| Basic Immune Supportive practices are as follows: 1) Eat a whole, natural, variable foods diet (Non-GMO, in-season and local foods where possible). Immune Supportive Foods include: most whole, natural fruits and vegetables, herbs and spices but especially berries, citrus fruits, kiwi, apples, oranges, red grapes, kale, spinach, swiss chard, sweet potatoes, carrots, broccoli, onion, garlic, ginger, green tea, turmeric, dandelion, oregano, shiitake mushroom, flax seed, seaweeds, kefir, oily fish.* Note: It is impossible to include all foods as each person is unique in their needs, tastes, and intolerances. Make sure to listen to your body and incorporate only those foods that make you feel good. 2) Drink an adequate quantity of clean water. (Body weight in lbs./2 = ounces recommended per day). 3) Remove refined white sugar from your diet. Our bodies require glucose to function, but refined white sugar has some negative effects on the immune system. “Eating sugar may put your white blood cells into a temporary coma (scientificamerican.com, July 21.2018). “This effect can begin within thirty minutes and last for several hours after.” (www.webmd.com, July 7, 2019). Whole Foods that contain glucose (fruits) or break down to glucose (carbohydrates) have been shown to support the immune system as they … are [also] rich in nutrients like vitamins C and E plus beta-carotene and zinc, which are immune supportive. 4) Get adequate deep sleep each night. 5) Increase circulation through exercise and skin brushing. Choose an exercise you prefer: walking, yoga, Tai Chi, aerobics etc. Ensure you do not practice too extremely as this may also negatively impact your immune system. Skin brushing should always be done from extremities of body up or down towards your heart. The shower or bath is a great and easy place to practice skin brushing. 6) Meditate to reduce stress/anxiety and maintain a healthy outlook. 7) Include Immune supportive supplements and herbs in your daily routine. Vitamins A, C, D, E, Zinc, Olive Leaf Extract, Garlic, Oregano, Colloidal Silver, Clove. Vitamin A – Vitamin A, [such] as carotene or fish oil, gives you healthy mucus membranes, a strong immune system, and helps prevent cancer.” ** Vitamin C – “Vitamin C also strengthens the body’s immune system, neutralizes free radicals and, in very high doses, kills viruses.”) ** Vitamin D – “An optimum health recommendation of 1,000 to 4,000 IU per day, in total from all sources, is not unreasonable for the vast majority of healthy adults.” Vitamin E – “Increased immune competence was matched by higher blood vitamin E levels.”** Zinc – “Zinc … promotes a healthy immune system and the healing of wounds…” (Prescription for Nutritional Healing, third edition by Phyllis A. Balch, CNC & James F. Balch, M.D. Olive Leaf Extract – Olive leaf extract comes from the leaves of an olive plant. It contains an active ingredient called Oleuropein. This nutrient is thought to contribute to the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of olive leaf extract. (Healthline.com) Garlic – “a well known culinary herb… is the most powerful herb for the treatment of antibiotic-resistant disease…No other herb comes close to the multiple system actions of garlic, its antibiotic activity, and its immune-potentiating power.” (Herbal Antibiotics by Stephen Harrod Buhner) Oregano – Fresh oregano is a great antibacterial agent. It has phytonutrients (thymol and carvacrol), which fight infections such as staph. It’s loaded with antioxidants that help prevent cell damage, and it’s an excellent source of fiber, vitamin K, manganese, iron, vitamin E, tryptophan and calcium. (Healthline.com) Colloidal Silver – “Acts as a powerful antiviral agent and bactericide. Acts to reduce fever” (Colloidal Minerals and Trace Elements, Marie-France Muller, M.D., N.D., Ph.D.) Clove – Its medicinal uses are “stimulating, carminative, and aromatic. The volatile oil contains the medicinal properties and it is a strong germicide, antiseptic and a local irritant…” (Herbal Remedies & Homeopathy, Escalator Press) To quote Linus Pauling,” When food supply is inadequate in either calories or nutrients, life cannot continue. A midpoint between life and death, sickness may occur when the needs of individuals for nutrients are so great that they cannot be met by a diet that is assumed adequate for almost everyone.” (Orthomolecular Medicine for Everyone, Abram Hoffer, MD, PhD and Andrew W. Saul, PhD,) 8) Social Distancing and use of personal protective equipment should be practiced where required. Those who are dealing with illness or immune weakness including the elderly should take precautions, as should those who live in dense population areas. It is advised to follow the safe practice guidelines in your respective area. While these points are quite simplistic, they can be very powerful in protecting and supporting one’s immune system and may aid in protecting us from the COVID-19 Virus. * REF: (Medical News Today, July 10, 2018) (Orthomolecular Medicine for Everyone, Abram Hoffer, MD, PhD and Andrew W. Saul, PhD). **(Orthomolecular Medicine for Everyone, Abram Hoffer, MD, PhD and Andrew W. Saul, PhD |
