Immune Support for Coronavirus
I’ve been talking about immune support for Coronavirus for the past couple of months. Long before it was en vogue...when the media was still being blamed for the virus, when the prez was still referring to the pandemic as a “hoax” and when I was being accused of fear-mongering.
No matter. I’m still here fighting for all y’all’s health and creating free helpful content like it matters (cuz it does). I’ve created lots of resources in lots of different places, so I’m combining them all here today for your convenience (and so you have ONE blog to share, instead of trying to point people in all sorts of directions).
If you want ALL THE INFO, I recommend spending some time clicking on the links below. If you want the Cliff’s Notes, this blog’s for you.
P.S. I won’t go into CDC recs here. But please note: washing hands and social distancing is important right now. And if you’re sick, stay home (said with the acknowledged immense privilege of being able to work from home).
EPISODE 90: UPDATE ON CORONAVIRUS
(First 20 minutes)
EPISODE 86: HOW TO PREVENT THE FLU & WHAT TO DO IF YOU GET IT
Includes: Food-as-medicine tactics, healthy recipes & herbs, what to do if you’ve been exposed/are around someone who has it, ways to ease symptoms, what to do with a fever
EPISODE 36: NATURAL COLD & FLU PREVENTION WITH HERBALIST AMY MCKELVEY
Includes: Having faith in your immune system, DIY antibacterial hand spray, teas and herbs for kids, immunity herbs to cook with, creating a home apothecary, foods & practices to enhance immunity
The most impactful things you can do RIGHT NOW to support your immune system:
Eat Well
Eat like it matters, because it does. Your immune system is reliant on good nutrition. Here’s what you need to do:
Load up on nutrient-dense food
Limit processed foods
Consume very little sugar
No alcohol (it suppresses the immune system and is a direct gut irritant)
Eat lots of color (pigment-rich fruits & veggies)
Consume as many naturally anti-viral foods as you can: Oregano, Sage, Rosemary, Thyme, Astragalus, Garlic, Ginger, Shiitake mushrooms, Peppermint, Cinnamon, Turmeric
Join the Carb Compatibility Project, since we’ll be spending 4 week applying ALL of these principles and more! Now’s the time, fam!
Immune-Supportive Recipes
Immune-Boosting Zucchini Noodle Ramen Soup
Prioritize Sleep
Sleep at least 7-8 hours a night. Processes that support the immune system happen when you sleep.
Eyes off the nighttime news (it can raise cortisol before bed, preventing sleep), and limit screen time in general (blue light from your phones, tablets, computers and TVs suppresses the production of melatonin, your sleep hormone).
Keep Your Stress to a Minimum
This is easier said than done during these times of uncertainty. If you are feeling anxious right now, you can give your nervous system some extra love.
WHAT I KEEP IN MY HOME APOTHECARY FOR HIGH-ANXIETY TIMES:
Use code FUNK10 to save 10% on your order
Nervine herbs like skullcap, passionflower, magnolia
L-theanine (or drink some matcha tea—it contains L-theanine!)
This is also a good time to meditate, practice yoga, deep breathe and get out in nature. (I know you know these things. But are you doing them?? Now’s the time to start.)
Move Your Body, but Don’t Overdo It
Exercise supports immune health, BUT too much can suppress the immune system. Know your limits.
Learn the signs of over-exercise here.
Give Your Gut Some Love
Supporting gut health is a smart bet right now, since the majority of our immune system resides in the gut. We do want to reinforce this barrier system.
Good quality probiotics are a good idea (they help to modulate the immune system), but you also want to EAT to support gut health. This is one of the pillars of the Carb Compatibility Project™. I will show you exactly how.
Nutrients & Supplements for Overall Immune Health
When the immune system is amplified, you’re using these up more than you normally do. It’s not a bad idea to supplement with them right now. These are exactly what I bought for my family, especially those at a greater risk.
Note: I linked to some Amazon products above for your convenience. As a practitioner, I do not like to send my clients to Amazon to purchase supplements as counterfeit and unreliability happens.
Instead, I created 2 immunity kits on my online dispensary: Basic Immune Support and Boosted Immune Support
These are all practitioner lines, and all supplements and expiration dates have been verified. I do make a small percentage off the purchase of these supplements. This allows me to spend time creating resources like this blog. I deeply appreciate any purchase you make through me!
Use code Holt to save $5 off your order. Vitamin D, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Selenium, Zinc
You can also get selenium and zinc with this homemade nut milk!
What About Dosing?
Of course, I can’t and won’t give specific health or medical advice here, but check out these recommendations from National Institute of Health for different ages ranges.
Nutrients & Supplement of Interest for Coronavirus
GLUTATHIONE
Glutathione is the body’s main endogenous antioxidant (meaning we make it ourselves).
A few studies showed that glutathione levels were lower in people with community acquired pneumonia (like what we’re seeing with this strain of Coronavirus) and levels were correlated to Pneumonia Severity Index.
Glutathione plays a big role in how the lung lining functions and it helps to reduce destructive inflammatory immune cascade that comes alongside a viral infection.
Glutathione (GSH) supplementation may serve as an excellent supportive nutrient to help the body combat viral infection. It's probably a good idea for those who have compromised immune systems to supplement with glutathione right now.
To learn more about glutathione, listen to Episode 80: Staying Healthy Through the Holidays where I do a spotlight on this super-antioxidant.
FOODS TO BOOST GLUTATHIONE:
Asparagus
Avocado
Cucumber
Green beans
Spinach
Sulfur-rich veggies, but the way you prepare them is important. Eat preferably raw or mildly steamed to preserve the integrity of sulfur compounds. Add powdered mustard seeds during the heating process to increase sulforaphane content.
HERBS & ROOTS THAT MAY INFLUENCE GLUTATHIONE LEVELS:
Rosemary
Turmeric/curcumin
Milk thistle
Gingko biloba
Want to learn more powerful food as medicine hacks?
NAC
Another option for supplementation is N-acetyl L-cysteine (NAC) is a precursor. NAC is also an expectorant, so it’s good for mucus in the lungs, sinus congestion, wet cough and breaks up mucus in lungs. The glutathione supplement in my immune kit also contains NAC.
RESVERATROL
Resveratrol can inhibit MERS-CoV (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus) infection and prolonged cellular survival after virus infection.
Resveratrol is another one that is poorly absorbed, which is why I use the emulsified formula from Apex Energetics. It is made from Japanese knotweed, which can lower cytokines—so something you could actually take if you do have an infection, not just for prevention.
These two supplements are available in my Boosted Immunity Kit.
There we have it, folks. I hope this information keeps you informed, prepared healthy and sane. Big hugs to you all!
XOXO, Erin
