Immune System

[garshe]

Can anyone recommend what to take to increase Immune System. I seem to be getting one infection after another although I am careful. I currently take Sambucol extra defence, but think I need some more protection. Had all the necessary injections so up to date there. Any advice would be helpful.

[Skatergirl1]

Hi there, for me, I take vitamin d3 and k2 everyday and was lucky enough to shake off a cold the other week within days and for the first time didn't go to my chest, so I think they are helping x

[garshe in reply to Skatergirl1]

Thank you. I take Vit D spray as I don't have sunshine.

[Hidden in reply to garshe]

For some reason many people with lung conditiond cannot convert food or sun into vit D. Not much research has been done on it but many on this site, including me, have benefitted immensly from high dose supplement. You need to get your GP to test your vit D level. There is a number below which they should put you on a programme. This is 20,000 iu three times per wk for 5 weeks then a break for 5 weeks. Then another blood tests. If your levels are then normal they should put you permanently on 1600 iu per day.

I had the programme nearly four years ago and am on 1600 iu per day. In that time I have only had 2 viruses which I fought off and 2 esacerbations of my bronchiectasis.

If you take warfarin be careful of vit k. It is used as an antidote against it.

[Caspiana]

Hi garshe ,

Green tea, spinach and kale are helpful for me. I don't take over the counter supplements, my doctor thinks I don't need to If I watch my diet carefully. I am also very, very extra careful to wipe down all surfaces with anti-bacterial wipes, never sharing hand towels and staying away from crowds as much as possible. In Japan it is normal for us to gargle after washing our hands when we come in from outside. Face masks are also common.

Hoping you are having a good weekend so far.

Cas xx 🙋

[garshe in reply to Caspiana]

My daughter drinks green tea. She has told me to try Tumeric .Have to put in a drink ad disgusting taste.😝😝 thanks

[Caspiana in reply to garshe]

Add a little honey if it's safe for you to do so. It does make a difference. xx 😊

[garshe in reply to Caspiana]

Yes will do thanks. I love honey.

[cofdrop-UK in reply to garshe]

I wouldn’t like turmeric in a drink either but I put it in stews, stir fries, curry, anything I can really and you just won’t really taste it.

Xxxxx

[Hidden in reply to cofdrop-UK]

I’ve got some really tiny tablets of high dose turmeric with curcumin and piperine. Since September I have taken one every other day because they are such high dose. I don’t know what it is supposed to do but so far it is doing it 🙂

[2greys]

I have to agree with Skatergirl1 100%, I take vit D3 & K2 daily. Until a few weeks ago I went for 14 months without an infection. It also boosts my energy levels a fair bit as well. For most of the time, with working, I am indoors and I am not a sun worshiper anyway so very probably would be very short of the sunshine vitamin without taking a supplement.

[garshe in reply to 2greys]

Thank you will try them.

[sassy59]

Hi garshe, Pete and I use the 0% Actimel drink for the immune system and find they help. Hope you find something to suit you. Xxxxx

[syntax]

Do not know if been mentioned but Colloidal Silver

is an immune system booster.Available on E-Bay at

fair price.It is an advanced cure and super antibiotic !!

[garshe in reply to syntax]

Thank you will have a look.😄

[annienell in reply to garshe]

Regarding the use of Colloidal Silver - please be aware that the British Lung Foundation have no knowledge of any research being done on this form of treatment in the UK. It isn't in any guidelines that they are aware of, nor would they ever recommend anyone tries a treatment like this when it hasn't been recommended by their consultant. Please take care.

Also, The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has said that colloidal silver isn’t safe or effective for treating any disease or condition. There is more reading here - nccih.nih.gov/health/colloi...

[garshe in reply to annienell]

Thank you

[Ergendl]

It can also make you turn irreversibly blue. Google "colloidal silver side effects" in images.

[garshe in reply to Ergendl]

Thanks will give it a miss 😱😱

[micktheknife]

Depending on your diagnosis you may not want to "boost" your immune system.

You don't mention what it is, but a lot of lung diseases have an auto-immune component, and suppression of the immune system is a way of treating that.

If you get a lot of infections, perhaps you could talk to your GP about having a prophylactic course of antibiotics over the winter period.

Good luck

[garshe in reply to micktheknife]

I have COPD and have had antibiotics. Unfortunately Can't take them too much .I am very careful but this year had a few infections.

[BrianTaylor]

Nothing scientific in this but I firmly believe in a good balanced diet. Plenty of veg, particularly things like kale, broccoli etc and a good mix of fruits and other foods. Surely if you have a balanced diet, your should have a good balance of vitamins and nutrients to see you through 😊

[garshe in reply to BrianTaylor]

I eat veg every day also fruit. Eat well and healthy but unfortunately my COPD affects my Immune System. Thanks anyway.

[BrianTaylor in reply to garshe]

Hi Garshe. Sorry to hear that. Sounds like a dumb question but how do you know? Not doubting you for a minute, I just haven’t really linked my copd with my immune system previously so am genuinely interested to know x

[HungryHufflepuff]

This is a bit of a random thing but, I've noticed that more and more multivitamins are being renamed food supplements. Does this mean their vitamin content is not guaranteed? Or is it just a name to indicate these pills are a supplement to food? I do try to get my vitamins and minerals from food rather than from pills but I also take vitamins especially at the moment as I've been tired and struggling. 🤔