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Weak Immune System

megyates

By megyates
in Coping with Celiac Disease

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megyates Newbie
megyates
Posted

Hello all,

I tried to see if this was a topic already but I couldn't find it. I have had the worst time lately with colds. I was born with a weak immune system already, but not too bad, now that I've been diagnosed with celiac it seems to be so much worse. I haven't been taking vitamins because I'm afraid that they have gluten and (I have to admit I've been putting it off for a while) But I woke up today with what feels like BAD bronchitis/laryngitis and this will be the second time I've had it since December. and the 3rd cold I've had since December as well. And I live in Florida so you can't blame it on the weather. Anyway I was just wondering if anyone has the same problem and what do you do about it? I drink a lot of juice so I'm sure I'm getting some vitamins but are there some immune system boosting pills or something I can take to stop this evil cycle of sickness!? Thank you so much for any help you can offer!

Megan

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RiceGuy Collaborator
RiceGuy
Posted

Well, both NOW Foods and Source Naturals are very good about labeling, so you could look into some of those. Some other immune boosters include fresh garlic, oregano oil, vitamin C, onion, and ionic (colloidal) silver. There are many healing and immune supporting herbs to look into. Even the "ordinary" ones like ground ginger, nutmeg, cloves, cinnamon, etc, can be helpful.

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However, there are some additional things to consider, including problems with the thyroid and hypothalamus. Some may be corrected with supplements, while others may not.

Just as there are things you can take to boost the immune system, there are some things which should be avoided as well, like sugar, artificial sweeteners, dyes, etc. Avoid highly processed foods and oils. Many oils are extracted with hexane, which is pretty nasty stuff.

Also, there many be additional food allergies or intolerances which you may not be aware of. Corn is one which gives me sinus trouble, especially if it's GMO.

JNBunnie1 Community Regular
JNBunnie1
Posted
Just as there are things you can take to boost the immune system, there are some things which should be avoided as well, like sugar, artificial sweeteners, dyes, etc. Avoid highly processed foods and oils. Many oils are extracted with hexane, which is pretty nasty stuff.

I agree. All that juice isn't doing you any favors. Try plain water with a wedge of lemon and wedge of lime squeezed in. You'll get just as many vitamins and way less sugar.

Vitamin C, vitamin B complex, and cod liver oil daily is good for immune boosting, and add zinc whenever you're feeling sick. I use Zand zinc throat drops because my stomach doesn't like the big dose in zinc pills, the drops have less.

MELINE Enthusiast
MELINE
Posted
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Nancym Enthusiast
Nancym
Posted

Vitamin D3, make sure you're not deficient.

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AliB Enthusiast
AliB
Posted

Since I have been cutting the carbs, cutting the junk, cutting the sugar, cutting the dairy and concentrating on good natural foods supplemented with plain live yogurt and/or probiotics, whilst everyone around me has been dropping like flies, amazingly, although I have normally always caught everything going, this year it has passed me by.

My husband has had a horrible cold/cough/bronchitis thing for weeks and still can't get back on top - me, zilch. I think we've swapped places............

I drink a lot of juice so I'm sure I'm getting some vitamins

Depends what juices you are drinking - freshly squeezed or juiced fruits are great but you have to bear in mind that the carton/bottled stuff usually has been heat-treated to preserve it and that destroys all the enzymes and a goodly number of the nutrients.

Often what you are drinking is actually just a squash full of sugar - it may be natural sugar but is very concentrated - a glass of undiluted orange juice may contain the equivalent juice of 12 to 15 oranges - but no one in their right mind would eat 12 - 15 oranges in one go! Without the fiber that the whole fruit contains and that naturally slows down the fructose absorption there is nothing to stop a huge sugar spike. Yes, you may be getting some vitamin C which can help support the immune system, but you are also getting a lot of sugar, which doesn't.

In the past when I used to have juice I made sure it was very well diluted but I usually completely avoid it now and just drink the water instead!

mef Newbie
mef
Posted

Hi Megan,

As far as juice goes, you might be having problems with the acidity--ie it's hurting your throat! But, as everyone else has indicated, traditional juice drinks have sugar, additives etc that may not be adding to your system. Zinc is always good. Have you gotten a panal recently to check for malabsorption? You may be low in other areas that can cause a weak point.

As a random FYI: I've had several discussions with different doctors about being sick and having celiac. Any time I've gotten sick, it would be a normal cold, but would last forever. I've come across three opinions:

1. Yes, in the early stages of healing, you may be sick longer/more easily taken in or

2. No, you actually have quite a strong immune system--it's just eager and

3. Sometimes, it just happens.

May have not answered any of your questions, but at least you aren't the only one wondering this!

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moonlight Rookie
moonlight
Posted
Hello all,

I tried to see if this was a topic already but I couldn't find it. I have had the worst time lately with colds. I was born with a weak immune system already, but not too bad, now that I've been diagnosed with celiac it seems to be so much worse. I haven't been taking vitamins because I'm afraid that they have gluten and (I have to admit I've been putting it off for a while) But I woke up today with what feels like BAD bronchitis/laryngitis and this will be the second time I've had it since December. and the 3rd cold I've had since December as well. And I live in Florida so you can't blame it on the weather. Anyway I was just wondering if anyone has the same problem and what do you do about it? I drink a lot of juice so I'm sure I'm getting some vitamins but are there some immune system boosting pills or something I can take to stop this evil cycle of sickness!? Thank you so much for any help you can offer!

Megan

Megan,

you have to stay completely away from sugar, starchy foods, caffeine, any type of flour, can drinks, milk/cheese/yogurt, all simple carbohydrates. Consume green leafy vegetables (not can, but fresh), lean protein, and good quality plain spring water (not juice-it has too much sugar), try to sleep 8 hours a day (even if you cannot sleep, just rest for at least 8 hours a day) you will see the the difference in a week. Sugar and simple carbs weaken your immune system.

Welda Johnson Newbie
Welda Johnson
Posted

Hi,

I'm 64 and had bronchial problems and asthma starting at age 8, which landed me in the hospital so many times, and doctors never could quite get me well, even with allergy shots, medicines, specialists, etc.

Now that I've been on the Celiac diet for quite a few years, I'm always healthy. I still use a breathing machine and take a couple of pills a day to keep the asthma at bay, but that's all.

Here's my diet: fruits, vegetables, salads, legumes, soy, sometimes meat protein every once in awhile

As you can see, I'm intolerant of all grains, all milk & dairy, egg whites, yeast, casein, whey, maltodextrin and modified food starch. I begin almost every day with a fresh pineapple. Lots of good solid sleep at night also helps metabolism and digestion.

Hope this helps. Welda

Lori T. Newbie
Lori T.
Posted

Hello all,

I tried to see if this was a topic already but I couldn't find it. I have had the worst time lately with colds. I was born with a weak immune system already, but not too bad, now that I've been diagnosed with celiac it seems to be so much worse. I haven't been taking vitamins because I'm afraid that they have gluten and (I have to admit I've been putting it off for a while) But I woke up today with what feels like BAD bronchitis/laryngitis and this will be the second time I've had it since December. and the 3rd cold I've had since December as well. And I live in Florida so you can't blame it on the weather. Anyway I was just wondering if anyone has the same problem and what do you do about it? I drink a lot of juice so I'm sure I'm getting some vitamins but are there some immune system boosting pills or something I can take to stop this evil cycle of sickness!? Thank you so much for any help you can offer!

Megan

[/quote

I had a LOT of what I thought was colds/bronchitis/flu type of things for many years. Doctors gave me antibiotics just to shut me up I was complaining so much. After being diagnosed Celiac, still had them just not as frequently. Looking on the site, found out alot about allergies and finally consulted an allergist. Best thing I could have done. Among the list that is ever expanding:celery,carrots,onions,garlic,dairy,many fruits,beans,soy,casein,dyes,sweeteners,spices,molds,cat/dog dander,trees,grasses,annatto coloring,alcohol,seeds,nuts,cucumbers, tomatoes,cabbage,peppers,corn,gums,msg,soaps,cleansers. For me the list started out like this. I still show intolerance to the environmental stuff very strongly, but have found complete avoidance of ALL the triggers for about 6 months gave my body time to heal from the gluten-free diet and the general sickness of the Celiac itself(the shock to my body from the gluten-free diet was interesting too. Was shaky because I did not know what to eat so was eating next to nothing). I am now able to take small doses of the allergens, one at a time, no glutens though and infrequently. Before, if a non dairy margarine had corn syrup in it , it made me sick. So, little insidious amounts of something can make you sick. Stuck to salads and plain meats and fish and plain rice cereal for quite a while until I knew I had made a difference. Seemed like a death sentence but it was SOOOOO worth it!! One true cold that lasted only a couple of days in the last 3 years. God bless the gluten-free diet. Now that I know how to work it, it has been the biggest blessing ever. That alone I think helped with the colds or whatever it was. Hope that this has helped.Take care.

UnhappyCoeliac Enthusiast
UnhappyCoeliac
Posted

Ive had this too, it seems to set on when Im low on sleep or sleep deprived too so thats what I would recommend plenty of sleep to keep things functioning optimally.

I take

b12

fishoil

multi vite

vite d

everyday i never stoped to consider they might have gluten :o

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