The Importance of Keeping Our Immune System Strong

[Darield]

A great article came out in the AARP magazine titled “Who Gets Sick and Why”. The article online is titled “Coronavirus Immunity: How does Your Age Play A Factor”.

In any case, it’s a great read. A strong immune system has the ability to at least lesson the severity of a new invader if not fight it off.

Coronavirus Immunity: How Age, Health Factor into Risk (https://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/info-2020/coronavirus-immunity-age-risk.html)

[DDVeteran]

Remember making mud pies?

[Two Bills]

I often used to get off flights and within hours/days would have a streaming cold.
I asked a flight attendant on a flight where every other passenger seemed to be sniffing and coughing, how she coped with all these people with colds.
She said she took Echinacea before her flights, and she very seldom ever got a cold.
Wife and I did same from that time, and have never had another cold getting off any flight.
When grandkids came around with sniffles the same, take an Echinacea, and 99 times out of a 100 we didn't catch it, where as before taking them, for me at least, it was a guaranteed cold.
One point. They are not recommended to be taken continuously for more than 14 days.
We take a few days before a flight, or on exposure to cold/flu symptoms, and for a few days after.
I trully believe they boost the immune system, which in these times, is not a bad thing.

[graciegirl]

A great article came out in the AARP magazine titled “Who Gets Sick and Why”. The article online is titled “Coronavirus Immunity: How does Your Age Play A Factor”.

In any case, it’s a great read. A strong immune system has the ability to at least lesson the severity of a new invader if not fight it off.

Coronavirus Immunity: How Age, Health Factor into Risk (https://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/info-2020/coronavirus-immunity-age-risk.html)

It appears that the author of this piece is a free lance journalist. I am not a medical person and neither is he.

[Two Bills]

It appears that the author of this piece is a free lance journalist. I am not a medical person and neither is he.


........but it is not without merit, unlike many articles with an agenda, or downright quackery!

[davem4616]

our own immune system is the best protection that we have against anything....so sad that many of the cancer treatments still being used today wreak such havoc on our immune system vs. boosting it

The article did offer some advice on how to nurture one's immune system

[Darield]

I often used to get off flights and within hours/days would have a streaming cold.
I asked a flight attendant on a flight where every other passenger seemed to be sniffing and coughing, how she coped with all these people with colds.
She said she took Echinacea before her flights, and she very seldom ever got a cold.
Wife and I did same from that time, and have never had another cold getting off any flight.
When grandkids came around with sniffles the same, take an Echinacea, and 99 times out of a 100 we didn't catch it, where as before taking them, for me at least, it was a guaranteed cold.
One point. They are not recommended to be taken continuously for more than 14 days.
We take a few days before a flight, or on exposure to cold/flu symptoms, and for a few days after.
I trully believe they boost the immune system, which in these times, is not a bad thing.

I have had the same experience. There are a number of other supplements that help build immunity so I am alternating. The mushroom blends are reported to have some very good virus defense and then of course garlic. The allicin in garlic cooks out very easily so a supplement is the best solution. Elderberry syrup is also high on the list.

[Darield]

It appears that the author of this piece is a free lance journalist. I am not a medical person and neither is he.

I have read a number of articles by doctors that support the importance of keeping our immune system healthy. This article lists some of the most common ways to do that.

[Bay Kid]

Good common sense.

[LiverpoolWalrus]

She said she took Echinacea before her flights, and she very seldom ever got a cold.
Wife and I did same from that time, and have never had another cold getting off any flight.
When grandkids came around with sniffles the same, take an Echinacea, and 99 times out of a 100 we didn't catch it, where as before taking them, for me at least, it was a guaranteed cold.

That's great! I'm glad it worked for you. I also think "expectation" had something to do with it. I'm not a scientist or MD, but I have an interest in the mind/body connection and educate myself to it as much as I can. It's well documented that our mind has a huge influence on our health. I just wish more MDs would talk about this. And for those of us who have an interest in "history," there was a great healer we all know about who said it was belief that did the actual healing, not the healer.
The Placebo Effect: What Is It? (https://www.webmd.com/pain-management/what-is-the-placebo-effect#1)

[billethkid]

Remember hand sanitizing is a back up to hand washing and not a substitute for hand washing.

Alcohol kills the good and the bad germs on your hands if used too often instead of washing.

[Aloha]

According to research, Vitamin D3 is essential.
Vitamin D and the Immune System (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3166406/)

[Bill1701]

A great article came out in the AARP magazine titled “Who Gets Sick and Why”. The article online is titled “Coronavirus Immunity: How does Your Age Play A Factor”.

In any case, it’s a great read. A strong immune system has the ability to at least lesson the severity of a new invader if not fight it off.

Coronavirus Immunity: How Age, Health Factor into Risk (https://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/info-2020/coronavirus-immunity-age-risk.html)
Did you also read the article that talked about your immune will be stronger if you think of the virus as a challenge you can beat instead of something to be terrified of?

[JanetMM]

That's great! I'm glad it worked for you. I also think "expectation" had something to do with it. I'm not a scientist or MD, but I have an interest in the mind/body connection and educate myself to it as much as I can. It's well documented that our mind has a huge influence on our health. I just wish more MDs would talk about this. And for those of us who have an interest in "history," there was a great healer we all know about who said it was belief that did the actual healing, not the healer.
The Placebo Effect: What Is It? (https://www.webmd.com/pain-management/what-is-the-placebo-effect#1)

Just thinking the same thing! I know folks who swear by approach A and someone else says it does not do a thing but that Approach B works for them. Maybe not total prevention or cure for all but it has made a difference for many people in many ways.

[jakers]

I am a medical person, and I do the same with zinc. Take two or three a day before I fly, or if I feel a cold coming on. Works well for my husband and I both.

[La lamy]

A great article came out in the AARP magazine titled “Who Gets Sick and Why”. The article online is titled “Coronavirus Immunity: How does Your Age Play A Factor”.

In any case, it’s a great read. A strong immune system has the ability to at least lesson the severity of a new invader if not fight it off.

Coronavirus Immunity: How Age, Health Factor into Risk (https://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/info-2020/coronavirus-immunity-age-risk.html)

Great read. Thanks for sharing. So important to remember that lifestyle choices make a huge difference regarding our immunity to diseases.

[BostonRich]

I have read recent studies that have shown that vitamins and supplements do nothing to prevent diseases or improve health. Basically the researchers say save your money. I have stopped taking a daily vitamin but just don't know what to believe anymore.

[LiverpoolWalrus]

did you also read the article that talked about your immune will be stronger if you think of the virus as a challenge you can beat instead of something to be terrified of?

bingo !!!

[queasy27]

The best way to build up immunity is to develop antibodies, which happens after exposure or through vaccinations.

We all know about the rise of antibiotic-resistant infections due to overuse. Just spitballing, but it wouldn't shock me if the sharp increase in use of antiseptics has some kind of unintended consequence down the line.

[graciegirl]

I was interested in seeing this interview on the Today Show this morning 5/14/20. It is with Dr. Joseph Fair who is a science contributor to NBC and MSNBC. He is a Virologist and Epidemologist. He is 42, and runs from five to ten miles, five days a week. He is currently hospitalized with Covid-19.

dr. joseph fair - Bing video (https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=dr.+joseph+fair&docid=13823805369800&mid=22D186DF3D610C4258F422D186DF3D610C4258F4&view=detail&FORM=VIRE)

[CFrance]

The best way to build up immunity is to develop antibodies, which happens after exposure or through vaccinations.

We all know about the rise of antibiotic-resistant infections due to overuse. Just spitballing, but it wouldn't shock me if the sharp increase in use of antiseptics has some kind of unintended consequence down the line.
I have been wondering the same thing. Doctors have for at least a decade warned against overuse of hand sanitizer vis-a-vis the need for stronger antibiotics. I never used hand sanitizer until now. But if I have the choice to wash my hands instead, I go with that.

[coffeebean]

I have been wondering the same thing. Doctors have for at least a decade warned against overuse of hand sanitizer vis-a-vis the need for stronger antibiotics. I never used hand sanitizer until now. But if I have the choice to wash my hands instead, I go with that.

Hand sanitizer breeds super bugs. I never use the stuff. Just wash my hands with soap and water. When I can't wash my hands, I just do not touch my face. Actually, I have gotten into the habit of not ever touching my face with my bare hands. This prepares me for when I have no access to soap and water. I don't care where I am, I will use the inside of my blouse/shirt to touch my face for what ever reason.

I have practiced this since the very beginning of the warnings of how to keep ourselves safe from this virus. There was a video posted on this forum of an ER physician who explained, very calmly, how to keep ourselves safe through this pandemic. He said he felt empowered by the information he passed on to everyone. A couple weeks after I initially saw the video, bits of it were shown on the news as the video had gone viral. The only time I touch my face with my bare hands is in the shower.

[clwahlstrom]

This was an excellent article. Worth the time to read.