COVID-19 is a virus, so you’ll need a strong immune system to fight it off and prevent it from taking hold. It also produces a high level of inflammation that can have some very dangerous effects on your body. For that, you’ll need anti-inflammatory support. Now how do we accomplish all that?
Here are the key points:
Self Care: Be active every day. Sleep 7-9 hours. Drink water. Reduce stress. Don’t smoke.
Eat Good Food: Everything you put in your mouth can be seen as helpful or harmful to your immune system. Helpful includes lots of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. Harmful are sugar, white flour, alcohol and animal fats.
Supplements: Take Vitamins C and D, medicinal mushrooms, NAC, Zinc, Elderberry, Red Ginseng and Boswelia
Self Care
Hydrate
Drink 48 to 64 ounces of water per day to flush toxins out of the body, and help cells and organs function at their best. By the way, coconut water, bone broth, and decaffeinated tea all count toward your daily hydration totals.
De-Stress
Stress can significantly impair your immune system. Take a walk. Have a talk. Read a book. Get outside and commune with nature. Exercise. Listen to something uplifting or calming. Breathe.
Foods
Eat highly pigmented fruits and vegetables, such as kale, spinach, multi-colored peppers (which contain more vitamin C than an orange!) and pomegranates. All of these healthy options are packed with nutrients that your body needs.
Bone Broth is packed with proteins (glycine and proline) that are well-known for nourishing the lining of your gut,” says Petrucci. Research confirms that strengthening the health of your gut will support your immune system
Fermented Veggies (sauerkraut, kimchi, and pickles). These are an excellent source of nutrients and good bacteria. If this sounds weird, remember that are fermented vegetables, and you probably eat those occasionally already.
Garlic stimulates the immune system and increases white blood cell counts.
Supplements
Medicinal Mushrooms (shiitake and maitake).
These help boost immunity and reduce inflammation - a benefit during covid-19 infection
Elderberry
Some studies have shown that it’s effective in stimulating immune response and that it may potentially help reduce the time someone experiences flu symptoms by up to four days. It’s recommended to stop elderberry at the first signs of infection (fever, cough, sore throat) and/or if you test positive for the virus
Vitamin C
3,000 milligrams per day in divided doses (500mg or 1000mg each dose)
Vitamin D
This is very important for our immune health and upwards of half of us are vitamin D deficient. You can sit in the sun (in a bathing suit) for 20 minutes a day or take the recommended daily dosage of vitamin D (5,000 IU, 125 mcg) per day. Discontinue supplements while symptoms are present.
Zinc
Daily dosage of zinc is 25-30 milligrams per day. Too much of good thing can have a negative effect, so don’t take too much.
Exercise
Aim for 30 minutes of physical activity per day. Break it up into three 10-minute sessions, if that better fits your schedule/fitness level. Mix it up between aerobic and weight training.
Frankincense (Boswellia serrata)
May be helpful for lung inflammation (a COVID-19 issue), especially for someone with asthma. Boswellia extracts inhibit inflammatory cytokines so it could be helpful in someone with mild symptoms of Covid-19.
Yours in Health,
Dr. Rick
Dr. Rick Schlussel is a Chiropractor and Applied Kinesiologist providing preventive health care, treatment for pain and injuries, holistic health assessments and a variety of natural therapies. He can be reached at Presence Wellness Center and Spa at 530-889-0388 or by email at drrick@mydrrick.com
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