Any suggestions for boosting my immune system?

[lilminx]

Ever since I had mono in high school, my immune system has been awful. I've been back at work with the kids for two days and I already have a sinus infection and a cold. Aside from taking vitamins, does anyone know of other things I can do to strengthen my immune system?

 

[VanB]

Take Echinacea supplement and do exercise regularly. Assume you already have a healthy diet

 

[Hamletmaschine]

Echinacea (sp?), ginseng, zinc...those are what people always tell me to take. They seem to work okay (when I remember to take them).

 

[Rambrat]

I'd say exercise too. It strengthens your body in many ways. Of course, you shouldn't exercise when you're fighting a cold...you need rest and hot soup.

I hope you feel better.

 

[Fly_On_Wall]

Vitemin E Capsels
and the cool thing is if you have dry skin you can break a capsel in half and rub the oil insid on your skin.
(yes the capsels you swallow are full of oil but they help me from stop getting colds)

 

[Guest]

 

[Debbie]

LOL I am not here but sleeping. My youngest has a low immune system. I give him garlic oil, apple cider vinegar, manuka honey, vitamin C, Aloe vera, Echinacea, spiralina, no dairy, (especially with sinus) zinc, take yoghurt, (you can get the soy kind or take acidophilus tablets avoid antibiotics unless absolutely necessary (get your doc to decide this) a diet high in raw veggies, with a lot of fruit juice (as foxy says) You could PM just pet who gave me some very helpful advice. And definitely exercise.

The net has a lot of interesting info but check with your Dr to make sure it is ok with any medications you are already taking.

Here is an interesting link.

http://www.deborarobinett.com/articles9.html

Wishing you well and soon.

 

[patient1]

I'd agree with the anti-oxident bunch.

You've got quite a challenge, though. Living in a crowded international city like you do, and working with small children.
Viruses are steadily entering your city, & it's the nature of kids to get every one they are exposed to. Then they bring their collection to you, and it's a numbers game. You're going to be exposed to new viruses, & you're going to catch some of them.

I'd say a flu shot is a priority.

 

[peachykeen]

yoga, yoga, yoga

 

[Cheyenne]

I not only got the flu shot last year, I got the pneumonia shot, too. I was relatively healthy during the winter for the first time in a very long time.

 

[phrodeau]

Ever since I had mono in high school, my immune system has been awful. I've been back at work with the kids for two days and I already have a sinus infection and a cold. Aside from taking vitamins, does anyone know of other things I can do to strengthen my immune system?

You're already doing it. Keep exposing yourself to new environments and mingling with people. Your immune system strengthens with use. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger.

I'm serious about this. Healthy food and exercise are good as well, but your body needs practice to heal itself better.

 

[lilminx]

Thank you all for your advice and suggestions.

I'm going to buy some echinacea and zinc the next time I go to the store. I've never heard of vitamin e and ginseng being good for the immune system- has anyone else?

I actually just started going back to the gym, and then I got sick. I'm pretty active at work though- I don't have a job where I sit at my desk all day.

Foxy, I don't smoke and I drink maybe one cup of coffee a day (none on weekends), so could a small amount of caffiene be ok?

For those of you who suggested fruit and/or vegetable juices, couldn't I just eat the raw vegetables and fruits themselves? I don't want all of the calories of the juice- I'd rather get the benefit of the whole piece of produce.

Debbie- I already take acidophalus, but some of the other things you listed I'm worried about, what with my stomach. How much apple cider vinegar do you give your son? I've heard that this is good for you. Oh, and what's spirolina?

There is shitty air circulation at my school. The windows don't open and the cielings are at least 20 feet high, so the vents are really high up. I have a feeling that cold and flu season is going to be especially bad this year. Two other teachers at my school have colds as well (keep in mind that this is out of a staff of 15-20 people).

Has anyone here ever gotten a vitamin shot? I know of someone who's gotten one every year since he had mono. Supposedly it helps. I'm thinking of asking my doctor for one when I get my flu shot.

 

[ScarlettRose]

The studies on caffiene go back and forth, some i've read suggest that it prevents or delays alzheimers and parkinsons. Moderation in everything of course (advice my body does its best to remind me of). Another thing that seems towork is Olive leaf extract. I've noticed a big difference when I run out or forget to take it.

Wishing you good health,

SR

 

[arctic aurora]

immune boost

Hi lilminx. You might want to also check out two books by Norman Cousins - Anatomy of an Illness, and Head First - the Biology of Hope. Also you could check out the UCLA Med School website and look for references under psychoneuroimmunology.

(you might be thinking now "as if I needed more advice" )

Best of luck with this school year.

 

[patient1]

Poor air quality is an issue. If it's the right age, the ductwork may have fiberglass on the inside( it was simpler to install that way), & then the particles are suspended in the air. It also makes them a problem to clean.

I don't know what you can do about it, other than wear a dust mask/ get a HEPA filter for the room/ or just have samples analyzed & make yourself a royal pain by complaining to OSHA, etc. (not a good career move).

 

[erosman]

I think you've received some great advice. My $.02 would be to eat a well balanced diet of fresh food. Stay away from processed foods. Remove as much refined sugars from your diet as possible, and drink 2 liters of pure, filtered, chlorine-free water per day. Do that for 6 months, rain or shine, and you'll see a difference...and laugh just for the endorphins.








a daily good fuck will do wonders too

 

[Debbie]

Argh I spelt spirulina wrong. lol

http://www.spirulina.com/SPBenefits.html

I mix it with apple juice for my son and he says you can't taste it at all. (Must be the truth since most 9 yr olds are a pain about taking yukky medicine)

I drink apple cider vinegar myself. It is cleansing and is supposed to be very healthy. "Since biblical times it has been known that raw, natural apple cider vinegar will provide your body with potassium and other vitamins to help your digestive and circulatory system.

Other benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar Include:

Control Weight
Fight Osteoporosis
Maintain healthy skin
Relieves sore throats, laryngitis
Cleans out toxins from tissues and joints. Helps to fight arthritis."

I make it as a hot beverage.
Mixing honey, lemon juice (to taste) hot water and 2 tbls apple cider vinegar. It isn't really pleasant but after awhile is something you get used to.
You can use it in salad dressings, cooking etc.

Some links on apple cider vinegar. Worth a look.

http://www.applecidervinegarweightloss.com/
http://www.vinegarapplecider.com/

Hope this helps and you feel better.

 

[lilminx]

Patient1- the part of the building I work in was built only 5 or 6 years ago, so I don't think it's the ductwork. It's just the fact that a bunch of people's germs are floating all around the place.

Arctic- are you saying that my problems might be psychosomatic? I do let stress get to me too much, and I know that that's not good for the immune system. Right now, though, there's not too much I can do about that.

 

[lilminx]

Erosman- I've been trying to eat pretty healthy- I've had other health problems, so I've really been watching what I eat. I try to eat more fresh fruits and lots of salad. I drink a lot of water every day as well.


I'd love to have the daily fuck, but right now I am only able to get it a couple of times a week at the most. I have to settle for a daily masturbatory session.

 

[erosman]

I think my point is that a healthy immune system, and a good daily fuck are lifestyles











I think the Nike commercial says it well......Just Do It!

 

[CarnalGerund]

Possible answer to your circulation problems

Try using a saline nasal spray. Like Ocean or whatever the equivalent is. It keeps your nasal passages hydrated, and dryness can lead to colds.

You could try the zinc nasal gel, but that stuff's messy, a lot of doctors don't think it works, and it makes me sneeze.

Hope this helps