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've also heard lots about the power of fermented foods; premise is that health starts from the inside out. I've recently given up meat (lentils are a great substitute in dishes such as bolognese, 'shepherd's pie' etc) and am having a trial period of no dairy to see if my skin clears up. I'm so interested in how diet affects us. Wishing you well, being ill all the time sucks.

Enough sleep - 8 hours a night.
Healthy diet.
Limited alcohol.
No smoking.
Regular exercise.
Regular, thorough handwashing.

Local honey or manuka honey, which is best.

For me local honey. If you do have minor allergies that are environmental (hayfever for example) then it will help with that plus theres less milage in producing local honey. The active ingredient in manuka honey is also in your local honey just not as high a level. Manuka has some really good science behind it but I thinks it's more for curing rather than preventing illness.

If I’m getting sick I buy misshaped and therefore cheap apples, lemons, carrots and ginger from the markets/independent shops and juice then. The freshly juiced ginger is a miracle worker!

Another one who's looking into fermented veg. Love pickled ginger on sushi, does that count?

Skittles I'd love more info about what kind of fermented veg you buy. I've just googled it and I'm confused! Does miso count, I use that in cooking fairly regularly? Would taking a probiotic drink gave the same effect, they seem very easy to find!

Get enough sleep.

Wash your hands ALL THE TIME.

Eat a nice balanced diet.

Exercise.

Don't take the tube/bus to work.

I believe taking a daily walk outside has helped my immune system enormously. I truly believe that getting a dog has helped my physical and mental wellbeing 100 fold.

I live in a very densely populated city and have become near-obsessive about washing my hands thoroughly as soon as I get home. Haven't had a cold in years...

Also, as others have said, I eat lots of fresh fruit and veg, take a high dose Vitamin D supplement, exercise regularly indoors and out) and (this is usually a triumph of hope over experience) try to get plenty of sleep.

But I actually think the handwashing is the most significant factor. It's really easy to do, definitely worth instigating alongside your other planned lifestyle adjustments.

Seems like we're all taken with the fermented veg idea. I found the following which looks useful

sciencebasedmedicine.org/everything-you-always-wanted-to-know-about-fermented-foods/

And

www.thekitchn.com/recipe-lactofermented-mixed-pickles-recipes-from-the-kitchn-194011

I'm definitely going to be trying it!

Rememory I don't think they tested for specific vitamin levels in my test.

She mentioned thyroid, liver, iron levels, white blood cell levels and other things that I can't remember. They said my white blood cells and inflammatory indicators (or something like that) were high which shows I was fighting something or just recovering, this was last week before I came down with tonsillitis.

The vitamins I take (well woman plus) have D3 and B12 along with everything else!

I don't know how common infrared saunas are, I live in the back of beyond and have my own!

But I know that some spas and salons have them, and some people have them in their houses. A friend of mine had a red light therapy light that looked like a torch, she would just use that on the throat at the sign of a cold and it made a huge difference for her, but I prefer the sauna.

Probiotics
Zinc
Tongue scraper!

The sauna thing works. I swear it does. I roast myself at the first signs of a cold or bug and it's not failed to knock it on the head once.

Dh can't have saunas and always gets the bug.

I take borocoa if I feel I need a boost. Make sure to rest and relax. Stressed out body makes people run down and more prone to getting sick. Some people are more likely to catch things then others.

I don't think I have access to a sauna unless I join a fancy gym! I wonder if a hot bath has the same effect?

I had exactly the same as you - always ill, with regular bouts of tonsillitis.

After a while, my GP referred me to have my tonsils removed. The consultant who removed them told me my tonsils were so bad there was a constant low-lying infection which was making me ill all the time, even if it wasn’t tonsillitis it was still giving my immune system a hammering.

Since I’ve had them out (5 yrs ago) I’ve been so much healthier. My my said I no longer looked grey all the time, and I no longer get awful colds that knock me for 6 - or of course tonsillitis (which I used to get every 6 weeks or so)!

I’d really recommend asking about having them removed. It’s been a complete life changer for me.

Probiotics are brilliant, i like Optibac

Exercise and sleep for me

Lockheart that's really interesting, I'm pleased it worked for you.

I actually think this is the first time I've ever had full on tonsillitis. I mainly get coughs, cold and general sore throats. Could it still be linked to my tonsils?

Vitamin c & d?

I took these during pregnancy as I was getting the cold 1-2 times a month, they helped.

Echinacea drops - 15 of them 3 times a day for two weeks in as little water as you can bear! (It tastes disgusting but the taste only lasts a very short time)

The liquid gets into your system more quickly as its absorbed through the mouth/throat before all the stomach acid batters it.

Other than that, eat lots of home cooked meals, little junk food, low salt and sugar, lots of veg - raw if you can bear it,. Ratio of fruit portions to veg per day should be 40% fruit and 60% veg.

Oh and lots and lots of water - plain tap is fine - not the fizzy stuff.

Personally curry, hand washing and avoiding sick people.

Some ideas here www.runnersworld.com/fuel-school/11-foods-you-need-for-a-healthy-immune-system

Don't eat sugar. It disables killer T cells,( the white blood cells that actively seek out and destroy bacteria and viruses).

I know this is a bit random but always make sure your feet are warm. Normally I get every cold bug and virus known to man but this year I have hardly been ill while everyone around me has been really sick and its the only time where I've been wearing really thick socks, slippers and I've either had warm boots or wellies with thermal socks on all winter. And I've been wearing bed socks as well.