To maintain and even improve your health in this viral pandemic,
we need to be aware of some important things. This is an opportunity to raise
consciousness on truly staying healthy. The allopathic medical system has its
focus eliminating and destroying the “invaders” with tactics for fighting
pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites. They can only offer a
vaccine which is not available for this COVID-19 virus.
Naturopathic philosophy gives us something deeper, wiser, tried
and true: support the organism. People who get very sick and sometimes die are
those whose immunity is challenged or not fully functioning, as in infants and
young children. Their immune systems are often not completely developed.
As humans age, poor immune response occurs as this system
declines, becoming less robust to resist the attacks of viruses and other
pathogens. In persons with chronic illness commonly seen over the age of 50-60,
immune defense is busy dealing with that disease. Additionally, decreased good nutrition
will contribute to poor immune response; the body has less ability to ward off
or moderate a disease like the flu.
What I offer here is a more
complete approach to not only good hand washing and other hygienic practices,
but a full approach for increasing immune function. Here are my naturopathic
suggestions for enhancing health.
1. Sleep well. It is the most important practice to promote
healing. The body
heals itself while we sleep. Many
studies have verified this fact. Don’t cheat on sleep and do make up for lost sleep if it happens.
2. Reduce all SUGARS. This means all simple carbohydrates (white
bread, cookies, candy, cakes, ice cream, etc.) Almost all packaged/processed foods contain ingredients unfavorable to health.
3. Moderate stress. Our western culture is very stressful,
offering little to no recovery
time. Animals in the wild are great teachers of relaxation after a stressful
event. Take time to meditate, walk in nature, laugh, socialize and find joy. These are essential keys for wellness.
4. Hydration: and make it only water. Dehydration or caffeinated drinks add to the stress on the immune
cells.
5. Reduce alcohol. Alcohol is dehydrating; it contains sugars and
burdens the liver,
which processes the toxins found alcohol.
6. Nutrition is essential. Eat many fresh fruits and vegetables, and the more colorful the better. All berries
are excellent; colorful veggies like red and orange peppers, purple potatoes
and carrots of all colors, all dark greens and red tomatoes are just a few of
many choices. Try adding in colorful yellow/orange squashes.
7. Fermented foods. Foods that are fermented directly support
immunity. Immune cells line the entire Gastro-intestinal tract (called Secretory
IgA). These cells help eliminate the threatening pathogens found in foods or
anything we put into our mouth. Examples of fermented foods: yogurt (watch out
for highly sugared yogurts), sauerkraut, kimchi, kombucha, miso, are the most
available items. Taking a well formulated pro-biotic at least 50 billion a day
is helpful. The body has a microbiome (all gut bacteria) that is also part of
immune function.
8. Vitamin D is really a hormone, and needed for immune function.
Get your level checked and take 2-5,000 IU’s a day. Here is a site where you
can do your own testing: https://www.grassrootshealth.net
9. Zinc is an essential mineral for immunity, take 20-30 mg a day.
10. Vitamin C 1,000 mg time release with bioflavonoids daily.
11. Mushroom Immune Formula that has several mushrooms, 2-3 times
a week
12. Elderberry (Sambucas nigra) one teaspoon syrup daily
Don’t doubt that the body is resilient and can heal.
NOTE ABOUT DISINFECTANTS: There are other substances that are also
effective in eliminating bacteria and viruses. Repeated use of toxic chemical
can be a problem. One such agent is
thymol oil. It comes from the thyme plant and it has been shown to be quite
effective in green cleaning and disinfection.
Historically, health and disease control has evolved from improved hygiene via
public health measures. Hence the great importance of hand washing. Just do it
more often in this pandemic. Anti-bacterial soaps are not more effective, just do 20 seconds of vigorous
hand rubbing with soap under running water.
Be
Well!
Pamela Jeanne ND
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