AIBU to ask for your wacky immune system boosting tips? I'm sick of being sick.

[Gonzales27]

Any suggestions?

I am continually getting viruses, currently off sick with tonsillitis.

Dr has done a range blood test and there's nothing wrong there.

I'm normally a very logical scientific person who doesn't buy into wacky home remedies but I'm now getting desperate!

To rule out the obvious, for the last year I have been taken vitamins c, d and zinc as well as using Vicks first defence, to no effect.

What are your tips for me to boost me immune system?

Do you eat freshly prepared food at home? I cook from scratch most days, eating plenty of veg, and I don't seem to get as many colds as other people.

Also, I find it I drink alcohol more than a few times a week that affects my immune system.

How often do you walk? I am healthier when I walk outside than when I get all crazy for fitness classes.
I also am convinced keeping a window open at home does good things for my health (but do be security concious).

Nothing wacky from me, I'm afraid, but I am a really healthy person and I just:

Eat a healthy, balanced diet - lots of veggies, some fruit, lean meat and fish, beans and pulses, skim milk, complex carbs, lots of water and tea.
Don't drink to excess.
Don't smoke.
Take regular exercise inc. plenty of walking outside.
Get a flu vaccine each winter.
Take a multi-vitamin and mineral each day.
And I avoid people who are sick! I change tube carriage, if necessary, to get away from people snivelling, sneezing, coughing or looking unwell.

Dh has been freezing lemons then grating the zest over his salad. He read it was good for immunity. I was a bit but I'm the one with flu and he's OK!

What were your B12 and Vitamin D levels when they were tested?

Don't be OCD about dirt and germs. Don't use antibac spray on everything.

I've got a strong immunity which I put down to the fact I'm unconcerned about a few germs here and there. I'm not like a candidate for How Clean is Your House though....nowhere near it!

echinacea tablets, available from all chemists. I and my DH swear by them.

Sorry, I don’t do wacky. I do evidence-based though.

My immunity had always been crap (especially respiratory system). I got sick of having horrid bronchitis and often pneumonia. Every bug my DD brought home seemed to find a permanent home in me.

Knuckled down to the research and discovered lacto-fermented vegetables. I find them tasty, and eat at least a tablespoon daily. Make ‘em myself, so cheap. Been doing it 3 years. Unbelievably different life.

Changing your gut biome will be the thing that seems as obvious one day as not smoking is now.

Tried everything (with evidence), only this made a permanent difference. Even my GP was amazed, and recommends it now as a matter of course to people like me. Just today read that pregnant women are encouraged to get their biome sorted, so they can pass a better immune system on from birth (less relevant with Caesars).

Good luck!

Manuka honey

Whenever you have tonsillitis drink lots of pineapple juice, eat fresh pineapple and take probiotics. No idea about the science behind any of them but it works to help get rid of it more quickly.

Get an hour of fresh air every day, even if it's a gentle walk. Eat at least 10 portions of fruit and veg daily, cut down on red meats and drink less alcohol.

Lots of vit c every day as your body can't store it - it's better to get it from food than tablets. Avoid touching your face. Avoid alcohol.

Marking place as spent most of January ill and need ideas to help boost my immune system.

If you want a logical approach, have a look here: examine.com/nutrition/get-ahead-of-cold-and-flu-season/

I would also add, get as much sleep as you can. Try and be in bed with lights out by 10pm - particularly if you are ill, recovering or think you are coming down with something.

@Skittlesandbeer that sounds really interesting, can you provide any links to get someone started or should I just google?

Sleep! I always get ill after not getting enough. Also second gut microbiome focussed things

How much do you exercise? Since starting to exercise 3x a week, I've escaped most the DC's infections.

Garlic capsules. I used to get every cold going, especially with having 3 dc but after taking one capsule a day I hardly get any.

Loads of exercise, min 8hrs sleep each night, plenty of veg and not too many carbs.

Not very whacky but I'm almost never ill. Can't remember the last time I had a cold.

B12 & D3 supplements.

I used to be terrible for getting tonsilitis and colds. I now take these
www.hollandandbarrett.com/shop/product/holland-barrett-acidophilus-chewable-tablets-60005721?skuid=005721
And now I get one cold a year. That's it. Nothing else

Make fresh juice, every morning, using 5 fruits and veg, with the emphasis on the veg. Some of them are lovely, some are revolting, they all help.

If you are underweight, eat more. It sounds strange but my immune system has never been so shot as when I was really fit and really thin. I got everything going! Whereas now I'm fatter and far less fit, I hardly ever get a cold. There is, of course, a tradeoff here with the fact that I am risking more serious chronic problems with blood pressure. I miss being strong and powerful too.

Wash your hands and try to avoid touching eyes with dirty hands as it’s a direct route to catching a cold that many people aren’t aware of.

Also in regard to vit c and d, as a family we take the Ester c and d3 variants. May be worth a look.

Not saying these work but since I've started doing them I've gone from getting 10+ colds a year to only two in 6 years.

Taking a multi vitamin.
Taking echinacea

When I feel like I'm getting sick I also take those emergency vit c packers, more echinacea and elderberry.

I also have hour long saunas.

Make sure I get enough sleep.

It's working for me at the moment! Dh and ds have had probably 5 horrible colds this winter and me (touch wood) none!

For the last 5 years I had suffered really badly with recurrent colds, flu, and chest infections. Had all the tests done, including a camera up my nose and down my throat... Everything came back normal. I think for me the cause was a combination of poor lifestyle choices and stress.

In the last 6 months or so I haven't had any chesty stuff, this is what I believe helped me;
Annual flu vaccine
Daily vitamin D
Giving up alcohol and caffeine
Sleeping better (set bed time, sleep mask, time to wind down before bed, no screens before bed etc.)
Avoiding processed/fast foods and eating home cooked instead
Journalling (gratitude journal and daily planner to reduce stress levels and feel more positive)
Reduce mindless spending/debt (a big cause of stress)
Daily yoga and running several times per week
Switching to natural cleaners (bicarb of soda, white vinegar, castile soap)
Getting more fresh air (not city air)
Spend less time around smokers