Bioclinic Naturals, ImmuneAlign 60 Softgels

Benefits

• Provides a clinically established dose of ECHINAMIDE®, a formulation of Echinacea purpurea triple-standardized to its active components (alkylamides, polysaccharides, and cichoric acid levels) using the whole herb (roots and flowers)
• ECHINAMIDE is extracted from certified organic, Canadian-grown echinacea, with seed-to-shelf GLP and GMP standards
• Proprietary blend of ECHINAMIDE with potent anti-viral plant extracts of lomatium, astragalus, reishi mushroom, and licorice for a synergistic effect on immune function
• Easy-to-swallow softgels

Feature Summary

Anti-Viral Formula provides a synergistic combination of five clinically validated herbal extracts, standardized to ensure optimal potency and effectiveness. ECHINAMIDEis a well-established formulation of organically grown Echinacea purpurea, triple-standardized to the key constituents (alkylamides, cichoric acid, and polysaccharides) shown to enhance immune function, and demonstrated to significantly reduce symptoms of the common cold in randomized clinical trials.1 ECHINAMIDEstimulates the non-specific immune system, increasing total leukocyte, neutrophil, monocyte, and natural killer cell counts.2 Its alkylamides have both anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects, in part by binding to cannabinoid receptors on immune cells.3 The polysaccharides and polyphenols induce cell-mediated immunity and help stabilize secretory IgA levels.4 While meta-analyses typically support the use of echinacea as an anti-viral, standardization of its key components is essential to ensure clinical benefit.5,6

This potent anti-viral formula also includes lomatium and reishi mushroom extracts, anti-viral plants with a long history of traditional use. Reishi contains triterpenoids that inhibit both viral penetration into the cell as well as viral replication, and lomatium has in-vitro inhibitory effects on rotavirus and blocks the production of CXCL10, a key signaling molecule for influenza and other viral infections.7,8,9 Echinacea, licorice, and astragalus extracts have all been shown to upregulate CD25 production and to act synergistically to induce greater CD69 expression, both indicators of immune cell activation and regulation.10,11 The broad anti-viral and adaptogenic properties of these herbs support their combined use for optimizing immune function and supporting upper respiratory health.12,13,14

Non-Medicinal Ingredients

Softgel (gelatin, glycerin, purified water, carob powder), sunflower oil, yellow beeswax, lecithin.

Dosage

Recommended Adult Dose: 1 softgel 3 times per day or as directed by a health care practitioner. For acute needs, 1 softgel every 2–3 hours, up to 4 times per day, or as directed by a healthcare practitioner. Take at the first sign of infection. To avoid digestive upset, take with food. Consult a health care practitioner for use beyond 6 weeks.

Warnings

Consult a health care practitioner if symptoms persist or worsen. Consult a health care practitioner prior to use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, are taking medications to suppress the immune system (immunosuppressive medications), or have a liver disorder, an auto-immune disorder, or a progressive systemic disease such as tuberculosis, collagenosis, multiple sclerosis, AIDS and/or HIV infection. Stop use if hypersensitivity/ allergy occurs. Do not use if you have hypokalemia, high blood pressure, a kidney or cardiovascular disorder, or if you are taking thiazide diuretics, cardiac glycosides, corticosteroids, stimulant laxatives, or other medications that may aggravate electrolyte imbalance. Keep out of reach of children.

Allergens

Contains no artificial colors, preservatives, or sweeteners; no dairy, starch, sugar, wheat, gluten, yeast, soy, corn, egg, fish, shellfish, salt, tree nuts, or GMOs. Sealed for your protection. Do not use it if the seal is broken. For freshness, store in a cool, dry place.

Contraindications

Has not been thoroughly evaluated for use during pregnancy, and should be avoided. Echinacea products are contraindicated in those requiring immune suppression (such as organ transplant recipients) and should be used with caution in those with autoimmune diseases. Individuals with atopy are more likely to have a hypersensitivity to echinacea. Licorice consumption should be carefully monitored in those with hypertension and/or hypokalemia.

Drug Interactions

No known drug interactions exist. Echinacea has been shown to reduce the required steroid dosage in inflammatory conditions and to improve the efficacy of anti-fungal treatments for infection with Candida sp.15,16,17 Echinacea is also a weak inhibitor of CYP1A2 and minor inducer of CYP3A4, and may have slight effects on drugs metabolized through these pathways. Lomatium contains coumarin compounds and may theoretically potentiate anticoagulants.

References:

1. Goel, V., Lovlin, R., Barton, R., et al. (2004). Efficacy of a standardized echinacea preparation (Echinilin) for treating the common cold: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. J Clin Pharm Ther, 29(1), 75-83.
2. Goel, V., Lovlin, R., Chang, C., et al. (2005). A proprietary extract from the echinacea plant (Echinacea purpurea) enhances systemic immune response during a common cold. Phytother Res, 19(8), 689-94.
3. Chicca, A., Raduner, S., Pellati, F., et al. (2009). Synergistic immunomopharmacological effects of N-alkylamides in Echinacea purpurea herbal extracts. Int Immunopharmacol, 9(7-8), 850-8.
4. Hall, H., Fahlman, M.M., & Engels, H.J. (2007). Echinacea purpurea and mucosal immunity. Int J Sports Med, 28(9), 792-7.
5. Shah, S.A., Sander, S., White, C.M., et al. (2007). Evaluation of echinacea for the prevention and treatment of the common cold: a meta-analysis. Lancet Infect Dis, 7(7), 473-80.
6. Barton, R. (2005). Efficacy of echinilin for the common cold. Clin Infect Dis, 41(5), 761-2; author reply 763-4.
7. Zhang, W., Tao, J., Yang, X., et al. (2014). Antiviral effects of two Ganoderma lucidum triterpenoids against enterovirus 71 infection. Biochem Biophys Res Commun, 449(3), 307-12.
8. Zamechek, D., & Wenner, C. A. (2014). Lomatium dissectum inhibits the secretion of CXCL10, a chemokine associated with poor prognosis in highly pathogenic influenza A infection. J Restor Med, 3(1), 104-11.
9. McCutcheon, A. R., Roberts, T. E., Gibbons, E., et al. (1995). Antiviral screening of British Columbian medicinal plants. J Ethnopharmacol, 49(2), 101-10.
10. Brush, J., Mendenhall, E., Guggenheim, A., et al. (2006). Echinacea purpurea, Astragalus membranaceus, and Glycyrrhiza glabra affect CD69 expression and immune cell activation in humans. Phytother Res, 20(8), 687-95.
11. Zwickey, H., Brush, J., Iacullo, C.M., et al. (2007). The effect of Echinacea purpurea, Astragalus membranaceus and Glycyrrhiza glabra on CD25 expression in humans: a pilot study. Phytother Res, 21(11), 1109-12.
12. Zheng, Q., Zhuang, Z., Wang, Z.H., et al. (2020). Clinical and preclinical systematic review of Astragalus membranaceus for viral myocarditis. Oxid Med Cell Longev, 2020, 1560353. 
13. Liu, H., Wang, Z.Y., Zhou, Y.C., et al. (2020). Immunomodulation of Chinese herbal medicines on NK cell populations for cancer therapy: A systematic review. J Ethnopharmacol, 113561.
14. Ghaemi, H. Masoompour, S.M., Afsharypuor, S., et al. (2020). The effectiveness of a traditional Persian medicine preparation in treating chronic cough: A randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Complement Ther Med, 49, 102324.
15. Coeugniet, E., & Kuhnast, R. (1986). Recurrent candidiasis: Adjuvant immunotherapy with different formulations of Echinacin(TM). Therapiewoche, 36, 3352-58.
16. Freeman, C., & Spelman, K. (2008). A critical evaluation of drug interactions with Echinacea spp. Mol Nutr Food Res, 52(7), 789-98. 
17. Neri, P.G., Stagni, E., Filippello, M., et al. (2006). Oral Echinacea purpurea extract in low-grade, steroid-dependent, autoimmune idiopathic uveitis: a pilot study. J Ocul Pharmacol Ther, 22(6), 431-6.