In light of how the Coronavirus is affecting daily life, I like you, have been fixated on knowing everything there is to know about how to fight the invisible monster. What I’ve observed from the scientific findings is that this threat, like most health threats, has one key feature – lifestyle factors.
Contrary to the mainstream narrative, it isn’t about fatality. The causes of fatality are now being acknowledged to be attributed to co-morbid health conditions by up to 90%! These health conditions have been identified as obesity, diabetes, lung conditions and heart disease. The big 4 of modern life – modern life being the key driver of these conditions. This means that they are essentially modifiable. And that changes the picture considerably. While I am never going to downplay the severity of COVID-19, nor the need for social distancing and other safety measures, I find it alarming that the narrative of disease prevention and heath promotion through creating health is absent from the mainstream. And that’s why I’m here. Not to give false hope, but to educate with evidence-based findings, so that you can learn to live in such a way that your body becomes a no-go-zone for illness. I’m sharing the abbreviated version of my 5 ways to promote immunity from my e-book S.LE.E.P. for Immunity – How to Stress Less, Live, Eat, Exercise and Personalise Your Way to Robust Immunity. These are general guidelines and should not take the place of medical advice.
Stress Less
Psychological Stress weakens the immune system and it also disrupts our body’s innate healing abilities so we become more susceptible to infection. Find moments of calm throughout your day, so that you’re not expending a lot of physical energy without periods of recovery. Focusing on the quality of your recovery is also important, which is why night time rest needs to be a key focus in the fight against illness. This is largely in part of the role of melatonin. Particularly when it comes to this virus. Melatonin is a major antioxidant and it has been seen to be depleted in the victims of this virus, which might account for why older people are at greater risk – their melatonin reserves are lower than those of younger people. Improving your rest and recovery will bolster any other efforts you are taking to live healthier.
Live
Find ways to create balance in your schedule – to enjoy natural things, like sunlight, fresh air, the company of family or friends who may live with you. Finding purpose and meaning is also immune protective, not to mention, it’s hugely protective of your mental health. In Man’s Search for Meaning, holocaust survivor, Viktor Frankl said, “Those who have a why to live for, can endure any how.” Now is a great moment in time to reflect on the direction that your life has been going in, and to re-evaluate. Asking yourself questions like, “Does doing x give me energy? Does it bring me joy?” Or “Does doing x deplete my energy?”
Eat
The same can be said for food. You might notice that after consuming certain foods you become quite tired. Assuming that you have more time because you’re at home, pay attention to what these foods are. A good rule of thumb is to avoid inflammatory foods that weaken the immune system or produce mucus, e.g. Alcohol, Dairy, Gluten and Sugar.
To increase energy and focus, boost mood and memory, include lots of water, vegetable juices, and foods that are rich in Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Prebiotics and Probiotics, and Zinc. Brightly coloured berries, vegetables, eggs, unsweetened coconut milk yogurt and shellfish are good sources of these immune-boosting nutrients. Vitamin D is best sourced from the sun, so get outside for 20 minutes a day to get your daily dose.
Exercise
While it’s important for us to move, we also want to be mindful of busy spaces, so why not use this time to create an at-home workout, utilising apps like Asana Rebel or signing up to the many online classes that are available in the Well Works online community. We don’t need to be expending 100% of our energy while exercising at this time. Simply moving more, walking while talking when doing zoom meetings, using the stairs at home for short sharp bursts of activity at certain times of the day can be immune-protective, as it stimulates blood flow, oxygenation, and enhances immune-surveillance. You’re better off avoiding long runs, or any extended periods of intense activity, as they can increase inflammation. I share more in my S.L.E.E.P. for Immunity e-book.
Personalise
I have a few go-to supplements for keeping well, but while the principles are general, quantities are individual. One should always work with a practitioner to determine the best form of a supplement, and the right amounts. This often involves functional lab testing.
Option 1
Vitamin Infusions or IVs are the high-end option. Dr Nathan in my team, can whip up a Myers Cocktail for you with some extra Vitamin C and NAC, which is a potent natural antioxidant and bronchodilator – that’s a fancy term for decongestant. Particularly useful during this time, as one of the primary concerns is developing pneumonia. It’s also worth nothing that NAC is a precursor to the master antioxidant, Glutathione. That means, by supplementing with it, you’re also improving your body’s detoxification pathways.
Option 2
Liposomal Vitamin C. I specifically choose Liposomal Vitamin C because it is easily absorbed by the body, unlike other cheaper forms, which have to go through the gut and can cause gastric disturbance, when taken in the quantities needed for fighting off infection. Note that the quantities needed for fighting off infection are several times higher than the recommended daily dose, hence my preference for IVs or Liposomal forms.
Potent anti-viral herbs like Biocidin and Oil of Oregano (in capsule form).
Supplements like NAC, Probiotics, Vitamin A, C, D, Quercetin and Zinc, are all immune supportive, and effective against this type of virus. At Well Works, we stock Designs for Health supplements in the UK, which have a high bio-availability, meaning that they are easily recognised and absorbed by the body. You can order from shop.well-works.uk/uk-supplements if you’re in the UK or shop.well-works.uk/us-supplements if you’re in the US. Remember that you need to take herbs away from the probiotics. If you take the oregano with breakfast, then take the probiotics after lunch. Ideally, they should be taken at least two hours apart from each other.
For a natural hand sanitiser, I create a blend of Doterra’s tea tree, oregano, and lavender or lemon essential oils, diluted in purified water and a carrier oil like fractionated coconut oil or olive oil, which I carry around with me. This way I can spritz my hands (and sometimes public surfaces) knowing I’m using therapeutic-grade oils that I have used on patients to heal infections like MRSA!
These are some small steps that you can take to start taking control of your health, so that you can feel more empowered, and less helpless. And that’s all I’m here to do. Fear is such a useless, paralysing emotion. If you have questions or concerns, click on the link to get some time with me, and we can work out ways to calm your anxiety, or how to personalise your Immune-Boosting regime.
I’m here to help.