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I am on my 3rd sinus infection since August. Aside from discussing treatments and prevention with my allergist what other items (diet and supplements) should I consider for maintaining a strong immune system?
Any advice is greatly appreciated. I am sick of being sick boy!
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Stats:
38 year old coach to my 8 year old son, 6 ft tall jungle gym to my 10 year old daughter, 184 lb husband to my wife of 15 years and a 11% BF fitness addict best friend to all 3 of them.
more fresh fruits and vegetables, you can't really get enough of these glorious foods. Also get more rest, take a break from training once in awhile, especiallLY if you have a stressful job
Thanks. I eat a ton of veggies and supplement greens. I also take off a full week e very 6th week or so. I am sure I could use a bit more rest but I get at least 7 hours every night and awaken refreshed and ready to go. I was taking ZMA for a while to help with sleeping but still got sick even when using that.
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Stats:
38 year old coach to my 8 year old son, 6 ft tall jungle gym to my 10 year old daughter, 184 lb husband to my wife of 15 years and a 11% BF fitness addict best friend to all 3 of them.
do you have nuts in your diet? cuz if I remember correctly copper intake is also important. And it's also very deficient in many people's diet. Additionally excess zinc can lead to lowered absorption of
but if you are doing everything right, have a look at your environment for some kind of trigger/source of infection
Well my office s one with an air return in it that pulls from all over the building....And I do have a lot of appergies. I have an appointment Tuesday to follow up and get some suggestins. I used to take injections for allergies and stopped a year ago. Although I am not having day to day symptoms it could be causing the sinus issues anyway.
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Stats:
38 year old coach to my 8 year old son, 6 ft tall jungle gym to my 10 year old daughter, 184 lb husband to my wife of 15 years and a 11% BF fitness addict best friend to all 3 of them.
No but I do have a physical scheduled for next month.
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Stats:
38 year old coach to my 8 year old son, 6 ft tall jungle gym to my 10 year old daughter, 184 lb husband to my wife of 15 years and a 11% BF fitness addict best friend to all 3 of them.
Severe headache, around the eyes and intensifies when moving.
Thick heavy congestion, green, brown and bloody
Sore throat
No energy, wiped out
I take Zyrtec but not everyday and I use FLonase daily.
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Stats:
38 year old coach to my 8 year old son, 6 ft tall jungle gym to my 10 year old daughter, 184 lb husband to my wife of 15 years and a 11% BF fitness addict best friend to all 3 of them.
Rookie, Here's an article about foods that boost immunity.
Quote:
Food Prescriptions
10 foods to help boost your immune system and ward off colds and flus this winter.
by Adina Licht
As much as you might hope to avoid it, chances are you'll catch at least one cold or flu bug this season. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, each American suffers two to six colds per year,, and at least 1 in every 10 people will come down with the flu. Fortunately, smart preventive measures starting with what you eat can help you beat the odds.
"The best way to avoid catching a virus is to keep your immune system strong," says Marty Wilson, MS, a registered dietitian and nutrition educator in San Jose, California. Numerous foods boost immunity naturally and have been used for centuries to deflect illness or lessen its impact. These ten foods will help you start building your resistance.
GARLIC
This powerful antiviral bulb is a proven winner. In one dou¬ble-blind study conducted during a 12-week period between November and February, allicin, garlic's active agent, pre¬vented cold-virus attacks and speeded recovery when infec¬tion occurred (Advances in Therapy, 2001, vol. 18, no. 4). Slice and eat one or two raw cloves daily, or take a garlic supplement.
YOGURT
Although people often avoid dairy products when they have a cold, yogurt, especially if it contains live cultures, is actually a powerful weapon against illness. Yogurt increases production and activity of key immune-system protectors, including T - cells and antibodies. Its fermentation also produces highly bioavailable forms of protein and calcium, both good for immunity (American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2000, vol. 71, no. 4). Yogurt is also rich in zinc, an essential anti-infection mineral. Enjoy 6 ounces of yogurt daily to shore up your immunity.
CITRUS
Oranges, lemons, and other citrus are excellent sources of vitamin C (ascorbic acid), a protective antioxidant. Taking vita¬min C after virus exposure helps build the hormones needed to raise metabolism to an infection-fighting level. "Just 60 mg, or 100 percent of the RDI - about the amount found in an orange, is more than enough to support your basic metabolic needs," says Adeline Cheong, PhD, a San Francisco-based food scientist.
TEA
Green, black, oolong, and other teas made from the Camellia sinensis plant have enhanced human health for centuries. All contain protective antioxidants, including epigallo-catechin gallate (EGCG) and epi-catechin (EC), plus L-theanine, an amino acid that helps stimulate T -cells (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA, 2003, vol. 100, no. 10). Experts recommend 1 or 2 cups daily.
CARROTS
These nutrient powerhouses harbor beta-carotene; a precursor to vitamin A, essential for maintaining immunity. Vitamin A supports healthy skin, including the nasal mucous membranes that protect your body from viruses and alert the immune system when a pathogen attacks. In one study, beta-carotene even helped to prevent flu onset (Voprosy Virusologii, 1999, vol. 44, no. 4). Cooked carrots contain more bioavailable beta-carotene than raw; just 2 tablespoons yield about 3300 lU, or two-thirds the RDI.
CHILI PEPPERS
The intense heat comes from capsaicin, a chemical that caus¬es mucous membranes to flush with water, thinning mucus that might host unwanted germs (Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2001, vol. 75, nos. 2-3). Capsaicin amounts vary by pepper type, "so eat enough to flush your nasal passages well," says Cheong.
ONIONS
Onions share garlic's antibacterial and anti-inflammatory prop¬erties. They also contain abundant quercetin, an antioxidant shown to protect cells from the damaging effects of influenza exposure (International journal of Experimental Pathology, 2003, vol. 84, no. 3). About one-third of an onion daily can help keep infection at bay.
GINGER
This revered root contains various powerful antiviral com¬pounds. Even powdered ginger benefits health, thanks to its anti-inflammatory effects (East African Medical Journal, 2002, vol. 79, no. 11). "I prefer to use a few thin slices of fresh gin¬ger made into a tea with 2 to 3 cups of water, but 1 or 2 table¬spoons of the dried powder added to soup is a convenient alternative," says Cheong.
CHICKEN SOUP
Physicians and moms have recommended the chicken soup remedy for ages. Experts theorize that the combination of immune-building and anti-inflammatory ingredients, hydrating liquid, and mucus-thinning steam in hot soup helps ward off colds and flu. In clinical studies, the amino acid cysteine, vari¬ous aromatic compounds, and other substances in chicken soup were more immune-boosting than hot or cold water (Chest, 2002, vol. 118, no. 4). Vegetarian broths exhibited simi¬lar effects.
WATER
"Drinking 1 liter of water for every 1,000 calories consumed has got to be one of the easiest steps you can take to maintain a healthy immune system," says Wilson. "Consuming plenty of fluids helps your body stay hydrated so it can protect you from unwanted germs." So remember to keep your water bottle handy throughout the winter months.
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Stats:
38 year old coach to my 8 year old son, 6 ft tall jungle gym to my 10 year old daughter, 184 lb husband to my wife of 15 years and a 11% BF fitness addict best friend to all 3 of them.
I bet there's a connection to your allergies. The congestion provides fluids that can incubate bacteria that cause sinus infections, just like when you have a viral infection in the sinuses that leads to a secondary bacterial infection.
seriously. last year i was sick a ton. and the year before, and before that....
i found what worked best for me is this:
i eat a lot of food which helps me recover better from my workouts and helps my cns recover faster.
the food i eat is healthy. lots of protein, lots of fat, and some carbs. Lots of peanut butter and nuts.
Green tea and coffee: i found that i feel great by doing this. i try and get a combined 8 cups of coffee and green tea a day. this usually comes out to 6 cups of green tea, and 2 of coffee (morning), or sometimes 4-4. Both are filled with lots of antioxidents. I buy the cellesial seasonings kind, and have a number of varieties (5 of them), so i never get tired of drinking the same thing over and over.
I also eat veggies, and some fruit in the day. and get rest.
A huge key though, is i carry around antibacterial no-soap hand wash with me. the stuff that contains alcohol and vitamin e. I carry a bottle in my car, and some in my backpack. You need to realize in cold season where the germs are (door handles and your workspace). I use it all the time.
These things have really kept me feeling really good, and cold free. I work in retail too, where others have gotten sick around me, but i haven't.
Im not sure if this will work for your sinus issues per se but I suffer allergic rhinitus and I hear a radio programme last year and it suggested one of two things:
one as suggested by Dr's but not kosher salt it suggested rinsing the nose with sea water solution (this isnt direct sea water but has been cleaned of impurities and can be purchase from a pharmacy)
The second suggestion was to line the very end of the nostrils with a thin layer of vaseline as this would restrict access for the irritants.
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BFG
"The time for talking has passed, actions are speaking louder than words."
How do you rinse your nose? Use a dropper or something?
I use a product called "homeoplasmine" that I got while I lived in France. It's a souped up vaseline, and really helps when my nose is dry from the colder weather/allergies. Just put in a little bit before bed. I think it has a bit of menthol in it too, so it opens up airways as well.
I found that I was long time fighting cold/flu like problems after I upped my strenuous exercise from 5 to 10-11 hours a week. After the second year I backed off, and haven't suffered since. And am in better shape than ever before. And actually with NROL I am probably under 4 1/2 of strenuous time.
You have a pretty full plate, being exhausted for extended periods of time can have an effect on the immune system. Rob
How do you rinse your nose? Use a dropper or something?
They make special little devices for this purpose, but if I feel a cold coming on or have any congestion I know it will help to irrigate the sinuses. You just make a warm salt water solution and snort it. Pour a little of it in your cupped palm, lean over the sink, and snort it, lol. It's kinda nasty, but you can breath afterwards.
(I can't believe I just typed that out, but that is how you do it.)
They make special little devices for this purpose, but if I feel a cold coming on or have any congestion I know it will help to irrigate the sinuses. You just make a warm salt water solution and snort it. Pour a little of it in your cupped palm, lean over the sink, and snort it, lol. It's kinda nasty, but you can breath afterwards.
(I can't believe I just typed that out, but that is how you do it.)
if i remember correctly, there is no proof that this really works, or works to releave colds/sinuses in the long run. Right?
Thanks for all the suggestions. I have begun adding Vitamin C and E to my daily routine. Also zinc and magnesium in the form of ZMA is back into the rotation.
A couple years ago I tried using a saline rinse on a regular basis and it was a nightmare. After a few days I was so stuffed up I could not breath. As soon as I quit the solution it went away. I have tried it again since and the same thing hapened after a week.
__________________
Stats:
38 year old coach to my 8 year old son, 6 ft tall jungle gym to my 10 year old daughter, 184 lb husband to my wife of 15 years and a 11% BF fitness addict best friend to all 3 of them.
Thanks for all the suggestions. I have begun adding Vitamin C and E to my daily routine. Also zinc and magnesium in the form of ZMA is back into the rotation.
__________________
Stats:
38 year old coach to my 8 year old son, 6 ft tall jungle gym to my 10 year old daughter, 184 lb husband to my wife of 15 years and a 11% BF fitness addict best friend to all 3 of them.
if i remember correctly, there is no proof that this really works, or works to releave colds/sinuses in the long run. Right?
Alco, I don't really know. When you say "in the long run" I think you mean to prevent catching a cold. I don't think anybody is suggesting it prevents colds. It relieved sinus congestion that I already had, but it didn't work at all for Rookie, so you just have to use what works for you.
Sick - Immune System Question
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