What is your best immune booster?

Options
Anonymous
Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
edited June 2014 in Life After Breast Cancer

Whether it's garlic around your neck, B-12 shots or daily yoga, I'd like to hear the ways everyone tries to maintain a strong post-cancer immunological system. I used to get one cold a year, if that. I am now suffering with my second cold in 2 months and I'm angry. You would think that my great, healthy diet and rigorous daily exercise (well, almost daily), as well as all of the supplements that I already take,  would make me Wonder Woman. Right now I feel like a weak, pathetic specimen. What gives? What can I do to buff up my immunological system even more? I'm willing to consider any ideas or advice short of sacrificing live animals!

~Marin

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • jerseymaria
    jerseymaria Member Posts: 770
    edited September 2008

    if you find out would you let me know...mine sucks.  maria

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Jellydonut
    Jellydonut Member Posts: 1,043
    edited September 2008

    Marin,

    You may want to try astragalus.  It is supposed to boost immune function.

    Rarely do I get a cold, which makes me wonder if a suppressed immune system really has anything to do with catching a cold.  I've been anemic in the past and exposed to people sneezing and coughing all around me and I don't even sneeze!

    Although I am a nut about washing my hands (not OCD) and wiping my desk, keyboard,  work phone  and cell phone daily with alcohol.  My workmates call me "Sterilizing Stella!".  Laughing

    Hope you feel better real soon.

    Jelly

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • RIV54
    RIV54 Member Posts: 359
    edited September 2008

    Hi, Marin, Like BC, there is no cure for the common cold, but I've found that having a glass of OJ everyday and a multi-vitamin help in staving off the nasty little cold virus. Along with the washing of the hands I've been rather lucky this past year. However, once you've caught the bug hot chicken soup and rest really do help to minimize the effects. There really is some truth to the old notion about the chicken soup. I keep telling that to my kids, but they don't believe me. Too old fashioned.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • magsandmattsmom
    magsandmattsmom Member Posts: 424
    edited September 2008
    Does staying home and hiding under the covers count?????? Cool
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Liz08
    Liz08 Member Posts: 470
    edited September 2008

    Marin-

    may be too much mo jo is doing it to you.  Just kiddingTongue out.  My husband caught me reading that thread one night and looking at some of your links, well I didn't get much sleep that night.

    Now...to answer your question...my naturalpath put me on something called "immune support" to boost my immune system. After that she did a blood test called an immune function test and was very pleased with my results.

    Here's the link to the actual product she had me taking http://www.vitalnutrients.net/vnestore/detail.asp?product_id=VNIS.  I don't think that you can order from them unless your a patient but you can see what it contains to get a better idea.

    Hope your feeling better soonSmile

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Hanna60978
    Hanna60978 Member Posts: 815
    edited December 2011

    .   

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ADK
    ADK Member Posts: 2,259
    edited September 2008

    Hi Marin,

    I have an autoimmune disorder, so I actually take medication to suppress my immune system, but here's a thought - if your problem is constant colds, have you gotten the lifetime pneumonia shot?  I used to get colds all the time and my PCP gave me this shot and I have no more than one cold a year now.  I don't know what was in that shot, but it helped me greatly. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • abbadoodles
    abbadoodles Member Posts: 2,618
    edited September 2008

    Gee, Marin, I don't know what to say except I have not had a cold in at least 15 years but have still had bc so maybe a strong immune system is not the issue here.

    What do I, personally, do to keep healthy?  Laugh a lot and avoid obnoxious people and conversations.  Never put my hands to my eyes, nose, mouth when out in public places.  Wash hands as soon as I get home.  Sleep about 9 hours per night.  Well, I do that naturally, not on purpose.  Eat what I want when I want and that includes junk food and champagne.  No supplements.  When I drop, I'll drop happy.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • iodine
    iodine Member Posts: 4,289
    edited September 2008

    the truly excellent way to avoid colds and such: wear a mask, avoid being around people(esp. kids), no salad bars and wash your hands every 30 min.   LOL

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • pinoideae
    pinoideae Member Posts: 1,271
    edited September 2008

    lol

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dash
    dash Member Posts: 766
    edited September 2008

    Supplements--Vitamin D is a good all around immune booster, anti tumor supplement. Probiotics.

    Foods--raw honey. plain yogurt. leafy greens. green tea

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • FEB
    FEB Member Posts: 552
    edited September 2008

    I never got colds either. I actually read somewhere that people who do not get colds are more suseptible to cancer. It did not make a lot of sense to me because I thought that meant I had a great immune system, but it has something to do with the fact that the immune system may be so overworked fighting off viruses that it misses the cancer cells. So maybe, the fact that you are getting colds is a good thing??!!

    Nonetheless, when I finished treatments, I did an liver and colon cleanse. I just wanted to get the gunk out. I continue to try to do this because I still feel the effects of rads, and it is almost a year for me. I had a thermograph done on my breast and it was still really hot, showing the rads are still affecting me. No wonder my breast is so tender still.

    Remember, it will take a long time for our sytems to recover. We did not get into this overnight after all. Just keep up the healthy eating, exercise everyday, and take lots of supplements. Eventually it will do the trick. Besides d, c, e, selenium, melotonin, are all great antioxidants.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • LisaSDCA
    LisaSDCA Member Posts: 2,230
    edited September 2008

    I've had one cold in nine years, it lasted two days. No flu, no sore throat, no cough, nothing. I was susceptible to cancer because I'm BRCA-1, though. Tongue out I've found the best 'supplements' for me are:

    rest

    spinach (raw)

    v-8 juice (low sodium)

    kefir

    real food

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • pinoideae
    pinoideae Member Posts: 1,271
    edited September 2008

    You all are doing everything right to maintain a healthy defence against cancer and colds and flus.  Some known immune boosters are Vitamin C, Echinacea, Ginseng, Chicken Soup, Zinc.

    The bottom line is that there's no magic pill you can take that will prevent you from getting sick this winter.

    In terms of nutrition, your best defence against catching a cold is staying hydrated and eating a healthy, balanced diet that includes protein, whole grains and plenty of fruits and vegetables. By eating a diet that includes a variety of foods you are more likely to meet your vitamin and mineral needs, and that will contribute to your overall health - including a stronger immune system.

    And keep in mind that before taking any new vitamin or herbal supplement, it's always a good idea to discuss it with your health care provider. (I found this cold prevention advice).  But if you are around people who have cold or flus like at work or home or school, it is pretty difficult to avoid catching it.  Lots of times one person here brings a flu home and then it makes its rounds.  My 16 year old never seems to get as sick as the rest of us.  He seems to only get the milder symptoms that last 3 to 4 days, while we can have a full blown cold that lasts 7 days.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • amberyba
    amberyba Member Posts: 608
    edited September 2008

    a few years ago, i started working in the emergency dept....just 2 nights a week, after the 2 nights, I would always seem to come down with some virus...then after about 2 yrs of this, I started taking garlic tablets, (the same day as I worked and ususally a couple of days after) well I never caught much after that...and I used astragalus too...though not to often, it is best to rotate astragalus with echinacea.   I also noticed that my son never caught too many colds  after he started an orange juice venture, last year he would drink 1-2 gallons a week and he loves fresh fruit.

    Flaxoil strengthens the body, promotes healthy gums too.

    CoQ10 keeps the mitochondria in our cells healthy.

    Bee pollen and royal Jelly are excellent supplements loaded with vit/min

    all nuts are loaded with vitamin B's

    citrus loaded with C

    Garlic treats about anything, Kyolic is a reputable brand, (too much garlic can cause headaches though).

    I used most all of these supplements prior to BC diagnosis, the only addition is CoQ10, and now I feel the effects of it's energy boosting....if i miss a day, i am dragging..but it is expensive. i take two 100mg gel caps daily

    I read that Riboflavin and niacin when added to CoQ10 are potent antioidants

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Calico
    Calico Member Posts: 1,108
    edited September 2008

    Marin,

    I would have answered 'excersise' as my immune booster....but you do that and plentiful....maybe you need more rest in between? More sleep?

    What are you taking supplement wise?

    I love to run on a trail outside...and I don't get colds...except today, sitting here with chills...go figure...but normally...no colds....just bc Laughing

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • AnneW
    AnneW Member Posts: 4,050
    edited September 2008

    I get a couple colds each year, but I work in a college student health clinic, so I'm sneezed and coughed upon all day. My immune system is normally pretty strong, but throw one mutated virus my way and my body latches on to it! I'm recovering from my 2nd ever sinus infection, and it seems to me to be way too early in the season for that!

    I do my best to get enough sleep and exercise. But as I age there's a fine line between just enough exercise and too much exercise, before I don't sleep as well and get more susceptible to illness. My eating habits are above average, but I do take a vitamin and mineral supplement called Body Balance.

    I just found out that my vitamin D level is low, so we'll see if that's a culprit for my susceptibility to viruses...

    Anne

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • pabbie
    pabbie Member Posts: 370
    edited September 2008

    I started drinking Jamba juices a year ago and I think it helped to boost my white blood count. My WBC is low again after radiation and surgery so I've been craving and buying fresh squeezed OJ from Jamba Juice daily. It feels like liquid sunshine. And I try to walk at least 30 minutes 3-4 times a week. My goal is always 7 days a week for an hr walk but I've been taking it easy. Take care.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories