With the Corona virus shutting down many countries in 2020, individuals with health challenges have chosen to limit social contacts and shutter in. Health organizations have focused prevention on social distancing, hand washing and face mask wearing.
We have an immune system which has successfully fought off illnesses throughout history. The famous germ theory-terrain debate is what divides integrative medicine from more conventionally practiced medicine. Those in the terrain health camp know the immune system is the key to fighting all viruses and illness, including the most recent covid-19 virus.
While washing hands, limiting contact with sick individuals and quarantine of ill persons has been successfully used historically, what also makes sense is building one’s immune system. There are many steps one can take to do so. These include sunbathing, outdoors activity, exercise, good sleep, earthing, positive outlooks, healthy diets, and taking targeted nutritional supplements, vitamins and herbs.
By increasing one’s self care protocol, you can take charge of your health and feel safer when venturing out during the current pandemic. There are also steps one can take if symptoms of illness arise like sore throats, runny nose and coughing for extra boosting and healing.
Benefits of Sun
The benefits of sunshine to health are well established. Only recently have individuals been warned to limit sun exposure. Sun is now well known to help create vitamin D, but natural light has many more health benefits, including increasing immune function, improving eye sight, increasing mitochondria and creating healing. Sunbathing for a minimum of 20 minutes daily is recommended during warmer months, but exposure of eyes and skin throughout the year is beneficial.
Exercise
Excersing is another way to boost one’s immune system and mood. Exercise is a well established activity that improves sleep, mood, heart and lung health. Every organ of one’s body benefits from movement. Both cardiovascular and strength training activities are beneficial. Interval training exercise for just 12 minutes daily create tremendous health benefits. Dr. Al Sears has done tremendous research documenting the health benefits of interval training exercise for 12 minutes.
Walking and spending time outdoors
Walking outdoors is a safe activity most can engage in to help with mood and overall health. During these times of limited social activity, it is especially important to get outdoors and enjoy the healing benefits of sunshine, fresh air and the sounds of nature. Walking outdoor barefoot, with one’s feet touching the ground, is even healthier, because the earth’s electrons are anti-inflammatory and healing. Spending time in nature is also known to be calming and healing.
Sleep
Sleep is when our bodies heal and rejuvenate. Seven to nine hours is recommended and earlier is better if possible. Listening to your body and getting adequate sleep is essential for good health. Natural supplements which can help with sleep include GABA and L-tryptophan. If needed CBD oil is another safe supplement which can enhance sleep. Epsom salt baths, minimizing blue light exposure in the evening and developing good sleep hygiene habits are important steps toward improving and maintaining good sleep.
Positive Attitude
Fear damages one’s immune system. The power of a positive attitude is well established to promote healing and boost one’s immune system. Using cognitive therapy strategies can help improve one’s thinking. David Burns MD has many excellent books and resources on the easy use of cognitive therapy strategies to improve one’s outlook.
Nutrition
The Weston Price Foundation is a powerhouse of information detailing nutrient dense foods that can boost the immune system. Dr. Weston Price studied endemic cultures for 10 years in the early 1930’s discovering that these people enjoyed superior mental, physical and dental health by eating unprocessed foods available to them, including raw foods and healthy animal fats. These cultures consumed 4 to 10 times more water and fat soluble vitamins compared to the average American diet at that time. They enjoyed a natural immunity to tuberculosis which was common at that time. They also had perfect teeth, with no cavities or need for orthodontia.
An easy way to remember these dietary principles is to eat foods the way your great grandparents ate them, before the advent of fake, highly processed and unhealthy non foods. Every culture has traditional, healthy and delicious foods for both daily eating and special occasions.
Eating sunny side up pastured eggs with true sourdough bread toast with raw butter for breakfast, along with some fruit is nutrient dense. Old fashioned chicken soup, made from simmering pastured chicken or chicken bones with added vegetables, is full of vitamins. Organic fruits and vegetables, raw whole organic milk, pastured butter, wild salmon, oat porridge, soaked grains and legumes, and pastured beef, chicken and liver are traditional health foods. Preparation can be easy. My site Holistic Health to Go has many easy, delicious and healthy recipes.
Best Supplements
A good multi vitamin is essential now because our soils are very depleted of nutrients. Cod liver oil and K2 are important immune boosters. Cod liver oil contains vitamins A and D in a perfect ratio. For virus prevention, vitamin C is a true superpower. Liposomal vitamin C is best absorbed and 1-10 grams can be taken daily. Tremendous research shows vitamin D is essential for our health and protective for Covid. Zinc combined with quercetin are also good for viral protection. B complex vitamins help mood and immunity. Omega 3 vitamins are a good overall supplement. Iodine, magnesium, glutathione, berberine, goldenseal, echinacea, Reishi mushrooms, colloidal silver, Kaolic garlic, ginger and selenium are other immune boosters.
Important supplements to treat a viral infection
Vitamin C is magical and high dosages can greatly help the immune system fight the cytokine storm resulting from a viral infection. Zinc and Quercetin can also greatly reduce a viral load associated with an infection. Increasing or maintaining other immune boosters is also beneficial when fighting any type of viral infection. Taking up to 100 mg. zinc daily along with upwards of 1,000 mg. quercetin daily are considered safe dosages. The use of elderberry, colloidal silver and raw Manuka honey have also been shown to help limit infections.
Take Charge of Your Health
Taking responsibility for one’s health is an empowering step. We have always had an immune system which fights disease. At the end of the day, it is only our bodies’ immune systems which are capable of healing of any kind. For viral illnesses, along with other contagious diseases boosting our immune system with the above strategies will help empower us to face the world with less fear.
Disclaimer: The information in the above article is intended for informational purposes only. Please consult your personal health care provider before making any health care decisions for yourself, including starting any supplement or health practice.
Sources for this article and further research:
Curing the Incurable by Thomas Levy, MD
Mood Cure by Julia Ross
HolisticHealthToGo.com
https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2020/04/20/zinc-dosage-for-immune-system.aspx
The Immune Summit, 2020
earthing.com
