We are all worried about Covid19, it’s potential to infect us and our loved ones and the lasting effects this virus can cause on our health. While those most at risk include the elderly and those who are immunocompromised, everyone should (and has been) taking this pandemic very seriously. We have received many questions from our patients, family, and friends about how to better prepare our bodies to fight off this viral infection, should we come into contact with it. The truth is, there is not one supplement or herbal formula that we can prescribe to “boost” your immune system. Rather, this system (called a system because it involves many highly intricate related parts), is multifaceted! In order to optimize and support this complicated system, we must look at many factors. If any one of these factors is compromised, it can cause our entire immune system to be functioning below its peak.
So how do I support and optimize my immune health?
Diet
While we should be minimizing the number of times we go to the grocery store and some ingredients aren’t as readily available, this is still a great time to focus on home cooked meals with whole food ingredients. This means reducing processed foods and focusing on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and clean ethically sourced proteins. Eating more fruits and vegetables increases the body’s antibody response, which allows for a strong immune response if you come in contact with a pathogen.
Nutrition
In a perfect world, we would receive all the necessary nutrients our bodies require from the food we eat. However, in reality, most of us are lacking some vitamins and minerals that help our immune system to function at its highest potential. These deficiencies could also be caused by absorption problems, pharmaceutical interactions, and environmental factors. During cold and flu season (and now pandemic season) we make sure to supplement with these:
Vitamin C – around 500mg per day
Zinc - around 25-30mg per day
Vitamin D - around 1000 IU, a liposomal spray is great for fast absorption
We suggest taking your supplements on a full stomach. All of our favorite supplements can be purchased here through our Wellevate online pharmacy.
Sleep
If you already had trouble sleeping before the viral pandemic, chances are your sleep is even more thrown off due to heightened stress and changing sleep cycles/routines. Cytokines, a kind of protein that fights off infections and pathogens, are produced while we are sleeping, so that is why it is important that we have quality sleep to optimize our immune system!
If you are having trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, are waking up feeling unrested, or are getting less than 7 hours of sleep/night, now is the time to implement sleep hygiene tips! Some easy ones include limiting screen time at night, sleeping in a cool temperature environment, and eating at least 3 hours before bedtime.
In addition to optimizing these areas of our health so that our overall immune system is functioning at its best, we also must continue practicing our incessant hand washing and sanitizing routines that have now become second nature. So continue to:
Wash your hands
Avoid touching your face
Wear a mask when you leave the house
Stay at home!
We are also offering Chinese Medicine At Home kits available for no contact drop off in the Denver area or for direct shipping to your home. These kits include moxa sticks, ear seed, and tack needs along with a detailed guide of how to use them. Immunity boosting herbs and supplements can be added to the kits for an additional charge.
Contact Layne@onyxacu.com to reserve your Chinese Medicine at Home Kit today!