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How to strengthen immunity

woollygal

woollygal

Well-Known Member
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1,485
Type of diabetes
Type 2
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Tablets (oral)
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Coffee diabetes
So this week I’ve had either a kidney stone and kidney infection or just kidney infection. Dr thinks both but because scabs shoe no sign of stone can’t say for definite.
She did say she thought I got infection as she thinks I was probably run down having had two bad colds since just before Xmas etc.

so how do I strengthen my immune system?
 
There are many factors, but major ones are ensuring you're getting enough zinc, Vitamin C, Vitamin D. I'm sure there are many others, but those are the ones that first come to mind for me.
 
Indy51 said:
There are many factors, but major ones are ensuring you're getting enough zinc, Vitamin C, Vitamin D. I'm sure there are many others, but those are the ones that first come to mind for me.
Click to expand...

do vitamin pills work with this or is it better to get through diet?
 
Anecdotally, I seem to have a bullet-proof immune system since adopting a whole-food grain-free ketogenic diet. I've not had so much as a runny nose in more than two years, even after prolonged exposure to others who have been sick with colds and flu.
 
woollygal said:
do vitamin pills work with this or is it better to get through diet?
Click to expand...
It's all pretty context driven depending on whether you have deficiencies or not. Apparently quite a lot of people have genetic SNPs that can interfere with their ability to synthesise Vitamin D3, so if you've ever been diagnosed with a deficiency, you may need to supplement. Vitamin C is pretty common in the diet, but whether you're getting enough or are absorbing also depends on existing health. Not that sure about zinc, but again, absorption can be an issue with any number of nutrients. I doubt short term supplementation with a zinc/Vitamin C combo would hurt. Maybe make an effort to find sources of all three in the diet and make sure you're getting them regularly as well.

Agree with @Jim Lahey though about grains (and some vegetables that are high in antinutrients) - they can interfere with the absorption of dietary sources.

If you're having kidney stones and bladder issues, you might want to take a look at sources of high oxalic acid in your diet (spinach is the absolute worst in this regard). If you don't have the required gut bacteria , oxalates can accumulate in soft tissues of the body and be very problematic.
 
Did your docs mention the importance of keeping hydrated and drinking enough to prevent kidney stones recurring?
 
Here are a few things that boost the immune system.

Citrus fruits. Most people turn to vitamin C after they've caught a cold.
Red bell peppers. If you think citrus fruits have the most vitamin C of any fruit or vegetable, think again.
Broccoli.
Garlic.
Ginger.
Spinach.
Yogurt.
Almonds.

Put them all together in a curry or soup/stew and you have a tasty meal that's good for you.

Most of them I tend to avoid in any quantity as my immune system doesn't like me.
 
Last edited:
JohnEGreen said:
Here are a few things that boost the immune system.

Citrus fruits. Most people turn to vitamin C after they've caught a cold.
Red bell peppers. If you think citrus fruits have the most vitamin C of any fruit or vegetable, think again.
Broccoli.
Garlic.
Ginger.
Spinach.
Yogurt.
Almonds.

Put them all together in a curry or soup/stew and you have a tasty meal that's good for you.

Most of them I tend to avoid in any quantity as my immune system doesn't like me.
Click to expand...
Are these diabetes friendly? As in following Keto diet
 
Brunneria said:
Did your docs mention the importance of keeping hydrated and drinking enough to prevent kidney stones recurring?
Click to expand...

during my numerous visits to various places this week yes and I knew that from last time.
 
Jim Lahey said:
Anecdotally, I seem to have a bullet-proof immune system since adopting a whole-food grain-free ketogenic diet. I've not had so much as a runny nose in more than two years, even after prolonged exposure to others who have been sick with colds and flu.
Click to expand...
Isn’t all Keto grain free?
 
Indy51 said:
It's all pretty context driven depending on whether you have deficiencies or not. Apparently quite a lot of people have genetic SNPs that can interfere with their ability to synthesise Vitamin D3, so if you've ever been diagnosed with a deficiency, you may need to supplement. Vitamin C is pretty common in the diet, but whether you're getting enough or are absorbing also depends on existing health. Not that sure about zinc, but again, absorption can be an issue with any number of nutrients. I doubt short term supplementation with a zinc/Vitamin C combo would hurt. Maybe make an effort to find sources of all three in the diet and make sure you're getting them regularly as well.

Agree with @Jim Lahey though about grains (and some vegetables that are high in antinutrients) - they can interfere with the absorption of dietary sources.

If you're having kidney stones and bladder issues, you might want to take a look at sources of high oxalic acid in your diet (spinach is the absolute worst in this regard). If you don't have the required gut bacteria , oxalates can accumulate in soft tissues of the body and be very problematic.
Click to expand...
Not sure it’s about deficiencies per se but rather just boosting my immunity so I don’t keep coming down with things. I’m usually quite good but since just before Xmas it’s been ridiculous
 
I was always getiing colds which ended with chest and throat infections. What helped me was a supplement which had Vit D3 and Vit K2. If I feel I may be catching something I take Berocca for a few days. Also being more careful about hand washing after trips to the supermarket.

Isn't it a shame that doctors make comments about lower immunity yet they don't seem to advise on how to boost it?
 
woollygal said:
Are these diabetes friendly? As in following Keto diet
Click to expand...
Mostly yes only thing I would question are the citrus fruits but I use lemon juice when cooking and am basically Keto in my diet.

One typical lemon wedge has about 0.5g or so of carbohydrate I believe.
 
woollygal said:
Isn’t all Keto grain free?
Click to expand...

No necessarily. That would be paleo. You could still eat limited grains on a 'keto' diet. So long as the carbohydrate intake was low enough, you'd still maintain a good level of ketosis. I make the grain-free distinction because I believe that some of the main benefits of whole-food, low-carb/ketogenic eating come about from the reduction or elimination of grains, rather than carbohydrate per se.
 
My salads are probably highly nutritious - I start with walnuts, then coleslaw cucumber beetroot tomato sweet pepper radish celery, a bag or ready made salad leaves, a slosh of oil and vinegar dressing - and anything else I find in the fridge. I feel so much better these days and when you consider how little nutrition there is in grains - commercially made bread and bread flour is 'fortified' to put some goodness into it. I've not had to cancel going out to play or sing due to feeling unwell, for several years.
 
I eat plenty of meat, dairy products, veggies, salt, etc., I also drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and help flush the system out.
 
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