Boost Immune System Natural Immunity

Question: Do immunizations actually boost the immune system? One of the arguments for immunizations is that it boosts the immune system. It seems to me that it may not. It does provide added protection for a particular disease, but does it make the overall immune system work better? Or maybe by subverting natural immunity it undermines the system in the long run? Please, no cranks. I want knowledgeable doctors and researchers without agendas.

Answer: immunizations just target specific viruses. they do not boost your overall immunity.

Question: Immune system boosters? I've recently contracted a virus and need some good things to boost my immunity, especially because I will be starting my period and that lowers your immune system. I exercise and drink lots of water and plain tea and get lots of vitamin c but what are some other good things that boost immunity? I'm also a vegetarian but am pretty fine with my iron supply, I don't take iron supplements and don't want to. I try to keep it as natural as possible. Thanks a bunch!

Answer: It sounds like you're already doing the bulk of what helps... eating a proper diet, getting enough sleep, and doing at least some form of exercise. That's the basic way to stay healthy in general, but for added help, some of the best natural products for boosting the immune system are Colostrum, Mushrooms (Maitake, Shiitake, and Reishi), IP-6 (Inositol Hexaphosphate), Beta Glucans, Elderberry, Echinacea (should be taken short-term only), and any antioxidants. Good luck and I hope I helped!

Question: homeopathic immune boosters? I had scoliosis surgery a few years ago, a got MERSA and managed to work through that with IV antibiotics and they re-opened the incision twice to clean it out. After i got off IV antibiotics I went down hill, it turned out I had a second infection that required the rods to be removed and a different set of IV antibiotics. It has been almost one year since the hardware was removed and I still struggle with poor appetite, therefore making it a struggle to eat what is best for me. I am supplimenting with several things to boost my immune system, I am also taking Iron, Mg, Ca, Vit. D. Greens, echenacia, Noni, and a liquid vitamin with Noni. It all taste horrible but I want to be as strong as possible. After all, my surgery was a success, the infections were the problem. What are your thoughts on all of this? Do you think I am doing the right thing by adding immunity help. There always seems to be this struggle between Dr's and adding homeopathic, natural suppliments.

Answer: If you do go for alternative medicine, stick to herbal or acupuncture. There's some evidence that these will work beyond the placebo effect. Homeopathy has been shown, again and again, to not work. It simply creates a placebo effect.

Question: What supplements/vitamins should I give my kids to help their immune systems? I have a 4 yr old and 10 mo old, they have a cold right now, I am so tired of dealing with colds and such every few months. Are there any natural medicines that you have used on young children that help support the immune system. I just want my family to be healthy! We eat very well, and neither my kids go to daycare, we are clean people but not germ freaks...I just think they need a little extra boost in their immunity and general health. TIA Any personal experiances with your own children is even more appreciated...

Answer: I tried to find the answer to that very question with my son he keep getting cold and then ear infections so I wanted to know what I could give him.... The doc told me to buy him a kids multivitamin at the store and have him take one a day. I don't know if you can give the 10 month old a multivitamin yet. It seemed to help a little but then again my son went to daycare and we couldn't keep him away from the germs, finally the only thing that work for us was pull him out of daycare and keep him at home he stopped getting sick then and he was still taking the multivitamin so hopefully it will work for you. You can give your 4 yr old vitamin C in addition to the multivitamin but not your 10 month old. Good luck I feel your frustration.

Question: any advice on what vitamins to take and where to buy? I want to put my family on a daily multi-vitamin. I am looking for something that supports overall health, vision, brain development, immunity, stree/depression, weigh control/loss, skin, etc. I realize that these are a lot of different issues to be treated with just one pill but I am open to any advice on starting my family on a daily vitamin regement. I dont believe in the flu vaccine either so I would like advice on a vitamin to really boost your immune system. Also, where can I purchase these supplements that are of good quality and not overly expensive? I prefere as natural as possible! My family consists of myself, 26, husband, 26 and 2 children, 4 and 7. Thank you for your advice!!! thank you for all of the advice!!! and for the skeptics...I do feed my family mostly whole and organic foods but this is almost an impossible thing to do for every single item we consume and I do "treat" my kids on occasion....I dont deprive them of things that most other children get to eat but of corse it is done in moderation and I certainly wouldnt give them something that would hurt them. The vitamin regiment idea was specifically for the purpose of keeping a healthy immune system during the flu season, any season really but especially the flu since vaccinations will not be an option for us. I am very fortunate to have children that love eating fresh raw foods but even so, it is very hard to get as much servings in everyday with work ,school etc! thanks again!! I think the juicing idea is great and will look into a good juicer this weekend!

Answer: A good resource that has helped me is the local health food store (not GNC!). A good vitamin that has worked for me has been a whole foods vitamin. I would personally stay away from some of the vitamins, even in the health food store that has a lot of unidentifiable herbal "stuff". I paid $30 for a vitamin one time, and whatever herbal stuff was in there gave me severe headaches. So, I immediately stopped taking them. Always remember that herbal supplements act as medication and can and do impact the brain. I recommend looking at products with less herbal stuff and things you can't recognize in the ingredients. One a Day Vitamin even adds caffeine in some of their vitamins! Keep in mind that any vitamin or pill that claims to "supports overall health, vision, brain development, immunity, stress/depression, weigh control/loss, skin, etc." is lying to you! I wish there was a magic pill! Also, juicing is a good way of building the immunity of your family. The one thing about juicing though is that you should drink the juice as soon as it is made, because that is when the juice will have the most nutrients. Juicing apple and carrots is very healthy. Pineapple and carrots taste great as well. The sweetness of the apple or pineapple really makes the juice taste sweet. This may sound gross........but you can juice broccoli, zucchini and most juicers come with recipe books. I will typically juice a small amount of a green vegetable, and add carrot and pineapple or an apple to sweeten the juice. This is an easy way to get your 5 servings in as well. It really tastes great and is one of the best forms of natural nutrients. Since you have small children, they would not need to drink the same amount as you and your husband. The best way your body builds immunity is from fruits and vegetables......especially leafy green veges. I noticed a significant difference in my body after starting to juice. The below website has some free online magazines and provides good information on vitamins. Good luck!

Question: How to strengthen a lab with a weak liver? Hi, I have a pet lab who had severe jaundice when he was a puppy. Now he is fine. However, his liver has been damaged and since than even after 3 years he constantly has stomach upsets. We keep him on a strict vegetarian diet, as he is unable to digest nonvegetarian food. I would like to know if there is any natural health suppliment, tonic to strengthen his liver? Also since his jaundice was cured, he has a weak immune system and constantly gets mange (demodec), ear infection. We keep treating him and have tried almost everything our vet had told us to do. If there is any good remeady for mange other than the amitraz dips, and any way of boosting his immunity, please let me know. Thanks.

Answer: I am not sure about the vegetarian diet. I would think that a higher protein diet would be better. Ivermectin will solve the mange issue. Ask your vet if your dog's liver could handle the drug.

Question: Natural ways to boost immunity? For some reason this year I have been sick all the time. I no more than get over one- and i get something else. I dont know if its from myself being in college or from my youngest daughter being in daycare or my oldest in elementary school- or a combo of both. Anywayas, what are some natural things I can use/do to boost my immune system?

Answer: Taking 3 to 6 high strength odourless 3,000 mg garlic oil capsules every day would help. Garlic is both an antibacterial agent and an antimicrobial agent and is very good for people with sinus problems. A multivitamin every day would also help and some extra vitamin C every day as well. Up to 1 or 2 gm of vitamin C a day would be a suitable amount or even less.