Tips that work to boost the immune system?

[-mermaid-]

Hi, I've always had a really crap immune system- I tend to get a cold every couple of weeks and they seem to linger on for ages so looking for anything I can do to improve it's function if I can!

I eat a fairly healthy balanced diet, I'm very active, exercising about 4 times a week for an hour or more and walk everywhere, and religiously take a multivitamin tablet every day... so it's very frustrating!
Especially as I have a very busy life style, being a full time student and helping out at a dance class in the evening 5 nights a week as well as fitting in everything else I need to do! I just don't have time to feel rubbish so often, making being busy even more draining!

Any tried and tested tips would be very much appreciated! =]

[firewatch]

do you take any suppliments? I take multi vits with iron then an additional vit c tablet to fight off cold and flu this time of year.

[rowanwitch]

Rest/sleep a little more you may be doing a little too much...

[Nosha123]

echinachia? (sorry i cant spell it!)

[rowanwitch]

only supposed to help for short term use to prevent colds no evidence it works

[-mermaid-]

I take a multivitamin tablet which has iron in every day, I've also never smoked and drink moderately on a night out probably about once a fortnight and am in my early 20s if that helps at all. Thanks for advice to far, might have to give enchinacea a go!

[starone]

I agree with rowan. If I was trying to fit in as many activities as you are I would expect my immune system to act up now and then. Don't forget you are in contact with many coughs and colds and you can't escape all of them.

[seadogg]

Your activities bring you into contact with a lot of people and there may just be many colds about. Cod liver oil isn't bad

[pusskin]

Treated myself to a large bottle of Metatone y/day, after feeling yucky and run down for a little while. Chemist said its a good body tonic!

[EvianBaby]

I agree with Rowan. I'd be feeling like crap if I was constantly doing that much too.

[joannie10]

try and build up your fitness - exercise really does boost the immune system. Maybe also take a does of echinacea? I feel I have a healthy diet and lifestyle but am sure could always make changes but anyway about 3 years ago i started taking vitamin c, is the high strength one a day from asda - don't need to take all year round unless you were bothered by colds all year round but def from sept onwards. I have had barely more than a sniffle in the last 3 years and whilst I don't know for definite vit c is the reason, that is what I put it down to. Good luck

[Hopkirk]

Zinc

[nungate]

I was a bit like you always catching a cold but my doctor recommended I take a zinc supplement for a while and I seldom ever have colds these days, but I also take echinacea drops 6 days out of 7 most of the time as I suffer from some allergies and it helps with those as well

[HowardKennitby]

I take one multivitamin tablet with added zinc every day. Zinc is supposed to assist your immune system. Obviously a correct diet and exercise are necessary also.

[Hopkirk]

I stopped getting so many colds when I virtually eliminated alcohol from my intake.

[Brinjal]

I'm with hopkirk. Zinc is excellent for boosting the immune system. If you do get a cold double your daily dose.

[alid5]

Eat a diet high in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and low in saturated fat.

[mrsmurphey]

my husband and I have taken echinacea since 1992. He has had a couple of sniffles, but the only cold I have had was when in hospital and not taking them. If we feel a tingle at the back of the nose, we up the dosage for a couple of days.