So....living a healthy lifestyle....at least gives you a fighting chance????

I think genes play a part in it too.

I think keeping up to date with vaccines and immunizations is important along with common sense measures of a healthy lifestyle.

Well, the article does say this: There appears to be a connection between nutrition and immunity in the elderly. A form of malnutrition that is surprisingly common even in affluent countries is known as "micronutrient malnutrition." Micronutrient malnutrition, in which a person is deficient in some essential vitamins and trace minerals that are obtained from or supplemented by diet, can be common in the elderly....There is some evidence that various micronutrient deficiencies — for example, deficiencies of zinc, selenium, iron, copper, folic acid, and vitamins A, B6, C, and E — alter immune responses in animals, as measured in the test tube. However, the impact of these immune system changes on the health of animals is less clear, and the effect of similar deficiencies on the human immune response has yet to be assessed. But the research at this stage is promising, at least for some of the micronutrients.

So to the extent that your diet may be deficient in micronutrients, supplementation can help.

Anecdotally, I do find that cold-eeze with zinc does reduce symptoms of a cold for me, and when I take it at the first signs of a cold, I have avoided getting one.

There is also some evidence that meditation helps boost immune system function...whether through stress reduction or some other means:

We report for the first time significant increases in left-sided anterior activation, a pattern previously associated with positive affect, in the meditators compared with the nonmeditators. We also found significant increases in antibody titers to influenza vaccine among subjects in the meditation compared with those in the wait-list control group. Finally, the magnitude of increase in left-sided activation predicted the magnitude of antibody titer rise to the vaccine. Source

My big question is, though, that for someone like me with 2 autoimmune disorders, *do* I want to boost my immune system?

Biology. The more I learn about it, the more amazing it all is. I'm thankful for scientists who work diligently to increase our collective knowledge.

Why not get tested for any vitamin deficiencies before swallowing pills? I 'tested' myself for D-3 by not taking it for several weeks prior to a routine blood test. I tested low for it. I resumed taking it and was not deficient during the next blood test. Yes, you'll pay for a blood test, but not the thousands you pay for pills your body excretes because...you have no deficiencies.

Never discount the power of suggestion. If you *believe* X makes a difference, it will.

Odd that the article didn't even mention probiotics or prebiotics since a large percentage of your immunity is in your gut health.

Annie, Good question about autoimmune disorders. I also have two. RA, Lupus and Lupus anticoagulant.

Annie, you quoted selectively and I think doing so changed the meaning. Your last sentence from that passage was "micronutrient malnutrition.....can be common in the elderly". You ended there and left out the next sentences, which changes the meaning from what you've said:

"Older people tend to eat less and often have less variety in their diets. One important question is whether dietary supplements may help older people maintain a healthier immune system. Older people should discuss this question with a physician who is well versed in geriatric nutrition, because while some dietary supplementation may be beneficial for older people, even small changes can have serious repercussions in this age group."

This doesn't say that patient-determined supplements "can help" as you suggest. But it does say poor eating habits can cause problems and, of course, that's easily fixed.

The key take-away, as mamapinky observed, is that following healthy-living strategies, including eating a varied and balanced diet, seems to contribute positively to good health and maybe too better immune system functioning. As I understand it, it's equal parts - not all "good" choices improve health, but rather avoiding "bad" lifestyle choices that can have negative effects is often what makes a difference.

I think there's a lot we don't know, and that includes Harvard. Perhaps they should have said "No means has yet been found (by us) . . . ." Like many people with chronic Lyme disease and a co-infection, I do what I can to keep my immune system strong. My doctor is an MD who has experienced tick-borne illness himself. His recommendations include shots of methyl or hydroxy B12, Vitamin C, avoidance of sugar, and a diet heavy in fresh vegetables. He also stresses the importance of rest. Sleep is when we heal.

I stopped the B12 injections because of the cost, and because the most dramatic results I've had came from juicing vegetables. Juicing enables me to consume far more vegetables than I could possibly eat otherwise. When I started using my masticating juicer faithfully, my energy improved and my night sweats stopped. The other thing I'm vigilant about is rest. I'm not working now, so I usually nap for about 20 minutes every day and sleep as long as I want at night. It makes a big difference.

As for stress, many people who get herpes cold sores or who have had shingles traced their outbreaks to a period of acute stress. I have no doubt stress overload weakens the immune system.

I read recently that Harvard is studying a woman who overcame terminal cancer by eating anti-angiogenic foods--that is, foods that prevent the formation of blood vessels needed by tumors to grow. This is outside the parameters of a discussion of the immune system, I suppose, but I thought it worth mentioning.

As a gardener, my stressed plants get better if I notice early enough and supplement w//nutrients and moisture.

it is extremely hard for me to understand why supplements wouldn’t have same positive effects on humans.

im not talking about extremes pro or against

I actually believe you can boost your immune system by avoiding tobacco and alcohol, and avoiding overly processed foods and an excess of those simple sugars/starches -- I only eat those a couple times a week but frankly, I lack a real sweet tooth. No, there is no miracle food. But I do add turmeric (with a bit of ground pepper) where I can. Can't hurt.

I disagree elmer...no surprise. You're positing that supplements don't help, but the article itself says it may in elderly who may be missing out on important micronutrients. I said nothing about whether replacing missing micronutrients was self- or dr- prescribed.

Annie, I posited nothing. I quoted. You misquoted and then added your own speculation as a comment but as if true.

Alisande, I agree with your first two sentences completely. The caveat isn't necessary because that's understood to be the case when discussing ever- changing research findings.

I am NOT the least big surprised that YOU would post this thread Elmer. Fortunately, we have a physician who is smart enough to think outside the box. Along with solid medical practices, he incorporates healthy eating with immune building nutrition into his practice especially with his cancer patients.

WE have benefited greatly from it and because of THAT I will continue to encourage others who are in a similar circumstance to consider the option. Why you always have to show people up and try to make them look like fools is beyond me, but you should stop, because a lot of us don’t appreciate it. And in this case you have no clue, it is so annoying!

Thanks, lukki, I know I can always count on you.

I found an article and shared it. I commented about someone whose words misquoted what was said in the article. You and I have something in common here, in that we both know nothing about these topics and rely on information from experts for understanding and guidance. Read my words again, you too misread them. Or don't, your choice. Then have a nice weekend!

“I found an article and shared it. I commented about someone whose words misquoted what was said in the article. “

Typical, but I’m going to correct YOU. You read something here and saw it as a way you could contradict and make the poster (and anyone with a different perspective) look a fool in the process. (Mysogyny possibly?) That’s your MO. Annie is being very diplomatic and kind about it when you really don’t deserve that so stop arguing with her and trying to justify yourself.

Your stunts have gotten old and I for one have had enough of it. You refer to your silly articles like they frump anything else someone has to share, trying to make them look foolish in the process. Life and science is always evolving and YOU are obviously stuck inside a very small box. IMO, you can take your little newclips and put them where the sun doesn’t shine.

I find it laughable that some of the best nourished people in history are so easily gulled into spending millions for unproven 'supplements' to 'protect their health'. Protecting your health depends on living a healthy lifestyle, not swallowing pills that are not even regulated to contain what they say they contain -- or enough of the claimed substance to be theraputic. The FDA is smart to leave this field alone. It's not 'medicine'; it's commerce.

IF you KNOW you are deficient in something, that is another story. I would need proof of that deficiency before attempting to combat it. I would need proof that X pill actually contains what I need, in a pure form, in an appropriate dose.

(Think twice about the idea that, "It can't hurt you." These unregulated pills can hurt you -- or they *could*, it they contained enough of the substance to make a difference. Manufacturers are careful to stay below a potency that would make a difference, for exactly that reason.)

chisue, the problem is that while Americans (and others as the US diet goes global) may be overweight and consume a lot of calories, many, including some of the heaviest are actually malnourished precisely because they don't eat real, unprocessed foods rich in fruits and vegetables and the nutrients they provide.

There was an old UK tv show called "You Are What You Eat." One part of the show, she'd show the overweight person who she was working with what they ate over the course of a week and it typically looked like this:

Then she'd show them a table of what they would be eating while working with her that typically looked like this:

I'd venture to say that if one's diet looks like the former, it's not rich in micronutrients but the person eating it wouldn't look malnourised.

I once had a charge nurse who ate only fast food. She never ate fruits, veggies, or any other good food. She was at leas t 100 pounds overweight. She never felt well. Was chronically fatiqued and had more aches than she should have at 30 years old. I seen her about 10 years ago...I didn't recognize her she dropped more than 100 pounds looked amazing. She told me she changed her eating habits. Gave up fast food and all junk food and only ate healthy foods cooked in a healthy way and bulked her plates with lots of veggies. She felt wonderful all her aches and pains disappeared and her fatique was gone. She told me her PCP told her that although she was obesely overweight she was malnourished.

I've been outed! Yes, I'm a mysogynist. A child abuser too. And a kleptomaniac with a drug problem. And a trolling internet sniper. Give it a rest.

chisue is right-on in her broad discussion of supplements. Those who are closed-minded and small-minded need to attack and refute information that challenges their own views, no matter what they are. More thoughtful souls don't act that way.

Mama, I wonder how her PCP determined this.,.interesting.

I have no proof, but suspect it's the malnourishment in part that keeps obese people eating so much...their bodies are craving the things they need, but the food their giving it doesn't provide what they need, so they keep craving more, eating more and still are no healthier.

Phoggie I don't know. We spent only about 20 minutes talking. I didn't even think to ask her that.

Annie -- I should have said the people who have *access* to the best nourishment, and at cheap prices, not 'best nourished'. Cconsuming 'supplements' will never help bad lifestyle choices. Doing so may even encourage people to continue eating junk and too much of it because, "I've got that nutritional part covered. Pass the chips and sugar water."

Chisue,

From what I understand, it’s pains, lack of energy or discomfort that draw people to suppliments but there are also a lot of valid reasons as to why people choose to use them or are even advised by their doctors to use them. Vitamin D and Iron are two examples that come to mind. There is an epidemic of Vitamin D deficiency (because people tend to avoid the sun) and women have iron issues all the time. I like to use L Theanine as an anti anxiety, and absolutely prefer it over addictive and contolled medications. My DH uses a suppliment that helps to keep him regular (because of the meds he’s on) and as well as a concentrated turkey tail mushroom for his immune system. The mushroom suppliment is an exotic mushroom and not readily available in our country. They are also so concentrated that it would be impossible to get the same nutritional benefit from using fresh. All of the suppliments we take have been prescribed by my DH’s doctor including the brand.

I agree that there are a lot of bad players out there so it’s important to be careful about your choices, but there are also some very good suppliment providers and valid reasons for using them.

lukkiirish -- I agree that when you have been *tested* for a deficiency and *know* you have one, you should take that supplement. We have people downing everything in that long and profitable aisle of 'supplements', guessing they are 'protecting their health'. It's a huge commercial industry. We are pill-poppin' bunch in the US.

https://youtu.be/RrL_8D5jpDk

And it all started with Geritol

Betty White talks about tired blood.