What supplements are you taking to boost your immune system? (infections, kidney stones)
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I've been taking Vitamin D and I recently added Vitamin C to my regimen. I wonder if Vitamin C is necessary.
It's inexpensive, and if you take more than your body uses, your body just gets rid of it. Plus - this:
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Vitamin C is perhaps the most popular supplement taken to protect against infection due to its important role in immune health.
This vitamin supports the function of various immune cells and enhances their ability to protect against infection. It’s also necessary for cellular death, which helps keep your immune system healthy by clearing out old cells and replacing them with new ones.
Vitamin C also functions as a powerful antioxidant, protecting against damage induced by oxidative stress, which occurs with the accumulation of reactive molecules known as free radicals.
Oxidative stress can negatively affect immune health and is linked to numerous diseases.
Supplementing with vitamin C has been shown to reduce the duration and severity of upper respiratory tract infections, including the common cold.
A large review of 29 studies in 11,306 people demonstrated that regularly supplementing with vitamin C at an average dose of 1–2 grams per day reduced the duration of colds by 8% in adults and 14% in children.
Interestingly, the review also demonstrated that regularly taking vitamin C supplements reduced common cold occurrence in individuals under high physical stress, including marathon runners and soldiers, by up to 50%.
Are you taking a multivitamin? Zinc? Anything else?
For years all I took was a multivitamin and extra vitamin C. (Now I take more supplements because I am older and have had a pretty catastrophic injury which really put a whoopin' on me so to speak.) Anyway, I haven't been sick with anything in years either. I take that back - about a year and a half ago I thought I was, for the first time in forever, coming down with a cold - I had a low grade fever and a stopped up nose and sore throat. For less than 3 days. Now - prior to taking the vitamin C, every single time I got a cold, it lasted ten days no matter what. Whatever this was, it was gone by the third day.
Vitamin C is necessary and essential. It is required for the manufacture of white blood cells. It is a potent anti-viral. Do the research and you will see the evidence. A doctor in the 1940's used it to cure polio patients.
I have been taking vitamin C and zinc since the start of the pandemic. I have almost gotten sick 4 times, and each time I raised my intake of C and zinc and squashed the bug before it could get a foothold.
I've been taking Vitamin D and I recently added Vitamin C to my regimen. I wonder if Vitamin C is necessary.
What you should take depends on the status of your health, your diet and lifestyle.
My nutrient requirements are pretty well covered by my diet. But, like noodlecat above, if I develop a symptom like a scratchy throat, I'll take a dose of zinc and vitamin C but this rarely happens. I get good sleep and physical activity which also support immunity. Too little of those, or too much stress, weakens immunity.
I don't take a vitamin D supplement because I have a good level from including D foods such as fish, eggs, mushrooms, etc., in my diet. These foods also include the appropriate ratios of omega 3 fatty acids, A and selenium which also support immunity. I get adequate zinc, and also K2. I do have a D3 supplement on hand that I would take if a symptom persisted after a dose of C and zinc.
If I had a chronic illness (such as asthma, diabetes, cancer, heart disease, autoimmune, mood disorder, etc.), or a history of susceptibility to illness, chances are I would need to supplement with one or more of those nutrients. Most elderly Americans have one or more chronic condition, and many younger ones too.
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Originally Posted by KathrynAragon
It's inexpensive, and if you take more than your body uses, your body just gets rid of it.
Not entirely. Taking excess C long-term can lead to too much oxalate buildup in organs and tissues. It can lead to kidney stones and potentially other health issues. It can also lead to too much iron which can cause damage to the liver, heart, pancreas, thyroid and central nervous system. Too much of anything is bad for us.
PROPHYLAXIS PROTOCOL
lvermectin1 Prophylaxis for high risk individuals
0.2 mg/kg* per dose — one dose today, 2nd dose in48 hours, then one dose every 2 weeks
Post COVID-19 exposure prophylaxis 0.2 mg/kg* per dose— one dose today, 2nd dose in 48 hours
Vitamin D3 1,000–3,000 IU/day
Vitamin C 1,000mg twice a day
Quercetin 250mg/day
Zinc 50mg/day
Melatonin 6mg before bedtime (causes drowsiness)
Not entirely. Taking excess C long-term can lead to too much oxalate buildup in organs and tissues. It can lead to kidney stones and potentially other health issues. It can also lead to too much iron which can cause damage to the liver, heart, pancreas, thyroid and central nervous system. Too much of anything is bad for us.
Since our bodies do not make or store Vitamin C, you CAN ingest too much of it but it's very unlikely. At least it's very unlikely according to the Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-l...20daily,Nausea
I'm not advocating overdosing on it (which would be difficult) but I'm saying we need it and for the vast majority of those people taking it, if they take too much, their body just gets rid of it. It's important to get enough vitamin C.
Since our bodies do not make or store Vitamin C, you CAN ingest too much of it but it's very unlikely. At least it's very unlikely according to the Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-l...20daily,Nausea
What it says is that "too much dietary vitamin C is unlikely to be harmful." Meaning from foods in one's diet. Too much from supplements can be harmful.
It also says, "Remember, for most people, a healthy diet provides an adequate amount of vitamin C."
As I said, it depends on one's diet as to whether or not it should be taken. Many people are surprised at the number of foods that contain vitamin C. A healthy diet would include a few of them, at least.
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I'm not advocating overdosing on it (which would be difficult) but I'm saying we need it and for the vast majority of those people taking it, if they take too much, their body just gets rid of it. It's important to get enough vitamin C.
I didn't think you were advocating overdosing but we have no idea how much vitamin C the OP gets in his diet. Taking a supplement in an amount that exceeds what the body needs over time can cause the buildups I mentioned before. Also, taking more supplements than the body needs is linked to increased risk of cancer.
Reminder: nothing that you can buy OTC will "boost" your immune system.
At best, it will support your immune system.
Boost/optimize/support? Seems nit picky
Some options mentioned in this webpage discuss increasing NK activity, boost maybe isnt the best word, but im ok with it. Its also the word they chose to use though.
Standard options for NK
probiotics, vitamin C, sea cucumber extract, blueberry, black pepper, moderate exercise
If no autoimmune issues(discussed in the link), boost NK activity with
-mushroom extract, AHCC, modified rice
So FLCC protocol + mushroom extract + source selenium is pretty good. I would dramatically increase C if I had symptoms as Levy mentions.
so how to do this?
-multivitamin like naturelo(800-1000IU of D, 10-15mg zinc, b vitamins, selenium)
-extra vitamin D/k2 3000-4000IU supplement - take with meal, needs a little fat to absorb
-extra zinc/copper from jarrow. I think 50 is too high, aim for 20-25. Take at a different meal than multi.
-vitamin C powder lets you dose however you want. Quali C from doctors best is very good.
-mushroom extract(i use plnt, Host Defense is really good)
-doctors best quercetin/bromelain(bromelain helps quercetin uptake, they are sold together, bromelain also anti-viral), take on empty stomach, ok to take with C.
-time release melatonin at night
-ivermectin if high risk, start immediately if symptoms.
If poor diet
Add magnesium at different meal than multi, or can be taken on empty stomach.
Try to get some fatty fish or fish oil.
The reason you cant overdose on C is because the body stops absorbing it which results in diarrhea. Mayo clinic and other sites try to pass this off as some terrible side effect. It just means you need to back off some.
However once your white blood cell count rises, your body will allow you to absorb crazy amounts. Just need to cut back on the sugar as you need insulin to take up the vitamin C.
Last edited by Rom623; 02-12-2021 at 08:33 PM..
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