Immune-support labels can be a wall of vitamins and minerals. This guide runs through the ones with authorised immune claims — so you know which are backed by an assessed claim and which are just marketing.
I'm Barry Lees, founder of The Health Improvers. This is educational information, not medical advice or a treatment claim.
The core immune nutrients
Each of these carries an official claim: it contributes to the normal function of the immune system — when present at a meaningful level per serving.
- Vitamin C — the best-known immune nutrient; also helps protect cells from oxidative stress and increases iron absorption.
- Vitamin D — especially relevant in the UK from October to March, when sunlight is too weak to make it.
- Zinc — supports normal immune function and helps protect cells from oxidative stress.
- Selenium — supports normal immune function and helps protect cells from oxidative stress.
- Vitamin B6 — contributes to normal immune function.
- Vitamin A — contributes to normal immune function.
- Folate and Iron — both contribute to normal immune function.
- Copper — contributes to normal immune function.
What “%NRV” means
Next to each nutrient you'll see a %NRV (Nutrient Reference Value) — how much of the daily reference amount one serving provides. A nutrient generally needs to supply a meaningful proportion (at least 15% NRV) for a health claim to apply, so those percentages tell you whether an ingredient is really pulling its weight or just present in a token amount.
Botanicals and “antioxidant” wording
You'll often see elderberry, echinacea, garlic or other botanicals in immune blends. These have a long history of traditional use but don't hold authorised immune claims, so a compliant product names them without promising an effect. Also note: “antioxidant” on its own isn't an authorised claim — the proper wording is the specific “protection of cells from oxidative stress” claim tied to nutrients like Vitamin C, Zinc and Selenium.
Reading an immune-support label
- Which claimable nutrients are included (Vitamin C, D, Zinc, Selenium)?
- Is the %NRV meaningful, or are amounts tokenistic?
- Is Vitamin D present — the key UK winter nutrient?
- Are botanicals named honestly, without over-claiming?
Putting it together
A well-built immune supplement leads on the nutrients with real claims and is honest about the rest. Our Immunity Pro-Shield is built on exactly those nutrients. To understand how it all fits together, read how the immune system works, or compare the category in our honest UK immune supplement buyer's guide.
Written by Barry Lees, founder of The Health Improvers. This article is for general information and education only. It is not medical advice and does not diagnose, treat or prevent any condition. Food supplements are not a substitute for a varied diet and healthy lifestyle. Always read the label.
Sources: GB Nutrition and Health Claims Register; NHS — Vitamins and minerals; British Nutrition Foundation.
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