Covid

The Coronavirus is complicated.

A strong immune system results from a strong nutrition foundation

The Coronavirus is complicated. We do not know why some people that have been exposed do not get infected, while others get a mild infection, and some get a more serious even fatal infection. I have clients that are still struggling with lasting damage months after their infection. While there are risks associated with the vaccine, they are much lower, less severe, and less long-term damage has been seen. The side effects experienced shortly after the vaccine, such as fatigue, sore arm, body aches, nausea, vomiting, illustrate just how each of our immune systems operate very differently. As the body goes to work fighting off pathogens, some people experience symptoms like those listed above, and others do not. This does not mean one immune system is working better or worse than another’s. There are too many factors (a few listed below) that make it impossible to make black and white statements about things we cannot possibly fully understand or measure in every single person.

When it comes to the human body, it is about as complex as it gets. I rely on my education, science/research, and personal experience to help me draw conclusions about how to live as healthy as possible. Furthermore, people heal better when they have good emotional and mental health. Stressing about what is not in our control is not helpful.

In summary, my advice still stands as it always has, a strong immune function results from a strong foundation. This means getting good sleep, reducing your stress, regular exercise, eating the best foods to match your biochemistry, practicing good hygiene/handwashing, and correcting body imbalances (gastrointestinal, hormonal/adrenal, nutritional, detoxification, neurotransmitter).

All the factors I have researched that play a role in severity of infection:

1. Exposome – Like a genome, each of us have what is called an “Exposome”. Your exposome is all the environmental exposures in your lifetime, the biological manifestation of those exposures, and how the exposures effects relate to your health.

Genetics has been found to account for only about 10% of diseases, and the remaining causes appear to be from environmental causes. That means 90% of diseases come from your lifestyle. Do you smoke and/or drink heavily? Do you eat processed food? Do you have too many calories or too little? Do you have little vegetables and fruits in your diet? Are you physically active? What are your stress relieving activities? Are you exposed to toxic substances in your home or workplace? Getting control of your health and making better lifestyle choices is imperative to creating an immediate healthier self, as well as a healthier future self.

2. Mucosal Immunity – This is the largest component of your entire immune system. This provides protection at the main sites of infectious threat. The virus can be acquired through the mouth, eyes, and nasal cavity. The nasopharynx-associated lymphoid tissue (NALT) and mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) are your first-line defenses against invading pathogens. So obviously, it is just common sense that preventative health behaviors including washing hands, wearing masks, and observing social distancing is a smart way that you can protect yourself.

3. Neutralizing Antibodies – These are crucial for virus clearance and to achieve protection against COVID-19. Nutrients support the growth and activity of immune cells and produce antibodies.

4. Viral Receptors – Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2) has been proved to be the main host cell receptor for the binding of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus responsible for COVID-19. The spike protein binds to ACE2 to replicate. Higher levels of expression of the ACE2 are seen in patients with comorbidities (cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory diseases, obesity, and diabetes) and with a poor outcome in COVID-19 disease. Preventing disease and restoring health should be a top priority.

5. Innate Immune Response – Our innate immune system is built in us from birth. Your innate immune system goes to work for you when your white blood cells fight bacteria (like when you get a cut). COVID-19 appears to be due not only from a viral infection but also to a dysregulated immune and inflammatory response. If the innate response isn’t working up to par, uncontrolled viral replication can ensue paving the way for your adaptive immune response to kick in. The poorer of a diet you have the greater risk you are for bacterial, viral, and other infections. Nutrients support the growth and activity of immune cells and produce antibodies. Correct nutrient deficiencies and eat more plants.

6. Anti-inflammatory Cytokines – Proinflammatory cytokines are responsible for initiating inflammation in response to tissue injury, while anti-inflammatory cytokines are released to limit the sustained or excessive inflammatory reactions. In severe cases of COVID, proinflammatory cytokines are present and at overwhelming levels. Omega-3 fatty acids cause more anti-inflammatory cytokines to be made. Meanwhile, foods such as refined grains, soft drinks, red meat, processed meat, dairy products, and food sensitivities are associated with higher levels of major inflammatory cytokines. Change your diet and get tested to see what food sensitivities could be causing your inflammation.

Covid Health Solutions

TESTING

DIET

SUPPLEMENTS

Lab Testing

The type of lab work I order is used to identify imbalances in your body that are root causes of your symptoms.

GI MAP Testing – I rely heavily on GI MAP testing for my clients with immune issues, as a disturbance in the gut microbiome contributes towards the development of certain infectious diseases. This test detects microbes that may be disturbing normal microbial balance or contributing to illness, as well as indicators of digestion, absorption, inflammation, and immune function, all from a single stool sample.

Food Sensitivity Testing – I use this test as a tool to create a diet plan that is unique to your biochemistry and will pinpoint exactly which foods are creating an inflammatory response in your body.

Micronutrient Testing – Micronutrients modulate immune responses, as well as play a fundamental role in maintaining the structural and functional integrity of the physical barriers (skin, mucus). This test can pinpoint vitamin, mineral, amino acids, and omega 3 fatty acid deficiencies, as well as assess cellular absorption.

Detox Test – Heavy metals can build up in the tissues and have a toxic and suppressive effect on the immune system.

Adrenal Function Testing – This test determines how well your body is responding to stress by looking at your cortisol levels throughout the day. If the body is under a constant state of fight or flight, the immune system is compromised and will underperform.1

Diet Prescription

This diet prescription is a general list of recommendations for this health concern.

With every bite you take, you are either increasing or decreasing your inflammation. With more inflammation, it is more challenging on your immune system to do its job.

It is important to note that if you have or are currently living a highly inflammatory lifestyle (lack of sleep, lack of physical activity, high stress, poor diet) changing a few things in your diet isn’t going to overcome the effects of that.

You will need to make a much stronger commitment. While it is not personalized, following the list below or using the Whole30 diet as a guideline is a good place to start.

Eliminate the following:

Sugar and High-Fructose Corn Syrup
Dairy
Red meat
Processed meat
Alcohol
Refined Grains
Artificial Food Additives
Food Sensitivities

Add the following:

Vegetables
Fruits
Nuts
Seeds
Beans
Legumes
Fish
Powerhouse Grains (quinoa, wild or brown rice, buckwheat groats/kasha, oats)
Bone Broth
Tea

Supplement Prescription

This supplement prescription is a general list of recommendations for this health concern.

Many of these are listed here because of its reported anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immune-enhancing properties.

The standard protocol recommended is Vitamin D, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and Zinc.

Others include Echinacea, Elderberry, Ginseng, Magnesium, Melatonin, NAC, Omega-3 Fatty Acids, Probiotics, Quercetin, Biocidin Products, and Selenium.