With many of our clients glued to the news of the spread of the novel coronavirus, we want to address the questions we’re receiving daily. Preventing illness altogether may be out of our control, however preparing our bodies, minds and homes can help us to navigate this era with more confidence. Our goal is to give you some clear and actionable tips to boost your immune system and reduce the impact this virus has on your family’s daily life.
“Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more so that we may fear less. - Marie Curie”
What Are The Symptoms Of COVID-19
COVID-19 is the name given to a contagious respiratory illness caused by a virus of unknown origin which is currently spreading quickly throughout the world. Symptoms can be similar to a mild cold, or may exacerbate to pneumonia. A lot is still to be learned about the defining symptoms of this particular virus.
Known Symptoms:
Fever, sometimes alternating
Cough, mild or severe. Sometimes leading to pneumonia.
Possible Additional Symptoms:
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Who is at risk of catching COVID-19?
Like other coronaviruses, such as those which cause the common cold, this year’s novel coronavirus spreads easily. In fact, the virus causing COVID-19 seems to have a slightly longer incubation period than most, which means that individuals may unknowingly carry and spread the virus for a few days before symptoms appear. Herein lies the reason for the vast reach this virus is having.
Who is at risk for more serious complications?
As with all illnesses, certain individuals are at a higher risk of serious complications related to COVID-19. This includes anyone over the age of 65 and infants/small children. You are also at a higher risk if you suffer from any health issues that might compromise your immune system such as cancer, or your respiratory system, such as Asthma.
In fact, any underlying health condition is reason to take extra precautions to avoid catching the virus, and boost your immune system to fight it off more effectively should you catch it.
Many individuals who contract COVID-19 will have minimal symptoms and some may not even realize they have it.
What Is The Mortality Rate of COVID-19?
Calculating the rate of mortality during the current outbreak is difficult, as many illnesses are unreported or not confirmed with tests, and many individuals have cases so mild they may seem to have been from a common cold.
To illustrate this difficulty, consider South Korea as an example. A rigorous campaign of testing tens of thousands of individuals has shown a mortality rate of 0.6%. In contrast in the U.S., at a point last week when only a few hundred tests had been administered to individuals showing symptoms, the mortality rate among confirmed cases was reported as above 5%.
If these fluctuating and inconsistent figures show us anything, it is that numbers change, there are many factors involved, and panicking over them is not helpful.
6 Ways To Boost Your Immune System To Help Protect Yourself From Viral Outbreaks
As with anything, there are things that you can do to minimize your risk and help protect or reduce the severity of symptoms from catching a cold, the flu, or the current viral outbreak.
1. Hand Hygiene
This one may seem obvious, but wash your hands well and frequently using warm water and soap. .See video below on best practices for hand washing from the World Health Organization (WHO). A good strategy is to implement a policy of everyone washing their hands as soon as they enter your home. It is also a good idea to regularly sanitize high traffic areas around your home such as door knobs, light switches, TV remotes etc.
Visit our Natural Skincare Boutique for formulas that we swear by and that our clients love to keep the hands clean and hydrated.
2. Rest & Sleep Properly
Even though we are all extremely busy, make sure you are getting enough sleep. When you sleep your body goes through natural healing and detox processes that are important for maintaining a strong immune system. It is important not to deprive yourself of that healing time.
Good sleep hygiene includes:
Reading a good novel at bedtime instead of catching up on the day’s news on your phone
Turning off your phone’s notifications in the evening
Turning down the lights to create a more soothing bedtime environment
Sleeping in complete darkness
3. Maintain a Healthy Diet
“You are what you eat” is a phrase that almost feels outdated. But guess what? It is true. Make sure that you are eating a healthy diet with plenty of foods such as leafy greens, healthy fats, lean proteins and complex carbohydrates. Try to avoid prepared foods with ingredients that you can't pronounce, and of course, do your best to minimise sugar. If you need to use sweeteners, use a natural version such as stevia, monk fruit sweetener or the lower-glycemic coconut sugar.
Here are also some foods that are considered to be immune-boosting. If you are unable to find them fresh, frozen is also good.
Leafy green vegetables such as spinach and broccoli are high in vitamin C and E and flavonoids, all helpful for the immune system to work optimally.
Orange foods such as oranges, red bell peppers and sweet potatoes are high in beta-carotene, a protective antioxidant.
Salmon and other oily fish provide healthy fats for strong cells, and may be helpful in reducing immune-related conditions.
Turmeric both fresh and powdered is helpful in reducing inflammation in the body. Garlic and ginger may also provide some immune-boosting effects.
Berries, especially blueberries which contain flavonoids, compounds helpful in fighting off upper respiratory tract infections.
Probiotic foods such as kefir, kimchi and natural yoghurt contain a variety of good bacteria which are helpful to the immune system.
Unpasteurised honey such as Manuka honey can help reduce cough symptoms. Take 1 teaspoon in the evening before bed, or sip in the form of a hot, comforting honey and lemon tea.
Eat what you can digest, assimilate, and eliminate without putting additional stress on your immune system. Hidden immune burdens hinder your immune system’s defense and repair ability. Allergy testing can test your immune response to common foods, colors, preservatives, and chemicals. When these burdens are identified and eliminated, it helps to immune system to recover and function optimally.
4. Take Immune Support
Of course nothing can provide 100% protection, but a good base of immune support can give you a fighting chance. Each of these formulas can be found in our Daily Immune Support Kit. These formulas are all great to take on a regular basis to build and maintain a healthy immune system. Below are quick links to each of them.
Multivitamin - essential for a daily dose of immune support vitamins and minerals
High Potency Fish Oil - plays several key roles in defending against infections
Vitamin C Powder - a powerful antioxidant and immune support nutrient. Great to take on a regular basis for immune support
Vitamin D3 - plays a key role in regulating the immune system
Probiotic - protects against colds and reduces severity of cold symptoms.
The best part is each formula can serve multiple purposes and be used throughout the year once the current viral outbreak has subsided, so they will not go to waste.
5. Stay Hydrated
One of the things people find the hardest to do when busy is remembering to drink enough water. The rule of thumb is that if you feel thirsty, you are already dehydrated.
What you should aim for is at least 8 - 10 glasses of water per day. This is so beneficial to every aspect of your well-being. Water helps those vitamins & micronutrients to move around between cells, helps your cells clean themselves out at night, and your lymphatic and urinary systems to flush the bad stuff out so that you feel refreshed and healthy. Being properly hydrated helps your immune system, skin, nails, hair, muscles.. the list goes on!
If you are someone who just doesn't like water; try adding in a squirt of lemon. Not only does it add a more palatable taste but it contains vitamin c and has liver cleansing properties as well.
6. Reduce Stress
Stress reduction is top of the list of healthy lifestyle habits, and is particularly important at times like these. Find small ways to calm things (and yourself / kids) down throughout the day, and definitely try to avoid blasting CNN 24/7.
When we are feeling stressed out our body feels it too. This is not just a psychological issue, it’s physiological as the stress hormone cortisol changes the body’s reactions to food, sleep and immunity.
Take a bubble bath, break up the day with some outdoor time, take up meditation, read a good book, do some coloring, start a craft project, sing a little karaoke… the list is endless - whatever feels calming, make a little time for it daily.
What To Do If You Think You May Have Contracted COVID-19?
Despite your best efforts, the novel coronavirus might still infiltrate your home or community. For most of us, this will mean a mild to moderate bout of illness, whereas for others it may be more severe and require hospitalization. If you feel your symptoms may be consistent with COVID-19 there is no need to panic, it is always best to deal with the facts of the situation calmly.
First Contact Your Family Doctor Or Local Public Health Service
First and foremost, telephone your family doctor or your local public health department or telehealth service to find out what your next steps are. This may include specific instructions to go to a local testing center, rather than going to a clinic or emergency department.
If You Are Advised To Stay Home
Should you be advised to stay home, here are some things you can do in hopes of making your illness as short and painless as possible:
1 - Stay Well Hydrated
You likely will not be overly hungry during this time so sticking to soups and/or bone broth is a good plan. Drink plenty of water, and add some apple, blueberry or pomegranate juice to help with your electrolytes.
Herbal teas such as Ginger, Peppermint, Rooibos and Chamomile can be soothing as well as hydrating to help you feel better.
2 - Humidify To Relieve Congestion
Using a neti-pot or humidifier can help to relieve chest congestion. If you don’t own either, try closing the bathroom door and running the shower as hot as possible to create a makeshift steam room. A few drops of Eucalyptus essential oil in the bathtub can help bring some relief to the lungs as well.
3 - Take Immune Support
Our Viral Care Kit has powerful immune support formulas to relieve symptoms and reduce the duration of respiratory infections. These formulas are all great to have in your medicine cabinet at all times.
Liquid Colloidal Silver - shown in research studies to disrupt viral replication, can taken by mouth as well as applied to the skin; can also be gargled for sore throat
Colloidal Silver Spray - can be sprayed in the back of the throat for strep throat, can also be used for pink eye, also great for disinfecting surfaces
Vitamin C Powder - a powerful antioxidant and immune support nutrient. Great to take on a regular basis for immune support
Elderberry Extract - this medicinal plant has a long history of being used as an anti-viral
Monolaurin - provides potent antimicrobial support without disrupting the balance of normal flora
Liquid Vitamin A - a powerful antioxidant and immune support nutrient; shown in research studies decrease mortality in some viral infections
The best part is each formula can serve multiple purposes and be used throughout the year once the current viral outbreak has subsided, so they will not go to waste.
4 - When It’s Over, Sanitize Everything… Again
Once your symptoms ease up and you are feeling more like yourself, it is generally a good practice to sanitize everything that you can. Make sure you change your bedsheets and your toothbrush.
When To Seek Urgent Medical Help For Your Symptoms
Secondary infections such as pneumonia are a real risk with COVID-19, so it is important to keep tabs on your symptoms.
If your fever climbs to 103° F or higher, you have trouble breathing with only slight exertion, feel chest pain or pressure, sudden dizziness, confusion, or severe vomiting - these are all symptoms which warrant a call to 911 or your local public health department’s telephone number.
We hope this information helps you to feel calm and confident in your ability to handle whatever may or may not come your way.
**** Medical Disclaimer ****
The products, supplements, vitamins, minerals, herbs, etc mentioned in this article are not intended to mitigate, prevent, treat, diagnose, or cure COVID-19 in people. There currently are no vaccines, pills, potions, lotions, lozenges or other prescription or over the counter products available to treat or cure coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The information in this article is provided for educational purposes and should not be construed as medical advice. If you would like to have your health evaluated and see what your individual needs require, click below to get started. We offer videoconference consultations to clients across the U.S.
References:
https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMc2001468
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4863266/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5664031/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23830380
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3928210/
https://ard.bmj.com/content/73/11/1949
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19896252
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20359267
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4848651/
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/08/100810122045.htmN
