How can I improve my immune system?
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Basically, I have been very ill three times in the past two months. In late October, I had a horrible cold. About three weeks ago I became ill with suspected 'flu and was stuck in bed for two days. I'm still recovering from that; I still have a cough and a lot of mucus build-up in my sinuses (sorry! )
This morning, I woke up with a horribly sore throat full of mucus, mucus-filled ears and sinuses, a throbbing headache, nausea, a stomach ache and a very achey neck. I don't think it's anything serious, I think it's probably just a 24 hour bug, but I'm getting a bit sick of being sick! I feel well enough in myself to sit on the sofa and watch TV but that's about it.
Is there anything I can do to improve my immune system? It never used to be this bad; I usually only get two colds a year and that's it!
Thank you
This morning, I woke up with a horribly sore throat full of mucus, mucus-filled ears and sinuses, a throbbing headache, nausea, a stomach ache and a very achey neck. I don't think it's anything serious, I think it's probably just a 24 hour bug, but I'm getting a bit sick of being sick! I feel well enough in myself to sit on the sofa and watch TV but that's about it.
Is there anything I can do to improve my immune system? It never used to be this bad; I usually only get two colds a year and that's it!
Thank you
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Could be "Freshers Flu". A bit like when kids start school for the first time, you come into contact with new people and new germs and just pick up a lot of bugs.
http://www.nutrasanus.com/echinacea.html
Haha yes, that's me I'm not actually at uni at the moment though; I've only been ill once there. Both other times in the past few months, I've been at home. I did have Freshers' Flu though, in late September
I could just be that being new new to uni you are being exposed to lots of new bugs that you have no immunity to, particularly if you moved to a new area for uni.
You CAN boost the immune system. Eat lots of fresh fruit and vegetables of different colours - dark berries are especially good as is curly kale. I'm not a fan of vitamin supplements but Berocca is very good if you are under the weather.
i'm more and more convinced that raw food is the way to go for optimal health, we eat way too many processed carbs, tins, refined sugars (i'm sugar sensitive and its like being sedated once the sugar crash kicks in...urgghhh) and cook the good out of veg and some fruits. I was pushed over the edge by seeing nutritional data of cooked versus raw...
and the humble lemon, squeezed into water, taken in the m orning is a great start to the day.
and one more thing, very freshly crushed garlic, swallowed is hugely beneficial.
try and catch this movie
http://www.rawfor30days.com/themovie.html
very interesting stuff
I use echinacea, you don't take it all the time, I was advised to take it for three months over the winter...
Many double blind controlled studies into the effects of Vitamin C have found that it has a negligible effect on immunity. Of course, if you're malnurished then it would help but taking additional doses over the required small amount has no advantage. This myth has been around since Linus Pauling, the father of molecular biology, first postulated it (he even claimed that it could be used to treat cancer) but there is no evidence to prove any benefits with taking more than the required amount.
Of course, there may be a placebo effect involved with those who do take additional vitamin supplements but theres no guarantee. Best thing to do for your immune system is to have a good balanced diet and save your money not buying supplements.
Same thing goes for echinea.
I have a poor immune system, and need extra supplements. They do work for me!
But extra vitamin C over the DRA doesn't have any affect on the immune system. Thats what the evidence shows. Good balanced healthy meals should provide enough for this and will be better and cheaper for you than supplements.
You may only think that they're working for you or they could be acting as a placebo
Perhaps you should go and get a blood test.
I've had plenty of blood tests.
I can't get ill if I try.
to an extent.
i eat atleast 6 portions of fruit/veg a day. drink 2 litres of water, and get a good amount of excerise, yet i always pick up stuff, i have been ill for several days at a time about 5 times in the past 5 months.
the doctor basically told me sometimes people just have crap immune systems and theres nothing you can do but live with it!
Pretty sure they were giving advice to my OP, not your post
Thanks for your advice, I probably should eat more Vitamin C anyway
I already do get the recommended hours of sleep but I probably don't eat enough fruit and veg. Thanks
Ohh that's not very reassuring Thanks
I started taking them about a month ago after recurring colds/chest infection and they do make me feel much better.
Could be that I just got better anyhow.
http://www.health.harvard.edu/flu-resource-center/how-to-boost-your-immune-system.htm