Improving my immune system

kirianna55
kirianna55 Posts: 459 Member
edited October 3 in Health and Weight Loss
I have a really weak immune system and constantly get sick. I take a bunch of vitamins to try to keep my immune system strong. Will losing weight improve my immune system and reduce how often I get sick?

Replies

  • DannyMussels
    DannyMussels Posts: 1,842 Member
    Becoming stronger and healthier will definitely help your body fight off illness and dirty virus bugs invading your body.

    It's moreso that than just weight loss.

    Overall it'll improve the quality of your life on many levels.
  • catwrangler
    catwrangler Posts: 918 Member
    Eating better will. Colorful veggies and fruits will help.

    http://www.webmd.com/diet/guide/antioxidants-your-immune-system-super-foods-optimal-health
  • minus40
    minus40 Posts: 112 Member
    I am hoping the same thing. There is evidence to suggest it. I have been battling immune related inflammation for over 2 months now and on top of it have a horrible cold/lung issues. I'm willing to bet once I get healthy & fit, my symptoms will begin to decrease. Good luck with your continued journey. Remember, positive thoughts yield positive results! Think well :wink:
  • DakotaKeogh
    DakotaKeogh Posts: 693 Member
    Losing weight will help. But vitamins matter a lot. D is a commonly ignored one. I started taking 5000 mg of vitamin D about 4 years ago. Haven't been sick a day since.
  • tacticalhippie
    tacticalhippie Posts: 596 Member
    Vit D is measured in IU :p

    Making sure you're taking good quality vitamins as well.
    You get phytochemicals and phytonutrients from fresh foods and veggies, so it's important to have them as well.

    There are some herbs that can help your immune system as well.
  • ahavoc
    ahavoc Posts: 464 Member
    Since I started here last July I've lost 26 lbs, I workout doing cardio 4x a week and strength training 3x a week, and I no longer take any of my asthma medication, haven't had to use my inhaler, and have reduced the number of pills I need to take a day from 3 to 1.

    I take my vitamins, eat very clean and healthy, and I haven't gotten really sick since I started. That's pretty good for me, since I usually get sick often because of all my allergies and medical issues.

    So if you're brave enough to make a change, this is the one to make. It's working for me.
  • minus40
    minus40 Posts: 112 Member
    Careful when taking large doses of vitamins. Most people in Canada have low vitamin D, however, I found out that I have toxic levels in my system (without taking ANY supplements - no reason found yet). Try to get your levels checked before taking vitamins :)
  • Silverkittycat
    Silverkittycat Posts: 1,997 Member
    I'd focus on eating a variety of nutritionally dense foods, some exercise and a lot of rest. :smile:
  • questionablemethods
    questionablemethods Posts: 2,174 Member
    I'd focus on eating a variety of nutritionally dense foods, some exercise and a lot of rest. :smile:
    Agree.

    Also, I would look into probiotics and fermented/cultured foods like yogurt (with live cultures), kefir, raw sauerkraut, etc.
  • woou
    woou Posts: 668 Member
    Concerning vitamins, I started taking a multi around last month and took the recommended dosage of 2/day. I felt really ill, and my eyes were stinging and kept tearing. I've since lowered the dosage to a quarter of what's recommended. I never thought I'd be using a pill cutter. I thought they were only for people who couldn't swallow pills. :laugh:
  • questionablemethods
    questionablemethods Posts: 2,174 Member
    Careful when taking large doses of vitamins. Most people in Canada have low vitamin D, however, I found out that I have toxic levels in my system (without taking ANY supplements - no reason found yet). Try to get your levels checked before taking vitamins :)
    Maybe low vitamin A (or low conversion from beta-carotene--they aren't the same thing)? http://blog.cholesterol-and-health.com/2009/04/tufts-university-confirms-that-vitamin.html
  • PBJunky
    PBJunky Posts: 737 Member
    I'd focus on eating a variety of nutritionally dense foods, some exercise and a lot of rest. :smile:

    This^, I see a lot of people suggesting random vitamins without knowing the function of each...your most important nutrient for your immune system is actually different kinds of amino acids.
  • woou
    woou Posts: 668 Member
    I'd focus on eating a variety of nutritionally dense foods, some exercise and a lot of rest. :smile:

    This^, I see a lot of people suggesting random vitamins without knowing the function of each...your most important nutrient for your immune system is actually different kinds of amino acids.

    This is very true. Nutrients will always be better consumed from foods.

    I've always shunned all kinds of pills. Most of the time, I eat meat, lots and lots of veggies, fruits and grains. I rarely fried anything and opted for baked or steamed; however, my cravings were still very ravenous no matter how much variety of healthy foods I ate. This went on for years. I don't know what in my diet I was missing, but a multivit. (not all multivits are created equal) has helped me control my cravings. I wish I would have started taking them, when I was much younger.

    I was most healthiest when I went vegan for about a year. My mind was just very clear, and I rarely experienced any aches and pain.

    Finding what works is obviously going to vary from person to person.
  • servilia
    servilia Posts: 3,452 Member
    Vit D is measured in IU :p

    Actually it's ALSO measured in mcg :p
  • neanderthin
    neanderthin Posts: 10,207 Member
    Lots of sugary food will bring the immune system to a snails pace.
  • PBJunky
    PBJunky Posts: 737 Member
    Lots of sugary food will bring the immune system to a snails pace.

    Nonsense^
  • fastmethod
    fastmethod Posts: 40 Member
    i would see an immunologist,
    I mean increaseing your fruit and veg intake will probably help, eating more veg helps everything in my experiance.
    and excercise has been show to increase immune system regulation.
    but if your actually getting ill all the time- that's doctor territory
    that's what I'd do
  • neanderthin
    neanderthin Posts: 10,207 Member
    Lots of sugary food will bring the immune system to a snails pace.

    Nonsense^

    If you say so. lol
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