In this Issue, Stephen and Dr Vincent take apart the idea of "boosting" immunity and replace it with something more useful: understanding how the immune system actually works. They cover the basics (white blood cells, macrophages, skin as a first line of defence), why vaccination works like language training for your immune system, and the often-overlooked role of vitamin K in newborns. From there the conversation gets practical, hydration, sleep quality over sleep quantity, and eating with the seasons, before tying it all back to a simple idea: a calm, well-regulated immune system beats an over-amped one every time.
People ask me all the time how they can boost their immune system before flu season hits, and I understand why. The marketing around “immune support” makes it sound like your body is an engine that just needs more fuel. But that’s not how immunity works. Your immune system isn’t a single dial you can turn up. It’s closer to a highly trained defence force, made up of cells that need to recognise threats accurately and respond proportionally. When that system is “boosted” beyond its normal range, it doesn’t get better at its job, it gets trigger happy. That’s the mechanism behind autoimmune conditions, where the immune system starts treating your own tissue as the enemy. So when I say no to “immune boosters,” I’m not being difficult. I’m pointing out that the goal isn’t a bigger army, it’s a smarter one.
This is actually the principle I had in mind when I formulated Immunity Plus+. The activated phenolics in the formula aren’t designed to ramp anything up or override what your body is already doing. They work by supporting the internal environment your immune system relies on, helping calm oxidative stress and inflammation so your cells can do their job without being pushed into overdrive.
The same logic applies to the rest of what we cover in this episode. Hydration, sleep quality, and seasonal eating all work the same way, they support the system rather than push against it. None of it is glamorous, but it’s the difference between a body that’s primed to respond well and one that’s constantly being told to do more than it needs to.
With my best,
Dr Vincent
After Hours is where science gets personal. Hosted by Dr Vincent, your friendly neighbourhood scientist and Stephen! This podcast is part of the Ask Dr Vincent on Substack.
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