Immune Defense

Immune Defense

MegaFood4.7 (95 ratings)
Format:Tablet Quantity: 30 Tablet(s) · 15 servings
Goals
$14.39 $0.95 per serving
iHerb$14.39

About this product

The formula provides 600 mg elderberry and 500 mg echinacea, making both botanicals central. Vitamin C, zinc bisglycinate, and 100 mg andrographis add complementary nutrient and herbal support.

Zinc bisglycinate is a well-defined form, while elderberry and echinacea lack species, extract ratios, or active markers. Two tablets per serving and the limited serving count may affect convenience.

All active amounts are disclosed and no proprietary blend hides their proportions. Inactive ingredients and fuller botanical standardizations remain absent.

Who is it for
  • Adults seeking a broad immunity formula
  • Users wanting elderberry with echinacea
  • People who value zinc bisglycinate
Best for
  • Short-term multi-ingredient routines
  • Users prioritizing disclosed doses
  • Broad botanical and nutrient support

Pros

  • Provides 600 mg elderberry
  • Provides 500 mg echinacea
  • Uses zinc bisglycinate
  • Lists every active amount

Cons

  • Only 15 servings are supplied
  • Botanical standardizations are incomplete
  • Requires two tablets
  • Inactive ingredients are missing

Warnings

  • Echinacea may not suit people allergic to plants in the daisy family
  • Andrographis can cause digestive upset or allergic reactions
  • People using immunosuppressive medicines should review the botanical blend with a clinician

Product analysis

74 out of 100
A strong multi-active immunity formula with substantial elderberry and echinacea. Botanical standardization and the short supply are the main trade-offs.

AI assessment of the formula, label and price. How scoring works

Nutrient quality84

Substantial elderberry, echinacea, and andrographis amounts create a broad and coherent immune-support formula. The main active amounts are meaningful for the intended use.

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Ingredient transparency74

Most active amounts are stated clearly. Extract potency, complete directions, and non-active ingredients remain incomplete.

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Customer satisfaction62

The aggregate rating is favorable and is supported by small review volume. No review comments are supplied, so taste, tolerance, ease of use, and repeated complaints cannot be assessed directly.

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Value for money73

The formula provides good value after considering botanical dose, potency disclosure, and supporting ingredients. Some missing potency detail limits category confidence.

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Format
Tablet
Container
30 Tablet(s)
Per serving
$0.95
Customer rating
4.7 · 95 ratings
Report analysis

Goals

Immunity
Immunity
Impact
High effect
B- Ingredient FitF PathwaysA+ EvidenceA+ Formulation Logic
Vitamin C · 250 mgZinc · 5 mgEuropean Elder · 600 mg
Study evidence
European Elder Mixed 5 studies
Vitamin C Supportive 53 studies
Zinc Supportive 73 studies

Ingredients

IngredientAmount per servingScore
Vitamin C (organic Orange)
 250 mg
Zinc (Zinc Bisglycinate)
 5 mg
Elderberry
600 mg 65
Echinacea aerial part extract
500 mg
Andrographis aerial part extract
100 mg
Gluten Free Adults 18–50 Vegan Kosher Dairy Free Vegetarian
Report overview
European Elder · 600 mg OverallScore65
F Composition And Label DisclosureA+ Composition And Label Disclosure
The tablet states 600 mg of elderberry preparation for a two-tablet serving, but labels the ingredient only as elderberry. It doesn't identify a scientific species or plant part, so the botanical description stays broad despite a clear quantity. No separate information describes usability or overall value.
How this ingredient is rated

Composition and Label Disclosure30

The label says elderberry without naming the species or plant part.
Botanical Identity Detail
Only the common name elderberry is given; no species or plant part is named.

Composition and Label Disclosure100

The label states how much elderberry preparation is included in the selected serving.
Actual Preparation Amount Disclosure
The actual preparation amount is stated for the selected serving.

Commercial Price and Usability

A serving price is listed, but the supplied details don't explain ease of use or broader value.
View ingredientView products
Loading alternative details
64 Performance

Elderberry Complex

SR Sports Research

Trademarked elderberry extract, zinc picolinate, vitamin C, and ginger create a strong immune-support concept. Its botanical identification, ingredient quality, or formula fit makes it easier to assess than the original. Botanical form, serving format, and companion ingredients remain the main practical differences.

83 Performance

Elderberry 500 mg

NOW

A disclosed concentrate ratio supports potency, though species and plant part are not stated. Its botanical identification, ingredient quality, or formula fit makes it easier to assess than the original. The simpler formula does not preserve the original’s vitamin or mineral immune-support ingredients.

80 Performance

Black Elderberry Alcohol-Free

Herb Pharm

Sambucus nigra fruit identification supports botanical quality, though active-marker standardization is absent. Its botanical identification, ingredient quality, or formula fit makes it easier to assess than the original. The simpler formula does not preserve the original’s vitamin or mineral immune-support ingredients.

81 Budget

Sambucus Zinc-C

NOW

A disclosed concentrate ratio supports potency, though species and plant part are not stated. It costs less per serving than the original. Botanical form, serving format, and companion ingredients remain the main practical differences.

80 Budget

Reacta C with Black Elderberry

Solaray

A branded vitamin C form and black elderberry extract provide a focused immune-support combination with a convenient long supply. It costs less per serving than the original. Botanical form, serving format, and companion ingredients remain the main practical differences.

82 Budget

Immune Support

NATURELO Premium Supplements

Elderberry, echinacea, vitamin C, and zinc form a well-dosed immune-support combination. It costs less per serving than the original. Botanical form, serving format, and companion ingredients remain the main practical differences.

83 Value

Elderberry 500 mg

NOW

A disclosed concentrate ratio supports potency, though species and plant part are not stated. The combination of disclosed elderberry quality and serving economy offers a favorable value trade-off. The simpler formula does not preserve the original’s vitamin or mineral immune-support ingredients.

79 Value

Elderberry + with Zinc

Paradise

A substantial Sambucus nigra extract amount with zinc citrate creates a focused immune-support formula. The combination of disclosed elderberry quality and serving economy offers a favorable value trade-off. Botanical form, serving format, and companion ingredients remain the main practical differences.

80 Value

Elderberry 450 mg

Solaray

Two separately disclosed elderberry entries provide a substantial combined amount at a very low serving cost. The combination of disclosed elderberry quality and serving economy offers a favorable value trade-off. The simpler formula does not preserve the original’s vitamin or mineral immune-support ingredients.

Report alternatives

Sources

Published studies used for the product analysis and the top-ranked studies for each ingredient and goal.

  1. Elderberry for prevention and treatment of viral respiratory illnesses: a systematic review.
    Wieland LS; Piechotta V; Feinberg T; Ludeman E; Hutton B; Kanji S; Seely D; Garritty C · BMC complementary medicine and therapies · 2021
    Systematic review5 studies pooledImmunity forEuropean Elder
  2. Select Dietary Supplement Ingredients for Preserving and Protecting the Immune System in Healthy Individuals: A Systematic Review.
    Crawford C; Brown LL; Costello RB; Deuster PA · Nutrients · 2022
    Systematic review39 studies pooledImmunity forEuropean Elder
  3. Black elderberry (Sambucus nigra) supplementation effectively treats upper respiratory symptoms: A meta-analysis of randomized, controlled clinical trials
    Jessie Hawkins, Christy Baker, Lindsey Cherry, Erich Dunne · Complementary Therapies in Medicine · 2019
    Meta-analysis180 participants4 studies pooledImmunity forEuropean Elder
  4. Elderberry Supplementation Reduces Cold Duration and Symptoms in Air-Travellers: A Randomized, Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial.
    Tiralongo E; Wee SS; Lea RA · Nutrients · 2016
    Randomized trial312 participantsImmunity forEuropean Elder
  5. Randomized study of the efficacy and safety of oral elderberry extract in the treatment of influenza A and B virus infections
    Z Zakay-Rones, E Thom, T Wollan, J Wadstein · Journal of International Medical Research · 2004
    Randomized trial60 participantsImmunity forEuropean Elder
  6. Vitamin C and contribution to the normal function of the immune system: evaluation of a health claim pursuant to Article 14 of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006.
    EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA) · EFSA journal. European Food Safety Authority · 2026
    Guideline / consensusImmunity forVitamin C
  7. Therapeutic effects of high-dose vitamin C supplementation in patients with COVID-19: a meta-analysis.
    Sun L; Zhao JH; Fan WY; Feng B; Liu WW; Chen RQ; Ban C; Dang AG; Wang M; Luo KT; Zhou GY; Yu FF; Ba Y · Nutrition reviews · 2024
    Meta-analysis2,334 participants14 studies pooledImmunity forVitamin C
  8. Effect of micronutrient supplements on influenza and other respiratory tract infections among adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
    Abioye AI; Bromage S; Fawzi W · BMJ global health · 2021
    Meta-analysisImmunity forVitamin C
  9. New evidence for antioxidant properties of vitamin C.
    Vojdani A; Bazargan M; Vojdani E; Wright J · Cancer detection and prevention · 2001
    Randomized trial20 participantsImmunity forVitamin C
  10. Enhanced Vitamin C Delivery: A Systematic Literature Review Assessing the Efficacy and Safety of Alternative Supplement Forms in Healthy Adults.
    Calder PC; Kreider RB; McKay DL · Nutrients · 2025
    Systematic review13 studies pooledImmunity forVitamin C
  11. Nutrient supplementation for prevention of viral respiratory tract infections in healthy subjects: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
    Vlieg-Boerstra B; de Jong N; Meyer R; Agostoni C; De Cosmi V; Grimshaw K; Milani GP; Muraro A; Oude Elberink H; Pali-Schöll I; Roduit C; Sasaki M; Skypala I; Sokolowska M; van Splunter M; Untersmayr E; Venter C; O'Mahony L; Nwaru BI · Allergy · 2022
    Meta-analysis199,055 participants115 studies pooledImmunity forZinc
  12. Zinc supplementation reduces the incidence of acute lower respiratory infections in infants and preschool children: a double-blind, controlled trial.
    Sazawal S; Black RE; Jalla S; Mazumdar S; Sinha A; Bhan MK · Pediatrics · 1998
    Randomized trial609 participantsImmunity forZinc
  13. A randomized controlled trial of zinc supplementation in the treatment of acute respiratory tract infection in Thai children.
    Rerksuppaphol S; Rerksuppaphol L · Pediatric reports · 2020
    Randomized trial64 participantsImmunity forZinc
  14. The effect of zinc and vitamin A supplementation on immune response in an older population.
    Fortes C; Forastiere F; Agabiti N; Fano V; Pacifici R; Virgili F; Piras G; Guidi L; Bartoloni C; Tricerri A; Zuccaro P; Ebrahim S; Perucci CA · Journal of the American Geriatrics Society · 1998
    Randomized trial136 participantsImmunity forZinc
  15. The role of specific nutrients in preventing immune system and blood cell disorders: an umbrella review.
    Vecchietti A; Strano P; Minutolo G; Grieco V; Cappuccio G; Granvillano G; Confalonieri L; Briganti GL; Raso E; Chimienti M; Pellegrini M; Mercogliano M; Spatari G; Lugli C; Urbano T; Lorenzon A · Journal of preventive medicine and hygiene · 2026
    Systematic review13 studies pooledImmunity forZinc