Pump up the Immune System

Stress a part of most of our lives is certainly exacerbated by the coronavirus and all it implies.  As we know, stress has a profound impact on our immune system. When we’re chronically stressed, our bodies release a hormone called cortisol which is made in the adrenal glands and can wreak havoc on the immune system. The release of cortisol when under stress can do a lot of damage including increased heart rate, rise in blood pressure, blood glucose, respiration and muscle tension in response.  For a double whammy, cortisol shuts down the digestive and reproductive systems when overproduced.  Cortisol has been shown to decrease the antibody lGA which plays a crucial role in the immune function of mucous membranes and is also located in our airway passages. These membranes are our first line of defence against pathogens that enter our system.

In reading many articles from top health sites such as Dr Mercola’s, Green Med and Natural News, there is agreement about certain steps to take to fortify health and strengthen the immune system. They would include:

.Get plenty of sleep which is crucial for a healthy immune system.

.Nap in the afternoon even for 20-30 minutes when you can.

.Move Your Body- Plenty of free videos online  including disciplines like QiGong, Yoga, T’ai Chi

Meditation Videos-again google for free meditation sites. One I use is called Dexter and Allesandrina.com.  You’ll find many free choices of very relaxing and guided meditations

Maximize the body’s anti-oxidative capacity and natural immunity by the following:choices:

According to the publication Green Med,  high doses of vitamin C can dramatically slow or stop immediate widespread viruses in their track. Interestingly, there has been a lack of media coverage for this very effective approach against viruses. Start with 5,000-6,000 mgs a day and see how you do with that amount. The body will discard what is not needed through the urine.

Vitamin D3-  Start with 5,000  units for first two weeks and then continue with 2,000 units.You can also find sublingual tablets that get into the bloodstream quickly.

Zinc- 20 mg per day

Magnesium- 400 mg daily (citrate, chelate, malate or chloride form

Selemium-100 mcg daily

Certainly eating healthy foods and using oils and spices will all be a boon to your health. Some suggestions include:

Black Seed Oil-The remedy for everything but death!

Garlic- Put it in your food or take the tablets. You’re quarantined so who are you going to offend?

Butter- Suprise, suprise- even though it’s gotten a bad rap for years, it is  an easily absorbable source of Vitamin A & E which are rich in anti-oxidants

Herbs to have at the ready would include:

Echinacea, Green Tea and Ginsing in liquid or for tea infusions. They significantly reduce the duration of infection and influenza. As Hippocrates stated, “Let what you drink be your medicine.”

Good health to all.