Key nutrients often included in immune-support formulas are vitamin C (for its antioxidant properties and role in white blood cell activity), vitamin D (essential for immune regulation), zinc (important for healing and infection defence), and selenium (a trace mineral that supports antioxidant defences). Some supplements also contain probiotics, iron or omega-3s, each of which may play a role in supporting overall resilience.
In this guide, we’ve reviewed a range of immune-support supplements available in 2025, looking at the science, the formulations and how they measure up in practice.
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Why you can trust Good Food reviews
Drawing on her background in nursing and nutrition, Katy Bradbury has reviewed a wide range of immune support supplements, alongside the Good Food team, using our trusted matrix format to put each one through its paces.
Each supplement was assessed for taste, preparation and the overall experience – whether that’s how easy a capsule is to swallow or how pleasant a powder is to mix and drink. We also look closely at value for money, product quality and, most importantly, effectiveness.
To ensure our findings are reliable, qualified nutritionists help shape our testing guides and provide expert insight into how best to evaluate each supplement. And, just as with all our reviews, we never share them with manufacturers or retailers before publication and we don’t accept payment in return for positive coverage.
How we tested immune system supplements
All supplements were tested within the same time period, with observations recorded based on the testing criteria. We included samples from various manufacturers, offering diverse formats such as capsules, gummies and liquids (though not all made it into this list), with a range of price points to suit different budgets. The key areas we assessed were:
- Nutrient profile: how much of each nutrient is included per daily dose? How does this compare to the NRV (the recommended daily intake)?
- Additives: does the supplement contain additives, for example preservatives, fillers, binders or colourings?
- Dietary requirements: does the product meet any specific dietary needs – is it vegetarian, vegan etc.?
- Value for money: how does it compare to other products on a cost-per-day basis for its quality?
Best immune support supplements at a glance
- Best immune support supplements: BioCare Immune Complex, £31.39
- Best value for money immune support supplements: Vitl Immune Support, £11.99
- Best mid-range immune support supplements capsules: Inessa Immunity Complex, £22.99
- Best food-form immune support capsules: Cytoplan Immune Complete, £30.49
- Best premium immune support supplements: Wild Nutrition Immune Support, £36
- Best budget-friendly immune support supplements: KIKI Health Immunity, £26
- Best liquid immune support supplements: Microbz Immunity, £22.45
Best immune support supplements 2025
BioCare Immune Complex
Available from BioCare (£31.39 for 60 capsules)
Best immune support supplements
Price per day: £1.05
Star rating: 5/5
This formula – from a trusted brand and developed by nutritionists – contains vitamin A, D, C and zinc, largely at 100% NRV or above, and no nasty additives. It has the addition of mushrooms, beta-glucans, elderberry and others to provide antioxidant support and recovery. It’s a vegan, allergen-free formula with easy-to-swallow capsules, with the only downside being the need to take them twice a day instead of once. It’s not the cheapest of the bunch but offers good value for money for the quality.
Photograph: Lydia Anderson, Good Food
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Vitl Immune Support
Available from Holland and Barrett (£4.02 for 15 capsules), Amazon (£9.92 for 30 capsules), Vitl (£11.99 for 30 capsules)
Best value for money immune support supplements
Price per day: 40p
Star rating: 4.5/5
This little bottle contains a nutritionist-designed one-a-day punch that is great value for money. Containing some key nutrients such as vitamin D, C, zinc and selenium in bioavailable forms meeting NRV or more, plus botanicals such as turmeric, ginger root and elderberry extracts at variable doses. For those looking for a product that doesn’t break the bank, this one is a great option.
Photograph: Lydia Anderson, Good Food
Available from:
Inessa Immunity Complex
Available from Healf (£22.99 for 60 capsules), Inessa (£24.99 for 60 capsules)
Best mid-range immune support supplements capsules
Price per day: 77p
Star rating: 4.5/5
This vegan, allergen-free formula contains vitamins C, D, zinc and selenium, as well as beta-glucans, mushrooms and elderberry extract which all have some evidence behind them for immune health. The nutrients are all at 100% NRV or more and the capsules are tasteless despite a strong smell. It’s a nutritionist-developed formula with no nasty fillers, and the nutrients come in bioavailable forms. Not as comprehensive as some of the formulas, but a good all-rounder.
Photograph: Lydia Anderson, Good Food
Available from:
Cytoplan Immune Complete
Available from Cytoplan (£30.49 for 60 capsules)
Best food-form immune support capsules
Price per day: £1.02
Star rating: 4/5
This is a food-form supplement, vegan and allergen-free, using natural ingredients. This is more of a multi-nutrient formula, containing mostly NRV levels and some significantly higher. There is a high B12-to-folate ratio so users should consider a folate-rich diet. The product contains antioxidants, beta-glucans and botanicals. The capsules have a strong smell but neutral taste, and there are different dosages according to body weight and whether you’re taking for maintenance or acute phases of infection.
Photograph: Lydia Anderson, Good Food
Available from:
Wild Nutrition Immune Support
Available from Holland and Barrett (£35 for 60 capsules), Wild Nutrition (£36 for 60 capsules)
Best premium immune support supplements
Price per day: £1.20
Star rating: 4/5
Another food-form supplement, which are generally considered to be well absorbed but can compromise on doses – this does not meet NRV for all nutrients. It contains a combination of vitamins and minerals (including zinc, vitamin C, vitamin D and selenium), as well as beta-glucans, elderberry extract and bioflavonoids which have some evidence behind them. It’s two easy to swallow capsules daily, vegetarian and allergen free, though this product sits at a higher price point.
Photograph: Lydia Anderson, Good Food
Available from:
Kiki Health Immunity
Available from Look Fantastic (£20.80 for 60 capsules), Healf (£26 for 60 capsules)
Best budget-friendly immune support supplements
Price per day: 72p
Star rating: 4/5
This food-form supplement contains three nutrients, vitamins C, D and zinc. Vitamin C is significantly under NRV, but vitamin D and zinc are over. It also contains a variety of botanicals including mushroom extracts, garlic and elderberry which are backed by evidence, and some others with less evidence behind them. Some of the botanicals are at a minimal dose. It’s a vegetarian, allergen-free formula that’s easy to take and contains no fillers or binders. A decent mid-range food-form option for those on a budget.
Photograph: Lydia Anderson, Good Food
Available from:
Microbz Immunity
Available from Healf (£24.95 for 475ml)
Best liquid immune support supplement
Price per day: 81p
Star rating: 4/5
This liquid formula contains a blend of herbal botanicals and probiotics to support immune system health, though the doses are not specified. Great for those who struggle with capsules and who want a more natural product at a reasonable price. The taste is quite sour and, while marketed for adults and children, may not be palatable for everyone. It’s vegan and allergen-free, but remember that herbs need to be crosschecked for interactions with medications before taking.
Photograph: Lydia Anderson, Good Food
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What nutrients and vitamins can boost your immune system?
Beyond vitamins and minerals, several botanicals and beneficial bacteria are often included in immune-support supplements. Echinacea has been studied for its potential to reduce the duration and severity of colds, with typical daily doses of 300–500mg extract. Elderberry is rich in polyphenols and may help shorten flu symptoms; common supplement amounts are 150–600mg extract per day.
Garlic has natural antimicrobial and antiviral properties, with research suggesting it may lower the risk of catching colds; standard doses are 600–1,200mg aged extract daily. Medicinal mushrooms such as reishi, shiitake and maitake contain immune-modulating compounds called beta-glucans, which may enhance the activity of natural killer cells and other immune defences (review); doses vary depending on extract but are often around 200–500mg daily.
Finally, probiotics like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains support the gut–immune connection, with effective amounts usually ranging from 1–10 billion CFU per day.
How to choose a good immune system supplement
In an ideal world, you’ll consult with a nutritionist or herbalist before deciding on a supplement and they can properly assess you and ensure that you’re taking products based on your actual needs. However we recognise this is not always possible.
Safety always comes first: if you have any medical conditions, take any prescribed medications or take supplements already, please speak with someone qualified before taking a supplement to ensure it is safe and appropriate, particularly those containing herbs as they can interact with medications.
When looking for an immune-support supplement, aim for a formula that balances evidence-backed nutrients in meaningful amounts. Avoid products that over-promise – there are many brands out there who have excellent marketing and under-deliver. Be wary of high doses of minerals like zinc or selenium, which can be harmful if taken in excess and know that iron supplementation is not generally required unless a deficiency has been identified.
Note that probiotics should ideally be delivered in a way that protects them in stomach acid, so require protective coating on capsules.
How to take an immune support supplement
Always follow the instructions on the label, but there are a few general tips that can improve effectiveness. Fat-soluble vitamins such as vitamin D and A are best absorbed with a meal that contains healthy fats, while probiotics should be taken on an empty stomach or as directed, depending on the strain and formulation. Minerals like zinc can sometimes cause nausea if taken without food, so it’s often better with a meal.
There’s no perfect time of day, but taking supplements consistently is key – whether with breakfast, lunch or dinner. Remember, supplements work best alongside a nourishing diet and lifestyle: focus on eating a wide variety of fruit and vegetables, getting enough sleep, staying active, managing stress and spending time outdoors for natural vitamin D. Together, these habits create the foundations for a resilient immune system.
Photograph: Lydia Anderson, Good Food
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All health content on goodfood.com is provided for general information only, and should not be treated as a substitute for the medical advice of your own doctor or any other healthcare professional. If you have any concerns about your general health, you should contact your local healthcare provider. See our website terms and conditions for more information.
Always keep supplements out of the reach of children. Unless otherwise stated we tested products available in the UK market and suitable for adults.
Check the product label and ingredients before purchase to ensure it is appropriate for your individual circumstance
