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2003/12/15, 08:58 PM
Hi guys. I'm looking for some advice because I'm new and not very educated on suppliments. I have an 83 year old mother who still cuts her own grass. Last winter she got colds that almost became pneumonia, and she has her first cold of this winter. Any suggestions on vitamins, etc. that might help her fight the bugs. She is in really good shape other than the colds. She has had her flu shot and a pneumonia shot. I would really appreciate your advice. Thanks. Elaine
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2003/12/15, 09:28 PM
Vitamin C and a good multi vitamin. Also encourage her to wash her hands very often. Colds are a germ or bacteria that we pick up off different things we touch, then rub our eyes or nose. They can be nasty!
Hope this helps.
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"A will finds a way"
Ivan Montreal Canada
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2003/12/17, 12:58 PM
Yo Elaine!
Welcome to FT! 83 and she still mows the grass! Tell you what, if she cuts mine, I'll make her some chicken soup...
I have a couple years to go before I hit the big 8-3, but I've had luck fighting off most colds with echinecia (sp?) and zinc (in addition to the extra Vit C and Multi like Carivan recommended). I think there's a brand of Vitamin C drops that actually have zinc already in them. I've never had a flu shot or pneumonia shot, either. So there's either something to this, or I've just been very lucky.
Good luck to you and mom!
TSMD
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2003/12/17, 02:29 PM
Dave, What does the echinecia do?? I'm jumping in cause Elaine is my wife and the sweet 83 yr old, my mother in law. Elaine went home to help her out while she is sick. I will call her with this info. The colds are getting more frequent and we need all the help we can get.
BTW, the yard is 1 acre and she cuts it with a self propelled mower. She won't allow is to buy her a rider. We've tried.
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Living well is the best revenge.
Charlie
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2003/12/17, 03:48 PM
Wow charlie thats amazing about your mother in law.
Elaine is your wife??? I better stop flirting!
Echineachea is a plant that has a medicinal effect on help fighting colds. It's most potent in liquid form, and is to be taken when one feels the cold coming on, and during. If you take it regularly it has no effect. You might of seen the plant, it is like a purple daisy with a brown center.
Hope this helps.
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"A will finds a way"
Ivan Montreal Canada
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2003/12/19, 02:08 PM
I did phone her Ivan. Flirt away , I don't mind. Yeah, mominlaw is amazing. Along the same lines , my own mom went on a cruise with us several years ago. We wanted to go snorkeling. The folks on the dive boat were astounded to see this 75 year old lady put on the mask and fins and hit the clear Caymen waters just like flipper.
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Living well is the best revenge.
Charlie
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2003/12/19, 05:19 PM
Wow that is awsome charlie. Keep them healthy. Try getting her to do more. The more active the better.
My dadinlaw is 93 and still tries to beat me up!
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"A will finds a way"
Ivan Montreal Canada
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2003/12/21, 01:16 AM
Charlie, I've heard exactly what Carivan has said about echinecia. And, in an interesting twist to this story, I originally heard about this herb from MY mother-in-law. <Twilight Zone music>. She takes it as soon as she feels the effects of a cold coming on.
In addition to the vitamins and herbs and minerals, maybe your Mom-in-Law also needs to rest a bit. Sounds like she might be "overtraining" with all she's doing. Seriously, her resistance may be low because she's not getting enough rest compared to her active lifestyle... Just a thought.
TSMD
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2003/12/21, 10:22 AM
Hey never thought of that one TSMD! Maybe she IS overtraining. Good Point.
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"A will finds a way"
Ivan Montreal Canada
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2003/12/26, 11:41 AM
Thanks to all for the info and advice. Mom isn't one to take pills but I got her to add vitamin C to her daily vitamin and calcium program. Now if I can get her to add the herbs and rest more we will have accomplished something! I will buy for her the echinecia and hopefully get her to take it at the first sign of a cold. It just seems to take her so long to recover these days. Again, thank you for your concern and advice. It's great to have such a resource.
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2003/12/26, 01:31 PM
At the very first sign of colds, even if someone in your house has one, start building the immune system. 500-1000 mg. of Vit. C and 25 mg. of Zinc every 3 hrs. along with echinnacea. This regimine has knocked out more colds than I can count. Add acidophilus for regulation. Sometimes immune system boosters such as vitamin C and zinc can actually cause your immune system to mount an unwarranted attack, seeing something that isn't there. This is autoimmnune system problems, and results in little things that feel like allergies and mild colds. Acidophilus(healthy bacteria) will help regulate the immune system. This is/can be as important as boosting it.
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If you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything....
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2004/01/02, 04:01 PM
Hello Elaine and welcome to FT! I dont have anything to add about colds (both of my parents are currently battling them too), but I have been looking for a post from you so I could say hi. My husband also is a Charlie B. Good luck with your mum.
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~Victoria~
...Do not be discouraged; everyone who got where he is, started where he was.--anon
...There are no shortcuts to any place worth going.--Beverly Sills
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2004/01/05, 03:37 PM
Again, thanks for all the suggestions. Also it's great to meet you all. Being the new guy, I feel like some of my questions are probably stupid, but my husband, cb826, says that's ok. One of my resolutions for 2004 is to become more active on the message boards. I learn so much just reading and it is motivating. I have never lifted weights before, and I am having a hard time motivating myself. I think reading the success stories will help.
Mother update: she's not totally back to normal but is much better. I guess recovery takes longer at her age, and I have encouraged her to get more rest. Thanks for your concern and advice.
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2004/01/05, 05:15 PM
Makes sure she is drinking lots of fluids. Drinking a gallon of wate ad day with lemon juice from one fresh lemon will also help break-up and flush the mucus up.
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It's not what we eat or drink occasionally, but what we consume on a daily basis that determines our ongoing level o health.
formerfatguy.com
Not sure of author
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