So I just got off a month of antibiotics a few weeks ago... I know I know.. I hate antibiotics and I sort of wish I hadnt taken them.. but I listened to my doc.. anyway, ive realised that ive taken a fair amount of antibiotics over the past few years for various things.. (flu, staph infection, some gastrointestinal thing)..

So now im trying to build up my immune system.. and ive vowed never to take antibiotics again.. unless its absolutely necessary.

but it got me thinking.. what exactly is the immune system? What part of it has been damaged by antibiotics and how can I best get it back to normal and even stronger then normal?

I know the antibiotics kill beneficial flora in your gut.. but do they wipe out good bacteria in other parts of your body.. is your immune system just the beneficial gut flora? how important is this part of your immune system?

Ive been taking probiotics everyday and will continue to do so for quite some time.. aswell as just trying to eat healthy etc.

any advice?

You're on the right track moxsum. Probiotics. If I were "forced" to take antibiotics, I would definitely take probiotics and prebiotics. Prebiotics will feed the flora. That is what they live upon. Rice bran, oat bran, inulin. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prebiotic_%28nutrition%29

Rice bran is the easiest. Less allergenic, gluten free.

For probiotics, don't forget the fermented foods - yogurt, sauerkraut, miso, kefir, ...

Yes, the probiotics are in other places than your digestive system. You nasal passage will have them, unless they have been wiped out by fungi. Your immune system will be repopulated in time.

Another thing I would do in that circumstance would be to take adaptogens; such as ashwaganda, schisandra, licorice root, and others listed here. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adaptogen

Seaweed (kelp) will help your entire endocrine system too.

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- Jim

Oh yeah. One more thing I forgot.

Zinc. It is a powerful mineral that strengthens the immune system. No more that 50mg per day with meals. Zinc works best with acid; and meals normally help with raising stomach acids. A B50 complex would also help. I normally take zinc everyday except the weekends. I want my body to find it in my diet; and I don't want to overdo it either.

There is a lot of info on this forum regarding Vitamin D3 for the immune system. Don't overlook that.

I'm sure I've forgotten something else.

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- Jim

Ok cool... well im doing the probiotics and vit D3 .. also taking a mushroom complex, and i have some olive leaf extract, aloe vera extract and vitamin C everyday..

gotta add the pre-biotics.. and some more adaptogens.. i am taking ginseng..

Magnesium is needed for many reasons, but proper immune function is one reason.

Dan

Now im all freaked out.. reading the side effects of Cipro it says it causes weakening of tendons in the body.. this scares me cause im an athlete and the last thing I need is to have weak tendons!! aaahh... theres lots of stories of peoples tendons rupturing / tendonitis.. I havent experienced those things but.. scary anyway..