Is it really possible to "build up your immune system"

Oh dear ethel, I hope you feel better soon.
Stay home is an ideal solution in an ideal world but it isn't possible because we don't live in an ideal world.

I have heard that probiotics are good to help to build up the immune system, perhaps a course of those little drinks such as Yakult (or a couple of different ones each day) could help. Homemade soups to boost your input of veg could perhaps help too.
Some people swear by Vitamin C and zinc tablets (fairly cheap too).

Have re read the above comments where i reccomended vit d. It doesnt work. My cold lasted about 2 weeks then i had flu then after a week off work i went back last week only to find ive got a chest infection. Nothing works. Its just chance. I would however like to meet the so called health professionals who say stay at home to avoid spreading germs. As im in my 6th week of illness how can i not go shopping, go to doctors and go to work when i can struggle to get there. Its all a lot of tosh you just cant stay in when you live alone. Sorry i needed a grumble as im so fed up

Thanks jane this one works!

www.jameswong.co.uk/home/4587743476
Try that one lazigirl
That’s interesting - I can see that just because someone may have low levels of VitD according to some arbitrary recommendation, they might not necessarily experience illness as a result.

Whoops Jane your link didn't work! From what I have researched there has been a huge increase in testing for VitD levels, but although they have been found to be low in certain groups there is no strong evidence that supplementing with VitD actually makes any difference to adverse health outcomes ie fractures, vascular disease etc. But there is a large double blind long term trial taking place at the moment. Interesting about the mushrooms.

Yes, I did know [smug] emoticon, however, it is something that I always forget to do. Then, of course, you have to to remember to eat them.
I know only because I saw James Wong on the tv a while ago when he explained that!

Lazigirl I think most people, scientists included, agree about the need for supplementing vitamin D in the winter.
The other thing is that everyone is different. As we get older we perhaps are less efficient at absorbing through our gut, so vitamins and minerals become less available.
You might be interested in this site
James Wong is an ethnobotanist & I heard him speak a few months ago at the Chelsea Physic Garden. His talk was fascinating - debunking popular myths about food and advising about how you can get more out of the vegetables you do eat.
He bounced into the room 20 minutes late and opened his lecture by telling us that if you leave supermarket mushrooms on the windowsill for 2 hours, their vitamin D content increases by 5 times. Who knew?
He is on BBC2 with Michael Mosley in February and this is one food programme I’ll be watching with interest.

Thanks for your link janeainsworth. I'm inclined to go with the last guy (prof of genetic epidemiology) who says no good evidence in properly conducted trials that taking supplements are beneficial and can even be harmful in some cases. I was thinking of taking VitD during winter but will have to do a bit more research.

I buy these Vitamin D3 (you need the 3) off here
m.pipingrock.com/vitamin-d/high-potency-vitamin-d3-5000-iu-1613
They are super strength plus they come in a bottle not a fiddly blister pack.

Interesting article in the Conversation
theconversation.com/what-supplements-do-scientists-use-and-why-87954?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Latest%20from%20The%20Conversation%20for%20January%2012%202018%20-%2092087820&utm_content=Latest%20from%20The%20Conversation%20for%20January%2012%202018%20-%2092087820+CID_46c833c2e886493217c9faae7ea7fa61&utm_source=campaign_monitor_uk&utm_term=What%20supplements%20do%20scientists%20use%20and%20why

Well you can damage you immune system by a poor lifestyle, so I suspect you can boost it by looking after yourself.
Don't forget your vitamin D supplements, and don't mess with your body clock and sleep patterns. That really screws up your immune system. As I keep telling OH to no avail .
You do need the right genes but that is mostly out of your control.

I thinks some Naproxen [if not all] is ec coated. Ec coated stuff is often more expensive so it's probably cheaper to prescribe with a PPI. We never liked to give people Naproxen very often [I do miss my job, sometimes; as a total hypochondriac, I was fascinated by the drugs we used to stock!].

I was prescribed Naproxen without omeprazole by another GP a couple of years ago. When I asked for them again when I had a problem recently another GP (3rd one!) prescribed them for two weeks and just asked if I had had stomach problems.

Having said that, when I did have my bout of indigestion I realised how awful it must be to suffer from that all the time. Bit like the way that I never understood people wanting to take things for morning sickness because I never suffered from it.

You have to take omeprazole with NSAID's; a friend of mine almost died from a stomach ulcer when she was prescribed ibuprofen without omeprazole. I think the problem is that, when you stop taking omeprazole your body overcompensates by producing even more acid than before. They were never meant to be taken long term.

Me too Tegan; I was prescribed them by the GP when I had to take a NSAID - then I read the contra-indications and side effects.
Same GP will not now prescribe any NSAID - has he stopped prescribing the omeprazole I wonder? He said he and his family all took them when going on a long journey.

Tegan I was put on those years ago when diagnosed with hiatus hernia even though I had no symptoms. Wish I had challenged it at the time. I assume my body adapted to them and will now take a little time to adapt to me not taking them. I am increasingly concerned about DH and all the meds he takes, I try to persuade him that everything he takes has some sort of nasty side effect but he was brought up to believe there was always an answer in a bottle and thinks no one should have to have any sort of pain or discomfort.

I've always been deeply suspicious of omeprazole and lansoprazole we used to hand them out like sweets at the surgery. A bout of indigestion recently [something I don't usually get] got me using a small dose of ranitidine which worked. There are, I think, quite a few things on utube about weaning oneself off PPI's.

Thanks Tegan

Yes Biker drove probably less than 2 miles after not driving for several months and went to Boots. I bought a massive 3 for 2 batch of calcium, plus magnesium, plus vit D which should help with all sorts of things. Don't think I need the Vit C as I eat a lot of citrus and other fruit and veg. Also talked to the pharmacist about the indigestion I now have after GP said to try to come off the Lansaprazole I have been on for years. Had missed the DM scare story about it. I now have something to take until, hopefully, my body learns to live without the meds.

Nonnie did you make it to the chemist! if so, did you end up with anything....

Nonnie; I'm so sorry about your son. Hugs .

I have just spoken to my mum...as I lay here in bed feeling sorry for myself!! she puts me to shame.!

She had just come back from swimming (again) she went on Monday morning, she just been to Tesco and Aldi (she goes supermarket everyday , they are quite lucky a shave 3 major ones on the doorstep.

Yesterday she got on bus went to sort something out in nearby town.She looks after my dad who has mild PD.

I said you sound bright and breeezy! she said yes I feel like I could jump up and down!!
She said "don't think I will go Aqua jog this week its getting too busy"! lol

Shes 82!!! lol oh shes made me feel brighter...takes no vit suppliments etc although I have persuaded her to think about some vitD as they have just given up their static caravan. Shes already booked an Elvis tribute weekend away for Feb!! I cnt keep up with her...

I taught school for years with only one or two colds a year, and anyone who is around children all day is at the receiving end of all germs.

So what did I do that made the difference?

I don't really know, except eating a well-balanced diet, changing out of the clothes I wore at school on getting home, when I usually took a shower as well, and walked part of the home every day to get some fresh air.

We aired our flat thoroughly for 10 to 15 minutes every morning too.

As I say, I don't know if any or all of this helped- I was a martyr to colds and sore throats as a child, so perhaps I am just immune to all and every bug by now!

We should all take vitamin D supplements from October to about April. The sun does not get high enough the rest of the year in the UK. Vitamin D is really important to our health.

Liz46 thanks for that info. Coincidentally, I was at the beautician's earlier this week and she offered to give me some Kefir grains. I'm to collect them on Friday. So I'll happily make my own, soon!

Nonnie - and all who are struggling with their health because they are sad - and a hug.