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Dear Listmates:
Here was my original inquiry:
“I am confused about the problem with our immune systems. Could
someone please give me a definitive answer; do we want to boost/
stimulate our immune systems or just the opposite? Whenever I get a
cold it lasts for 4 weeks or more and I get really run down. Would
appreciate sound advice about what is best for us.”
One of the responses I received asked “ why wouldn’t you want to
boost your immune system? Your immune system fights disease. If you
suppress your immune system, diseases will be more likely to kill
you. What are you confused about?” I’m not sure but perhaps the
words (boosting, suppressing, stimulating, etc.) are part of the
reason why this issue is so confusing.
RESPONSES:
1. we have an 'auto-immune' disease........our body is working
against us. but to try to boost our immune system will not make that
part worse. Unfortunately, my nursing days are too far in the past
to be able to explain it to you, but I can speak from experience. I
work hard to boost my body's ability to fight 'bugs' but this does
not make CD worse. Hopefully someone can give you a scientific
explanation. getting 'sick' only weakens our system, allowing more
destruction.
2. According to what I have been told if you have CD your immune
system in is
high gear as long as you are consuming gluten. It becomes more
normal when you remove gluten from your diet.
3. My husband is an immunologist, and his belief is that it is
unwise for people with autoimmune disorders (like celiac) to
supplement with herbs (such as echinacea) and other immune-boosting
substances because our immune
systems are already overstimulated as a result of our autoimmune
disorder.
4. I wish I could give you an answer to this, but actually, I am
asking the same question. My son has the same problem you
described. Illnesses that barely phase people around him send him to
bed for days at a time. I would love to figure this out. He's
fifteen and has missed massive amounts of school. When he's sick, he
absolutely cannot get out of bed. I've asked several doctors about
this - pediatricians, rheumatologist, gastroenterologist, infectious
disease specialist - an no one has had an answer for me. Thanks for
asking the question. I hope you find some helpful answers.
5. I have been a celiac all my life, but didn't know it until I was
in my early 50's. Then I went on a completely gluten-free diet for
20 years. All this time I have had a marvelous immune system.
Taught junior high school English for ten years with kids sneezing
and throwing up and developing all sorts of contageous diseases in
the classroom, while they leaned over the desk to talk to me. Once,
the first year, I caught a nasty flu and was out for three days.
Fever, sore throat, aches and pains, runny nose, cough...but that was
the end of it and it NEVER happened again. I've no idea why this is
the case, except that I have managed to eat all food groups and a
balanced diet all thru my life - a family pattern. I always assumed
that celiacs must have over developed immune systems. It will be
interesting to read the results of your message.
6. My daughter is six and has celiac and diabetes and she takes not
only forever to heal from an illness she is constantly getting sick.
Always. I keep going to the doctors asking them to explain why if
her immune system is overactive is it not working. But I dont get
any answers. Just more questions. Looking forward to your post.
Please dont go on a long explanation of how her immune system isnt
over reactive Its just the wording I am choosing to use. Thanks
7. We want to stimulate our immune system so it can fight infection
better.
8. It is confusing.
However, I have been told by my doctor, a celiac researcher, that
celiac disease is an OVER-response of the immune system. Echinacia,
etc. is not suggested for people with celiac for this reason as we do
not want to boost our responses.
I also have the same experience with colds, etc.that you have noticed
in yourself. I am always much more symptomatic and it lasts much
longer than other people--easily 3-4 weeks along with long lasting
chest congestion. However, I have 2 adult daughters and a
granddaughter diagnosed with celiac and I do not see this in them.
Perhaps we are all just different.
9. Are you talking about boosting your immune system by taking
echinacea and other natural products? They all carry a warning on
the label not to use if you have an auto immune disease, as your
immune system is already in hyper drive, or overstimulated.
10. Our immune system is compromised due to the malabsorbtion of
nutrients from the damaged villi. This is why a cold lasts so long
for you.. your body is fighting off the antigens with no extra power
to fight off the viruses. By staying on the gluten free diet, you
should eventually heal and have a better immune system to fight off
colds, etc.
SUGGESTIONS:
1. I found that my health didn't improve post-GF diet until I got
constitutional homeopathic treatment. Do you use any vitamins, herbs
or anything like that? Your colds shouldn't be lasting 4 weeks.
2. take vit c, probioitics complex and b vitamins 50 mg. they
build immune system. vit e doesn't work and is a blood thinner which
you may not want, esp if you have had any strokes in your family.
3. Things like Vit. C, Zinc, etc., are OK. Check out my husband's
description of celiac disease on our new website: http://
www.glutenfreefork.com
Also, check out my blog, which also discusses the immune system. Once
you're in the website, click on "Appetizers," then click on "Table
Talk" (the blog). We'll be updating the blog, Pantry, and recipes soon.
4. This does not answer your question, but have you had your vitamin
D tested? If so, is it in the optimal range and not just "normal"?
Read about vitamin D here http://www.vitamindcouncil.org/ Vitamin D
seems to have an effect on infections.
5. Probiotics are a big help.
6. I learned only 2 years ago that I am asthmatic and while I am not
very obviously affected, my pulmonary doctor feels this is a big
factor in these prolonged respiratory infections. It might be worth
while to get that checked out.
7. I started taking Acidophilus Lactobacillus along with vitamin D
everyday for awhile. Now I only need this occasionally and rarely
have a cold. Hope this helps. Putting a bit of fresh ginger juice in
hot water as a sort of 'tea' (with sweetener) also helps.
8. I find that I can avoid colds by taking the probiotic Culturelle
up to 3x daily, which is recommended by my GI doctor. If I get cold
symptoms, I start using Zicam and additional zinc tablets. This has
worked for me so many times over the years that I know it’s the right
thing for my system. I wonder how much variation there is between
people with Celiac/gluten intolerance.
9. Are you talking about boosting your immune system by taking
echinacea and other natural products? They all carry a warning on
the label not to use if you have an auto immune disease, as your
immune system is already in hyper drive, or overstimulated.
I neglected to say in my original post that I have been on the gluten
free diet for over 30 years & I am very cautious & strict about my
diet. Since I have removed gluten from my diet I continue to be
perplexed as to the reason why my colds last as long as they do even
though I take 1000 mg of Vit D, a multi-vitamin, fish oil & Co Q-10
every day. Obviously I need to do more as was suggested from the many
responses that were sent. Many thanks to all of you!
I hope this was helpful. If I receive further responses I will post
them.
Mary in NH
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