Immune system and the flu season

[Zacksmomi]

I have seen a few discussions here over the last couple days about vitamins and supplements.

Through this it has been mentioned that those of us with MS have an active or even over active immune system and to be careful with immune boosting supplements.  

My question is, does this mean it is wise to avoid supplements like Airborne or echinechea (sp?) when we find ourselves surrounded by sick people?

Is it possible that taking supplements like this can trigger an attack?

Thanks
D

[Quixotic1]

Here is an essay - not a scientific finding by any means - but one that tinkled my interest over Vit D and Sunlight a couple years ago.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/chat/1929828/posts

This essay can be found all over the internet.

BTW I take 6000+ IU of Vitamin D daily.  The PhDs that study this on a molecular level feel that at this time 10,000 IU daily is the highest they feel is safe to recommend for the general public - not necessarily the highest daily intake that IS safe.

I wonder how this works in with CCVIS....

Quix

[doublevision1]

I have read that in theory, high doses of Vitamin C might be a bad idea as this vitamin 'boosts' the immune system.  However I haven't come across any literature that proves it causes relapses in MS.

It does seem to come up frequently that Vitamin D is good to take when one feels a cold or flu coming on.  Vitamin D modulates (is that the right word?) the immune system as opposed to 'boosting' it.  Again, I've never seen a study on this angle specfically.  I know of one study in Canada that is studying very high doses of D in MS patients to see if it reduces number of relapses and/or alleviates MS symtoms.  The jury is still out I think although some study subjects swear they have improved (the ones on vit. D, not placebo).

I did recently read in Oprah's magazine, for what it's worth, that Dr. Oz says he makes sure he gets 10,000iu of Vitamin D through supplements or sun exposure, when he feels illness coming on.