WHEN YOU NEED A LITTLE EXTRA HELP TO STAY HEALTHY

Linking today with Jill Conyers blog for Fitness Friday.

I have to share this really cool thing that has helped me stay healthy and illness free for many months and all through cold and flu season.  First, let me give you my mini background so you can see where I am coming from.

For the past several years and especially when I was hitting a 26.2 each weekend or even every other week.  I would get sick (cold, flu, bronchitis, pneumonia, you name it and I would catch it...)  Pretty much every 2 to 3 weeks, some new illness.  If I could make it 4 weeks without catching anything, at the time I would think it was a miracle.
Part of it was because marathon running can break down your immune system and make you more susceptible to things.  The other part was my fabulous (NOT) Epstein Barr virus:(  Even when I would have a month or two off in the summer for races and my mileage was lower, I would still catch any stupid bug if anyone pretty much sneezed in my direction.  And let me tell you, it is so NOT fun to have to pull off a marathon, when you can barely lift your head off the bed!  Trust me, I have done my fair share of them this way!

Last fall I went to a Dr. because my hair seemed to be getting thinner and far too quickly for my liking.  Well because I was running so many 26.2's my body wasn't getting all the nutrients it needed in my food.  So my Dr. recommended I take an over the counter Prenatal Vitamin as well as Biotin as supplements to my diet.  She told me to take Prenatal instead of a multi-vitamin because they have more of the vitamin combo that women who's bodies use up a lot of nutrients need.

Since I started taking them around Mid November last year, I haven't caught a single cold or flu and haven't had so much as a sniffle.  I doubt the Biotin had anything to do with it, but I will say my hair is coming in thicker and my nails are looking fabulous and I think the Biotin has had a bit to do with that part.  But those Prenatal Vitamins (and no I am not pregnant) have been a miracle worker for me!

Nothing fancy either, these are just straight grocery store brand:)

No, I don't believe they are some miracle cure or pill to avoid illness altogether.  But I do believe they have have had A LOT to do with my being able to stay so healthy all through cold and flu season. (I do work a part time job with the public in what I call a germ infested place, the library LOL.  Just so you know I wasn't hanging out in seclusion or in a closet:).
It's true for me the real test is going to be in the coming months as I build my mileage back up.  But I am already a believer of what they have done, even though I doubt my illness free streak will last forever.  I just believe it may help build up my immune system up to avoid so many.

I think eating healthy and eating the right foods is absolutely necessary and the best way to go!  But occasionally in some people like me, its not always enough to make sure you are getting all the vitamins you need.
So I thought I would share my story, just in case any of my fitness and running friends have/are experiencing excessive illnesses.  However, I DO recommend you double check with your doctor before trying anything new, for any illness problems.  And of course prenatal vitamins cannot be taken by men, because of the iron in them:)

On a side note, my ankle has been a little better this week.  But I do have a doctors appointment scheduled, just to be sure nothing is seriously wrong.  However, I am very hopeful that everything will work out, and I will soon be able to work on building that mileage back up, and getting back into finishing my marathon in every state goal.  Especially since I only have 19 more to go:)

So, do you have any cool tricks or things you have come across or taken that have helped you stay healthy and strong?  If so I'd love for you to share!