Supplement & Nutrient Encyclopedia

Supplements for immune function: what the human evidence shows

8 supplements in our encyclopedia have at least one graded human outcome for immune function. Each row shows the strongest one, ranked by grade and then by the number of people studied. A high grade means the research is solid, not that the effect is large: open the row for the size of the effect and the dose tested.

Strongest evidence per supplement

Supplements with graded human evidence for immune function, strongest first
SupplementStrongest outcomeGradeStudy
Vitamin A (retinyl palmitate vs beta-carotene)Survival in children 6 months to 5 years in low- and middle-income countriesImprovedForm tested: vitamin A supplementation (periodic doses)Grade Asystematic-review · n = 1,202,382 · 2022
Vitamin D3 vs D2Acute respiratory infectionsImprovedForm tested: vitamin D3, D2 or 25(OH)DGrade Bmeta-analysis · n = 48,488 · 2021
NAC (N-acetylcysteine)Respiratory flare-up (exacerbation) rateWorsenedForm tested: NACGrade Bmeta-analysis · n = 4,155 · 2015
Zinc (picolinate vs gluconate vs bisglycinate)Length of a cold when zinc is started after symptoms beginWorsenedForm tested: mostly zinc lozenges (gluconate or acetate); some syrups, tablets or nasal productsGrade Bsystematic-review · n = 972 · 20245 graded rows for this goal
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid vs buffered vs liposomal)Chance of catching a cold under heavy physical stressWorsenedForm tested: vitamin C (regular daily intake)Grade Bmeta-analysis · n = 598 · 20133 graded rows for this goal
Tongkat aliImmune vigor scores and T-cell countsImprovedForm tested: Standardised root water extract (Physta) vs rice-powder placeboGrade CRCT · n = 81 · 2016
CordycepsNatural killer cell activity and lymphocyte proliferationImprovedForm tested: Ethanol-treated Cordyceps militaris vs placeboGrade CRCT · n = 79 · 2015
Reishi mushroomShort-term safety and immune cell countsNo effectForm tested: Ganoderma lucidum extract vs placeboGrade DRCT · n = 16 · 2007

Grades follow our methodology. A “no effect” grade means good trials found no benefit. Amounts in trials are what was studied, not advice for you.

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Educational information only, not medical advice. Dietary supplements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.