Health Repels Disease
The sad but undeniable truth is that we are entering another wave of the Covid-19 pandemic. With new variants that are stronger and cause more severe symptoms, having a robust immune system capable of fighting it off without overreacting is imperative. Yes, even for those who are vaccinated. We now know that vaccinated individuals can and are getting infected with the Delta variant. It’s also necessary to acknowledge that the variants will keep on coming and relying ONLY on a vaccine is short sighted and inadequate. Don’t get me wrong, the vaccines hold an important place in the ongoing battle against Covid-19, however it is not that simple. It is high time we, as a society, start focusing on having unshakable good health. When a body is functioning optimally and in balance, health will actually repel disease and that is our best defense against Covid-19 infection.
Let’s talk about the vaccine for a minute. There is a lot of political divide surrounding this issue, but let’s put politics aside for a moment and focus on what we know. The vaccines do help protect against Covid-19 infections and especially against severity of disease. This is no small thing! Concerning the Delta variant, we now have solid data that the viral load in the nasal cavity and throat (the amount of virus multiplying in the body) is lower in someone who is vaccinated and drops off much quicker. This results in a less severe infection. But the infection is still there and the immune system still needs to be ready to mount a strong response to defeat it.
There is also a constant flow of emerging data surrounding what we are calling Long-Hauler’s Syndrome, or Post Acute Sequela of SARS-CoV2 (PASC). This is a concerning condition where lingering effects of a Covid-19 infection can last anywhere from 1 to 9 months, sometimes even longer. People are struggling with severe fatigue, shortness of breath, ongoing loss of sense of smell or taste, GI complaints, mental fatigue and fog, palpitations, and more. For many, it has been severely debilitating resulting in inability to work and enjoy typical life activities. This sort of scenario is evidence of an overreaction of the immune system that persists longer than it should.
There are several things that can negatively affect the action of the immune, but the bottom line is INFLAMMATION. Our bodies use inflammatory responses to aid in healing by bringing resources to the damaged tissue. However, it is meant to be a short lived and fairly localized response. When our immune system is in an inflammatory state for too long, it creates a cascade of problems throughout the body. It ends up altering the immune system, effecting hormone balance, preventing detoxification, effecting metabolism, and causing neurological imbalances like brain fog and even anxiety. Chronic underlying inflammation, even at low levels, can be the deal breaker when it comes to Covid-19 infections. We see even worse outcomes in people with underlying inflammatory conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, asthma, and autoimmune conditions. And yes, all these conditions have a significant inflammatory element to them.
The good news is, there is a lot that can be done about it! Within a couple of weeks, a person can significantly reduce inflammation in their system and improve immune function. There are several targeted supplements and herbs that can be used, however an in-depth exploration of these interventions is outside the scope of this discussion, so please consult a qualified health care professional or contact me at elementalwellness.health for more information. There are, however, important measures that everyone can take to support a balanced and robust immune system. As a matter of fact, it can be argued that the following lifestyle measures are the most important factors when it comes to good health.
1. Nutrition! The food you eat is meant to bring nourishment to your body. So prioritizing eating a diet rich in vitamins and minerals is a major element of good health. If we don’t have the nutrients we need for all the biochemical reactions that take place within the body, it will result in poor health. And no amount of vitamins or supplements will change that. So eat a diet loaded with vegetables! Especially the dark green leafy and brightly colored kind. Aim for 8 cups per day from a variety of plants (that’s a lot!). Drink plenty of pure filtered water. This may seems obvious but a definite challenge for many people (including yours truly). Next, avoid processed foods AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE! Food additives, artificial colors, flavors, sweeteners, preservatives…the list goes on and on….are seen as foreign invaders to the body. Not only does this create a lot of work for the body to ‘detoxify’ itself, but in many cases it actually causes an immune response leading to a tired and overworked immune system. Sugar, especially in the form of high fructose corn syrup, is particularly damaging. Chose organic/grass fed/pasture grazed/wild caught foods as much as possible. In other words, quality matters. Lastly, be aware that many so-called good for your oils and fats are in fact very inflammatory and troublesome for your body. Vegetable oils such as canola oil, sunflower seed, corn oil, and soybean oil are very high in Omega 6 fatty acids which are inflammatory to the body. Instead, choose extra virgin olive oil, coconut oil, avocado oil, even butter and ghee in moderation are good choices for many people.
2. Sleep! Our bodies heal, detoxify, manage hormone balance, and so much more when we are asleep. Everyone, yes everyone, needs at least 7-9 hours of sleep. If this is a challenge for you, please reach out for help! Often times simple measures like turning off screens and implementing deep breathing exercises before bed can make a big impact. But sometimes a more focused approach becomes necessary.
3. Exercise. Another thing many people wish they could avoid. But there is no way around it. The body needs to move! It craves movement. I recommend at least 20 minutes of an activity that elevates the heart rate, 5 days per week. Many activities accomplish this from walking to cycling to yoga. But its also ok to think outside the gym and opt for activities like dancing or vigorous housework! Walk up the stairs a couple extra times per day, opt to take the hilly route when you’re walking the dog, carry groceries to the car instead of using the cart. Every little bit helps.
4. Stress. I saved the best for last. I could go on and on about the effects of stress, and in fact I often do. But the bottom line is that, like inflammation, even low levels of chronic stress are incredibly damaging to our health. Stress comes in many varieties and is not only what we perceive as mental or emotional stress. Financial troubles, pain, infection, sleep apnea, food sensitivities, toxic overload, poor air quality, loneliness, past traumas…the list goes on. The body doesn’t care what the source of stress is, it responds the same way regardless. And when this response is happening all day, every day it has devastating effects and leaves us extremely vulnerable to infection and disease. So I encourage you to take a few minutes and look for your top 3 sources of stress. Now think about ways you can change those stressors. Are they within your control? Many stressors are not easily modifiable (like being the primary care giver for a sick parent) but many are. Can you get a water filter? Avoid eating certain foods that bother your system? Start wearing that CPAP machine? Take more time to yourself? Set boundaries and delegate responsibilities? Either way, modifiable or not, there are several techniques you can use to help the way your body responds to stress. A simple yet highly effective technique is deep breathing! Try box breathing, alternate nasal breathing, belly breathing, or even just taking 3 deep breaths. This is a powerful technique to stimulate the relaxing side of our nervous system. Other options include singing, humming (yes humming!), dancing, nature walks, gratitude journaling, Thai Chi, laughter, spending time with a beloved pet, and even orgasms. Think about some simple things you can start doing daily to bring more relaxation and fun into your life. After all, these feelings are the opposite of stress!
When it comes to specific preventative measures for Covid-19, lifestyle choices are the foundation. To build on top of that, it’s helpful to assure adequate antioxidant support, Vitamin D is essential to immune system function as are zinc and vitamin C. There is a nutrient within green tea called EGCG that has been found to be very helpful, so drinking organic green tea several times per day is a great choice. Using a non-irritating antiseptic nasal rinse/spray and/or throat spray may help reduce viral load if exposed. I prefer the use of essential oils, such as melaleuca, lavender, frankincense, rosemary, thyme, clove, and eucalyptus, in an aromatherapy inhaler or in a steaming mug of water because it’s effective yet gentle for most people. (Use eucalyptus cautiously with asthmatics).
There are also several promising early pharmaceutical interventions available and are being more commonly used in doctor’s offices and emergency rooms. I recommend you discuss options like Ivermectin and monoclonal antibodies therapies such as Regen-Cov that are proving to be quite effective, especially in early treatment. However many providers are not well educated on these interventions so I encourage everyone to do the work before it’s needed and know where to find these potentially life saving treatments. Don’t wait until you are sick to do it!
If you have concern for the strength and readiness of your immune system, I encourage you to reach out to me or another qualified health care provider. There is much that can be done, regardless of your current state of health. If you have been exposed or become infection, regardless of vaccination status, there is much that can be done. Seek medical attention and if you aren’t satisfied consider seeking out a Functional Medicine practitioner who has been trained in Covid Care. If you are suffering from the aftereffects of Covid-19, programs like Covid Rehab are available as well as focused recovery protocols. If you are not yet vaccinated and would like more information about preparing your immune system before-hand to assure a strong and uncomplicated response, there is much that can be done. You are not helpless in the fight against Covid-19. Reach out to an educated healthcare provider and feel confident in your own body’s ability to keep you safe. I encourage you to spread the word and recruit those around you to join you in making positive lifestyle changes to support your immune system and overall health. Together we can overcome this challenge and gain strength and resilience in the end.
In good health,
Heather
