16 Tips on Boosting Immunity: Our Best Defense Against COVID-19 and Other Viruses
As the World Health Organization
declares the coronavirus (COVID-19) a pandemic, fear captures the world.
The media continues to focus on fast-tracking a vaccination, which
often means little to no real safety or efficacy studies.
The “medical experts” on news stations
across the world say that vitamins such as A, C and D do not boost
immunity. We have all been led to believe that health comes from a
needle and a pill, they recommend hand-washing, social distancing, but
seldom suggest a healthy diet, supplements, and other natural remedies
to improve our health and support the body to fight off illness.
The good news:
“When our immune system is working
correctly, we don’t even notice it. It’s when the performance of our
immune system is compromised that we face illness.” – Dr Axe
Helpful Hints & Remedies to Optimize Your Immune System
1. Keep your gut healthy to maintain a robust immune system. Eat
a healthy diet high in organic fruits and vegetables. These
nutrient-dense, high antioxidant foods fight off illness and provide
important fiber to feed the healthy gut biome. Taking a high-quality
probiotic and eating fermented foods can also be very helpful. “The microbiota plays a fundamental role in the induction, training, and function of the host immune system.”
2. Avoid refined sugar and processed food. White
blood cells help fight off illness, and eating sugar puts our white
blood cells into a temporary coma. In the 1970’s Dr. Linus Pauling, one
of the most significant researchers in the field of microbiology,
discovered that vitamin C is needed by white blood cells to engulf and absorb viruses and bacteria.
High blood sugar prevents the body from adequately utilizing vitamin C
and reduces the white blood cell’s ability to absorb and destroy viruses
by up to 75%. Sugar also inflames the body, which suppresses the immune system and interferes with the absorption of vital immune-boosting vitamins and minerals. Processed foods are void of bioavailable nutrition and contain salt, chemicals, and preservatives, which damages the immune system.
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3. Stay hydrated with mineral and coconut water. Coconut water boosts electrolytes. Coconut
water is a well-balanced fluid loaded with minerals such as iron,
calcium, potassium, and manganese, amino acids, B vitamins, vitamin C,
and cytokinins, many nutrients that help improve immune health. Minerals such
as zinc, iron, selenium, and potassium are often overlooked, but they
are essential in providing the body enough energy to create immune
cells.
4. Get enough sleep. Sleep is imperative for a healthy immune system. Sleep and the circadian system exert a strong regulatory influence on immune functions. Investigations
of the healthy sleep-wake cycle showed that immune parameters like
numbers of undifferentiated naïve T cells and the production of
pro-inflammatory cytokines exhibit peaks during early nocturnal sleep.
T-cells are a type of white blood cell, which tailors the bodies
response to pathogens. Inflammatory cytokines play a role in initiating
an inflammatory response to defend against pathogens.
5. Minimize Long-Term Stress. Although some stress can be beneficial to the immune system because
it signals the body to activate and can help to turn on the immune
system response – chronic stress can have a profound negative effect on the immune system and health. It can lead to chronic inflammation and increases the risk of developing autoimmune conditions. Stress
also impacts hormones such as cortisol, and hormones impact the immune
system—making immune cells produce more of the stress molecule cytokines. Meditate, do yoga, listen to music, and exercise. Exercise not only reduces stress, but it also protects the immune system. A 2018 human study published in Aging Cell revealed that high levels of physical activity and exercise help to decrease the gradual deterioration of the immune system.
6. Induce a Fever with an Infrared sauna & do not be quick to lower it. At
the first sign of a fever we often look to reduce it. However, studies
show us that a fever between 100.4 and 103.2 is excellent for us. It
stimulates the body’s immune response. According to research,
higher body temperatures drive the activity of specific proteins that,
in turn, switch genes responsible for the body’s immune response on and
off.
7. Vitamin A is excellent for viral infections; a high dose vitamin A protocol is often used by naturopathic and functional medicine physicians. Cod liver oil or vitamin-A palmitate is often used. In clinical trials,
it has been seen to treat measles quite successfully. Vitamin A is
fat-soluble and can accumulate in the body, and could be toxic if levels
are too high. It is often recommended to get enough vitamin A in your
diet. Best sources of vitamin A are sweet potatoes, green leafy
vegetables, red peppers, paprika, chili powder, carrots, squash, herbs,
cantaloupe, lettuce, and dried apricots. During an acute infection, high
dosing is often recommended for a short time.
8. Vitamin C is a
powerful antioxidant necessary for the growth and repair of tissues in
the body. It helps to strengthen our immune system to fight illness by
assisting our white blood cells. According to Orthomolecular Medicine, there were three independent clinical trials on
the use of vitamin C in the treatment of the coronavirus (COVID-19).
The Chinese government announced a recommendation to use high dose
intravenous treatment of vitamin C to treat the outbreaks. For the
prevention of a cold or flu at home, Ultra-Potent C by Metagenics is
good because it also has lysine and glutathione, which assists in
fighting viruses. Some great natural sources of vitamin C include citrus
fruits, red and hot chili peppers, red peppers, thyme, parsley, dark
green leafy vegetables, strawberries, broccoli, and kiwi.
9. Vitamin D3 is an
essential vitamin required by the body for proper immune functioning,
and alleviation of inflammation. The beneficial effects of vitamin
D on protective immunity are due in part to its impact on the innate
immune system and has numerous effects on cells within the immune
system. Our body makes vitamin D with the help of the sun. It is
believed we only get twenty-percent from the foods we eat. Some foods
higher in D include cod liver oil, fish, oysters, caviar, meat, eggs,
and mushrooms. It is often a good idea to supplement vitamin D in the
cold and darker months.
10. Elderberry has been used for centuries as medicine to combat influenza, colds, and sinusitis, and has been reported to have antiviral activity against influenza and herpes simplex. The Journal of International Medical Research reported that
when treating with elderberry, symptoms were relieved on average four
days earlier, and the use of rescue medication was significantly less in
those receiving elderberry extract compared with placebo.
PLEASE NOTE: There are concerns
of elderberry potentially causing a cytokine storm. Please be sure to
consult with a trusted medical professional before introducing
elderberry or any new supplement into your system.
11. Fish Oil & other Omega-3 Fatty Acids have potent anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activities in a wide array of diseases. Modulators of the immune response, research demonstrates that
it assists the body heal from a wide range of autoimmune disease, and
infections. Fatty acids are considered one of the essential nutrients
for immunity. The right balance of unrefined essential fatty acids tends
to attract oxygen to the cells, which is one of the best ways to deactivate a virus.
12. Zinc is vital for cell survival, and also helps the body fight off invading bacteria and viruses. The Journal of Molecular Medicine reports that
zinc improves immune health by improving T-cell (white blood cell)
function. The best sources of zinc include lamb, beef, scallops, sesame
seeds, pumpkin seeds, nuts, oats, turkey, shrimp, and green peas.
13. Echinacea contains
many chemical constituents, which are powerful immune system stimulants
that can provide significant value. It used for centuries and is making a
comeback in recent years. This North American flower is highly
effective in fighting infections, especially the common cold and the
flu. When coupled with Golden Seal, it ‘sit’s a dynamic duo.
14. Garlic is one of the best natural antibiotics and antivirals. The unique Sulphur compound in garlic helps resolve illnesses of
all kinds, including pneumonia, prevents food poisoning, and it
improves intestinal health. Unlike traditional medications, garlic, like
many herbs, is intelligent. Garlic is highly effective in killing off a
host of gut pathogens, including candida, while at the same time
feeding and encouraging the growth of beneficial microbes.
15. Ginger is a potent
antioxidant that is excellent for boosting our immune health. High in
many nutrients, this powerful root vegetable benefits many organs of our
body. Research backs
of a long history of claims that ginger has unique therapeutic
significance owing to its antioxidant, antimicrobial, and
anti-inflammatory potential.
16. Colloidal Silver is an old-time remedy that destroys disease-causing pathogens in minutes when exposed to small amounts, according to over 650 documents released by Larry C. Ford, MD.
Flu Remedy
Wipe it out quickly with Sovereign Silver, organic elderberry syrup, vitamin C, vitamin D, and l-lysine.
When treating an acute infection, seek
help from a qualified functional medicine practitioner or naturopathic,
so they can recommend proper therapeutic dosages.
Final Thoughts
Boosting the immune system naturally
works on your body’s innate wisdom. It supports the body to operate like
a well-oiled machine, protects it from unwanted pathogens and disease,
and helps ensure a healthy body and mind.
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