Immune System Function

[fashionista-ta]

^ That's right ... there are dozens & dozens of auto-immune diseases ... if you feel great, don't start to worry There was a post on the last page from someone who seemed to be describing a weak immune system, asking about auto-immune diseases. I was simply addressing the fact that weak immunity and auto-immunes do not mix.

The diagnosis for them varies. Some can be diagnosed visually. I have one that has a surgical diagnosis only. Some can be found with a blood test. Some have genes mapped to them, so there's genetic testing to see if you are at risk. (Not that I would recommend that ... it's bringing focus & attention to what you don't want--always a bad idea.)

PS The meaning of auto-immune is that the immune system is attacking its own body.

 

[Virginielle]

^Actually, with some diseases you do get sick, but they are all very different. Trust me, you will feel something

I sometimes get cold sores on my chin when I'm starting to get sick, so that's how I usually know my immune system is down, but for the most part, I'd say I'm not very much "in touch" with my body, and I can't really tell when I'm unwell. I'd definitely like to become more sensitive to slight differences so that I can modify my routine in lieu of the change. Prevention is so much easier (and less unpleasant) than fighting the disease at its worst.

 

[fashionista-ta]

^ I made this same resolution awhile ago ...

You might try taking 5 minutes in the morning, say after breakfast or when you've had a chance to wake up a bit perhaps, and just kind of go into yourself & check in, see how things are ... you could combine with stretching, perhaps, which I think is very beneficial ...

 

[Virginielle]

That's a really good idea, actually. I should probably start doing yoga or something calm in the morning before I'm running around getting ready for work.

 

[kissablekae]

'tis the season to get sick. ive been sick on and off, i keep fighting it but its such a pain! i went snowboarding(it was effin' cold) so it definitely wants to make a reappearance!

 

[Melisande]

With all my experience fighting colds I could be an immunologist by now. I've found I can be cold-free for seasons, maybe even years, as long as I do the following:

a proper diet (vegetables, whole grains, healthy proteins)
sleep as much as the body demands (before midnight if possible)
stress elimination & plenty of relaxation
regular exercise (cardio & strength)
no sugar & refined carbs

I've tried all sorts of supplements/foods/vitamins, but nothing works without the above. And with the above, I don't seem to need much else.

Also, be sure to cover your nose/mouth in crowded areas, and wash your hands well and gargle regularly.

 

[fashionista-ta]

^ "sleep as much as the body demands"--I believe that would be the hard part

 

[gius]

hey you know one good thing to do if you cant get as much sleep as you want or keep yourself away from sugar is, to have vitamin c everyday..

i have always have it with breakfast or as a snack
and i haven't got a cold in ages...
or at least, i will get one and then later on in the day or the next day it will disappear.
i also have plenty of sips of water throughout the day

i have also been in classes where everybody gets the flu and turns absent one by one, but i don't
and i'm somewhat sure i am not the best at sleep, sugar and stress relief

 

[Babypink920]

^what type of vitamin c do you take? in its natural form? or as a supplement? if so which supplement?

 

[Virginielle]

Vitamins are always best when obtained from food, but if you can't get it from fruit or juice, then a supplement is ok. A multivitamin usually has the sufficient daily value (you can overdose on vitamins, you know), or else you can buy supplements at a decent health food store. My PCP says that the best multivitamins/supplements are organic, otherwise they sometimes have sugar coating or something senseless like that, and they don't absorb as well. My multivitamin is organic and of high quality and smells/tastes AWFUL, but I trust it.

Find a health food store and ask as many questions as you please. The people at smaller stores are incredibly knowledgeable and usually really believe in what they're selling.

 

[Melisande]

hey you know one good thing to do if you cant get as much sleep as you want or keep yourself away from sugar is, to have vitamin c everyday..

i have always have it with breakfast or as a snack
and i haven't got a cold in ages...
or at least, i will get one and then later on in the day or the next day it will disappear.
i also have plenty of sips of water throughout the day

i have also been in classes where everybody gets the flu and turns absent one by one, but i don't
and i'm somewhat sure i am not the best at sleep, sugar and stress relief

Ta-ta is right about sleep. The key is to do as many of the things on the list as possible to make up for the lack. It's true about Vit. C and water, in fact I've noticed a substantial increase in energy since I started to take lots of C and multivitamins. You are lucky it works instead of lifestyle changes for you Gius...so far it hasn't for me. But then, I had such an allergy&cold ridden past, I feel if I can become this robust, almost anyone can! I must say I had zero colds while I was macrobiotic vegan, but that was inconvenient...now I can eat more freely while staying healthy.

 

[Babypink920]

has anyone taken emergencee? is it as effective as vitamin c in tablet form? i try to drink at least one glass of freshly squeezed orange juice a day, but i'm still worried i'm not getting enough vitamin c.

 

[fashionista-ta]

Just wanted to mention re ODing on vitamins, I believe you can't on Vit C (the body just flushes it), but you can on Vit A. Herbs are something to be quite careful with as well ... even more so than vitamins IMO.

 

[ChloeFrancoise]

The fat soluble vitamins A,D,E and K are the ones that can build up in one's system. From what I remember from nutrition classes, vit. C toxicity is possible but not easily since it flushes out more easily being one of the water soluble vitamins. I doubt most people are likely to od on that though.

 

[fashionista-ta]

^ I haven't heard of that ... I know Linus Pauling & others have done a fair amount of research on mega-doses of Vitamin C. For C, I just get it in my multivitamin when I take it ... but I gets lots of tomatos, oranges, etc. so I wouldn't think I'd be deficient.

 

[Virginielle]

In Defense of Food is next on my reading list. My mum has been encouraging me to read it, as it is all about the benefits of getting your nutrients from food instead of pills (although I see nothing wrong with fortification from multivitamins). It might be inspiring.

 

[fashionista-ta]

^ The problem is that some of them just don't work, or even make the situation worse. Did you see the study where smokers were given I think it was betacarotene supplements, and their incidence of cancers actually increased?? Whereas eating the foods with antioxidants helps.

I knew someone with uncontrolled IBS, she willfully continued to eat everything that exacerbated it, because they were "all her favorite foods" When I suggested that this uncontrolled situation was probably preventing her from absorbing all the nutrients she needed, she was quite shocked & said, "But I take a multivitamin."

Good Lord ... so many people seem to think you can eat whatever, do whatever, and make it all OK by popping a Flintstones

 

[Virginielle]

^I'm not disagreeing with this sentiment at all. I eat very well (incredibly well), but will still take my organic multivitamin for good measure. Getting your nutrients the natural way makes so much sense, but most people will do what is easiest.

This is the book I am referencing: http://www.amazon.com/Defense-Food-...bs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1234912847&sr=8-1. I have yet to read it, but my mum (the most culinary and well-read person I know, bar none) recommends it very highly.

 

[Serenity*Now]

has anyone taken emergencee? is it as effective as vitamin c in tablet form? i try to drink at least one glass of freshly squeezed orange juice a day, but i'm still worried i'm not getting enough vitamin c.

I take it every day. Easy to travel with too. I think you are fine with this and OJ since the packet alone is 1000mg.

 

[Virginielle]

I have finished In Defense of Food and have only good things to say (about the book itself, not it's contents, some of which are scary). It is definitely worth checking out.

About multivitamins the book's author says:

Be the kind of person who takes supplements. We know that people who take supplements are generally healthier than the rest of us, and we also know that, in controlled studies, most of the supplements they take don't appear to work. Probably the supplement takers are healthier for reasons having nothing to do with the pills: They're typically more health conscious, better educated, and more affluent. So to the extent you can, be the kind of person who would take supplements, and then save your money.

He goes into the topic in depth, citing specific studies and whatever else, but you get the point. It appears he is a pretty amazing researcher and the book is surprisingly readable. I'm sounding like a marketing exec all of a sudden.