What can I do to boost my immune system?

[zafferana]

I'm so fed up of catching every single virus going around. DS2 has brought home three nasty colds and Covid since December and each time I've caught them and no one else has. This morning, I realised that I've caught his latest one and I'm in despair, having only just finally shaken off a month of post-viral fatigue from the last one. I'm supposed to be running a half marathon in 2 weeks' time, but constantly feeling below par and exhausted has ruined my training and I have no idea whether I'll be up to it or not.

I've googled 'how do I boost my immune system' and got the following list:

• Don't smoke.
• Eat a diet high in fruits and vegetables.
• Exercise regularly.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• If you drink alcohol, drink only in moderation.
• Get adequate sleep.
• Take steps to avoid infection, such as washing your hands frequently and cooking meats thoroughly.
• Try to minimize stress.
• Keep current with all recommended vaccines. Vaccines prime your immune system to fight off infections before they take hold in your body.

But there isn't one thing on that list I'm not already doing. Plus, I take a multivitamin, Vit D, omega 3, and I'm on HRT (I'm late 40s). I just want to feel well again

Try to minimize stress

I'd love to know how that one's supposed to work if you're female, 40+ and still breathing

That's a good list!

I would add
Garlic & echinacea supplement
Time outside in fresh air (and vitamin D!)
Good support network - friends & family that you can chat to, spend time with when possible and know would be there for you if needed
Doing something you love that is just for you and keeps you positive

Yes, good point @SpindleSheWrote ! I have had a stressful couple of days actually, but nothing I can do about it.

As for your list @jackstini , aside from the garlic and echinacea I'm already doing those as well. I take good care of myself and pre-Covid I'd say I had an awesome immune system - I really got ill and if I did I tended to shake it off quite easily. Not so any more. I'm starting to wonder if the conspiracy theorists are right and the bloody Covid vaccines have wrecked it. Or maybe getting Covid was the culprit?

*rarely

You are still training when you are ill and run down, so that isn't helping at all. You're not giving your body the rest it needs to repair itself.

Gargle with Cordodyl mouthwash every time you feel you're catching something. You can actually feel it working to kill the infection. My mum was told this trick when she was having chemo as lots of infections begin in your throat. It works well for me & I'm a teacher. I used to catch everything. I sometimes use it x2 daily in winter months if there's lots of germs going about.

Oooh that's a good one @brusselsprout5 ! I'll get some later. Might be a bit late for this cold, as I'm full of snot already, but thanks for the tip.

Olive leaf extract from health food shops is excellent!

I worked as a cleaner in a hospital for 6 years. Ever since then, I've rarely caught anything. Maybe one or two colds in the past 10 years. I was continuously unwell for the first 6 months that I worked there though! But nothing touches me now.

Boosting your immune system is not a thing. Just imagine if you really could boost it, it would be terrifying with immune reactions out of control.

The boring list you have really is what your body needs.

If you aren't up to running a half-marathon because you are still post-viral - don't underestimate the Covid recovery - then listen to your body and work to it's timetable and not yours.

Have a teaspoon of high strength manuka honey every day. Try and add some turmeric to some of your meals. And I second the mouthwash tip.

This.

This is lupus and other auto immune conditions. And trust me. you really don't want any of that.