How can I stregnthen my immune system?

Question

I have the tendecy of getting sick quite a lot. I'm sick now and this is the third time this winter! I got sick in the beginning of October, mid November and now again. I don't understand, I wash my hands a lot and I dress warmly when I go outside, a large jacket, gloves, scarf, etc. I did visit a (sick) friend a few days ago, so I'm thinking maybe I caught some influenza germs from her. What is another way to prevent getting sick so often besides washing hands and covering up?

Answer 1

There are a number of foods and nutrients you can use for strengthening the immune system. You should get as many vitamins and minerals as possible through food, rather than through supplements, because the body absorbs nutrients from food more effectively.

Vitamin C (citrus fruit, broccoli)

Vitamin E (nuts, vegetable oils, and whole grains)

Garlic (also a natural antibiotic)

Zinc (beef, turkey, beans, oysters, crab)

Bioflavenoids (fruits and vegetables)

Selenium (chicken, whole grains, tuna, red snapper, lobster, shrimp, garlic, egg yolks, sunflower seeds, brown rice)

Carotenoids (carrots, yams)

Omega-3 fatty acids (nuts, salmon, tuna, mackerel, flaxseed oil)

You can also take supplements, since you may find it difficult to get all the vitamins and minerals from what you eat alone. More is not always better, since overdoses and related adverse effects can occur. Make sure to talk with your health care provider, or with a nutritionist, about what kinds and amounts of supplements are appropriate for you.

In addition to what you eat, certain lifestyle changes can boost your immune system. It sounds like you already do a lot of these.

Washing your hands thoroughly and often with soap and warm water, particularly before eating and after using the bathroom. This reduces the number of organisms that can enter your body.
cooking meat thoroughly to kill dangerous bacteria and other microorganisms.

Getting at least eight hours of sleep every day — deep sleep stimulates and energizes the immune system.

Maintaining a healthy weight — obesity can lead to a weakened immune system. Exercising at least 30 minutes most days of the week — physical activity stimulates the immune system and helps with weight maintenance or reduction.

Consuming alcohol moderately if at all — while one drink does not appear to affect immune response, having three or more drinks in a short period starts to impair white blood cells' functioning.

Eat less sugar — 100 grams of sugar, the amount in one 12-ounce can of regular soda, can reduce the ability of white blood cells to kill germs by 40 percent for up to 5 hours!

Don't smoke — smoking can lead to lung and other cancers, and also weakens the immune system.

Reducing and managing stress, such as effective time management — long periods of feeling stressed weakens the immune response.

Getting the vaccines recommended by your health care provider.

I hope this helps!! Good Luck and hope you feel better soon.

Answer 2

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It is called Tunguska Blast. It is exceptionally healthy and will help keep you from getting sick.

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Examine the many testamonials and stories about this drink, the benefits and what it can do for you.

Answer 3

A vitamin C tablet -- 500mg maintenance dose or 1g if you have a cold/flu, preferably the time-released variety as this gives you a sustained release of Vitamin C into your system. You should also take a zinc supplement (15mg) if this is not provided by any multivitamin/multimineral you take. Zinc boosts the immune system and helps fight infections. It would be a good idea also to take Echinacea (from any good health store) as this is a very effective immune system booster. You should take it before the cold/flu season starts ideally and continue throughout the winter by : taking it for a month and then taking a 2 week break before you take it again. Make sure you eat plenty of in-season fruit. Good luck.

Answer 4

Ironically, the immune system is best strengthened by challenging it, so getting sick should theoretically make it better.

As for giving it a boost when you do get sick, in addition to the aforementioned antioxidants, there are some herbs you should consider. Echinacea, chamomile (use sparingly as it also makes you sleep), and peppermint.

Also, the more colored vegetables you consume, not juice, the actual green, leafy type, the more polyphenols you will get. Most vitamin E supplements contain tocotrieneols, which are not bioactive in humans.

Answer 5

The best way to improve your immune responce is to sleep properly. We need anywhere from 7-10 hrs of sleep per night. During Slow Wave sleep, hormones are released which aid in the bodies abilty to grow, repair tissue, and boost immunity. Proper excercise is also a good way to boost the bodies immunity, a healthy body has a better immune responce and you also get a doubel dose as when you excercise properly, you will also sleep better. The ability to fight viruses comes from a white cell known as a T-Lymphocyte, so taking a multi-vitamin tablet is a waste of time and money if you are eating properly.
You are correct in constant hand washing as the best way to provide a barrier to infections as that is the commonest method of transfering viruses from one contact to another. Just make sure it is a good thourough hand wash though.

Answer 6

first of all let me dispel a myth. going outside is the least likely place to get infection. outdoor air(assuming you dont live in a heavily polluted area) is much cleaner than indoor air , you cannot get sick from going outside. you get sick from virisus and bacteria from other people. a good part of staying healthy is maintaining a healthy immune system. eat fresh food, exercise at least 4 times a week-preferably outdoors, i.e. walking, and get 8 hours of sleep every nite. its proven that sleep is so good for you.and ...laugh and be a positive person. happy people are healthier!..your are smart to hand wash frequently. ps this fall and winter has been the warmest on record,,bugs are thriving. so its not just you. the whole country is affected.

Answer 7

I used to get sick a lot and was taking multi-vitamin's and such. It could be a lot of things. I changes all the filter's in my house. Removed all the clutter (that might have dust) etc.

I now drink an herbal tea in the morning and in the evening with honey and I stopped taking the mulit-vitamin and getting a flu shot.

I have not been sick since. Seems like when I was doing what your supposed to. ie:

Flu Shot
Multi-Vitamin

I was sick all the time.

Not any more. Feel free to e-mail me if you want any more info.

Good Luck!

'-)

Answer 8

get sick. (no really) If you want a REALLY strong immune system, get sick. Didn't you ever wonder why teachers were rarely out? Because they are around snotty kids all day, and they just naturally build an immune system. Or, you could get pregnant.

Answer 9

You need to take a daily multivitamin that is well absorbed by your body and use a good antioxidant supplement to boost your immune system.

Answer 10

Eat lots of vegetables, get exercise, and reduce your stress.