Best Natural Supplements to Boost Immunity After 50
Share
We all desire to live a long and healthy life, but as we age, our immune systems gradually get weaker in a process called immunosenescence (we’ll talk more about this later). Because of this, many seniors face common immune issues such as an increased risk to infections, inflammation, and slower wound healing. To keep their immune systems at their best, many people are turning to natural supplements, especially those who are in their 50s and up. Today, let’s look at some of the best immune supplements for people over 50 and how Fucoidan may have more benefits than you might have been aware of.
Why Immunity Declines with Age
So, why does our immune system slow down with age? That exact process is called immunosenescence, where our immune system weakens and gets reshaped. This is a natural biological process that everyone experiences (to some degree) starting as early as the age of 50. Unfortunately, this leads to reduced ability to fight infections, respond to vaccines, and regulate inflammation. Essentially, our immune cells become less efficient over time.
Now that we know about immunosenescence, what are some things we need to look out for? Some factors that can exacerbate this process are diet, inflammation, and stress. A poor, nutrient deficient diet can make things worse as a diet high in sugar, ultra-processed foods, and refined oils increase oxidative stress and chronic inflammation. A poor diet also leads to poor gut health from low fiber and a lack of probiotics, which disrupt the microbiome in your gut. The gut microbiome is also where roughly 70% of your immune cells reside.
Inflammation makes immunosenescence worse, causing more immune cells to age, in turn causing more inflammation leading to a vicious negative cycle.
Chronic stress is just bad all around, but it also increases cortisol. This hormone can suppress immune responses, which include reducing T-cell production and NK cell activity. Stress negatively affects our sleep and also promotes inflammation (which worsens immunosenescence).
Top Natural Supplements to Boost Immunity After 50
Let’s talk about some natural supplements we can add to our diet and lifestyles to help keep our immune systems optimal.
Fucoidan
An all-natural ingredient derived from various brown seaweeds such as mozuku, mekabu, and fucus. Fucoidan can support the immune system in seniors by enhancing the activity of natural killer (NK) cells. Fucoidan also helps the body detect and respond to abnormal or infected cells more effectively. Additionally, it helps modulate inflammation, which is crucial in aging adults prone to chronic low-grade inflammation. Fucoidan has notable anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce inflammation, thus supporting healthier aging and reducing strain on the immune system.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a fantastic immune booster for seniors as it stimulates white blood cell functions, protects immune cells from oxidative stress, supports barrier defenses like your skin and mucous membranes which are the body’s first line of defense against pathogens, and enhances antibody production. With age, the body’s vitamin C absorption efficiency may decrease, or seniors may have reduced dietary intake, so adding vitamin C to your diet may be beneficial for your immunity.
Zinc
Another natural supplement to boost immunity as you age is zinc. Zinc is essential for maintaining a strong immune system in seniors because it supports the development and activation of immune cells, like T-cells and NK cells, which naturally decline with age. Zinc also helps regulate inflammation and shortens the duration of infections by promoting faster immune responses. Many older adults are mildly zinc deficient, which can impair immune function and increase susceptibility to illness.
Elderberry
Elderberry is valued for its ability to support the early immune response and promote respiratory health, especially in seniors. Elderberry enhances immune cell signaling and helps inhibit the replication of common respiratory viruses. It also reduces the inflammation in the mucous membranes, helping to ease congestion and support clearer airways. This makes it a powerful, natural option for managing seasonal illnesses like colds and flu in aging adults.
Probiotics
For adults aged 50 and up, probiotics play a key role in supporting immunity by helping maintain a balanced gut microbiome, where around 70% of the immune cells reside. They enhance the activity of immune cells like NK cells and T-cells, reinforce the gut barrier, and help reduce chronic inflammation common in aging. Specific strains such as Bifidobacterium longum and Lactobacillus plantarum are especially beneficial for promoting immune resilience and supporting a healthier response to infections and vaccines.
Tips for Choosing the Right Supplement
When shopping for supplements, the choices between brands seem to be endless. So, how do I know which one to get? This is where we as consumers need to do a little bit of digging for information.
1. Purity and Sourcing Matter
Always check the purity and origin of the ingredients. For example, at Nature Medic Fucoidan, we are honest and upfront about the purity of our Fucoidan. All our Fucoidan types are of 85% purity. We also clearly disclose where each type is sourced:
- Mozuku Fucoidan is from the clear waters of Okinawa, Japan
- Mekabu Fucoidan is certified organic from Patagonia
- Fucus Fucoidan is also certified organic from Novia Scotia, Canada.
Avoid companies that don’t clearly state where their ingredients come from—it’s a red flag.
2. Look for 3rd party testing
Nature Medic Fucoidan products have all been tested by SGS, a leading global assurance company. Our SGS reports are all available on our website here, and they show that our products are free from radiation and heavy metals.
3. When in doubt, consult your doctor.
When in doubt about taking any type of health supplement, it is always a good idea to consult your primary care physician. Whenever you are introducing a change to your diet and have questions, asking your doctor is always the best route to take.
Lifestyle Habits That Support Immunity
We all know that the road to good health isn’t through supplements alone. The reality is that we need to live a healthy lifestyle, which means developing healthy habits. We can all start with a balanced and nutrient rich diet. By prioritizing whole foods rich in antioxidants, fiber, vitamins, and healthy fats we can build healthy habits. This way we can reduce the intake of sugars, refined carbs, and ultra-processed foods that can increase inflammation.
With a healthier diet, next we can include regular exercise like walking or yoga. Exercise can enhance circulation, reduce inflammation and improve immune cell activity. It is important to note that you should avoid chronic overtraining, as it can suppress immunity.
Many people tend to overlook the importance of good quality and (more importantly) consistent sleep. We should be aiming for 7 to 8 hours per night to support immune regulation, antibody production, and recovery. Poor sleep increases cortisol and inflammatory markers in the body.
Since life doesn’t always go the way we want, we must learn to manage our stress. Chronic stress can raise cortisol, which suppresses immune functions. Stress management practices like deep breathing, mediation, or even social connection help regulate the stress response.
Conclusion
As we get older, it becomes even more important to take care of ourselves for the sake of health and immunity. Naturally, our immune systems weaken, and we become more susceptible to various illnesses. Taking supplements can be one of the many ways we can support our immune systems to help us live a longer and healthier life. By taking premium quality supplements, like Nature Medic Fucoidan products, we can ensure that we are on the right track. If you are curious about what others have said about taking Nature Medic Fucoidan, you can always look at the testimonials from our customers here.