[Uly (OP)]

Hi,
I have asthma, allergies and chronic tiredness. I always have colds and feel run down. What can I do and what supplements do I take to boost my immune system? No products from Mannatech please, I will treat them as a seperate issue later. I would like to try Manapol-aloevera, Red algae - Dumontiaceae (hard to buy in Australia), Shiitake / Maitake / Reishi mushrooms ect Is there any other supplements / foods / vitamins? Are they safe - no side effects?

I already eat a high Raw diet. Take Multi vitamins and some other supplements.

Is there anything that truly works out there. It seems the more I read about nutrition the more everything contridicts itself Or I read a positive, do more research and find negatives. Either with the companies, the products, the way the are made, or some other negative.

I also want to use supplements for my mother who has Asthma / Emphysema

Thanks,
Uly

[chris]

Please see my post about vitamins :

http://nakedscientists.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1282

Chris

"I never forget a face, but in your case I'll make an exception"
 - Groucho Marx

[OldMan]

Hi Uly,

I recently started taking some tablets from a company my friend works for in an accounting position here in Adelaide. Part of their claim is towards the sort of things you're complaining about plus a few other things. It isn't a multi vitamin as such but in their literature they talk about it as 'synergistacally balanced, basically meaning all the ingredients are things which complement each other in their effectiveness and the way they get absorbed.

Having said all that they seem to have helped me get over a cold pretty quickly and given me a few benefits with sporting injuries as well. I don't want to seem like I'm pimping their product so I'll wait for you to contact me if you want some more information.


Tim

[OldMan]

Was supposed to say at the end of that, there is a lot to be said for a good balanced diet as well.

Tim

[tweener]

I agree with Chris in that you should eat a well balanced diet, but I also believe that a good over the counter multi vitamin can really help, possibly augmented with extra vitamin C.

By a well balanced diet, I mean one with a good amount of protein, some fat, and some carbohydrates.  The basic rule of thumb is a meal consisting of a piece of lean meat or tofu the size and thickness of the palm of your hand, enough olive oil (or canola - something low in saturated fats) to cook it in, a cup of green vegatables and a small piece of fruit.  Stay away from grains, starch and sugars as they wreak havoc with your inflammatory response, which is behind many of the illnesses you mention.  

This is much cheaper than all the "wonder remedies" that are touted (some may work - I don't know).  I'm certainly no doctor or expert, but I've been doing this for three years now and have been sick only once in that time (and didn't miss a day of work even then).  I also lost 45 pounds and feel much better.  It works for me.  Your mileage may vary. If you want more details and references to the science, e-mail me and I'll be glad to send you information.

By the way, welcome to the forum Uly!  

Wishing you better!

----
John - The Eternal Pessimist.

[Uly (OP)]

Hi,
   I writing this post feeling the sickest I've felt in ages.I have some type of flu and have been off work the last 2 days. I'm just about ready to give up! I'm staring to think I'm just meant to be sick and givein to this sick life style.

I too would prefer to get everything from a well balanced diet, but it's just not happening for some reason. I have tried just about every type of diet and supplement out there. 9 years ago when I started getting sick I tried a big up take in meat, because people said I wasn't eating enough meat. Did that for 6 months with no change. Then changed to a vege diet. felt a bit better, but not much. Been on vege diet ever since, but with changes. 2 years ago went on raw food diet. felt much better on that, but couldn't stick to it because I always felt hungry.Was anywhere between 80% an 100% raw (100% raw for 6 weeks).Then tried a high raw 75% with some cooked and added lots more protein from various souces (milk, tofu, nuts, protein poweder) ect. felt worse. I now have given up and eat crappy food most of the time now. I have tried herbs and other supplements. I have been to 5 docs in the last 2 years and none of them will do anything. They see my blood test come back fairly normal and assume nothing is wrong. Spent the last 3 months at a natropath with no success. She just tries me on stuff, hopeing that it will work while I throw away my money.

I started "noni" juice 2 days ago.....I don't have much hope for it. nothing works! I nearly got conned into mannatech's glyconutrients by friends who are distributors for them.

Really am very lost and confudt these days

Uly

ps not to mention my mother who has emphysema. If I could stop her from getting cold's ect it just might prolong her life!

[chris]

John,

"Stay away from grains, starch and sugars as they wreak havoc with your inflammatory response, which is behind many of the illnesses you mention" - this is just not true.

The Atkins effect has mislead people into condemning carbohydrates as the causes of all ills, and it's rubbish. DNA is made of sugar ! The RNI (RDA) for carbohydrates indicates that about 50% of your daily caloric intake should come from this source, up to 30% from fats and the remaining 20% from protein.

Starch and complex carbohydrates are an excellent, filling, energy source. They have a low energy density (so they fill you up without making you fat) and release energy gently which prevents surges of insulin that can provoke rebound hypoglycaemia, hunger pangs, and the temptation to binge on calorie-rich unhealthy snacks between meals.

Refined cardbohydrates - sucrose and sweets - I agree, should be avoided in quantity, not least because they rot your teeth.

Chris

"I never forget a face, but in your case I'll make an exception"
 - Groucho Marx

[Solomon]

Its expensive, but you could try highly diluted Melissa essential oil, in massage form. It helps to "relax" the immune response. Just be careful with it, as its quite strong stuff.

Try Echinacea too.

[Victoria]

Ully,
I empathize with your frustration regarding both yours and your mother's health.  It sounds difficult and overwhelming.  
I struggle with chronic sinusitis, severe allergies (gluten, dairy, eggs, cane sugar, canola, grapefruit & nuts)& asthma.  I also refuse to "give up" and live life as a "sick person".  
Traditional doctors and allergists have written me off - literally.  They are more than willing to continue prescribing drugs, but have no new advice.  Bah.
I have been working with a naturopath who suggested RAST blood testing.  It has been helpful by defining more clearly what foods  are affecting me and what I can eat.  Unfortunately, allergies and intolerances change periodically (which is clear by my ever changing reactions to foods.).  I am now being tested yearly and try to then follow a diet that is as healthy as possible. The first 9 months (while eating only plain grilled meats, fish, fruits & vegies) were the healthiest I have probably ever been.  Unfortunately, it's harder to maintain then I'd like to admit.  I continue to try, but am also always struggling.
Excercise quite clearly plays a crucial role in my health.  I don't mean boot camp or Jane Fonda - just simply walking (hills are important) 2-3 miles 5-6 days per week CONSISTENTLY.  For me, first thing in the morning helps w/ my asthma.
For supplements, check w/ your naturopath; they should be a good source for reputable supplements.  Many contain gluten as a binder.  If you have any reaction to gluten that could be contributing to your (or your mothers) difficulties.
Hope this helps a little.
Victoria

[smilzandchuklz]

I feel for you, Uly, I want to refer you to glyconutrients. Glyconutirents work, and there are many people who have benefitted from using them. If you like, I can send you an information cd or dvd in the mail. send me an email at sean.candy@sasktel.net if you want to know more. I know a lot of people cut glycontrients down, but those people are not using them. Glyconutrients worked for me and family, and I know that they will work for you too. []

quote:Originally posted by Uly

Hi,
   I writing this post feeling the sickest I've felt in ages.I have some type of flu and have been off work the last 2 days. I'm just about ready to give up! I'm staring to think I'm just meant to be sick and givein to this sick life style.

I too would prefer to get everything from a well balanced diet, but it's just not happening for some reason. I have tried just about every type of diet and supplement out there. 9 years ago when I started getting sick I tried a big up take in meat, because people said I wasn't eating enough meat. Did that for 6 months with no change. Then changed to a vege diet. felt a bit better, but not much. Been on vege diet ever since, but with changes. 2 years ago went on raw food diet. felt much better on that, but couldn't stick to it because I always felt hungry.Was anywhere between 80% an 100% raw (100% raw for 6 weeks).Then tried a high raw 75% with some cooked and added lots more protein from various souces (milk, tofu, nuts, protein poweder) ect. felt worse. I now have given up and eat crappy food most of the time now. I have tried herbs and other supplements. I have been to 5 docs in the last 2 years and none of them will do anything. They see my blood test come back fairly normal and assume nothing is wrong. Spent the last 3 months at a natropath with no success. She just tries me on stuff, hopeing that it will work while I throw away my money.

I started "noni" juice 2 days ago.....I don't have much hope for it. nothing works! I nearly got conned into mannatech's glyconutrients by friends who are distributors for them.

Really am very lost and confudt these days

Uly

ps not to mention my mother who has emphysema. If I could stop her from getting cold's ect it just might prolong her life!

[kneel]

hello;
i'm also using Noni Juice and now i dont use my sprey for my asthma %90 less, and i feel much more energytic than before, and they say noni juice is a good boost for immune system.
But i dont know if it makes any side effects for the future...

[moore4u]

Uly,
I can not for the life of me imagine how or why you feel you were almost "conned" into using glyconutrients by Mannatech. I am living proof they work. My husband, who has asthma has started taking them and is noticing a difference. Please, I beg of you...don't bash something until you have actually tried it for yourself and given it a fair chance. With your negative assault on a product that is saving people's lives, you could influence another person in the wrong way - when their life could actually be saved or changed for the better. Here is my own personal testimony. There are MANY others I could share, but I beg of you to rethink your decision and find out what is REALLY behind the science and not some negative "hearsay" from people who know absolutely nothing about what these glyconutrients do!
 
In February of 2005 I realized there was something seriously wrong with the way I had been feeling lately. I was so tired all of the time and had an achy, flu-like feeling, but I kept pushing myself. We were very busy at work and I did not have the time to be sick! I had been seeing a doctor of internal medicine for my symptoms. He diagnosed me with depression and obesity. He prescribed Prozac and something to help me lose weight. I just kept telling myself that I was feeling so low and so lousy because I was FAT.
 
As I look back over my medical records covering the past two years of my life, I can now see the many symptoms that added up to Lyme. But I had no idea what Lyme was, what actually caused it or what the symptoms were, until I became so sick. Skin lesions also began appearing on my left thigh and right shoulder that looked like giant infected mosquito bites. They would not heal. I showed them to the doctor. He took 2 punch biopsies. The tests went to 3 different labs. None were able to identify what it was. I was simply told I had an "unidentifiable bacterial skin infection." I was put on antibiotics, topical steroids, etc.
 
Nothing cleared it up and I began to feel worse and worse. I had extreme dizziness (vertigo) and had to quit driving. My thinking became very cloudy. I felt as if I were walking around with my head stuck in a big cotton ball all of the time. My joints ached severely and I had muscle spasms in my face and limbs. I also had awful floaters in my field of vision. It was like trying to look though a foggy windshield most of the time.
 
I itched constantly and felt as if I had "no- see-ums" crawling all over my skin. It was torture. I was extremely fatigued most of the time. Most days I did not feel like leaving the house and the slightest little thing I did - like taking a shower - was a major accomplishment.  Most of my time was spent in front of the computer researching what was wrong with me.
 
One doctor put me on antibiotics and I began to take everything under the sun that other people suffering the same symptoms recommended.
 
I was eventually tested for Lyme. I learned I had 3 coinfections of Lyme. I missed two months of work. (Here is a listing of my protocol that began back in February)
 
February - 2005
Cephalexin 500 mg - 2 caps 2 x day
United Medical (UM)Physicians Rx Daily Multiple Support 3x day
UM Liver Support 2 caps 2 x day
UM CoEnzyme Q-10 1 cap 3 x day
Buffered C - Crystals
Salt Tablets and Sea Salt on foods
Natural Flax Seed Oil - 1000 mg 1 cap 3 X day
Olive Leaf Extract - 1 cap 3 X day
Para Gone I and Para Gone II 15 day regimen/5 day rest/repeated 2 x
Omega 3 Fish oil -1000 mg 3 x daily
Evening Primrose Oil - 500 mg 1 cap 2 x day
Was also drinking Peppermint Tea
Also added ground Flaxseed to cereal for breakfast and salads.
Drank LOTS of filtered water and at one point began boiling my own tap water.
 
March 2005
Continued with above protocol and added:
Hulda Clark's "ParaZapper" and began zapping four days a week at recommended level.
Zithromax - 500 mg 1 tablet a day for 60 days
 
April/May 2005
Continued with all of the above protocol (but dropped the "zapping" down to once a week and also added:
Minocycline 100 mg 1 tablet 2 x daily for 3 weeks, but on the third week added:
Flagyl - 500 mg 1 tablet 2 x daily
On 4th week RESTED - NO MEDS, per the doctors instruction, but continued with nutriceuticals.
 
June 2005
Switched from Zithromax to SEPTRA - (SMZ-TWP DS 800-160) 1 tab 2 x day
Also adding back the Minocycline.
 
(I forgot to mention that I took a whole clove of garlic that I chopped up every day.)
 
I do believe the 4 different antibiotics began to attack the bacteria, but nothing was making me feel any better...
 
June/July 2005
At this point I was feeling AWFUL. I had really not experienced any great degree of improvement. I had returned to work and was STRUGGLING to get through each day.
My chronic fatigue was overwhelming and my joint pain excruciating to the point where it was so painful just to walk from my car into the building. I still had brain fog and dizziness.
At the end of that week I had decided I would not return to work the next week unless I felt better. I would just have to figure out how to do without a paycheck since my disability insurance claim was denied.

It was at that point that a friend at work told me about something called glyconutrients. Her husband had learned of this major medical breakthrough and had begun taking them for his throat cancer.
He had learned of this from his sister-in-law who had been taking them for her terminal Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, (who has JUST been declared CANCER-FREE, I might add.)
 
This friend gave me some information about the discovery of glyconutrients and how and why these nutrients feed the cells of your body, allowing them to communiciate properly, which induces your body to HEAL ITSELF...of all number of diseases. Our immune systems are ALL OUT OF WHACK because we DON'T get what our bodies need from our modern day diets, even people who TRY to eat healthy.  Even by adding vitamins, minerals, herbs, etc., our bodies are left void of what our cells need to be in good health.
 
This technology is so new and many doctors are just now studying glycobiology in their current textbooks. Glycobiology IS being taught in medical schools now, but doctors who graduated before 2002 more than likely don't have a clue what this is all about...UNLESS one of their patients tells them about this. Many doctors are being introduced to this by patients who have tried it along with their medicines and are seeing PROFOUND results. Many patients are then told by their doctors that they no longer need insulin, cholesterol medications, chemo, etc., etc., etc. The list goes on and on!
 
After reading and researching all of this...I was certainly willing to give them a try - I mean...
 
WHAT did I have to lose?  
 
I called my friend and said, "Audrey, if this stuff does what it says it does... I WANT SOME NOW!  She had her brother-in-law bring a bottle of the Ambrotose and AO (antioxidants) to my house that very night. I started taking the stuff sitting right there at my dining room table.

At that point I continued with my antibiotics, but discontinued all of the other stuff mentioned above and replaced them with the following from Mannatech:

I took a triple dose of Ambrotose - 3 X day
Also added:
AO (Antioxidant) 1 capsule 2 x day
Catalyst (Multi-Vitamin/Mineral) 2 tabs 2 X day
Mannacleanse (with Probiotics) - 2 tabs 2 X day
Plus (Endocrine system/hormonal support) 1 tab 2 x day

By the end of the 3rd day on the above I felt as if I had emerged from a dark cocoon. It was PROFOUND. Even my husband noticed a difference in my appearance and my behavior. I felt almost normal again and he said I was even "acting normal", like my "old self".
I was SO encouraged.

Since starting on glyconutrients about six weeks ago, I have felt a such a major difference!
The dizziness lifted, the brain fog - gone, the itching - gone, my sores - healed, the fatigue - GONE!
My energy level has increased daily. After about four weeks I ran out of product and I felt myself slipping back into the same awful feelings again - the fatigue - the joint pain - the vertigo, etc. I quickly reordered and once I got back on the stuff, I immediately began to feel better again and have continued to feel stronger and stronger each day.
 
As I was walking across the parking lot this past Thursday morning at work, I suddenly realized that I had NO MORE JOINT PAIN. I felt agile and light. I felt as if I could go play a game of tennis, or run on the beach, walk my big, strong dog! THAT was significant.  All of my sores have cleared up and I have no new ones as well.  People at work are noticing the difference and commenting on  it. They say I have the “sparkle back in my eyes!”
My youngest daughter said the other night, “Wow, Mom - you look ten years younger than you did a month ago.”  I told her, “Heidi, I FEEL ten years younger than I did a month ago…
 
a month ago I felt like I wanted to die!”
 
 I thank God for the friend who shared this technology with me  I am SO GLAD I listened and was willing to give the glyconutrients a try.  
 
Now I want to share it with every person I come in contact with in the hope these products will make the same difference in their lives. It is my sincere prayer people will recognize the importance of just giving this a try.

There are many testimonies across the country of other people who have had similar experience with the success of the glyconutrients and many with much more profound results. There are compelling death-bed situations that have been reversed and people who had NO HOPE before, that are regaining their health and their lives. THAT is very inspiring and promising.
 
If you or a loved one is dealing with a health issue(s), I beg of you to take a look at glyconutrients. If you want to know where to get the products, email me and I will be happy to share that with you. (MsVictorE@aol.com)
 
This is a good site to learn more too: http://glycoinformation.com/sugars.htm [nofollow]

[inga]

quote:Originally posted by moore4u


This technology is so new and many doctors are just now studying glycobiology in their current textbooks. Glycobiology IS being taught in medical schools now, but doctors who graduated before 2002 more than likely don't have a clue what this is all about...
<snip>
 
This is a good site to learn more too: http://glycoinformation.com/sugars.htm [nofollow][/b]

It is true that "glycobiology" is cutting-edge science. However, the term "glyconutrient" appears to be a Mannatech term, and it has little to do with the glycobiology that is current science.

The site referenced above is put up by a Mannatech distributor. It's easy to tell by the key phrases "sugars that heal" and "glyconutrients."

Ambrotose is a fine product, though perhaps a bit pricey. Too bad the company specializes in spin doctoring. It makes thoughtful people determine to get the ingredients elsewhere. (After all, they are standard nutraceutical ingredients.)

I'm happy for all of you who have experienced good results. If you would just quit trying to sound like scientists, repeating the spin put out by the company, your stories would be easier to take.

Others have experienced similar results by mixing their own Arabinogalactan and Manapol -- even with a much smaller percentage of Manapol. For a little documentation, see the thread,http://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1282&whichpage=3 [nofollow] "Usefulness of Glyconutrients."

And I know of many others that have experienced similar results through the use of high-quality balanced vitamins and minerals with an additianal flavonoid product high in proanthocyanidins.

[ukmicky]

Dont be so hygenic, and catch a few colds.
I dont know if its true or not but i heard that there are like 50 to 60 different strains of colds and flue's and any strains that you've previously had you can't catch again. which would also be the reason why we ain't layed low so much as you get older

[inga]

Yes, we don't "catch" as many things as we get older, because we have developed immunity.

Some studies have also shown that children growing up with pets have a stronger immune system. Guess what pets carry around with them? A lot of germs!

Breast-feeding is also good for passing immunity on to babies.

But none of that helps folks who are already adults and are stuck with a weak immune system. Exercise helps strengthen the immune system, just as it strengthenes overall health, lowers cholesterol and lowers blood sugar.

Some of the ingredients in Ambrotose are actually specific immune boosters, but I believe there are better products. I use an immune-boosting supplement based on Echinacea (the whole plant), with extra Arabinogalactan (which is also a natural ingredient of Echinacea), Astragalus membranaceous, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Folic Acid, Zinc and Selenium. If you'll research the individual ingredients, you'll understand why this product works well. I find it especially effective when I feel I'm coming down with something. I can generally avert a cold or flu by taking a few capsules. However, after researching all the ingredients, I'm inclined to think I should take it regularly!

It's best to boost overall health, and that will naturall boost the immune system. It comes down to exercise, a balanced diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, lots of fresh air, sunshine, pure water, avoidance of non-foods (e.g. alcohol, tobacco, junk foods), adequate sleep, trust in divine power (prevents stress) and a regular schedule. (The latter is to avoid disrupting our bio-rhythms.)

Put a smile on someone's face with http://smile-starters.com [nofollow]

[diegostation]

What I do for having a good inmune system is take a multivitamin supplement, then take a supplement of zinc (the multivitamin already has zinc, but only a little part of the daily value), then 1000mg of vitamin C (wich is 1666% of the daily value, but it helps kill some viruses) and finally take a garlic supplement (wich helps the blood circulation and is a powerful weapon against viruses). I live very well with it, and my asthma dissapeared ten years ago...

[SamParker]

Have you ever used the spam via spam.con  supplement I hope it would help your mother to cure the asthma disease.

[SammyS7]

I take Zinc, Vit C, Vit D (from online pharmacy [nofollow]) and Oregano Oil daily for immune boosting.

[dulb33]

The Ways to Boost Your Immune System:
1-Stay up-to-date on recommended vaccines. A strong immune system means taking advantage of the best leg up we have to protect ourselves from harmful illnesses: vaccines.
2-Maintain a healthy diet.
3-Exercise regularly.
4-Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.
5-Get plenty of sleep.
6-Minimize stress.
I take Zinc, Vit C, Vit D and gummies daily for immune boosting

[thugtomas]

Six Tips to Enhance Immunity
Eat Well. Food Assistance. ...
Be Physically Active. Regular physical activity helps you feel better, sleep better, and reduce anxiety. ...
Maintain a Healthy Weight. Excess weight can affect how your body functions. ...
Get Enough Sleep. ...
Quit Smoking. ...
Avoid Too Much Alcohol. ...
In Summary.