Foods to Help Boost My Immunity

[Sierranne]

I have M.A.S. Multiple Autoimmune Syndrome and I am here to learn as much as possible about the foods that boost my immunity.

[CDreamer]

If you have autoimmune disease why would you want to boost your immune system? I take immune suppressants to suppress it!

[Artroc56]

I seem to be missing something here. If I understand correctly your autoimmune system is attacking your body on multiple fronts and you are asking about foods to make your autoimmune system stronger. Can I ask why? I really don't understand why you would want to.

[Hidden in reply to Artroc56]

I think she meant 'immune system' stronger.

[Sierranne in reply to Hidden]

yes I do mean that I have brain fog sometimes sorry...

[Nottobad in reply to Sierranne]

Hi sierranne you don't need to apolagise. I suffer from that too xx

[Sierranne in reply to Nottobad]

thank you xx

[Artroc56 in reply to Hidden]

The immune system and the autoimmune system are one in the same. So why strengthen that which is attacking you?

[Sierranne in reply to Artroc56]

I don't please use some common sense many articles that speak of boosting the immunity to fight against diseases that is what I meant.

[Artroc56 in reply to Sierranne]

You can't get your immune system stronger against disease AND not have it attack more. many of us are on immunosuppressant drugs which do help with the diseases but will make us more susceptible to the illnesses that we are exposed to. I have been given literature with my drugs instructing me to avoid immune system boosters such as echinacea.

[Sierranne in reply to Artroc56]

Thank you for this it is all so confusing for me...trying to grasp it

[Nottobad]

Hi I have psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis both autoimmune disorders. I don't take any suplaments just mainly eat healthy things. I also have COPD and was told by my consultant that I have a low immune system due to repeated infections. Witch I don't understand as psoriatic arthritis is caused by an overactive immune system. I am waiting to see an immunologist

[Sierranne in reply to Nottobad]

Yes I just discovered through researching that I had many autoimmune issues. The doctors would diagnosis my symptoms send me home. I researched endometriosis and MS to see if there was a relation and both are autoimmune so I searched my other issues and all are. I have 6 or 7. Anything you learn would be most appreciated Nottobad and good luck to you

[Hidden]

I have MAD also - stress can be the biggest trigger which is ironic because we are struggling with these conditions and it's hard to remain calm.

[Sierranne in reply to Hidden]

Boy you have that right. I had my first bad panic attack last year, I try really hard to stay as calm as possible, but seems of late, has been bit trying Wishing you the best, sookiedee

[IndigoBlue61]

Not sure if it will help but I have a brilliant book "introduction to nutrition" by Dr Sarah Brewer which I highly recommend 😊 Also have you heard of the free online courses run by futurelearn? They do a nutrition one and also one called "food as medicine" - couple of hours a week, mostly videos 😊

Good luck

[Sierranne in reply to IndigoBlue61]

I will definitely pick up the book I am eager to learn, and will also check out the courses, I think you are a great person to follow

[IndigoBlue61 in reply to Sierranne]

I'm not an expert but firmly believe you are what you eat 😊 And we are each responsible for our own health 😊

good luck!

[CDreamer]

In addition to excellent advice on good food above I have found that eating 'clean' has helped me. Only organic, mainly plant based excluding gluten and most but not all dairy. I do take 1000mg Vit C and Vit D supplement. Avoid starchy foods such sugar, bread, pastry, biscuits cakes, potatoes etc - basically anything white and/or processed.

If you have suffered panic attack I would suggest you work on calming your ANS - autonomic nervous system. When we get anxious or panic the hormones released affect the immune system - which usually for me means an immediate flare up - I have Myasthnia gravis, colitis & arthritis with POTS which is an autonomic dysfunction. Staying calm is most important for us as the most usual triggers for a flare up are - heat, cold, stress and infection. Not easy to manage.

The quickest and simplest way is to practice breathing techniques - I use 7/11 breathing which means you breath in for the count of 7 - hold for 1 and breath out for 11 and hold for 1 before next breath. If you are unable to maintain that count reduce to what is comfortable 5/7 but most importantly is to make your out breath longer than you in breath. Practice every day for 5 mins and whenever you feel anxiety building.

Daily meditation, exercise, mindfulness, yoga, Thai chi or any other activity which induces calm or raises endorphins - i.e. Doing anything that brings you pleasure will help your general well-being enormously as we our ability to fight infections greatly reduces when we have stress hormones racing throughout our body.

Hope that helps. May I also suggest you look at some of the autoimmune forums or FB pages.

Best wishes CD.

[Sierranne in reply to CDreamer]

thank you, I too take Vit D and C and B complex. Naturally avoiding the starch, I don't crave it at all but I do crave protein constantly. I love the breathing idea, of all things I never even thought to try breathing appreciate that advice. I love yoga, before I became stiff with muscle spasms about ten years ago I practiced pilates. I think it is why I am doing as well as I am now. I have my days but without the exercise I would have been much worse off.

[CDreamer in reply to Sierranne]

And I still do Pilates, even stiff and even when I am weak, just amend the exercise accordingly and pace yourself. If you can't exercise - move. xx

[Sierranne]

Thank you, I know my diet needs more balance because of the cravings I have are imbalanced.

[IndigoBlue61 in reply to Sierranne]

Yes I agree, dieticians don't suggest cutting out carbs or dairy unless you have a proven allergy 😕 We need a wide variety of foods, and a good general rule, wide variety of colours 😊

[Eryl]

You need "The Wahls Protocol". The author (Dr Terry Wahls) has recovered from M.S. by following this protocol which she developed. It also helps with auto immune problems.