STILL WORRIED ABOUT COVID
Some Actions You Can Take Now
Even with the vaccine, many still fear a lab-created virus among other diseases. Though the press has been pretty silent on this, you have the ability to enhance your immunity with a few simple steps. Not only will this make you more resistant to the CCP virus (and if you get it, likely to have a very mild case); it will also ensure that you are more resistant to every pathogen and less likely to have a serious illness of any kind.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is essential but in far too many cases, you don’t have as much as your body needs to bolster your immune system. We may think we get enough from fortified milk and sunshine, but as we get older, or if our skin color is darker, we don’t get enough from the sun. (That’s part of the explanation while older and darker skin people are more likely to get the disease AND more likely to get very sick from it. Studies have proven this; studies you probably never saw. In most cases, people with a good Vitamin D level DO NOT DIE, and are much less ill than those who aren’t protected.
After your liver has converted it to the active form, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, it also moves to the kidneys were some if activated to 1,25- dihydroxyvitamin D. The latter regulates bone health and the former regulates cell growth (to ward off cancer), modulates the immune system (to reduce the risk of autoimmune disease) and decreases inflammatory activity. Vitamin D also helps immune cells fight bacterial and viral infections. Since virtually all cells in your body have receptors for the vitamin, it makes a critical difference on all aspects of your health.
The best way to protect yourself is with Vitamin D-3 (D-2 for vegans) taking in at least 3000 IU/day. I personally take 5000 IU/day, even as I’m outside a lot of the time. You’ll be surprised at how much better your health will be.
Exercise
This past year, it has been more difficult to get the exercise you need (and much easier to find excuses not to exercise). But consistent workouts really make a difference. Start small with a few 20-minute walks per day. Add in a few online workout sessions; the options now are endless and many are very reasonable (you don’t need to have a Mirror or fancy exercise bike. Jazzercise, my preference for over 40 years, has a great online program. Jazzercise On Demand Full-Body Dance Fitness Classes It includes 20, 30 and 40 minute recorded classes, as well as shorter, targeted classes. Nearly every day, there’s also live classes if you need the extra energy of seeing others engaged.
Make it fun! Get a friend to join you until you’re hooked. I always put it on my calendar, so I remind myself and enjoy checking it off. Get a pedometer and measure your progress. Only 7,000 steps/day protects your brain against dementia.
Nourishment
While we all know what we need to be healthy, it can be hard to get five servings of vegetables and fruit a day. I take a supplement which helps with that, but also consider multi-vitamins. This makes sure you balance things out. For some, up to five small meals a day is best, but slow it down and you’ll eat less. We can now get back out there so enjoy an evening out with friends. That’s good too.
Mind and Spirit
Studies show that all parts of our minds and bodies contribute to your health. If you are down in the dumps, you are more likely to get sick. Though this past year has been rife with awfulness, things are improving in many ways. And you have the choice of how to view what happens to you. As concentration camp survivor, Viktor Frankl said, "When we are no longer able to change a situation - we are challenged to change ourselves. "Every step you take in healing your mind helps heal our body. Everything is connected.”
Wear the mask as little as possible once vaccinated. It impacts the free flow of air and can collect pollens, bacteria and viruses. You don’t wear a mask for anything else you’ve been vaccinated against; why wear one now?
Treatments
Despite what you may have heard, there are a variety of treatments for the CCP virus. But just like Tamiflu, the best results come when you begin taking them in the first 48 hours of having symptoms. Don’t dismiss feeling ill. Talk to your doctor and mention the variety of options you have.
· Hydroxycholoroquine – safely taken in Africa for years, this drug is a world-beater in knocking down illness
· Remdesivir – a more recently discovered anti-viral
· Fluvoxamine – related to anti-depressants, five days of this seem to strip the virus of what makes it worse than a cold
· Sweet Wormwood – still in trials, this herb seems to make a difference
Take action now and in the future. In reality, we’re on top of this thing in America. Take heart and begin living again.
