Corona
I hope this reaches you well and coping in this concerning and unusual time. I guess on one hand we are relatively lucky to live in such a beautiful place, especially now the sun is shining to take our prescribed daily exercise….but being separate from everyone is tricky, practically and mentally. We are social creatures. How are you practically coping on that front?
Currently the best plan is not to contract the virus, it seems although a vaccine may be a little while off, drugs are coming on line that may reduce the impact of the disease if caught. So its best to avoid the virus until more treatment is available. Here’s a really information heavy but excellent podcast by one of my most trusted sources, Peter Attia Link: Up-to-Date Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2 / COVID-19) Information
The podcasts with Peter Hotez M.D, an immunologist, are really interesting.
But if you’re a bit overwhelmed by Covid 19 already perhaps move on to the information below and helping your immune system.
The next priority is to optimise immunity.
You’ve worked really hard at this over the last 12 months so you are ahead of the curve on this one. Which is good, but it would still be better not to catch it of course.
I’ve got a little bit of information to have a look at in regards optimising immunity.
Some of this is about making sure you’ve got the basic building blocks for immunity, and some is about first defence.
First defence
Here’s a link to Dr Myhills approach to preventing a virus taking hold. Worth watching
Building blocks of immunity.
Vitamin D
Link: Coronavirus Epidemic Update 30: More Global COVID-19 Outbreaks, Vitamin D May Aid Prevention
there’s possibility the virus will be diminished slightly in the population once spring and summer arrives. This could be to do with temperature interacting with the virus, but also to do with host immunity, as vit D naturally increases in the population as more sun is available for exposure. So its important to get outside with sun on face and forearms if possible. Supplementing can also be sensible as we come out of winter. I wouldn’t go too high in amount though. It doesn’t need to be a high dose. High dose runs the risk of absorbing too much calcium which doesn’t necessarily get out of the blood stream to the bones and cells to help, but stays in the blood vessels and can lead to calcification of arteries.
Zinc
There’s research zinc slows down most rNA replicating virus by interfering with a substance the virus uses during its replication in the cell, so inhibiting its reproduction. But it needs to be at optimum levels in the cell already, rather than taking when you have the virus, to be effective. Foods are always the best way to go Link: Top 10 Foods Highest in Zinc but a few weeks kick starting the intake with supplementation if you haven’t already will help.
N Acetyl Cysteine
Free radical Oxygen Species (ROS) are implicated in the severe cases of Covid 19, particularly the cardiovascular at risk groups. Coronavirus attaches to specific cell receptor sites, called ACE receptors. These ACE receptors normally function to control the transformation of Radical Oxygen Species that are naturally produced from cell metabolism in the breakdown and generation of energy in our cells, into inert substances to be excreted through respiration. These by Radical oxygen species are damaging to our cells, especially epithelial cells, in our blood vessels and cardiovascular system. So the virus blocks the cells process to manage and control inflammation. The virus takes the brakes off this process, it takes the brakes off the brakes to inflammation as it were, so the inflammation gets out of control especially in individuals already along this road of inflammation such as cardiovascular disease patients. An anti oxidant to help manage this process is called N Acetyl Cysteine (NAS). This could be a valuable additional supplement to take to protect against these effects.
Here are the details on that if you want more detailed information.
Link: Coronavirus Pandemic Update 69: "NAC" Supplementation and COVID-19 (N-Acetylcysteine)
Stimulating immunity
Medicinal mushrooms, I’m thinking mainly Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi), are a fantastic immune function support and ive been recommending this to most patients. They upregulate and modulate immunity so your immune system will respond strongly. This virus seems to be best encountered by the strongest immunity we have so this will be helpful. Here’s a recommended link to purchase. Link: Organic Myconutri Red Reishi Dual-extract - 60 Veg Caps
The key cornerstones, and basics are essential at the moment, to keep us all well.
Sleep: a prime aspect of immunity. 8 hours should be the aim.
Exercise: getting that moderate Zone 2 activity on every day is vital. So exercise where you can just maintain a conversation, or maintain nose breathing if you don’t have sinus problems.
Diet: loads of fresh vegetables, as you are already doing.
Stress:Yoga, meditation and something other than coronavirus to learn and think about!
Here’s a specific Qi kung practice to strengthen lung function and immunity.
Link: Qigong routine to strengthen the lung with Peter Deadman
I’ll keep you updated as I get more information,
Best regards,
Jonathan