Coronavirus Disease 2019 (officially known as COVID-19) has infiltrated headlines and most likely has you and your family concerned.
Instead of letting fear takeover, focus your energy and attention on some practical precautions that you can take to boost your immunity and avoid exposure to the virus.
Read on for our top four preventative actions.
1. Boost your immune system
Now more than ever, it’s essential to prioritize our health and well-being, and do all you can to boost your immune system so that you’re as healthy as possible. Research shows that sustaining healthy habits supports immunity and can help prepare our bodies to better fight and recover from illnesses, including coronavirus. These include:
- Stick to a nutrient-dense, toxin-free diet, including known immune-supportive foods like garlic and ginger. Avoid foods that tend to weaken the immune system, such as sugar, refined grains, industrial vegetable oils, and processed and refined foods, as much as you can.
- Get plenty of sleep, ideally seven to eight hours a night. This is your body’s time to perform preventive maintenance, which bolsters immunity. Research shows that repeatedly short-changing sleep by even an hour or two can negatively affect immunity.
- Increase your vitamin D intake via time outside or supplemental vitamin D + K2. High levels of Vitamin D have long been linked to lower rates of illness.
- If you feel a virus approaching, a Mega Dose of Vitamin C may give your immune system a chance to fight it off at the pass. A Megadose of Vitamin C is 15 grams or more. You can only administer this high dosage intravenously safely.
- Consider ramping up your Vitamin C oral intake to 2-3 grams per day. Consuming more than 3 grams orally per day can cause GI issues and diarrhea. Pro tip: Try a Lypo Spheric Vitamin C shots which can be easier on your stomach.
- We also recommend a high-quality multivitamin, magnesium, omega-3 fish oil, vitamin C, elderberry, and digestive enzymes.
- Move your body regularly. Even 20 minutes of low- to moderate-intensity exercise a day will prime the immune system and sweating will help flush toxins out of the body. This movement results in the production of more white blood cells, which combat bacteria and viruses, and promotes improved circulation.
Confirming the reports from small independent studies and 3 clinical trials, the Shanghai government has announced a recommendation to use high dose intravenous treatment of vitamin C to treat COVID-19, according to the Orthomolecular Medicine News Service. The announced official recommendation that COVID-19 should be treated with high doses of intravenous vitamin C come as welcomed news as the virus continues to spread. The dosage recommendation will vary with the severity of illness ranging from 50-200 milligrams per kilogram body weight per day to as much as 200 mg/kg/day.
2. Practice good hygiene.
- Wash your hands frequently, and for at least 20 seconds, with soap and water to protect yourself and others from germs.
- Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.
- Keep your hands away from your face, because germs routinely spread when a person touches something contaminated with germs, and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.
If you begin to develop cold- and flu-like symptoms or become ill, take care of yourself and minimize the spread to others by staying home. If you think you may have symptoms of coronavirus, call your healthcare provider immediately.
3. Sanitize your space
- Disinfect hard surfaces (think: door handles, desks, keyboards, cell phones, etc.) which coronavirus might be living on.
- The virus can spread from hands to other objects frequently touched, so take a little extra time to sanitize before and after touching these surfaces
4. Stay informed, calm, and listen to authorities
- Before you go into full on panic mode, take the time and space you need to process all the information surrounding COVID-19
- Worrying or panicking can create stress in the body, which is known to compromise immunity
- Commit to practices like meditation, journaling, yoga or exercise to calm your mind and move the panic out of your system
Stay healthy and calm during this time, while we continue to learn more about the virus and how it’s transmitted. We strongly encourage everyone to follow the guidance as outlined by the CDC or your local health department. For more information, click here.
