Author: Geir Gunnar Markusson, Nutritionist MSc., Unbroken

When training volume rises, competitions stack up, and seasons shift (especially spring), your immune system is often the first thing to take a hit. Athletes know muscle soreness and fatigue, but fewer recognize that intense training can temporarily suppress immune function.

Stress hormones increase, inflammation rises, and for several hours after hard sessions the body can be more vulnerable to common infections like colds and flu. Add travel, crowded events, disrupted sleep, or a flight, and that vulnerability can increase further.

When athletes are most at risk of colds and flu

Immune stress tends to peak in a few predictable situations: after high-intensity or long-duration sessions, during heavy training blocks, during competitions, in seasonal transitions like spring, and during travel days—especially flights.

Flights are underestimated: dry cabin air, exposure to more people, and changes in sleep and routine add stress to the system. Many athletes notice they get sick right after travel, particularly when training load is high.

That’s why some of our athletes use a proactive recovery and immunity routine. August Birk Hundt elite cyclist, for example, consistently takes two Unbroken tablets during high-load periods and before or after flights as part of his strategy to support recovery and immune resilience.

Zinc and selenium for immune support (why they matter)

Two micronutrients are especially important for immune defense: zinc and selenium. Zinc supports immune cell function and communication, including key roles in normal immune responses. Selenium supports antioxidant systems that help protect cells during oxidative stress—something that increases after intense exercise.

Unbroken supports immunity with naturally high amounts of zinc and selenium from its salmon protein hydrolysate. Each Unbroken tablet provides 35.8% RDA zinc and 14.1% RDA selenium, delivered as part of a nutrient-dense, highly bioavailable formula. 

Vitamin B12: your immune system guard 

Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) plays an important role in supporting normal immune function. It contributes to DNA synthesis, cell division, and the metabolism of immune cells. Each Unbroken tablet provides 96% of the recommended daily intake of vitamin B12.

Real-world athlete experience: fewer sick days with heavy training and travel

Meet Lars van Uum — marketing at Trek Benelux, competitive amateur cyclist, and a big believer in recovery. Unbroken stays in the mix so he can stack sessions and show up ready for the long haul 😤

“I started using Unbroken at the end of last year for both cycling and strength training. Normally I’d have a lot of pain in my legs after strength sessions, but when I took two tablets after training, the muscle soreness was almost gone. It was the first time in years I didn’t feel sore the next day. What I really noticed was the health benefit. With heavy training and travel, I usually get sick, but since using Unbroken I haven’t been ill. Even during a demanding period in Spain with ~20 hours of training per week, I stayed healthy and felt fitter from one session to the next.”

Easy to bring along: recovery and immunity support anywhere

Most immune-support routines fail because they aren’t practical. Unbroken is easy to bring and easy to use—no powder mess, no shaker required, and no complicated schedule.

Keep Unbroken in your gym bag, travel bag, or carry-on and simply add it to water wherever you go. That means you can support recovery and immunity after training, between race stages, and on travel days without changing your routine.

Immunity is performance

You can’t train consistently if you’re sick. You can’t adapt well if recovery is incomplete. Unbroken was designed for Real Time Recovery, but recovery includes immune resilience—especially during heavy training, competition periods, springtime, and flights. With free-form essential amino acids for muscle recovery and naturally occurring zinc,selenium and vitamin B12 for immune support,

Unbroken helps you stay ready for what’s next. Train hard. Travel smart. Stay healthy. Stay Unbroken.