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?

I made fermented cabbage once, but it was a fuss. Is store bought kimchi or whatever, any good?

Wash your hands immediately whenever you come home from being somewhere with lots of other people around, and try to avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth while you’re out. Not immune boosting obviously but a good first line of defence.

This is completely non-wacky, but, I always find I get a cold etc right when I'm eating crap and not doing enough exercise. It's really obvious I know but do try to get plenty of fruit and veg and get out for some exercise, even if it's just a walk around the village/town/wherever you live.

I am a believer in probiotics as well and try to eat bio yogurts and sauerkraut etc (they taste amazing, even if they don't actually do any good! But I believe they do.)

Pretty much what others have said. Decent eating (fresh foods and keep frying to a minimum, deep frying especially), have a decent amount of activity and a good bed time. I don't go crazy with a sterile environment. I'm not the tidiest but do make sure to do that small stuff like having cleaned units, regularly washed hands etc. The three kids, DH and I are almost never ill.
Heating off at night too. I've found that having it warm at nights gives us all a.... bleurgh feeling. Headachey and nauseous. More likely to catch illnesses.

I am generally very healthy but have been hit with an awful stinking cold (9 days and counting). However I cook from scratch every day, lots of veg especially onions and garlic. I also am not anal about bleaching everything to within an inch of it's life in the house. We have cats and I can't use any chemicals that they are likely to walk on and then lick their paws so I do think that helps.

But I got through the whole of last winter with no bugs and this is probably the first major cold I've had in two/three years.

I have a public-facing job so looked into this after my first miserable winter of constantly being sick. According to all the research I found, hand hygiene is the biggest factor when it comes to avoiding illness.

To properly wash your hands, it should take you the length of time to sing happy birthday twice over. You need to wash the back of your hands and between your fingers and all the way up to your wrists. Bar soap is more effective than liquid soap.

When out and about I have gotten into the habit of never touching my mouth/eyes/noes. And whenever I arrive at home/work/friends house etc I wash my hands.

I carry hand sanitiser and use it constantly, especially at work or before eating at restaurant. I only use a pure alcohol based sanitiser, not the anti bacterial crap (which is now suspected to do more harm than good).

This regimen has really worked for me.

I dont know whether my method for keeping well would work on anyone else but heres what I do, I started after suffering every bug, cold, child spread disease going for years and Ive hardly had a sniffle for the last few years. Its mainly old wives tales I've picked up through the years but it worked for me.

Breakfast. Just actually having breakfast as I frequently skipped it.

Tea with local honey instead of sugar which I believe helps with allergies.

Eating mainly seasonal food. I dont know why but in my family theres an old wives tale that eating seasonally helps with your body clock. I never believed it until I was desperate to feel better and it did seem to work for me.

Regularly walking in pine forests to help clear your head and chest. I go most weekends and find it helps if I have headaches and gets rid of any colds I feel are starting.

Keeping windows slightly ajar all year round.

Having houseplants that help clear the air.

Reading this back I sound like I'm bonkers. But I do feel loads better since I made these very easy changed.

I recommend a book called Super Immunity by Dr Joel Fuhrman.

He says the key to a healthy immune system is a plant based diet. Any meat, fish, dairy or eggs you consume should be only 10% of your food intake and if possible give them up completely.

I was in a similar situation to you op and eating plant based has really helped me.

I've been taking a multivitamin with added zinc for years and am hardly ever ill.

Eat lots of homemade soup and use garlic and ginger in cooking.
Curries are good for this too. Especially adding turmeric.
Don’t do too much exercise if you’re not used to it. It can run you down and make you more prone to colds but do get out for fresh air as often as possible. (No science. Just my humble opinion)
Wash your hands when you get in.

Vicks First Defence Nasal spray at the first sign of a cold.

Elderberry syrup at the first sign of feeling unwell (Pukka tastes rubbish but has great stuff in it, Sambucol tastes great but doesn't have as much good stuff.

Neals Yard Organic Defence hand spray

And an Infra Red sauna, again at the first sign of a cold.

Since doing this in the last 3 years I have not had a single full blown cold.

Lots of vitamin d. I take 3000iu every day. Then lots of fruit and veg.

Hot water and a whole lemon squeezed into it every morning. I feel like it makes a big difference

Kefir, sauerkraut and pickled garlic (not at the same meal). And plenty of sleep.

Vigilant handwashing helps prevent spreading and catching viruses.

Wow, what a fantastic response. So much to read, I feel like making a list!

I am otherwise a healthy person, I love exercise, especially anything outdoors but my exercise regime is just so irregular because I keep getting ill and can't do anything for weeks! Then I try to pick up where I left off and get ill again!

I also love healthy food and as a family we enjoy cooking from scratch but again that all goes to pot when I get ill and we end up eating easy freezer food with a few random veg thrown in.

I do tend to comfort eat with sugary food, I don't drink a lot on a regular basis but probably overdo it once a month when I'm not ill and feel well enough to party!

Reading all this back I'm thinking I've got myself into a deadly circle of being ill and then not looking after myself while I'm ill by eating crap then I eventually get better and overdo the exercise and booze.

The doctor implied that I might be stressed or depressed but as far as I'm concerned I'm only stressed because I keep getting ill and can't have a normal life!

I haven't heard about the fermented veg thing before, going off to read about that!

Coldfeet your plan sounds very appealing. I do love yoga and running when I'm fit. But it does sound like a lot to fit in! How do you schedule it with work/family?

To those suggesting walking outdoors, I do have a large dog so I get out quite a lot, although we have a dog walker during the week and when I'm felling crap that's all the walk he gets along with time in the garden or a quick 10 min stroll.

The dog also addresses the cleanliness issue, we are def not too clean in this house, maybe that's the problem!

Getshit I fared sauna? I've never hear of that, is it a common thing?

...infrared...

Daily multivitamins and plenty of home cooked meals full of veggies. Drink plenty of water and I always start the day with green tea and a slice of lemon. Garlic is really good for fighting off infection so I cook meals with garlic quite a lot. Stay off public transport and don't go to softplay

Satsumasun I have been thinking about the whole family eating less meat (more from an environmental stance than for health or moral reasons). But I find it really hard to plan meals without meat, I haven't found any easy inspirational recipe books either! Does the book you mentioned contain recipes suitable for families (kids aren't too fussy, but need some persuasion with new things)

Local honey or manuka honey, which is best. I don't have any allergies. Manukau honey is very expensive and seems controversial.

apparently selenium is great for the immune system, two brazil nuts a day is plenty!

also LOTS of vit C.

I read that there is no evidence behind vit c helping at all but there is evidence that vit d and zinc help. I was shocked that my doctor (who I really like and trust) said I needed to take extra vit c, making me think again about being so hung up on "evidence".

As it happens my multivitamin has it all in!