Social media is passing around tons of misinformation and conflicting reports now regarding the Coronavirus. It seems like every day there’s a new miracle drug that will boost your immune system and keep you from being part of the outbreak. The reality: there is no quick fix.
But there are ways you can boost your immunity naturally to help your body fight this type of virus through nutrition and supplements, says Dr. Amy Shah. This is especially important for those who are immunodeficient or have underlying conditions.
Dr. Shah joined us for our most recent podcast episode to give her take on the pandemic and what’s she’s telling her family. Listen below.
When It Comes to Miracle Immune Drugs, Don’t Believe the Internet
Wouldn’t it be awesome if there was a magic fixer you could get in a bottle? Despite what the internet tells you, no such formula exists.
Boosting your immune system is all about:
· Gut health
· Reducing stress
· Getting enough rest via intermittent fasting and sleep
· Giving your body nutrients
But if you look at the current nutrition landscape, you’ll find tons of companies looking to capitalize on fear right now and convince you they have something that can protect you against COVID-19.
Instead of looking for a quick fix, zero in on whole foods, rest and exercise. Building your own immune system to fight disease will do more for you in the long run anyway.
Sugar Is Bad for Your Immune System
Sugar is inflammatory, especially white, processed sugar. It drives up insulin and glucose, leading to insulin resistance. It also makes your cells less likely to take in sugar when they truly need it, stressing your body out.
This doesn’t mean avoid it all together. In natural fruits, for instance, it can be perfectly fine. But grabbing a cola during lunch, loading up your coffee or eating too many desserts creates sugar spikes that can compromise your immune system.
How Does Intermittent Fasting Help You?
By now, you’ve probably forgotten what it was like to have lots of guests. But go back to just a few weeks ago when social distancing wasn’t a hashtag. You needed time to clean your home, take out the garbage, get mentally ready, do what you needed to do.
Your body is the same way. It needs breaks.
Each cell has a clock inside that schedules time for clean up. Intermittent fasting answers that clock, giving our bodies the ability to rest and build back up again. It’s a natural cycle that builds a healthy foundation.
What’s the Deal with Elderberry?
This is a trending topic right now and there is a lot of misinformation about this supplement going around. Elderberry is long known for its health benefits as a natural supplement. But supplements are extra.
When we get sick, cytokines travel through the body and sound the alarm when there’s a virus or other intruder. Elderberry works by increasing the cytokine storm (the overall alarm response). Increasing the signals in our body is a good thing. But this particular virus is a little different. Instead of the typical storm that comes with the flu, the Coronavirus seems to be creating a tornado. That creates an overload of information even without elderberry’s assistance. Adding more can create volatility and damage to our organs. Anything that ups that signal response can be unhealthy.
COVID-19 is so new, we are still gathering information and creating a strategy. It’s best to practice caution and look to supplements like elderberry in moderation.
What Supplements Are Helpful?
· Vitamin D3
· Vitamin C
· Prebiotics and probiotics
The Truth About Ibuprofen
Reports are suggesting that ibuprofen is a bad idea right now, but that recommendation only applies to patients who tested positive for COVID-19. If that’s the case, doctors are recommending using acetaminophen, or Tylenol. The truth is if you haven’t been diagnosed with the Coronavirus, it’s perfectly fine.
Don’t forget, the FASTer Way community is here to help you! It’s a challenging time, but you can lead your family with faith and perseverance. When you sign up for the FASTer Way to Fat Loss program, we support you with tons of information based on science to get your body in balance and prepared to take on whatever life throws at you.
Check out our blog for more Coronavirus tips, including ways to handle stress and anxiety or advice for working from home.
Find Dr. Shah at amymdwellness.com
