Step One: Don't Panic the Novel Coronavirus and how to prevent it
Yesterday morning I woke up sick. Blerg. Really sick. I doubled down on my elderberry syrup, vitamin C, magnesium, bone broth, probiotics, and promptly scheduled an appointment for acupuncture and Chinese herbs. This morning I learned even more people have died from and fallen ill from the Wuhan Coronavirus and now spread worldwide.
Obviously, I’m thinking about this recent outbreak of what the news is calling a “superbug”. The Wuhan Coronavirus is a new strain of coronavirus a very common virus family. Also in this family are SARS and MERS. These viruses are common around the world but the ‘new’ ones we are seeing seem to be spreading faster and with more severity than in the past. Symptoms of the Wuhan Coronavirus are: fever, body aches, diarrhea, dry cough and difficulty breathing. People are scared of this virus because it seems there are many people who are asymptomatic carriers. Many of the people (not all) who have died were older (over 48) and had other ongoing health issues.
Mark my words; over the next 20/50/100 years we will see more of these ‘superbugs’. The reason for this is that mutating and infecting people is what viruses and bacteria are meant to do. It’s how they reproduce to ensure their survival. They can’t help it. But don’t panic. You also have a microbiome that is there to protect you against these sorts of things. It’s how we ensure our survival. As always, the best medicine is preventative. Having a strong immune system means having a vibrant and healthy microbiome. However, it doesn’t mean you will never get sick. A strong immune system gives you (your body) the tools to fight off infections however weird and bizarre. The immune system develops further with every germ it comes into contact with.
Here are some tips and tricks for boosting your immune system and keeping it strong:
Elderberry syrup daily – specifically for immune strength against viral infections. There are several good studies on the efficacy of elderberry syrup on shortening the duration and lessening the severity of colds or flu. All safer than antibiotics and without adverse effects. Take that Tamiflu (Read more about the tamiflu fiasco here, here, and here)
Take a good probiotic. One with a variety of microbes to help your gut biome function in your best intrest.
Eat a diet low in sugar, simple carbohydrates and processed food. All of these are turned into sugar. Bugs love sugar, as it’s their preferred energy source. Stay far, far, away.
Antioxidants or gene activation to make your own. Antioxidants clean up damage to cells by stabilizing them when they donate an electron. It’s a very biochemistry-ish thing. Damaged cells are more susceptible to infection and disease. You can take antioxidants, eat them, or use a supplement to activate your NRF2 gene to make your own internally (my preferred method personally).
Stay hydrated and use electrolytes. Cells love water and electrolytes. It’s how they move things in and out (more details in your biochemistry book). Hydrated cells are also less susceptible to damage. Staying hydrated also prevents premature aging, allows for optimal digestion, and helps you eliminate toxins.
Vitamin C. Another powerful antioxidant shown in many studies to shorten the duration of colds.
Wash your hands. I know. I know. We hear this all the time but it is seriously the very best way to prevent the spread of disease. So really, just wash your hands a lot.
Fasting (water and broth) during illness. When we are sick, typically eating is farthest from our mind or belly. It’s very important to stay well hydrated. This includes water, electrolytes, bone or chicken broth, tea.
Sleep and rest. As if you’d want to do anything else but sometimes life calls to us. Sleep is the closest thing we have to a cure all for illness. During sleep the immune system ramps up by producing proteins called cytokines that help fight infections and inflammation. Sleep deprivation can leave you more susceptible to illness. This is also the reason you want to sleep more when you’re sick. Your immune system is working over time and you will improve faster if you rest.
This list is not exhaustive by any means but a good place to start. Caring for yourself on the regular to prevent illness will be your best weapon against these ‘superbugs’. Rest up, eat well, laugh a lot, wash your hands and stay hydrated. You will be a force to be reckoned with.