Stay Safe, Stay Well Be A Lousy Host to the Coronavirus

We are living in unimaginable times, a once in 100-year disease outbreak pandemic. Scientists are predicting 40%-70% of Americans will get infected with the coronavirus (COVID-19), and a quarter of million Americans will die. It is also predicted that 80% of people infected with coronavirus will have mild to no symptoms, and 96% to 99% will recover from the infection. This tells us we are not helpless in its path. There are things we can all do to reduce our own risk and ultimately reduce the spread of coronavirus. This is not a time to be afraid, but a time more than ever to focus on our health and well-being to protect ourselves, our families, our communities, and our nation.
This virus is called “novel” because it is new to our bodies, which means we (humans) have never been exposed to this strain of coronavirus. We do not have immunity to fight against it, making us all susceptible to getting the infection. However, for any infection to occur, two things must be present – the bug (microbes) and the host. Viruses are microbes that need a host (us) to live, grow, and spread. Here is the important part; it is not the virus that could make us extremely sick or the unthinkable, it is how our body (immune system) reacts to the virus. The good news is we can create an intelligent immune system making us a lousy host to coronavirus. To improve and strengthen the function of our immune system, our lifestyle matters!
The quality of your diet is the key to protecting yourself. Balance your blood sugar by cutting out refined sugars and starches. Sugar will suppress the body’s immune system causing an increase in viral load. And sugar and processed foods can make your body more acidic, making you more receptive to the coronavirus. Ensuring an adequate intake of protein is also very critical for proper immune function. An extra benefit of eating animal protein is that it contains zinc. Zinc is thought to slow the replication of the coronavirus and regulate inflammation. Caution – you can take too much zinc as a supplement. Eating more colorful fruits and vegetables high in phytonutrients, vitamin C, and vitamin A will boost your immune system and provide anti-viral properties. Start cooking with more spices. Garlic, onions, turmeric, ginger, rosemary, and oregano have a wide range of antimicrobial effects.
Taking time to relax. When we are stressed, it increases our susceptibility to getting the virus by lowering our white blood cells. Yoga and meditation can help to reduce your stress and have shown to enhance the immune system. Our bodies need good quality sleep to repair, restore, and heal. Getting 7 to 9 hours of uninterrupted sleep is essential to fight against or recover from the virus. Moderate exercise also helps to boost the immune system and could protect against upper respiratory tract infections.
There are two impactful approaches to protecting yourself and others from getting the coronavirus. One, do your best not get the coronavirus and reduce the spread by social distancing! The second is to support your immune system so you are more resilient against the infection should you get the coronavirus.
Together we face one of the greatest challenges our society has ever seen. In times like these, we are empowered to all do our part. Focus on optimizing your health and boosting your immune system. It is a critical time to understand our social responsibility to take care of ourselves and help others to contribute to the solution.
For more information call Compassionate Healthcare Associates, 661 295-7777