What can I do to boost my immune system?!

[Popsicales]

I’m utterly fed up of being unwell!! I’m a teacher and I feel like I’m constantly ill. I had mumps before the summer holidays, several colds since and I’m now off work with a vomiting bug. I started at a new school in September and I don’t want to have any more time off! Usually I’d battle through and go in, but this bug has been horrendous.

What do you take or do to prevent getting ill all of the time? Can anyone recommend any vitamins I can start?

Sambucol.
Also available at other pharmacies.

www.boots.com/sambucol-extra-defence-120ml-10141705

You’d go to work with a sickness bug?? 😳

Vitamin D.

Not with a sickness bug obviously, but I mean with colds (before Covid anyway) it was expected that we go in and get on with it. I feel like I constantly have a cold through autumn and winter so obviously wouldn’t be able to be off for this.

@FlibbertyGiblets thanks, I’ll look into this. Expensive but if it will work, I don’t mind the price!

Vitamin D, iron, magnesium, zinc and b12. All washed down with a berocca (or supermarket version).

if you can get hold of it, this spray is amazing:

www.amazon.co.uk/Quantum-Health-Thera-Spray-Ounce/dp/B003EIPCDK?tag=mumsnetforu03-21

a few sprays on the back of my throat when a cold is starting kills it dead!! And my friends also swear by it. I am sure you can get some elsewhere than amazon.

B12 injections are gold.

Get your blood checked too - iron, magnesium and zinc.

Borocca and vitamin D, enough sleep

Can you wear a face mask?

I put some eucalyptus oil on a hanky and huff that. I don't get sick much if ever.

Reduce sugar, more fruit and veg, more exercise and vitamin d. Even then, I imagine being at the immunological coal face of teaching children, the odds won't be in your favour.

Multivitamin in the morning.
Good sleep routine. 7-8h minimum, go to bed at 10pm.
Reduce sugar and processed carbs.
Lots of fresh fruit and veg, freshly squeezed fruit juice instead of the cheap cartons.
I’d say regular exercise but if you’re a teacher I imagine you’re on your feet quite a lot already!

Exercise and a good diet that provides agood amount of vitamins and minerals.

Irish sea moss is great. It can be bought as a gel to add into foods but also can be bought as a supplement.

Otherwise, regular fruit like strawberries and oranges are great for vitamin C, blueberries are great for antioxidants, egg yolks are great for vit D etc.

I also love those actimel yoghurt drinks which are supposedly full of good bacteria.

Echinacea tablets, you can get them on Amazon, I'm sure Morrison's even does them. Also drink plenty of water, eat a good diet, plenty of fruit etc, get well wrapped up when you go out and try to get plenty of sleep when you can.

Also plenty of vitamin C, kiwi fruits are packed with it, and vit C supplements.
Also maybe a zinc supplement.

Vitamin D essential in the autumn/winter months

Morning: 15mg zinc on an empty stomach and then 5000iu (or at least more than 1000iu, especially during winter) of vitamin D with/after food.

Evening: High dose vitamin C (1000mg) take a couple and 1000mg L-Arginine.

All of these supplements are relatively inexpensive (though I prefer Thorne vitamin D which is a bit pricier) and have proven positive effects on the immune system.

Add a couple of portions oily fish a week, plenty of eggs and plenty of leafy greens, broccoli etc.

Thanks everyone. Lots of good recommendations for vitamins and products but like you all say, I think the main thing is looking at diet and exercise. Which hasn’t been great lately

Lots of fruit &veg, as wide a variety as possible, try to buy at farm shops rather than supermarkets. Better quality food generally, avoid pre-prepared stuff. Add nuts and seeds, dark chocolate, drink plenty of water.

Fresh air, exercise, wrap up warm. The occasional glass of red wine.

Eat lots of garlic

@Witchinthedales what dosage of echinacea do you take? And do you take it daily or just when you feel cold symptoms coming?

@Popsicales The echinaforce / A.Vogel ones from Amazon can be taken as two tablets three times a day. I usually start it when I feel the beginnings of a cold until a few days after any symptoms ease, I used to get them in Morrison's and I'm sure they still stock them, these are chewable ones, good luck! X

If not Morrison's you can also pick them up at Boots, I meant to add that they're not to be taken for more than ten days X

Propolis is brilliant stuff x

Eat a lot of berries and up your fruit and veg to about seven portions a day.

Watching as I’d love to know. I never really feel 100% ok I am always tired.