Hi All,
I hope you are all having a decent day.
This is a bit of a daft question, but then, when did that ever stop me?
I often see people recommending foods and supplements that boost the immune system. But don't we all take all sorts of hideous medication specifically to thwart our immune systems?
So, how does this work?
I'm a bit confused by it!
Thanks!
Terry
Supplements boost immune system health. We need health restored to ours!
Yes, I agree. And I avoid anything that is said to stimulate the immune system like echinea. However the word “boost” does mean slightly different things in different contexts. It can mean to increase, but it can also mean merely to help improve - give you a boost = give you a helping hand. And we need our body including our immune system to work as well as it can.
The immune system isn't one thing either, it’s a huge range of processes. So while I don't want the immune system response nibbling away at my joints I do want it to function more broadly.
So for example I pay a lot of attention to eating well because I want to help my body work as well as it can, and for example not get my digestive system bogged down processing junk food that adds nothing. I personally take no supplements apart fromVit D in winter because I get everything I need in my diet, but that’s a choice we each need to make for ourselves.
Thanks! That's more or less what I was thinking. So many things that are recommended for general health benefits are also said to boost the immune system and it does make me wonder sometimes! I'm pretty sure that things like, say blackcurrants (a recipe for a syrup, that emphasised it's benefits to the immune system was what made me post this) probably help more than hinder in general.
It doesn’t necessarily work...we don't need our immune system boosting ....we need it to be controlled.
Speak to your rheumy nurse...she will tell you if there are any supplements that may help you.
But everybody is different ...please don’t try DIY supplements...your rheumatologist will prescribe what you need...usually a healthy balanced diet!
I agree! I was thinking of things like fruit more than supplements. I often read how beneficial certain fruits are, then they say 'great for boosting your immune system' ! Also spices like turmeric which is a proven anti-inflammatory but guess what? Great for strengthening the immune system!
It doesn't put me off things like blueberries but my heart sinks a bit whenever I read that!
I have always eaten whatever I fancy within reason....in the early days I think I had a brain freeze & tried Echinacea....after three weeks I was back walking with two sticks. When I told my rheumy he laughed & said that would teach me not to make decisions like that again.......so I haven’t!
I find this confusing as well, I keep meaning to ask my doc next time I see her. I’ve been taking B12 tablets for 3 months, my last bloods showed folic acid low. I read the leaflet that was in the box and they said Do Not take if:
You have B12 deficiency, Have Cancer, or allergic to anything in them eg lactose which I’m currently getting tested for, I’m on a no lactose diet for a month. These tablets were prescribed by my haematologist and I have all these things stated. Very confusing..
John Hopkins rheumatology center says supplements and certain diets MAY have an effect on inflammation.
Now they are also saying having a few drinks can reduce inflammation. But with all the poisonous drugs they give us we are not supposed to drink one drop. Which is it?
Just noticed that under my post there's a link to related tags "thwart". Who knew there was a whole separate category of "thwart" posts! 
I've thought that too Terry 🙂
To shield or not to shield, that is the question?
To blog or not to blog that is the question?
Sleep or not to Sleep that is the Question
To shield or not to shield that is my question
Biologic or not to biologic 
