Medicinal Mushrooms, Microbiome and More 

The immune system is a complex entity that functions like a fortress to keep the host safe. Immune resilience is this fortress’s ability to effectively respond to threats, recover quickly if illness does occur, and keep inflammation in check. This resilience is a key factor in longevity and vitality.  

Building resiliency through diet, lifestyle, and herbs strengthens both the innate and adaptive immune response to infection, helping the individual avoid infection or recover more efficiently. The innate, or non-specific immune system, begins to develop at around 5 weeks of gestation and is necessary for survival. The adaptive, or specific immune system, develops after birth when the body is exposed to a foreign substance, such as a virus or bacteria. This triggers the immune system to create specific defenses against that unique pathogen so that if encountered again, the immune response is faster and more efficient. The adaptive immune system also develops alongside the microbiome, highlighting the importance of encouraging gut health to strengthen immune resilience.₁ Key players in these systems include: 

• • Macrophages, which phagocytose viruses and bacteria  
  • B cells, which make antibodies in response to viruses and bacteria  

• • T cells, which produce cytokines that activate and direct immune cells to fight infections, inflammation, and tumors 

• • Natural killer cells which help distinguish between ‘self’ and ‘non-self’ cells.  

Several specific nutrients and botanicals have been shown to significantly improve immune resiliency and respond to acute immune challenges, including colds, influenza, and seasonal allergies. They also shorten symptom duration and accelerate recovery. Many of these nutrients and herbs work on both the host and the pathogen, stimulating macrophage, cytokine, T and B cell, and natural killer cell activity and demonstrating antiviral or antibacterial activity.  

Zinc 

Zinc is an essential mineral involved in numerous aspects of cellular metabolism. It is the second most abundant trace mineral in the body. It is required for the catalytic activity of approximately 100 enzymes, playing a role in immune function, protein synthesis, wound healing, DNA synthesis, and cell division.₁ Zinc possesses direct antiviral properties, including against influenza, and is critical in generating both innate and adaptive immune responses to viral infections.₂ 

Importantly, zinc is involved in regulating intracellular signaling pathways in innate and adaptive immune cells, allowing the immune system to mount a more effective response to acute infection.₃ Specifically, zinc is required for the activation and proliferation of T-cells and macrophages, which are key players in recognizing and fighting off pathogens. Zinc regulates the production of cytokines, the chemical messengers that stimulate immune cells to activate, proliferate, and migrate to the site of infection or injury. Additionally, zinc acts as an antioxidant, protecting immune cells from oxidative damage during infection. Its role in maintaining the integrity of the skin and mucosal barriers further aids in preventing the entry of pathogens.₃ 

Zinc is found in foods such as oysters, beef, chicken leg, tofu, pork chop, hemp seeds, lentils, yogurt, and shiitake mushrooms. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately one-third of the world’s population is deficient in zinc. Zinc deficiency is responsible for nearly 16% of severe lung infections worldwide.₁  Specific populations, such as those with Celiac disease, are more prone to zinc deficiency and may need to supplement to ensure adequate intake.₅ Zinc levels also may decline during the natural aging process. So supplementing with zinc in older individuals may be essential to support immunity in a more compromised population.₆ 

Calcium 

The importance of dietary calcium for bone structure is well established. However, the role of calcium for immune function  is just as important.  

Calcium functions as a second messenger in numerous cells throughout the body, including immune cells. In the immune system, calcium signals are essential for differentiation and maturation, phagocytosis, cytokine and chemokine secretion, enzyme production, migration, and antigen presentation.⁴

These calcium signals ensure that the immune system can mount a rapid and effective response against infection, including seasonal viruses. Newer research suggests calcium supplementation may support the integrity of gut barrier function. The function of the gut barrier is a key aspect of immune resiliency and response.₈  

Some of the highest food sources of calcium include tofu, milk, yogurt, cheese, black-eyed peas, okra, acorn squash, trout, spinach and clams. Adequate calcium intake from dietary sources may be a challenge for certain individuals, particularly those who are vegan or do not consume dairy products. Supplementing with calcium can be a useful strategy for supporting optimal immune functioning year-round and building resiliency during acute immune challenges.  

Epicor ^®: the microbiome and immune resilience  

The microbiome plays a critical role in immune health by supporting the body’s protective responses against pathogens. This includes directly influencing the development and function of immune cells, acting as a first line of defense against pathogens, and regulating the inflammatory response through interactions with immune cells.⁵ In particular, the microbiome is essential for the development and maturation of the immune cells, including dendritic cells, T cells, and regulatory T cells. These calls are responsible for recognizing and responding to pathogens during acute immune challenges.⁶ 

Epicor^® is a whole food fermentate, or a ‘postbiotic’. It is comprised of proteins, fibers, polyphenols, vitamins, amino acids, and beta-glucans. Postbiotics are beneficial compounds produced by beneficial bacteria during their metabolic processes; they are non-living components of the microbial ecosystem that have health-promoting effects for the host.⁷ Current research shows that postbiotics exert their beneficial effects through protective modulation of microbiome composition, strengthening the epithelial barrier, and modulation of immune responses.⁸ 

Both preclinical and clinical trials have shown that Epicor^® can modulate both microbiome health and immune function.^9-11 Administration of this unique postbiotic formulation to human subjects significantly decreased the number and severity of symptoms associated with colds and the flu and reduced allergic rhinitis-induced nasal congestion._16,17,18 Helping patients build and maintain a healthy microbiome through pre-, pro, and postbiotics is a key step practitioners can take to encourage year-round resiliency and reduce susceptibility to seasonal challenges. 

Acerola

Acerola (Malpighia spp.) is a tropical fruit-bearing shrub or small tree in the family Malpighiaceae. The berry is rich in health-promoting phytochemicals, including polyphenolic compounds and carotenoids. It is considered to be a rich source of vitamin C.¹² Because of this high vitamin C content, the consumption of acerola can strongly stimulate the immune system. It does this through increasing the number and activity of immune cells, such as lymphocytes. Vitamin C supports epithelial barrier function against pathogens and promotes the oxidant scavenging activity of the skin, thereby potentially protecting against environmental and oxidative stress.²⁰

Furthermore, vitamin C contributes to immune defense mechanisms by supporting various cellular functions of both the innate and adaptive immune system, including enhancing the differentiation and proliferation of B- and T-cells. Vitamin C deficiency has been shown to result in impaired immunity and higher susceptibility to infections.¹³ In vivo research with acerola has also demonstrated strong anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and gastroprotective effects. Research has also shown improvement in gut microbiome balance_.22,23,24 

Medicinal Mushrooms: Maitake and Turkey Tail 

Medicinal Mushrooms are revered for their role as a functional food, supplying essential nutrients, and potent medicinal properties. Mushrooms such as turkey tail and maitake function like bone broth to the immune system. They nourish the individual’s resilience, strength, and vitality to reduce susceptibility to infection.

Turkey Tail Mushrooms

Turkey tail mushroom, also known as Coriolus versicolor or Trametes versicolor, is a small flexible polypore fungus found in forests throughout the world. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), turkey tail is indicated for general weakness, poor appetite, chronic cough, and asthma. It is used to help sustain vitality and resilience or rebuild vitality after a debilitating illness.¹⁴ Of all the mushrooms used today for their medicinal qualities, more research has been performed on this species than any other, including shiitake (Lentinus edodes) or reishi (Ganoderma lucidum).

Modern research has shown the mushroom to possess antioxidant, neuroprotective, antidiabetic, hypolipidemic and immunomodulating effects.¹⁵ In vitro research demonstrates that turkey tail stimulates significant increases in immune-activating pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-2, IL-6). It also stimulates key anti-inflammatory cytokines like Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) and Interleukin-10 (IL-10), signifying a strong immunomodulatory effect within the immune system.₂₇ This immunomodulatory effect indicates that turkey tail is appropriate for both long-term immune resilience and acute immune response, as well as for helping to regulate immune dysfunction in cases of autoimmunity.

Animal studies indicate that the beta-glucans found in the mushroom exhibit potent antiviral activity against influenza. At the same time, human research has shown that the polysaccharides function as a potent prebiotic, supporting the health and integrity of the microbiome. ^28,29 The mushroom has also shown promise in treating various types of cancers.^16,17 

Maitake Mushrooms

Maitake mushroom, or Grifola frondosa, also has a long history of use as food and medicine. In Japanese, mai means dance, and take means mushroom, possibly alluding to the mushroom hunters who would dance with joy when finding this highly regarded mushroom.¹⁸ Like turkey tail, maitake was considered a vitality tonic, used for fatigue, general weakness, immune debility, and anxiety (disturbed Shen).¹⁴ Contemporary research supports these traditional indications, elucidating its mechanism of action through the activation of key immune cells, including macrophages, natural killer cells (NK), and cytotoxic T cells, which are crucial for immune defense and direct tumor cell destruction.¹⁸  

Clinical Trials with Medicinal Mushrooms

Clinical trials further demonstrate the potent immunomodulating effects of the mushroom in both acute immune response and long-term immune resilience. In one clinical trial, continuous maitake intake enhanced antibody production in response to influenza vaccination while simultaneously suppressing multiple common cold symptoms, suggesting that the mushroom modulates innate and adaptive immune responses to prevent viral infection.¹⁹ Medicinal mushrooms play a key role in immunotherapy, both as a prophylactic and acute treatment, as well as enhancing post-illness recovery.  

Immune Resilience for Improved Clinical Outcomes

Targeted intake of specific nutrients and herbs can effectively enhance immune resiliency against a variety of infections. These nutrients and herbs can also improve both response and recovery during acute immune challenges. For these interventions to be most effective, however, clinicians must address the modifiable risk factors that can detract from their patient’s resiliency. These factors include diet, stress, exercise, sleep, and social support. Through improving nutrient density in the diet, incorporating specific nutrients and botanicals for nervous system support, and encouraging healthful movement, clinicians can enhance the beneficial effects of interventions like Epicor® and improve clinical outcomes in their patients.