Vitamin C to keep cold and flu at bay

LisaKesterDodgson

Hi everyone,
As every autumn/winter I seem to spend most of the season coughing and spluttering while constantly having to blow my nose, I was wondering if anyone out there has tried anything to keep coughs and colds at bay. I spoke to the farmacist the other day and said that anything that boosts the immune system is not a good idea but perhaps some vit C might do the job? Any thoughts anyone?

dreamdaisy

I recently had my annual 'flu jab and am rigorous about hand washing. When I am out and about I use wipes and gel, as soon as I come indoors I thoroughly wash my hands. I am not troubled too much by the sniffles, Vit C might be of use once you have a sniffle (I always want to eat oranges when I do get one) garlic too is supposed to be a good defence but germs is germs, they don't pay too much heed to our attempts at self-defence. Do not take zinc etc as they boost the immune system, thus counter-acting the immuno-suppressant meds which gives the arthritis a chance for a snap or two. DD

chookgate

I don't know how old you are, but for me (in my 50's) I can't remember the last time I had a cold, and I used to be like you, always catching them, and always feeling ill throughout the winter, and if I met anyone with a cold I always caught it. My theory is that I've had them all now, and am pretty much immune! It may be that you just have to put up with it for a few years.

Sezeelson

Grapefruits.

My sister eats one grapefruit everyday and is the only one who didn't get horrifically ill!! Both her young baby and partner got really sick and she was in close contact at almost all times with baby.

So after 2 days in bed I started eating them too and my cold improved. I'm terrible with illness, last year it took 3 weeks to fully recover which is really quick for me so being ill for only a matter of days leads me to believe there is definitely something in it. I do have a sinus infection though

In japan, they did a 5 year study with 500(mg?) per day and were 66% less likely to develop colds and flu's so there is Deffo something in it!

Me personally, I'm going to eat a grapefruit everyday. I don't like to take supplements and try to get everything naturally from food

dreamdaisy

A word of caution, if I may; grapefruit juice cannot be drunk (and by extrapolation from that I presume the fruit may not be eaten) when taking certain anti-TNF meds. I think I am right in saying that enbrel is one of them but I cannot remember if it applies to others. DD

LisaKesterDodgson

Hi everyone,
Thanks for your replies.
I'm 46 and have had RA for 12 years and the coughs and colds just seem to get worse each year! I was told not to eat grapefruits due to the fact that I take prednisone and I can't have a flu jab or any other vaccination because of the methotrexate.
I've written to my rheumatologist and will post his reply when he gets back to me....

dreamdaisy

Taking methotrexate (or any other immuno-suppressant drug) is one reason why you should have the 'flu jab, you undoubtedly qualify. I have been on these meds for years and have always had the 'flu jab because of the immuno-suppression. Please find out about this, the jab is a necessity. DD

LisaKesterDodgson

I will! Thanks!

Sezeelson

dreamdaisy wrote:

A word of caution, if I may; grapefruit juice cannot be drunk (and by extrapolation from that I presume the fruit may not be eaten) when taking certain anti-TNF meds. I think I am right in saying that enbrel is one of them but I cannot remember if it applies to others. DD

Oh I had no idea!! :S

Thank you for the heads up! I'll have a word with my dr before eating anymore.

Do you know why? Do they interact then?

LisaKesterDodgson

Hi everyone,
My rheumatologist replied saying that I should have a flu jab and follow a course of multi-vitamins.
Thanks to everyone for their input1

barbara12

Hi Lisa I hope it keeps the bugs away...