<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>> Thanks to the 30+ responses! Overall, folks think it is just one of the joys of parenthood and I need to weather these precious years... Or it is just a fact of getting old -- but I'm only 32! :( Many had specific suggestions on boosting immunity to colds and flus, focusing on Vitamin C, E, balanced B's, Zinc and Echinacea (most popular). Some people cautioned that since Celiac Disease is an autoimmune disorder, boosting one's immune system would actually make conditions worse. On the surface that seems to make sense, but after thinking about it, if there is no gluten in my system, how can that be the case? As I understand it, the immune system attacks the presense of gluten only, not your body in general or other foreign substances/viruses any differently than someone without Celiac. I wonder if there is a doctor who can comment on a medical basis to the list? Summary of suggestions: * Many antibiotics affect the flora balance in your GI system. You can correct the balance by adding acidophilus, which is available as a supplement. * Whenever I feel a cold coming on, at the slightest sniffle, I begin to take Echinacea, usually two tablets three times a day. However, a person can take two tablets every two hours not to exceed 16 tablets in a 24 hour period and get even better results. The brand I use is made by Zand and is called Insure Herbal formula. It includes goldenseal and a number of other herbs that support the immune system. * Use Coldcalm, a homeopathic medicine made by the Boiron company. It is non-drowsy and has no drug interactions, and shortens the life of a cold greatly. This product can be bought in a health food store, and the same company, Boiron, makes a product to be used when the diagnosis is flu. The earlier one takes the respective product, the better, at the onset of a cold or the flu. * Take six capsules of Astragalus root per day. This is an herb that bolsters the immune system. It isn't as potent as echinacea, but it can be taken continuously and echinacea cannot. * Natural immune potentiator made from the yeast cell walls, called 'Immunition' and made by a company called NSC. It can be found on the web at nsc24.com. You can get it in some health food stores, but can order direct at 1-888-541-3997. It is somewhat expensive, but is worth it, because it works. * Check my "complement levels" in my blood. This is an immunological protein that is sometimes low with certain autoimmune diseases and it can make you more susceptible to certain infections. * Take essential fatty acids (EFAs) which can be found in flax seed, and beefing up your vitamin intake and taking them faithfully every day. * Cook with coconut oil, which is highly anti-viral * Avoid soy * Go off all starch and refined sugar for 1 year * Read the book Nourishing Traditions for some good ideas that are not usually thought of, but they aren't easy to implement (most people just want to take an extra pill or two!). * Take "Grape Seed Extract" * Try kefir smoothies * See a Doctor of Naturopathy for suggestions on remedies * Ask your questions at this other excellent GF forum: http://forums.delphiforums.com/celiac/messages * Stick to the diet, of course * Reduce stress in your life Thanks again! __________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? HotJobs - Search new jobs daily now http://hotjobs.yahoo.com/ * Please carefully compose your subject lines in all posts *