When looking at viral infections, there are a few signs of a healthy immune system:
- 1. How often you DON’T get sick.
- 2. The intensity of symptoms.
- 3. Recovery Time.
- This protocol will center in on #2 and #3. When you’re feeling better, Let’s talk about getting better at #1.
- VITAMINS/SUPPLEMENTS:
- – Vitamin C– take 5,000-10,000mg/day. However, you can only absorb roughly 1000mg at a time. So I would take 1-2000mg multiple times a day. This is way above the daily recommendation, but when you’re sick – even with a cold – you want to boost this up. For comparison, IV vitamin c at a hospital is like 40,000 mg!!
Thorne Ascorbic Acid is a good version. - – Vitamin D – if you get outside with a little skin showing, you can get your vitamin D in a half hour or less in the sun. Or you can supplement daily.
Thorne is one of the best supplement companies across the board. I get my Vitamin D from them. But, I only take it on days that I’m stuck inside.
– Vitamin A
– Zinc - – Turmeric and Omega/fish oil supplements are great anti inflammatories.They also thin the blood, which will reduce the likelihood of a blood clot from covid or from being bed ridden.
- Not vital, but glutathione is a great antioxidant. NAC is a precursor to Glutathione.EHB from Integrated Theraputics is a great immune booster, that includes Vitamin A,C, B6, Zinc, Echinecea, Licorice root, Goldenseal, Garlic, and Bromelain.You should also consume or supplement with a good probiotic daily (kombucha, tempeh, raw sauerkraut, kimchi), but not at the same time as the vitamin C because the acid can affect the probiotic.
- DIET PROTOCOL:
– You want to support the lungs and respiratory tract. Drink warm liquids, especially teas with honey (raw and local if you can–Raleigh farm in Kings Park has it. They’re open Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.)
Also warm foods like soups, bone broth, etc. NOTHING will heal your gut and support a healthy microbiome (which is where 75% of our immune system comes from) like high quality bone broth. - – Eat whole foods, especially high antioxidant veggies and fruits.- Avoid phlegmy foods and drinks like milk and other dairy products.
- – Avoid alcohol obviously. It ruins the gut wall and microbiome, which is where 75% of your immune system resides. Processed foods, glyphosate (which you’ll find in most packaged foods and almost all GMO foods that have wheat, corn, soy, etc) and stress also destroy the gut.
- – Drink plenty of water even if you don’t feel like it. Half of your body weight in ounces of water per day.
- – Intermittent fast if you feel you’re capable. Give your gut (microbiome) a chance to heal and allow the rest of your immune system time to go to work.
- – The issue with covid is the hyper immune and inflammatory response that people have. So you want to avoid foods that are inflammatory. The same goes for a cold or flu. Don’t order takeout!!!- Stay away from processed foods, junk foods, and refined carbs like breads and baked goods. Avoid sugar, gluten and non organic dairy. And avoid non-organic meats.
- – If your body is busy putting out fires (immune responses) in your gut, there won’t be enough firemen to put out fires in the rest of the body. Plus, garbage foods wipe out the good guys (beneficial bacteria) in your gut.
- ESSENTIAL OILS:
- These can be diffused, applied topically or taken orally.
- 1. Thieves oil-immune boost
2. Lemon- soothes the respiratory tract
3. Eucalyptus-decongestant/expectorant *topically on chest helps
4. Oregano-immune boost/antibacterial/antiviral/antimicrobial. ***MUST USE CARRIER OIL
5. Peppermint- sinus relief - – Personally, I take lemon, thieves, peppermint and oregano orally. Eucalyptus on my pillow at night. Eucalyptus works well on the chest too.
– You can use carrier oils for all of them. I would especially use a carrier oil with oregano if taken orally. It’s super strong!!! - EXERCISE:
- – Unless you’re running a fever, light exercise for short periods of time can be beneficial. Start with a walk outside, and take it from there. A strength workout is not out of the question here. 100% listen tom your body of course.
- SLEEP/REST:
- – Sleep is vital. I don’t recommend medication, even for a fever under 104. However, if your symptoms (cough, fever, etc) are keeping you up at night, then you might need to pull out the big guns.
- – Blue light from screens stimulate the brain, and keep you out of resting/recovery mode. When it’s time for rest, shut electronics down. Bummer, right?
- – Don’t sleep on your back (especially for covid- face down would be optimal). Side sleep for a cold
- – Meditation can be super helpful for decreasing stress (inflammation) and transitioning into a rested state.
- OTHER:
- – Inhaling steam from a shower or pot of water can help to open airways
- – Nedi Pot to clear sinuses