Introduction
We're interrupting our “Take Control of your health” series to share principles that will help you boost your immune system during the contagious winter months. These strategies support your immune system when it needs it most. Stay tuned for a much deeper dive into peptides coming soon.
The basics that matter most
How do you avoid catching winter colds? Maybe more importantly, how do you keep your immune system tuned to its finest to avoid them in the first place?
The basics remain the basics. The most important factors are good overall nutrition, excellent sleep, adequate rest, and exercise for physical fitness. You also need circadian alignment and good vitamin D levels. If necessary, supplement with a vitamin D3 and K2 combination. Check your blood levels. It's most likely necessary to supplement. Don't forget selenium and zinc.
This is where I’ll introduce the concept of small molecules. There are messenger molecules I'm going to group into two large categories, although you could break it into many more. I'm going to list some peptides and bioregulators that have been shown to have benefits. Many of these have widespread use in parts of Europe, especially Eastern Europe and Russia.
Why we get sick in winter
Later in the article I’ll get to one of my favorite peptide and bioregulator stacks. Stacks is a slang term that indicates you're combining multiple peptides with a goal in mind. In general, I would not stack or combine more than about four, perhaps five, peptides. Not all peptides mix together. There's a lot to keep in mind.
Before we get to the peptide stack, let me ask why we tend to get sick in the winter anyway. There are multiple factors. The days are shorter, and we have less exposure to the sun. I think that's a primary factor. Vitamin D levels are lower. Our circadian rhythms are under attack since the sun is often setting at 5:30 to 6:00 in the evening. There aren't too many people following the cues of the sun and going to bed at that time. We're also indoors more of the day, so we're in tight, confined spaces.
What immune-modulating peptides and bioregulators offer
What's going on with our immune system, anyway? Immune resilience requires more than a strong defense. Our body has a host of defense mechanisms. This is a big team, and it needs to be balanced and coordinated.
In our modern industrial life, our immune systems are under constant attack. They often get out of balance, and this can lead to chronic inflammatory states and other disorders. The opposite can also be true. The immune system can be under-activated, and that leaves you more susceptible and prone to infection. Winter factors may also make you prone to becoming infected, like when we get a little too close to Johnny when he has the sniffles.
What role do peptides and bioregulators play? These are small molecules that are messengers to our cells. They coordinate and stimulate systems to be in balance. Importantly, they tend to be very safe.
Key molecules for seasonal immune resilience
1. Thymosin Alpha-1: The immune modulator's gold standard
TA1 is one of the most clinically studied immune peptides, with a long history of use in viral infections and cancer immunotherapy.
Mechanism of action: It enhances T-cell differentiation, balances Th1/Th2 responses, and increases natural killer (NK) cell activity while lowering chronic inflammation.
Research insight: A meta-analysis found that TA1 significantly reduced mortality in patients with severe viral infections and improved outcomes when combined with standard antiviral care.
When to use: During flu season. Some patients may be instructed to use it with a history of recurrent infections, insufficiency of the immune system, or as support during high-risk exposure periods such as when there is known high respiratory prevalence.
Others might just keep it on standby and begin with those first hints “that something is starting to manifest” like a scratchy throat or nasal congestion. That’s my usual approach over many years with different modalities.
I recently travelled to Italy to see my new grandson. I forgot my travel bag in the refrigerator that had most of my potions. Sure enough my grandsons had just had a cold and we were in each other’s face and I got it. It progressed until I was back home and could begin my regimens.
2. Thymic bioregulators: Restoring the immune clock
Bioregulators derived from the thymus, such as Thymogen, work as gene expression modulators.
Mechanism: They normalize protein synthesis in thymic tissue, rejuvenating T-cell output and restoring immune age balance.
Clinical insight: Russian studies have shown that thymic bioregulators improve immune competence in aging populations and reduce frequency of infectious diseases.
When to use: Especially useful for: older adults, immune-compromised patients, or those with thymic involution (applies to anyone older than 40-50 years of age.
3. Blood vessel bioregulator: Improving immune trafficking
Immune defense depends on vascular health. The vascular bioregulator supports endothelial repair, nitric oxide signaling, and microcirculation.
Clinical implication: Improved vascular resilience allows better immune cell migration, oxygenation, and tissue repair during infection.
When to use: In patients with metabolic syndrome, hypertension, or vascular dysfunction this approach may be useful.
Check out VIP.
4. KPV: Inflammation's damper and throttle to reduce overactivity
KPV, a tripeptide fragment of alpha-MSH, has potent anti-inflammatory effects.
Mechanism of action: It suppresses NF-κB activation, reduces cytokine storm potential, and helps restore epithelial barrier integrity in the gut and lungs.
Research insight: In animal models, KPV demonstrated strong protective effects against inflammatory bowel disease and systemic inflammatory responses.
When to use: For patients prone to hyperinflammatory reactions, gut permeability issues, or post-viral recovery where immune overactivation lingers.
5. Lung bioregulator: Fortifying the respiratory gateway
The lungs are a primary entry point for seasonal pathogens. The lung bioregulator helps restore epithelial resilience and modulate local immune defense.
Clinical effect: It strengthens mucosal defense against influenza and respiratory viruses. It's known to reduce the risk of fibrosis post-infection. Overall, it improves resilience in chronic lung disease.
Think of this one for patients with asthma, COPD, long-COVID recovery, or seasonal vulnerability to respiratory illness.
Lifestyle and clinical integration
Beyond molecules, foundational lifestyle strategies create the terrain for peptides and bioregulators to work optimally.
Circadian alignment: Encourage consistent sleep-wake cycles to support melatonin's immunoregulatory role.
Nutrient support: Vitamin D, zinc, selenium, and omega-3 fatty acids work together with peptide therapies.
Movement and breathwork: Moderate exercise and respiratory practices support immune cell circulation and lung resilience.
Stress modulation: Mind-body practices reduce cortisol's immunosuppressive effects, enhancing the efficacy of immune molecules.
Building influenza-resistant strategies
A sample seasonal immune protocol might include a foundation of vitamin D optimization, circadian regulation, and stress management.
For acute prevention during fall and winter, consider TA1 for immune modulation, lung bioregulator for respiratory defense, and vascular support.
For post-infection recovery, KPV controls inflammation while thymic bioregulator restores immune age.
The goal is long-term resilience. With these additions, we're supporting balance and modulation.