Anybody actively trying to boost immunity?

[Scramblinghealingdreaming]

All the signs show that it is possible to boost immune system actively (diet, exercise, vitamins, meditation and relaxation, sleep etc).

However hardly anyone in my social group cares about this. They are all worried about COVID but actively tucking into cake, getting drunk, packing on more weight etc.

I was just wondering how many here are actively seeking to help themselves or am I correct there is (in some people) a general belief of Aw well, nothing can be done .... ?

I am: losing weight, cutting booze down to nearly zero, upping exercise, taking vitamins esp vitD.

Boosting immunity is largely a myth, and given that Covid kills you or causes long term damage because of your immune system working too well, it wouldn't be a good idea if it were actually possible.

You don't want a vitamin/mineral deficiency causing a compromised immune system, but a normal balanced diet and outdoor exercise should be fine.

I am. Have lost 4 stone 9lbs since March. I take Vit D (3000iu a day), Vit C, Zinc and Vit K.

I'm taking vitamin D. Have also lost a bit of weight. I'm not in the obese category, just a bit overweight.

I have my whole family taking a daily vitamin pill (particularly for the vitamin D).

I've lost almost 2 stone since January. I was doing that before Coronavirus but getting to a very good weight became more of a motivation than even before.

I have taken up cycling to increase my fitness. Lockdown gave me the time to start that but I'm doing what I can to keep it up.

I feel better for it and would hope it helps my immune system and general health too.

However hardly anyone in my social group cares about this. They are all worried about COVID but actively tucking into cake, getting drunk, packing on more weight etc.

Obviously putting weight on isn’t great you don’t have to live like a monk to be healthy. When you’re on a social night out, your diet isn’t likely to reflect what you eat normally.

dr rangan chatterjee has a podcast out this week on this issue (spotify or YouTube ) not listened yet but they are normally pretty good.

We do this all the time
We went gf and df 100 per cent in July 2019 for other health reasons.
If you are intolerant to either of these food groups they can cause digestive issues, make ibs worse and give you sinus problems.
Me and dh haven’t had a cold or at least nothing more than a bit of a sniffle in all this time and my ibs has improved considerably

Every day we don’t sit in the sun in summer and every day in winter we take vit d3 drops with k2 . If you live below the 40th parallel you don’t need to do this
Every day we take multivitamin b drops and
Zinc ascorbate
I also take electrolytes every day..that’s magnesium, sodium, potassium and calcium as much of our food is nutrient deficient
I also take a good quality vit c

That’s just for starters.
If you are young and healthy..then that should be all you need for your winter boost providing your weight is at a good level, you get plenty of rest and sleep, some exercise , you don’t drink to excess and smoke

Me and dh are late 60s.
I have some health conditions but am on no prescribed medication .
I also if feeling unwell can most likely put myself right as I’ve spent the last 40 years learning everything I can about complimentary therapies.

My dh has had a stroke ( ex smoker) and is on prescribed medication but does take good care of his health and has not smoked for over 12 years.
Sadly he cannot drive as it affected his eyesight.

There’s no guarantees in life but I reckon you can swing the odds in your favour if you take action when young.
Hopefully we are laying down reserves of good health for 70s and 80s

Oh yes and drink plenty of water...water,...not tea, coffee or soda.

Got my BMI down under 40 and still losing weight. Starting taking vitamin D recently too.

Yes, we’ve been on a bit of a health kick. I’ve lost 5kgs over the summer which gets me from a BMI of 26 to 24.

We’re eating more veg, beans and pulses. Doing a bit more exercise and taking vitamin d.

Both of us want to lose a bit more weight. I’d like to get down to a BMI of 22. We’ve cut back on booze and have one night a week (Fri or Sat) when we have a few drinks and some treat food.

I doubt they are deliberately putting weight on. More like taking small comforts where they can.

Yes, I've reduced my BMI from 43 to 36, and am working on getting it down further. Haven't drunk alcohol since February. Taking vitamin D, Vitamin C and magnesium supplements also, and trying to eat plenty of fruit and veg. I have been exercising more regularly too, though have done less well with this is the last couple of weeks, so I need to get back into it. I also need to get more sleep as I am very bad at that right now.

Yes, I’m trying to lose weight I have a BMI of 28. I take vitamin D and eat lots of fruit and veg especially broccoli. I’ve not had a cold for several years.

In our social group this is exactly what everyone is doing. More exercise, vitamin D etc, cutting down on booze. In fact, lots of people at the school gates look slimmer. These are the middle classes largely working from home/time to exercise, time to read the Covid studies - now they are all booking bloody flu jabs too (when our local GP ran out of under 65s jabs on the weekend, meant for the more vulnerable). Survival of the fittest et al- meanwhile I bet the poorer classes are more stressed than ever.

"given that Covid kills you or causes long term damage because of your immune system working too well"

Can you elaborate?

I'm really very unconcerned about the whole catching covid thing but I have got my kids on vitamins because I'm trying to avoid the inevitable "they've got a cold and therefore a cough and now you all have to stay in the house for 14 days" nonsense that is bound to ensue.

Yep, I stopped drinking completely all during lockdown, just one drink a month or so now, and have lost two stone.

Also got the family taking multi vits.

@fourquenelles

Got my BMI down under 40 and still losing weight. Starting taking vitamin D recently too.

Good for you! Keep at it!! I was at BMI 42 in mid March, now on 30.3... almost in the overweight category

They are all worried about COVID but actively tucking into cake, getting drunk, packing on more weight etc.

Perhaps not such a bad idea. My husband lost a stone when he had it.

@AlexaShutUp

Yes, I've reduced my BMI from 43 to 36, and am working on getting it down further. Haven't drunk alcohol since February. Taking vitamin D, Vitamin C and magnesium supplements also, and trying to eat plenty of fruit and veg. I have been exercising more regularly too, though have done less well with this is the last couple of weeks, so I need to get back into it. I also need to get more sleep as I am very bad at that right now.

That's brilliant! Feels so good getting under the BMI 40 mark. Well done everyone

Latest data about BMI from Icnarc

At the start of lockdown I made a beast of myself. I was eating and drinking way too much. I felt rubbish. As soon as gyms opened I joined with my DH. We are now on our 3rd 6 week stint and loving it. I've lost two stone, only drink at the weekend and we have not had a takeaway since we started the gym. I'm also taking vitamin C, zinc, magnesium and vitamin D. Mentally and physically I feel so much better and hopefully this will benefit me if I do catch Corona.

Yes. Vitamins, cutting down on sugar, given up alcohol, exercising moderately every day, going to bed early, varied diet.

Apologies this is the latest icnarc data regarding BMI/COVID