement not reportedbenefit2026 study ↗ Exact figures n=40 · Follow-up: 13 weeks · Sample (as reported): 40 · Recorded unit: Not reported · Spermidine Mitigates Immune Cell Senescence and Boosts Vaccine Responses in Healthy Older Adults-A Pilot Study · Randomized Controlled Trial · rct · PMID 42169618
Urolithin AResearch score 44/100 · Limited	1 randomised trial — 1 study	2/2 outcomes showed benefit CD8+ fatty acid oxidation capacity14.7 percentage points higherbenefit2025 study ↗ Exact figures 14.72 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 6.46 to 22.99; P = 0.0061) n=50 · Follow-up: 4 weeks · Sample (as reported): 50 · Recorded unit: percentage points · Effect of the mitophagy inducer urolithin A on age-related immune decline: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial · Randomized Controlled Trial · rct · PMID 41174221 Peripheral naive-like, less terminally exhausted CD8+ cells0.5 percentage points higherbenefit2025 study ↗ Exact figures 0.50 (95% CI = 0.16 to 0.83; P = 0.0437) n=50 · Follow-up: 4 weeks · Sample (as reported): 50 · Recorded unit: percentage points · Effect of the mitophagy inducer urolithin A on age-related immune decline: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial · Randomized Controlled Trial · rct · PMID 41174221

Important: This page reflects observational, aggregate-only community reporting and independent published research. It is not medical advice, and it does not claim any compound treats, cures, or is effective for any condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting, stopping, or changing any supplement or treatment.

No community reports published yet.

We publish immune support results only once at least 10 people report on the same compound, so no individual report is ever shown.

Spirulina
Research saysResearch score 50/100 · Moderate3 of 3 studies reported at least one benefit
People reportNot published yet — needs 10 or more reports
Probiotics
Research saysResearch score 44/100 · Limited1 of 1 study reported at least one benefit
People reportNot published yet — needs 10 or more reports
Spermidine
Research saysResearch score 44/100 · Limited1 of 1 study reported at least one benefit
People reportNot published yet — needs 10 or more reports
Urolithin A
Research saysResearch score 44/100 · Limited1 of 1 study reported at least one benefit
People reportNot published yet — needs 10 or more reports

Used something for immune support? Share how it went — only ever published in a group of 10 or more.

Add your outcome

Peer-reviewed research.

Every study behind the numbers above is linked next to its result.

56 more papers, not summarised above

Strongest evidence first.

01Comparison of adjuvant and neoadjuvant therapies for muscle invasive bladder cancer: A network meta-analysisPetrelli F, et al. · Urologic oncology · 2026

Network Meta-Analysis · matched via Immune Support · PubMed record (CORPUS-A)

PMID 40935764 ↗02Surviving Sepsis Campaign International Guidelines for the Management of Sepsis and Septic Shock in Children 2026Weiss SL, et al. · Pediatric critical care medicine : a journal of the Society of Critical Care Medicine and the World Federation of Pediatric Intensive and Critical Care Societies · 2026

Systematic Review · matched via Immune Support · PubMed record (CORPUS-A)

PMID 41869844 ↗03Surviving Sepsis Campaign International Guidelines for the Management of Sepsis and Septic Shock in Children 2026Weiss SL, et al. · Intensive care medicine · 2026

Systematic Review · matched via Immune Support · PubMed record (CORPUS-A)

PMID 41870559 ↗04Effect of nutritional interventions on the psychological symptoms of premenstrual syndrome in women of reproductive age: a systematic review of randomized controlled trialsRobinson J, et al. · Nutrition reviews · 2025

Systematic Review · matched via Immune Support · PubMed record (CORPUS-A)

PMID 38684926 ↗05Vitamin D's Impact on Cancer Incidence and Mortality: A Systematic ReviewWimalawansa SJ · Nutrients · 2025

Systematic Review · matched via Immune Support · PubMed record (CORPUS-A)

PMID 40732958 ↗06Therapeutic effects of high-dose vitamin C supplementation in patients with COVID-19: a meta-analysisSun L, et al. · Nutrition reviews · 2024

Meta-Analysis · matched via Immune Support · PubMed record (CORPUS-A)

PMID 37682265 ↗07Probiotic, prebiotic, synbiotic and fermented food supplementation in psychiatric disorders: A systematic review of clinical trialsRibera C, et al. · Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews · 2024

Systematic Review · matched via Immune Support · PubMed record (CORPUS-A)

PMID 38280441 ↗08The impact of N-acetylcysteine on lactate, biomarkers of oxidative stress, immune response, and muscle damage: A systematic review and meta-analysisSadowski M, et al. · Journal of cellular and molecular medicine · 2024

Systematic Review · matched via Immune Support · PubMed record (CORPUS-A)

PMID 39632267 ↗09Effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy on tumor immune infiltration in breast cancer patients: Systematic review and meta-analysisLlano-León M, et al. · PloS one · 2023

Meta-Analysis · matched via Immune Support · PubMed record (CORPUS-A)

PMID 37104271 ↗10An ancestral molecular response to nanomaterial particulatesDel Giudice G, et al. · Nature nanotechnology · 2023

Meta-Analysis · matched via Immune Support · PubMed record (CORPUS-A)

PMID 37157020 ↗11Probiotics fortify intestinal barrier function: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trialsZheng Y, et al. · Frontiers in immunology · 2023

Meta-Analysis · matched via Immune Support · PubMed record (CORPUS-A)

PMID 37168869 ↗12A review and meta-analysis of gene expression profiles in suicidePiras IS, et al. · European neuropsychopharmacology : the journal of the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology · 2022

Meta-Analysis · matched via Immune Support · PubMed record (CORPUS-A)

PMID 34923210 ↗13ESPEN micronutrient guidelineBerger MM, et al. · Clinical nutrition (Edinburgh, Scotland) · 2022

Meta-Analysis · matched via Immune Support · PubMed record (CORPUS-A)

PMID 35365361 ↗14The Efficacy and Safety of Probiotics for Allergic Rhinitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-AnalysisLuo C, et al. · Frontiers in immunology · 2022

Meta-Analysis · matched via Immune Support · PubMed record (CORPUS-A)

PMID 35663980 ↗15Select Dietary Supplement Ingredients for Preserving and Protecting the Immune System in Healthy Individuals: A Systematic ReviewCrawford C, et al. · Nutrients · 2022

Systematic Review · matched via Immune Support · PubMed record (CORPUS-A)

PMID 36364865 ↗16Impact of vitamin D on cardiac structure and function in chronic kidney disease patients with hypovitaminosis D: a randomized controlled trial and meta-analysisBanerjee D, et al. · European heart journal. Cardiovascular pharmacotherapy · 2021

Meta-Analysis · matched via Immune Support · PubMed record (CORPUS-A)

PMID 31830258 ↗17A Systematic Review of the Potential Effects of Nigella sativa on Rheumatoid ArthritisKhabbazi A, et al. · Planta medica · 2020

Systematic Review · matched via Immune Support · PubMed record (CORPUS-A)

PMID 32274788 ↗18Could Vitamins Help in the Fight Against COVID-19?Jovic TH, et al. · Nutrients · 2020

Systematic Review · matched via Immune Support · PubMed record (CORPUS-A)

PMID 32842513 ↗19Interventions to improve oral vaccine performance: a systematic review and meta-analysisChurch JA, et al. · The Lancet. Infectious diseases · 2019

Meta-Analysis · matched via Immune Support · PubMed record (CORPUS-A)

PMID 30712836 ↗20The beneficial effects of N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) against obesity associated complications: A systematic review of pre-clinical studiesDludla PV, et al. · Pharmacological research · 2019

Systematic Review · matched via Immune Support · PubMed record (CORPUS-A)

PMID 31254666 ↗21The Effectiveness and Cost-Effectiveness of Hepatitis C Screening for Migrants in the EU/EEA: A Systematic ReviewGreenaway C, et al. · International journal of environmental research and public health · 2018

Systematic Review · matched via Immune Support · PubMed record (CORPUS-A)

PMID 30223539 ↗22Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi mushroom) for cancer treatmentJin X, et al. · The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2016

Meta-Analysis · matched via Immune Support · PubMed record (CORPUS-A)

PMID 27045603 ↗23Effect of Vitamin D3 Supplementation on Inflammatory Markers and Glycemic Measures among Overweight or Obese Adults: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled TrialsZuk A, et al. · PloS one · 2016

Systematic Review · matched via Immune Support · PubMed record (CORPUS-A)

PMID 27116227 ↗24Serum Levels of Copper and Zinc in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis: a Meta-analysisXin L, et al. · Biological trace element research · 2015

Meta-Analysis · matched via Immune Support · PubMed record (CORPUS-A)

PMID 25869414 ↗25Zinc in depression: a meta-analysisSwardfager W, et al. · Biological psychiatry · 2013

Meta-Analysis · matched via Immune Support · PubMed record (CORPUS-A)

PMID 23806573 ↗26Vitamin C for preventing and treating tetanusHemilä H, et al. · The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2013

Systematic Review · matched via Immune Support · PubMed record (CORPUS-A)

PMID 24226506 ↗27Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi mushroom) for cancer treatmentJin X, et al. · The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2012

Meta-Analysis · matched via Immune Support · PubMed record (CORPUS-A)

PMID 22696372 ↗28Effects of personalized vitamin D(3) on inflammation in colorectal cancer patients: a randomized trialGwenzi T, et al. · British journal of cancer · 2026