The typical allopathic clinical approach to autoimmune disorders focuses on the management of symptoms with various anti-inflammatory medications and often the use of chemotherapeutics, and very potent immunosuppressive agents with harsh potential side-effects like leukemia and lymphoma.

Modern research into autoimmune phenomenon suggest radically different approaches may be required to reverse the disorder, including a strong emphasis on very early detection with predictive auto-antibodies, a focus on optimizing gastrointestinal mucosal immune function and the microbiome, eradication of infectious agent triggers with antimicrobial therapy.

If you have an autoimmune disorder, see your naturopathic/integrative health care practitioner for the latest approach for regulating your immune system.

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Take a good daily vitamin-mineral supplement that contains healthy amounts of Vitamins A, B, C, D, E, Zinc, Selenium, Magnesium and other minerals. Here’s a good one from a reputable company that I use: Life-Extension “Two-Per-Day Tablets” .

Vitamin A is essential for many processes in your body, including healthy vision; healthy functioning of your immune system, bones and organs; reducing risk of certain cancers; reducing acne; and aiding the proper growth and development of babies in the womb. Eating high amounts of the active form of Vitamin A from animal foods, medications or supplements can be toxic. Excessive consumption of Provitamin A from plant foods is unlikely.

The recommended amount of Vitamin A is 750 to 900 mcg for women and men, with an upper limit of 2,500 to 3,000 mcg. The Life-Extension “Two-Per-Day Tablets” has double the RDA and is good for maintenance; a higher dose may be taken during infection or leading up to the cold/flu season.

Here’s a good Vitamin A for higher doses.

Vitamin C, or ascorbic acid, plays a role in many vital functions, including metabolism and immunity. We can’t make Vitamin C in the body, so we need to get it from dietary sources. Vitamin C is water-soluble, so any excess is excreted in the urine rather than stored in the body; therefore, it’s best to take it throughout the day rather than all at once.

Ester-C is a pH balanced form of Vitamin C and is a better form to take to avoid becoming too acidic. Vitamin C needs Vitamin D to be properly absorbed and utilized. For maintenance, take 500 to 1000 mg per day. During a cold/flu and the flu season, take 1500 to 5000 mg per day. Higher doses may cause slight diarrhea, if this happens back off the dose by 500 to 1000 mg daily. Life-Extension “Two-Per-Day Tablets” has 470 mg of Vitamin C.

Here’s a good Ester-C for higher doses.

Vitamin D is essential for good health and known as the sunshine vitamin because it is made in your skin when exposed to sunlight. Despite that, Vitamin D deficiency is one of the most common nutrient deficiencies in the world, with up to 42% of the adult population in the U.S. having unhealthy, low Vitamin D levels.

Vitamin D is especially important for bone health and immune system function, and aids in the absorption of Vitamin C. Vitamin D functions like a steroid hormone in your body, is fat soluble, and should be taken with food. There are two forms in the diet, D2 and D3, with D3 twice as powerful in raising blood levels of Vitamin D. If you have access to a lot of sun all year, then daily sun exposure may be enough to satisfy your vitamin D requirements. Many people do not get daily sun exposure, and if they do, wear sunscreen that can limit the exposure, and may require dietary Vitamin D or supplementation to avoid deficiencies.

How much vitamin D you need depends on many factors including age, race, latitude, season, sun exposure, clothing and more. All factors considered, a daily vitamin D intake of 1000–5000 IU, or 25–125 micrograms (mcg), should be enough to ensure optimal blood levels in most people.

Vitamin D supplementation is not recommended for individuals with high blood calcium levels. Make sure not to take more than 125 mcg without consulting a health professional. The Life-Extension “Two-Per-Day Tablets” has 2000 IU (50 mcg) of D3 and is good for maintenance; a higher dose may be taken during infection or leading up to the cold/flu season.

Here’s a good Vitamin D for higher doses.

Zinc is the second most abundant mineral in your body after iron and is in every cell. It is an essential mineral that your body does not make on its own. Zinc is necessary for the activity of over 300 enzymes that aid in metabolism, digestion, nerve function, skin health, DNA synthesis and protein production, and is critical for the development and function of immune cells. Many animal and plant foods are naturally abundant in zinc.

The recommended daily intake (RDI) is 11 mg for adult men and 8 mg for adult women. The tolerable upper level for zinc is 40 mg per day. Ingesting too much zinc chronically can cause deficiencies in other nutrients and can interfere with your absorption of copper and iron.

Zinc lozenges have been proven to be effective in blocking most viruses including coronavirus from multiplying in your throat and nasopharynx. Use as directed several times each day when you begin to feel any “cold-like” symptoms. Let the lozenge dissolve in the back of your throat and nasopharynx. Cold-Eeze Lozenges is one brand. Life-Extension “Two-Per-Day Tablets” has 25 mg of zinc but are not lozenges.

Here’s a good Zinc lozenge.

Medicinal mushrooms have been used in Eastern medicine for thousands of years. The list of health benefits they provide is lengthy: brain enhancing, immune strengthening, energy boosting, hormone helping, antioxidant powerhouse building, and more, including some having anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties. Each mushroom is unique and provides its own distinct health advantages. Here are some of the most researched and powerful medicinal mushrooms: reishi, lion’s mane, chaga, shitake, cordyceps, maitake, and turkey tail. A formula I take that has all these is:

Nutrifair’s “Premium Mushroom Complex.”

Numerous other minerals are essential for a healthy nervous system and immune function such as selenium, iron, copper, potassium, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum and chromium. The Life-Extension “Two-Per-Day Tablets” has many of these.
Another very effective and useful way of fulfilling your body’s need for some of these minerals is transdermally through an enjoyable soak in a warm bath. Dead Sea salt is a natural blend of minerals in chloride form (which is much more absorbable and easier to process than sulphate forms like Epsom Salt) such as magnesium, calcium sodium, potassium, and others that soak into your skin and directly soothes your nerves and muscles.

By calming and soothing your nerves and muscles you are easing the burden on your entire body and allowing your immune system the vital energy it needs to defend you against pathogens…plus it simply feels good. You can buy Dead Sea salt in bulk online. For maximum body relaxation, mix in some Magnesium Bath Flakes, also available in bulk online.

Dead Sea Salt in bulk

Magnesium Bath Flakes