Hi,

I'm a 55 year-old male who suffers from Chronic Anxiety Disorder (which can lead to mild Petit Mal attacks when highly stressed) and other CNS issues resulting from having Meningitis as a baby. I also have a peptic ulcer which flares up every once in a while plus bowel problems (intermittent diarhea and/or constipation).

As most of you know, anxiety leads to depression when stressed thus compromising the immune system and making us prone to flus, colds, infections, etc.

For the past 6 weeks, I've been trying to shake a flu (no fever, fatigue, dry cough, terrible sore throat, sinus problems, frequent headaches, etc.) and not being keen on traditional antibiotics (which in my opinion, cause more damage than good), I've been searching the Net for alternative treatments to boost my immune system in order to fight this bug.

So, to make a long story short, here is my dilemma. Every time I find something on the Net that might help boost my immune system, I also find contradictions, drug interactions and warnings thus leaving me more confused than anything else.

So far, I've tried a "flu and sore throat remedy" found on another site which was a concoction made from cayenne pepper, apple cider vinegar, sodium bicarb and water. This relieved the flu and sore throat symptoms but also made my ulcer and GERD flare up even though they also claimed that this recipe also cured ulcers (yeah, right).

I went to a Natural Products store and after talking to a "consultant", she recommended I take Probiotics and after taking them 3 times/day for 3 days, I got the infamous "kicking in and cleansing side-effects" such as acidic diarhea (twice only) and minor bloating. I was starting to feel better but I read the following on a few sites: "People who are immunocompromised or have an underlying disease or gut condition should take probiotics only under the care of a doctor, and even then, should only take well defined and characterized products produced by reputable companies."

So, I am quite confused on what I should take, any feedback would be appreciated. As far as drug interactions I have to be careful of, I take Clonazepam (Klonopin) 2mg/day for the Anxiety and Petit Mal and Nexium 40mg/day for the peptic ulcer.

In conclusion, I now only take my prescribed meds and gargle with Listerine 4 times/day for the sore throat (which is getting better) and nothing else. I've also noticed that I do get more anxiety episodes probably due to the fact that I'm severely depressed and exhausted and occasionaly have to take a little extra clonazepam.

Any help would be appreciated,
Gene

Are you certain it's a flu and not allergies?
The symptoms you describe sound an awful lot like me when the cottonwoods are in full swing... But assuming it is a virus-The trouble with a flu is that once it has set in, there's really not much to do but treat the symptoms and let it run its course- VERY early, antiviral meds can help, but not always... antibiotics are useless against a virus because they are specifically targeted at bacterial agents, not virii.

The advice your grandma probably gave you is really about the best there is- lots of rest, plenty of fluids, light foods like soups and some fresh fruit.

Niacin can help speed things up if it doesn't interact with your meds.

But please do check with your doc in case this is an allergy issue.

Thanks for the quick reply, MrsS.

Sorry, I reread my post and I guess I didn't make myself clear, what I would like to know is what could I safely take to boost my immune system? The flu symptoms are slowly disappearing but with a weak immune system, I tend to catch every bug out there.

Thanks,
Gene

The first and most effective route to keeping your immune system functioning well is a good diet- Lean proteins (include seafoods regularly to keep up zinc levels), an abundance of fresh produce, especially those fruits and vegetables high in antioxidents, and keep up your calcium intake- it's not just important for your bones, calcium is also critical to maintaining your nervous system. A banana, a half cup of raw carrots or a serving of tuna each day will help keep up your levels of B6, another nutrient key to immune function.
Cut back on refined foods- buy whole grain breads, mix fruit juice with sparkling water instead of sodas, green tea really is a good source of antioxidents, try to fit two cups a day into your life (I buy a decaf green tea
from Tazo brand and drink it in the evenings).
Minimize alcohol consumption.

There are herbs that have very good track records for immune support but since you are on meds, it would be best to consult your physician before you start using goldenseal, echinacea, allicin or maitake mushrooms.

Hello Gene,

Adhering to a healthy diet is one of the best things to do to boost your immune system. The other things to do is exercise regularly, add some recommended nutritional supplements to you diet and manage stress as best as you can

Sonny Julius
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This message has been edited. Last edited by: DorianGreyed,

Resveratrol, Fermented Mycelial Mushroom extract, Olive leaf extract, Oil of oregano (Carvacrol)

I'd link you to the best supplier but the mods will just delete it.

No sugar! That just feeds the bugs

Try an all natural beta glucan supplement. In addition to strengthening your immune system, it will also lower cholesterol. It's as safe and natural and vitamin C, but more effective ! Hope this helps!


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This message has been edited. Last edited by: DorianGreyed,

There are steps one can take in order to boost the immune system and keep it healthy. Most of these steps take the form of following a healthy diet and eliminating harmful substances that weaken the immune system.
A great way of combating infection and illness is to take regular exercise. Exercising for at least 20 minutes a day, three times a week, can help keep the immune system healthy. Exercise also boosts the circulation system and reduces the risk of certain diseases. Exercise does not have to be a workout in the gym. Any type of exercise that gets the body sweating, flushing out harmful toxins, will count.
The type of food that you eat also contributes to the health of your immune system. Eating plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables every day is a must to keep the body in top shape. Eating fast food only slows the body’s metabolism and contributes to weight gain. Any foods that are rich in vitamins and minerals can help keep the immune system healthy. Older people and pregnant women will especially benefit from eating foods that are rich in essential nutrients.
Cutting down on drinks with a high caffeine content is also a good idea. Drinking plenty of water helps flush harmful toxins from the body. Fresh fruit juices also provide vitamins, and there are also plenty of herbal teas that can be a great substitute for regular tea and coffee.
A big factor in keeping the immune system healthy is the amount of quality sleep that you achieve each night. During the sleep cycles, the body repairs itself in order to remain fighting fit. Sleep is also a great stress reducer. When the body is stressed, the immune system is weakened. Different people need varying amounts of sleep, but obtaining eight hours per night should be enough to keep the body healthy.
Although they can be used to fight infection, many medicines and drugs can weaken the body’s defense system. A doctor should always be consulted before taking any medication. Similarly, recreational drugs do much to harm the body’s defense system and should be avoided.