Topic: dr says no supplements to boost immune system
randibear
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11290
posted
i was reading online and i swear can't remember where but this one doctor was saying that if you are treating like lyme or candida do not take any supplemental vitamins or immune boosters.
he feels that you are already stressing your system and if you add vitamins they stress your system by trying to stimulate it and that adds more stress.
have you ever heard not to take any supplements? i would think it would be good.
just a different opinion i guess.
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Can you post a link? It's easiest to weigh what is said when we can see the whole article and in what context - and the background of who says it.
Categorically, with just what you say, I think it's both correct advice on some points but wrong advice on others - because it's not fully considering so many vital aspects and questions.
So much is omitted about quality, etc. Nutrition is not taught in medical school, by the way. Most MDs know nothing about it.
Still, SOME products are just not good and I never think it's a good idea to "BOOST" anything. Ever. Too many crappy products out there with that claim gone wrong.
If THAT is what he's saying, I agree. "BOOSTING" is NOT the same as providing nutrients that SUPPORT us.
And we MUST have liver & adrenal support. We can't get all we need there from foods, not during intense Rx treatment.
Just as there are some inferior products - or things that are not good for us at this time - there are some excellent nutritional supplements, too, and some that are excellent for a person with lyme &/or candida.
When possible, though, it's great to know how to find the nutrients we need in food.
It's best to seek out those who KNOW all about this. NDs, L.Acs and those with similar knowledge are stellar in this area. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- When considering herbal / nutritional / adjunct methods:
if at all possible - because each person & each case is different - it's best to consult with an ILADS-educated LL (lyme literate) doctor who has completed four years of post-graduate medical education in the field of herbal and nutritional medicine -
- and someone who is current with ILADS' research & presentations, past and present.
Many LL NDs incorporate antibiotics (depending upon the licensing laws in their state). Some LLMDs and LL NDs have good working relationships.
When possible, it's great to have both a LLMD and LL ND and even better when they have a long-standing professional relationship.
Integrative / Holistic M.D., etc. (Be aware that those in this category can have various levels of formal herbal &/or nutritional education, perhaps even just a short course. Do ask first.)
Links to many articles and books by holistic-minded LL doctors of various degrees . . .
BASIC HERBAL EDUCATIONAL & SAFETY links -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Razzle
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 30398
posted
I totally agree with Keebler...
S.H. Buhner in his book, Healing Lyme, says late stage Lyme has a different immune system profile than early infection, thus the treatments for one may worsen the other, and vice versa.
-------------------- -Razzle Lyme IgM IGeneX Pos. 18+++, 23-25+, 30++, 31+, 34++, 39 IND, 83-93 IND; IgG IGeneX Neg. 30+, 39 IND; Mayo/CDC Pos. IgM 23+, 39+; IgG Mayo/CDC Neg. band 41+; Bart. (clinical dx; Fry Labs neg. for all coinfections), sx >30 yrs. Posts: 4166 | From WA | Registered: Feb 2011
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posted
"BOOSTING" is NOT the same as providing nutrients that SUPPORT us.
--
Agree with that. My health coach wants me to streamline my supps as much as possible. Less is more. I'm eating non-GMO and as many vegetables as possible.
That is where we should be getting our "vitamins" and minerals.
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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Catgirl
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 31149
posted
I wasn't on hardly any supplements until a year ago. I started taking the main ones in Burrascano's protocol and could feel a difference (better). But as time went on, I felt worse sometimes or felt like they weren't doing anything. This is where energy testing is helpful.
I was surprised to find that some brands test better for me than others (opposite of some of the brands I thought were better). I tested them several times to be sure. And surprisingly, about a month after I saw an ART practitioner, testing showed that I didn't need as many of them. Energy testing is too cool.
-------------------- --Keep an open mind about everything. Also, remember to visit ACTIVISM (we can change things together). Posts: 5418 | From earth | Registered: Mar 2011
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sparkle7
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 10397
posted
You don't necessarily want to boost everything. The immune system is supposed to be modulating. If you have an auto immune problem - you don't want to keep boosting it.
It sort of seems like you would be putting down the gas peddle while in park...
You have to try to find the root of the problem first.
Posts: 7772 | From Northeast, again... | Registered: Oct 2006
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posted
I agree with Keebler ++ . The dr. writing this is an example of a blind (wo)man leading the blind, just expressing h(er)is dangerous ignorance in the field of h(er)is profession.
In order to know what (s)he is doing a dr. should always order a number of blood tests to rule out any deficiencies on minerals, vitamins and trace minerals, otherwise it is just like aiming in the dark.
-------------------- "They that are whole have no need for the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance"(Mark 2.17) Posts: 149 | From Amsterdam | Registered: Jul 2011
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posted
It is always better to get nutrients from food, but most of us have issues trying to eat at all. And, unless you get foods off the farm, much of the nutrients are lost in transit as foods are picked early and have to be transported to the grocery store.
So, how is transfer factor viewed, as that is an immune booster isn't it?
-------------------- Faithful
Just sharing my experience, I am not a doctor. Posts: 2682 | From Colorado | Registered: Oct 2009
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sparkle7
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 10397
There are very few effective "natural" immune modulators. A true modulator will effectively regulate an underactive or overactive immune system back into normalization. It will do very little for those in perfect working order.
The key is to adjust the balances between all the respective components that make up the immune system. Before nutrients, enzymes, EFA's etc.. start to play a role, the electrical communication between molecules has to be corrected ensuring that signals or information between cells, is transmitted and received accurately.
There are no true immune modulating pharmaceutical drugs due to their low efficacy and adverse side effects. The modern allopathic approach therefore favours immune suppressing or immune stimulating drugs, which they classify as immunomodulators.
An immune suppressing drug will be utilized in diseases where there is an over reactive response by the immune system. This is found in diseases as lupus, arthritis, chrohns disease, colitis, eczema, asthma to name a few.
the problem with this approach is that this treats the symptoms and never addresses the cause. When you continually suppress the immune system you are opening yourself up to a multitude of other illnesses.
Posts: 7772 | From Northeast, again... | Registered: Oct 2006
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posted
If you take echinacea and have asthma or allergies, beware. Echinacea is a close relative of rag weed. Many immune boosters boost the total immune system. If you are dealing with inflammation, an immune function, you could be boosting the part of the system you don't want to be overactive. With that said, your doc mat have gone through medical school when supplements were not given the appreciation that they deserve. Also google Gu therapy. There is the notion that you may be feeding the parasite not the body.
Posts: 482 | From Oregon | Registered: Feb 2011
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posted
new to this but 25 years of chronic l.d./8yrs, celiac,4 yrs. EMS working hard at it. recently able to introduce few supplements tho not sure if will truly help or hinder. need info on: vit. d, ionic magnesium, probiotic with streptococcus thermophilus (heard s.t. was n.g. for lymes. someone have good advice for those?) glad to be here! (and yes, energy testing has been pretty good to me).
Posts: 1 | From brevard, n.c. | Registered: Feb 2013
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