And this is a big one: Ensure, a leading mass consumer nutrition brand. It has launched a new version of its nutritional beverage, and called this new extension Ensure Immune Balance. The ingredient combo that makes for immune balance? Vitamin C, E and selenium.

According to Elaine Moore, medical technologist and medical author, “In the body selenium combines with protein molecules to form selenoproteins. Selenoproteins are important antioxidant enzymes that are essential for proper immune system function. Selenium’s role in thyroid health is also well known. In addition, selenoproteins help prevent cellular damage caused by free radical molecules. Free radicals are produced as natural byproducts of oxygen metabolism that are suspected of contributing to many chronic inflammatory diseases.”

The body doesn’t need a whole bunch of selnium; 70 micrograms per day is the daily value, and 55 mcg/day is the reference dietary intake.  The Ensure label shows each serving has 25% of the daily value for selenium.

What’s next in the immune balance pipeline?