Supplements to help with immunity

[Septemberbeginnings]

I used to have a pretty robust immune system, rarely ill, but over the last year it's gone to shit. I had flu in February, covid in March (which wasn't as bad as the flu), not too bad over the summer, then got a heavy cold around 3 weeks ago and was barely over that (still a lot of catarrh) when I came down with flu at the end of last week and still have a heavy cold but feel marginally better. I was due the flu vaccine a few weeks ago but cancelled because of the cold and hoped I'd get to half term when I could have the flu jab. I work with children from many different schools across my county which doesn't help. I work long hours, from 9am sometimes until around 8.30pm and don't always get as much fresh air or exercise as I need. I think I eat a pretty healthy, varied diet with fresh fruit and veg.

At the moment I'm taking prescribed vitamin D/calcium and menopace (currently the night time one as that's all they had last time).

Any recommendations for multi-vitamin/mineral supplements or tonics? I'm trying to reorganise my working hours so that I have more time for exercise and getting out into nature, but it's taking time and I'm so fed up of feeling so run down.

I was going to say vitamin d tbh. What were your levels?

Mine were borderline good to optimal and I've been taking extra. I do seem to be warding things off more.

I'm also on hrt, now quite a high dose, which I think may be helping too.

Garlic and a basic b complex plus zinc may help but it's usually vit d.

Also a teacher. Constant illness nearly killed me as I headed into peri menopause.

Could you try hrt rather than menopause? Would help bone density

This is likely to be a form of long covid - immune system dysregulation features in the literature and can last for months (notably impacts on the CD4 and CD8 T-cells).

A supplement won't fix it, if that's the cause, but passage of time might. Eat a good, varied diet and perhaps add a good quality multivitamin/mineral. In winter, supplement vitamin D (no real down side to doing that, and can be positive as deficiency is probably quite common and impacts a number of systems)

Thanks for the replies. I should have said that I've started HRT. Had the mirena coil fitted 3 months ago and started oestrogel 2 months ago (supply issues meant I couldn't start it at the same time). The coil has helped in that I'm no longer wiped out for a week every month with heavy painful periods. I can't say that I've noticed any difference from the oestrogel. I'm on one pump daily at the moment but due a review in a couple of weeks.

I'm not sure what my vit D levels were as I only spoke to the surgery receptionist who said that it was a bit low and a prescription was being prepared for me. I need to ask for a review of this too when I speak to the surgery next.

Interesting about the long covid. I know a couple of young 16-18 year old athletes who caught covid earlier this year and they are plagued with flu like illnesses seems like every few weeks. These kids were at peak fitness a few months ago and now can barely reach 200 on a peak flow meter.

I top up with vitamin C. I take vit D and Vit C for immune support. Figure it can’t hurt.

I take Nordic Naturals Omega 3, iron (prescribed), vitamin D, vitamin B12 and magnesium