The Functional Medicine Approach to Immune Support: Virus-Specific Nutraceutical and Botanical Agents
Disclaimer
The Fullscript Integrative Medical Advisory team adapted the original version of this template developed by the Institute for Functional Medicine to accommodate quick upload into your Fullscript account. By adding this protocol to your Fullscript template library, you understand and accept that the recommendations in the protocol are for initial guidance and may not be appropriate for every patient.
Note: products included in the protocol are the most commonly recommended by ingredient category and can be modified to the practitioner’s preference.
Ingredient Overview
Ingredient | Dosing | Benefits |
---|---|---|
Curcumin | 500-1,000 mg, 2x daily |
|
Quercetin | Regular: 1,000 mg orally, 2x daily
Phytosome: 500 mg, 2x daily |
|
Zinc | 30-60 mg orally daily, in divided doses |
|
N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) | 600-900 mg, 2x daily |
|
Vitamin D | 5,000 IU orally, daily |
|
Vitamin A | 10,000-25,000 IU, daily |
|
Vitamin C | 1-3 g orally, daily |
|
Melatonin | 5-20 mg, taken at bedtime |
|
Elderberry (Sambucus nigra) | 500 mg orally, daily |
|
Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) | 300 mg orally, 2x daily (prevention); 600-900 mg, 3x daily for 2 weeks (treatment) |
|
Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) | 4 cups daily (green tea) 225 mg orally, daily (EGCG) |
|
Resveratrol | 100-150 mg orally, 2x daily |
|
Curcumin
Dosing: 500-1,000 mg, 2x daily
Benefits:
- Curcumin has been shown to reduce inflammation and decrease viral activity
- Enhances the immune system
- Decrease viral growth
- Reduces symptoms
Viral-Specific Mechanism(s) of action:
Favorably modulate viral-induced pathological cellular processes:
- Modulation of NLRP3 inflammasome activation[5],[19],[20],[21]
Quercetin
Dosing:
- Regular: 1,000 mg orally, 2x daily
- Phytosome: 500 mg, 2x daily
Benefits:
- Quercetin is found in fruits and vegetables and has a wide range of benefits, including decreasing viral growth
- Enhances the immune system
- Decrease viral growth
- Reduces symptoms
Viral-Specific Mechanism(s) of action:
Promote viral eradication or inactivation[9]-[13]:
- Inhibition of viral replication
Favorably modulate viral-induced pathological cellular processes:
- Modulation of NLRP3 inflammasome activation[5],[14],[15]
Mechanistically promote resolution of collateral damage and restoration of function:
- Modulation of mast cell stabilization (anti-fibrotic)
Zinc
Dosing: 30-60 mg orally daily, in divided doses
- Zinc acetate, citrate, picolinate, or glycinate orally
- Zinc gluconate as lozenge
Benefits:
- A large body of research shows that zinc has strong anti-viral properties against many viruses
- Enhances the immune system
- Decrease viral growth
- Reduces symptoms
Viral-Specific Mechanism(s) of action[120]-[127]:
Favorably modulate innate and adaptive immune system
Favorably modulate viral-induced pathological cellular processes, attachment, and replication
Zinc in the Fullscript catalogN-Acetylcysteine (NAC)
Dosing: 600-900 mg, 2x daily
Benefits:
- N-acetylcysteine promotes the production of glutathione, a potent antioxidant that supports immune function. It also reduces the severity of the flu
- Enhances the immune system
- Reduces symptoms
Viral-Specific Mechanism(s) of action[36]:
Favorably modulate cellular defense and repair mechanisms
NAC in the Fullscript catalogVitamin D
Dosing: 5,000 IU orally, daily
Benefits:
- Vitamin D enhances immune system function, reduces viral growth, and can reduce upper respiratory infections
- Enhances the immune System
- Decrease viral growth
- Reduces symptoms
Viral-Specific Mechanism(s) of action[55]-[78]:
Favorably modulate cellular defense and repair mechanisms:
- Activation of macrophages
- Stimulation of anti-microbial peptides
- Modulation of defensins
- Modulation of TH17 cells
Favorably modulate viral-induced pathological cellular processes:
- Reduction in cytokine expression
- Modulation of TGF beta
Vitamin A
Dosing: 10,000-25,000 IU, daily
Benefits:
- Vitamin A is anti-inflammatory, enhances immune function, and supports the lining of the respiratory tract
- Enhances the immune system
- Reduces symptoms
Viral-Specific Mechanism(s) of action[95],[96]:
Favorably modulate cellular defense and repair mechanisms:
- Modulation of T helper cells
- Modulation of sIgA
Favorably modulate viral-induced pathological cellular processes:
- Modulation of cytokine production
Vitamin C
Dosing: 1-3 g orally, daily
Benefits:
- Vitamin C contributes to immune defense by supporting various cellular functions of the immune system
- Enhances the immune system
- Decrease viral growth
- Reduces symptoms
Viral-Specific Mechanism(s) of action[120]:
Favorably modulate cellular defense and repair mechanisms
Favorably modulate viral-induced pathological cellular processes
Vitamin C in the Fullscript catalogMelatonin
Dosing: 5-20 mg, taken at bedtime
Benefits:
- In addition to promoting restful sleep, melatonin has been shown to reduce inflammation
- Enhances the immune system
- Decrease viral growth
Viral-Specific Mechanism(s) of action:
Favorably modulate viral-induced pathological cellular processes
- Modulation of NLRP3 inflammasome activation[83],[84]
Elderberry (Sambucus nigra)
Dosing: 500 mg orally, daily
Benefits:
- Elderberry is packed with vitamin C, dietary fiber, and antioxidants. It has been used extensively in the prevention of influenza
- Enhances the immune system
- Decrease viral growth
Viral-Specific Mechanism(s) of action[103],[107],[108],[109],[110],[111],[112]:
Favorably modulate cellular defense and repair mechanisms
Favorably modulate viral-induced pathological cellular processes
Elderberry in the Fullscript catalogPalmitoylethanolamide (PEA)
Dosing: 300 mg orally, 2x daily (prevention); 600-900 mg, 3x daily for 2 weeks (treatment)
Benefits:
- PEA is a naturally occurring anti-inflammatory agent that has been shown to improve outcomes in acute respiratory disease and influenza
- Enhances the immune system
- Decrease viral growth
- Reduces symptoms
Viral-Specific Mechanism(s) of action[115]:
Favorably modulate cellular defense and repair mechanisms
Favorably modulate viral-induced pathological cellular processes
PEA in the Fullscript catalogEpigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
Dosing: 4 cups daily (green tea) 225 mg orally, daily (EGCG)
Benefits:
- In addition to reducing inflammation, green tea enhances the immune system and targets one of the processes involved in viral replication
- Enhances the immune system
- Decrease viral growth
- Reduces symptoms
Viral-Specific Mechanism(s) of action:
Favorably modulate viral-induced pathological cellular processes:
- Modulation of NLRP3 inflammasome activation[5],[28],[29]
Resveratrol
Dosing: 100-150 mg orally, 2x daily
Benefits:
- Resveratrol, a natural compound found in red grapes, has many beneficial health effects and has been shown in the lab to attack viral-specific agents
- Enhances the immune system
- Decrease viral growth
Viral-Specific Mechanism(s) of action:
Favorably modulate viral-induced pathological cellular processes
- Modulation of NLRP3 inflammasome activation[5]
Disclaimer
The Fullscript Integrative Medical Advisory team has developed or collected these protocols from practitioners and supplier partners to help health care practitioners make decisions when building treatment plans. By adding this protocol to your Fullscript template library, you understand and accept that the recommendations in the protocol are for initial guidance and may not be appropriate for every patient.
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