CytoDefend is a nutritional supplement that claims to support immunity.
By taking CytoDefend daily, you can use herbal extracts and plant compounds to support your immune system 24/7.
Does CytoDefend work? Do doctors recommend it to boost your immune system? Find out everything you need to know about CytoDefend today in our review.
What is CytoDefend?
CytoDefend is a tincture sold exclusively online. The tincture claims to use ancient plant-based medicine to support immunity in various ways.
The makers of CytoDefend claim their formula is “doctor recommended,” which means at least one doctor has advised using CytoDefend to boost your immune system.
CytoDefend is made by a Pennsylvania-based supplement brand named True Cellular Formulas, a subsidiary of Revelation Health.
As part of a 2021 promotion, you can buy a bottle of CytoDefend for just $7. All purchases include a free eBook with smoothie recipes and a $10 gift card to the True Cellular Formulas online store.
How Does CytoDefend Work?
CytoDefend claims to boost your immune system using organic ingredients and vegan formula. The formula includes a range of herbal extracts and plant compounds linked to immunity in various ways.
True Cellular Formulas claims their supplement will quickly boost your immune system: within 10 seconds of taking CytoDefend, you “can boost immunity” – even if you “have holes in your immune system now.”
To prove CytoDefend works, True Cellular Formulas cites a study from Peter Doherty, who won a Nobel Prize in Medicine for his work on pathogens. Dr. Doherty did not analyze any of the ingredients in CytoDefend: he researched the immune system and discovered new insights into immunity.
To boost immunity, CytoDefend uses eight ingredients. The formula contains popular and proven immune boosters like elderberry fruit, zinc, and vitamin C. It also contains less proven immune boosters like licorice root, astragalus root, and bupleurum root.
CytoDefend Features & Benefits
True Cellular Formula claims CytoDefend can offer all of the following features and benefits:
- High-potency, high-concentrated proprietary extracts of clinically researched ingredients
- Recommended by doctors to support immunity
- Precise dosages and ratios to maximize immune-boosting effects
- It starts to boost your immune system in just 10 seconds.
CytoDefend Ingredients
CytoDefend claims to use organic ingredients to boost immunity in various ways. You take the supplement daily, then enjoy powerful benefits.
CytoDefend is not organic certified, nor does the supplement claim to be. It’s unclear why True Cellular Formulas claims some ingredients are organic. However, all of the plant extracts in CytoDefend are purportedly organic (while the zinc and vitamin C are not organic, as is normal).
Here are the ingredients in CytoDefend and how they boost your immune system, according to True Cellular Formulas:
Vitamin C: Vitamin C is one of nature’s most common and powerful antioxidants. Fruits are rich in vitamin C. CytoDefend contains a version of vitamin C called ascorbic acid. Ascorbic acid is involved in tissue repair and the production of neurotransmitters. According to True Cellular Formulas, the enzymes in your body use vitamin C to support immunity “due to its effects and diversity of regulated pathways.” However, it’s unclear what that means.
Zinc: Zinc is a popular and proven immune support ingredient. Studies show that people who are deficient in zinc tend to have weaker immune systems than people who get enough zinc. Zinc supports the function of white blood cells in your immune system, among other effects. Even mild zinc deficiency can weaken the immune system. True Cellular Formulas claims the zinc in CytoDefend “can help boost immunity and reduce the effects of infection,” among other benefits.
Elderberry Fruit: Used in Europe for centuries, elderberry fruit is a vitamin C-rich fruit extract linked to reduced cold and flu symptoms. Many people taking elderberry extract (also labeled as Sambucus nigra) at the first onset of symptoms, reducing the duration of symptoms.
Echinacea: Echinacea is found in many over-the-counter cold and flu relief formulas. Echinacea could activate chemicals in your body linked with immune response, but studies are mixed. Nevertheless, echinacea remains one of the most popular herbal immune boosters available today.
Bupleurum Root (Chaihu): All of the other ingredients in CytoDefend are commonly found in different immune support formulas. However, Bupleurum Root, also known as chai hu, is less common. True Cellular Formulas claims this ingredient “alleviates a wide spectrum of disorders in a multi-target manner” by protecting your immune system. The company even claims it helps defend against pneumonia, malaria, cold, and flu, among other illnesses.
Astragalus Root: Used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries, astragalus root could support immunity by targeting inflammation, making it easier for your immune system to do its job.
Licorice Root: CytoDefend contains licorice root, which includes an active ingredient called glycyrrhizin. Recent studies have connected this compound to immune support and healthy inflammation.
Ginkgo Biloba: Gingko Biloba is a popular herbal extract sourced from one of the world’s oldest trees. Studies show ginkgo Biloba can help with inflammation and immune-related function.
Scientific Evidence for CytoDefend
True Cellular Formulas claims their formula is doctor recommended and backed by science to support immunity in various ways. Some compounds in CytoDefend have indeed been shown to support immunity in some small ways, although it’s not a magical cure-all that will alleviate all illness symptoms.
First, it’s important to note that CytoDefend contains lower doses of most ingredients than most other immune boosters. There’s a reason CytoDefend is priced at $7: it has just 4% of your daily value of zinc and 42% of your daily value of vitamin C. For comparison, a single kiwi fruit contains 106% of your daily value of vitamin C, and most multivitamins contain at least double the amount of vitamin C in CytoDefend.
The low doses of vitamin C and zinc are unfortunate because both have been linked to immune function.
In this 2017 study published in Nutrients, researchers analyzed the effect of vitamin C and concluded it could “both prevent and treat respiratory and systemic infections.” Researchers particularly emphasized the importance of high doses of vitamin C for more severe issues, and researchers found the effects of vitamin C increased with dosage. As mentioned above, CytoDefend has less vitamin C than a single serving of most fruits, so it’s unlikely to impact immunity in any significant way.
Zinc also has proven immune system benefits. A 2017 study described zinc as “a gatekeeper of immune function” because of its proven effects on immunity. Researchers found that zinc was “essential for the function of the immune system.” The average multivitamin contains around 100% of your daily value of zinc, while CytoDefend contains just 4% DV – an amount that is not linked to significantly stronger immunity in any way.
All other ingredients and dosages are hidden within CytoDefend’s proprietary formula, making it impossible to see individual strengths. We know there’s 140mg of a mixture of elderberry fruit, echinacea, and other ingredients, but we don’t know how much of any ingredient is within CytoDefend.
Bupleurum root is the first listed ingredient. It’s not known as the other ingredients in CytoDefend, but it is found in other immune-boosting supplements. As the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center explains, bupleurum root has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese and Japanese medicine. It’s often combined with other herbs to treat colds, fevers, digestive disorders, chronic liver disease, and depression. There’s some small evidence that bupleurum has antiviral activity, but clinical trials in humans have not been conducted. Overall, there’s limited evidence bupleurum significantly boosts immunity, although it continues to be a popular herbal extract for immune support.
Many people take elderberry extract at the first onset of cold and flu symptoms. Studies are surprisingly supportive of elderberry: research shows elderberry extract can significantly improve your recovery from cold and flu symptoms, and many doctors (particularly in Europe) recommend taking elderberry extract as a natural therapy. CytoDefend does not seem to contain a significant dose of elderberry extract compared to other formulas or studies. However, it’s possible the elderberry extract in CytoDefend provides mild support for immunity. In this study, patients took 60mL of elderberry extract or placebo syrup per day for five days, then experienced significant relief from cold and flu symptoms. There are just 0.5mL of total liquid formula in each serving of CytoDefend.
Overall, there’s no specific evidence that CytoDefend can boost immunity. We also cannot find any reports of medical doctors recommending CytoDefend to relieve cold and flu symptoms. At $7, the formula may provide some small support for immunity, although you’re better off taking a multivitamin or a more vigorous immune support formula.
CytoDefend Pricing
CytoDefend is priced at $6.95 per bottle.
As part of a new promotion, each purchase comes with an eBook and a $10 gift card.
You receive an eBook called the Immune Boosting Smoothie eBook from True Cellular Formulas. That eBook explains smoothies you can make to increase immune function.
Your purchase also comes with a $10 gift card to the True Cellular Formulas online store.
What’s the Catch?
True Cellular Formulas claims to price CytoDefend at $49 per bottle normally. As part of a recent promotion, the company offers a bottle, an eBook, and a $10 gift card at $6.95 per bottle.
There’s no catch with this promotion. There are no hidden fees or surcharges. Your credit card will be charged a one-time fee of $6.95, and you receive a bottle of CytoDefend in the mail.
How can you pay $7 for a $10 gift card? Will, if you visit RevelationHealth.com, you receive the same $10 gift card just for subscribing to the company’s newsletter – so it’s not quite as big of a deal as you may think.
CytoDefend Refund Policy
A 60-day refund policy backs CytoDefend.
If CytoDefend does not significantly support your immunity within 60 days of taking it, then you are entitled to a complete refund.
About True Cellular Formulas
True Cellular Formulas is a supplement brand from Revelation Health. Revelation Health is a Pennsylvania-based company that makes a range of vitamins, natural health foods, and supplements.
True Cellular Formulas is one of two leading brands underneath the Revelation Health umbrella, with the other being Systemic Formulas.
Although Revelation Health claims CytoDefend is doctor recommended, it’s unclear how many medical doctors the company employs – if any. It’s unclear what type of medical expertise or supplement formulation experience was used to create CytoDefend.
In any case, you can contact True Cellular Formulas / Revelation Health via the following:
- Email: support@revelationhealth.com
- Phone: 888-600-0642
- Mailing Address: 2853 Oxford Blvd, Suite #104, Allison Park, PA 15101
Final Word
CytoDefend is an immune support supplement that uses zinc, vitamin C, echinacea, elderberry, and other ingredients to support immunity.
CytoDefend may support immunity in various ways, although the supplement does not seem to contain substantial doses of any listed ingredients.
Nevertheless, CytoDefend is backed by a 60-day refund policy and is a low-risk purchase at just $6.95 per bottle.
