Format combines a daily immunomodulatory supplement with an intermittent senolytic complex to support a healthy immune system and help the body manage senescent cells. Format’s daily immune supplement has 100% of your daily vitamin C (90 mg), plus selenium (27 mcg) and zinc (5.5 mg), three highly potent micronutrients to support the innate and adaptive immune systems.

Format’s Daily Immune Supplement

Vitamin C

Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is an antioxidant crucial for iron absorption, bone health, and immune function. It supports the normal development and function of immune cells, the inflammatory response, promotes collagen synthesis, and protects cell membranes from free radicals.

Vitamin C deficiency can result in impaired immunity. While our bodies cannot make vitamin C, it can be found in green vegetables such as broccoli and spinach, and fruits such as oranges, strawberries, and tomatoes. Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey suggests that 25.3% of the population do not meet the requirements for Vitamin C intake. When dietary supplements are not accounted for, this percentage rises to 37.0%.

Zinc

Zinc is critical for the body’s immune function and inflammatory response, and the development and protection of immune cells in the innate and adaptive immune systems. Zinc is important in controlling oxidative stress and regulating inflammatory cytokines, and its homeostasis is critical for sustaining proper immune function. 

Meat, shellfish, legumes and dairy all contain high levels of zinc: Zinc from animal sources has higher bioavailability compared to zinc sourced from plant products such as fortified cereals and and whole grains, which is why vegans and others who rely on a plant-based diet are at higher risk of zinc deficiency. 

Selenium

Selenium is a potent antioxidant that plays an important role in immune health. Selenium helps lower oxidative stress in your body, which targets inflammation and supports optimum immune response for both the innate and adaptive immune systems. 

Selenium is found in Brazil nuts, organ meats, seafood, dairy products, eggs, grains, and cereals. 

Format’s Free Radical Protection Complex

Within the daily immune supplement, this complex protects against free radicals with broccoli (Brassica oleracea) sprout extract containing the sulfur compound sulforaphane—a powerful antioxidant that helps shield cells against free radicals. Brassica oleracea also supports the immune system and helps prevent oxidative stress. Elderberry (Sambucus nigra) includes anthocyanins, which are plant-based pigments with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and immune-supporting properties. Elderberries also contain vitamins A and C, potassium, folate, calcium, and iron. 

Format’s Autophagy Activation Complex

Within the daily immune supplement, this complex supports intracellular recycling and cellular renewal with green tea (Camelia sinensis) phytosome, which provides EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate) in a phospholipid form. This results in peak plasma concentrations which are twice as high as standard green tea extracts. EGCG is linked to a variety of health benefits such as reduced inflammation. The sap from the ashitaba (Angelica keiskei) plant includes chalcone flavonoids, compounds which exhibit antioxidant effects. Both of these ingredients have been identified as a CR (caloric restriction) mimetic and support intracellular recycling and cellular renewal by activating autophagy.

Immunosenescence

Immunosenescence broadly describes age-related decline in the immune system. Cells of the immune system, such as B, T, and NK (Natural Killer) cells, are crucial to a robust immune system. B cells are responsible for producing antibodies, while T cells provide cell immunity. NK cells are part of the innate immune system with which you were born.

These cells have been shown to become senescent in healthy elderly individuals, which is believed to contribute to age-related changes in the immune system. For instance, senescent B cells have an impaired ability to proliferate, differentiate, and generate an optimal antibody response.

Senescent immune cells are also believed to contribute to inflammation – or inflammaging – observed in older adults, owing to the unique SASP (senescence-associated secretory phenotype, i.e. the pro-inflammatory factors secreted by senescent cells) that they acquire.

Recent research has also shown that senescent immune cells even have the ability to accelerate systemic aging in mice. To date, there is not yet evidence that this animal study can be extrapolated to humans.

Format’s Senolytic Complex 

Format’s Senolytic Complex contains fisetin and quercetin to help the body manage senescent cells. 

The formulation of Format’s Senolytic Complex is based on leading institutional research in the field of cellular senescence and was developed under the advisement of an expert member of Elysium Health’s renowned Scientific Advisory Board. It promotes senolytic activity with senolytics quercetin (Sophora japonica) and fisetin (Rhus succedanea). Extracts of Chinese ginseng (Panax notoginseng) and chestnut rose (Rosa roxburghii) further support normal senolytic activity, and promote the clearance of senescent cells associated with strenuous exercise: The results of a 2019 double-blind, placebo-controlled exercise study showed that a single dose of the ginseng-chestnut rose extract taken an hour before intense exercise lowered the senescent cell burden in muscle. Muscle biopsies were collected before, immediately after, and three hours post-exercise from the 12 young adult participants. Those who took the supplement appeared to have enhanced glycogen replenishment (which is important for recovery) and fewer markers of inflammation and muscle damage.

Lifestyle Factors and the Immune System 

According to the CDC 42.4% of adults in the US were classified as obese in 2017-2018. Numerous studies have shown that obesity has a negative impact on the immune system. Obesity is linked to thymic involution (or atrophy), which accelerates immunosenescence. Other lifestyle factors such as diet, physical activity, stress, smoking, alcohol and sleep all impact the immune system. 

In people of any age, the immune system can be quickly compromised as a result of various lifestyle factors, including lack of sleep, a diet poor in fruits and vegetables and high in fat, anxiety and chronic stress, smoking, and excessive alcohol consumption—according to the National Institutes of Health, drinking to excess on even a single occasion slows your body’s immune response for up to 24 hours.