IMMUNE SYSTEM - POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
Updated: 1 day ago
This research was done to help identify the most commonly used tips and supplements to support our immune system. We are not advising you to do all of these, but this is certainly helpful as a resource to revisit. We have information on most of these in the post linked under each one. We hope this helps you.
The order is random and not done by importance. My LLND uses almost all of these in my protocol.
Short on time or energy? A quick-view graphic with the key points is at the bottom of this post.
Learn more in my IMMUNE SYSTEM education post:
Where I have a recommended product, the link to buy it is right under that item. Sign up here first for the Fullscript discount (25% off):
WHY THE IMMUNE SYSTEM MATTERS IN LYME
- Tulane researcher Dr. Monica Embers explains that Lyme bacteria can become tolerant to antibiotics, go dormant and hide out in tissues (Tulane News, 2022).
- In 2024, researchers at Stanford, MIT and UCSF found that a Lyme surface protein called P66 acts like a "don't eat me" signal, telling immune cells to ignore the bacteria. This early research is still a preprint, which means it hasn't been peer-reviewed yet.
ASTRAGALUS
Buy here (Vital Nutrients Astragalus Root Extract 600 mg):
CISTUS INCANUS
Learn more and find products here:
ENZYMES
There are so many types and brands, so see my posts to choose what fits you.
Brands often recommended by Lyme literate doctors:
GLUTATHIONE
Buy here (Researched Nutritionals Tri-Fortify Liposomal Glutathione):
Buy here (Quicksilver Scientific Liposomal Glutathione, Glutathione+ Cacao Mint):
Buy here (Designs for Health S-Acetyl Glutathione Synergy):
LUTEOLIN (also in Find Relief)
A 2025 Frontiers in Immunology review describes how luteolin may help balance different immune cells (lab and animal studies).
Learn more and find products here:
MAGNESIUM
Buy here (Integrative Therapeutics Magnesium Malate capsules):
MONOLAURIN / LAURICIDIN
Buy here (Allergy Research Group Humic-Monolaurin Complex):
MUSHROOM SUPPLEMENTS
Real Mushrooms 5 Defenders comes in capsules or powder.
Buy here (Real Mushrooms 5 Defenders capsules):
NAC
OLIVE LEAF
Buy here (Designs for Health Olive Leaf Extract):
OMEGA-3
Buy here (Xymogen OmegaPure 820):
PEMF MAT
See No. 2 in my post.
My Sauna PEMF Photon Mat:
PROBIOTICS AND PREBIOTICS
There are so many types and brands, so see my post to choose what fits you.
Brands often recommended by Lyme literate doctors:
QUERCETIN (also in Find Relief)
Buy here (Pure Encapsulations Quercetin):
SELENIUM
Buy here (Pure Encapsulations Selenium):
SULFORAPHANE
Sulforaphane Part Two:
VITAMIN C
Buy here (Allergy Research Group Magnesium Ascorbate):
VITAMIN D (from sunshine, or Rosita cod liver oil to increase it naturally)
If your doctor wants you on an actual vitamin D supplement, that is between you and your doctor to decide. There are mixed opinions, and I don't want to push any opinion on it, as I'm not a doctor.
Buy here (Rosita Extra Virgin Cod Liver Oil, liquid):
Buy here (Rosita Extra Virgin Cod Liver Oil, softgels):
ZINC
Buy here (Pure Encapsulations Zinc 15):
Buy here (Xymogen Zinc Glycinate):
LOW DOSE NALTREXONE (LDN)
OTHER TIPS
- Getting enough sleep. Experts recommend 7 to 9 hours a night for adults, and ongoing poor sleep can make it harder to fight off infections (NIH).
- A clean diet free of gluten, dairy and sugar.
- Whole foods and an anti-inflammatory diet rich in olive oil and omega-3s. Low FODMAP and low histamine.
- Biomat (sauna, PEMF, photon), any or all.
- Circadian rhythm fasting, allowing 3 hours to digest before sleep.
- Keeping a healthy mood and mindset: journaling, meditating, grounding. Chronic stress can weaken your immune system (Mayo Clinic).
- Getting enough protein is essential for your immune system as well as detox.
- Gentle exercise.
OTHER TOP MENTIONED SUPPLEMENTS
- B complex
- Spirulina
- Elderberry
- Melatonin
- A good multivitamin, which some Lyme-literate doctors suggest. My doctor suggested Pure Encapsulations PureGenomics Multivitamin for me and my daughter.
Buy here (Pure Encapsulations PureGenomics Multivitamin: vitamins and minerals with L-5-MTHF folate and activated B vitamins, no iron):
- Turmeric
Buy here (Xymogen CurcuPlex-95):
BEFORE YOU START
- Astragalus: the NIH says people with autoimmune diseases should avoid astragalus, and it may interact with medicines that suppress the immune system.
- Omega-3: high doses of fish oil may affect blood clotting, so talk with your doctor if you take a blood thinner.
- Selenium: the NIH upper limit for adults is 400 mcg a day. Too much over time can cause hair loss and brittle nails.
- Vitamin D: the NIH upper limit for vitamin D for adults is 4,000 IU a day.
- Zinc: the NIH upper limit for adults is 40 mg a day, and 50 mg or more for weeks can lower your copper.
- Mushroom supplements are fungal products. If you're mold-sensitive, ask your doctor first.
- Elderberry: never eat raw or unripe elderberries, leaves or stems, which can make you sick.
- Turmeric: liver injury has been reported in some people using strong, highly absorbed turmeric products, so stop and call your doctor if you notice fatigue, nausea, dark urine or yellowing skin (NIH).
MY EXPERIENCE
- I buy astragalus, enzymes, glutathione, magnesium, mushroom supplements, olive leaf, probiotics and prebiotics, quercetin, vitamin C, vitamin D (cod liver oil) and zinc on the Fullscript discount.
- Cistus incanus: I used to buy it from my doctor's office.
- Glutathione: my top picks are usually Quicksilver Liposomal Glutathione and Tri-Fortify. For ease, I rotate with Designs for Health S-Acetyl Glutathione Synergy.
- Magnesium: magnesium malate is my favorite and the form most recommended by my doctor.
- Monolaurin is my desert island supplement, and my doctor wanted me on the Allergy Research Group one. I still buy it direct or on Fullscript. It's powerful and can cause major herxing if you start too fast. Trust me, been there, done that! Start low and build up slowly over time.
- Olive leaf: my doctor always goes back to Designs for Health Olive Leaf Extract.
- Omega-3: my Lyme doctor recently had me switch to Xymogen OmegaPure 820.
- PEMF mat: I ordered direct but have a code to make it cheaper.
- Vitamin C: I use the magnesium ascorbate form.
- Zinc: I use Pure Encapsulations or Xymogen.
- LDN: I use a compounding pharmacy and buy 90 days at a time for the best price, delivered to my home.
- One I personally love: Find Relief, formulated by my doctor, Dr. Thoring. It contains quercetin and luteolin, both on this list.
RELATED POSTS
EBV and Viral - Possible Solutions
Respiratory - Possible Solution Ideas
SOURCES
Tulane, Monica Embers on how Lyme evades treatment (2022)
Tal and others, "Don't eat me" protein P66, bioRxiv preprint (2024)
Wang and others, Luteolin and immune cells (2025)
NIH NCCIH, Astragalus (2025)
NIH ODS, Omega-3 (no date shown)
NIH ODS, Selenium (2025)
NIH ODS, Vitamin D (no date shown)
NIH ODS, Zinc (2026)
NIH NCCIH, European elder (2024)
NIH NCCIH, Turmeric (2025)
NIH NHLBI, How much sleep is enough (2022)
NIH NHLBI, Sleep deprivation health effects (2022)
Mayo Clinic, Chronic stress (2026)
Disclaimer: Rise Above Lyme makes no claims about any possible benefit of using any product mentioned within this site. Always consult with your doctor before adding anything. The information shared is based on personal experience, years of accumulated researched resources from Lyme Literate doctors and polls conducted within Lyme groups from actual patient experience using these solution ideas.
Comments