Rather than looking for a drug or vaccine, which will always have side effects of their own, the most effective way to prevent getting sick during the normal cold and flu season, is to support your immune system.
That is true if there is a second wave of COVID-19 as well. A virus is a virus – they all behave in a similar manner. There are numerous ways to accomplish this.
1. Nutrition is Step One
The basis for improving your health on all levels begins with nutrition. Choosing the highest quality (think organic, grass-fed, and finished, pasture raised) fresh, whole, one-ingredient foods is the first thing to begin. Suppose you load your meals with organic vegetables and fruits and properly raised animal products, nuts, and seeds.
In that case, you will automatically crowd out all the junk, fast, and processed foods that fill your belly, expand your waistline, and starve your cells of real nutrition.
Providing your body with high-quality fuel will give it the building blocks it needs to support a robust immune system that can protect you from the second wave of COVID(1) and the colds and flu that always increase during the colder months.
The extra benefit is that you will find it much easier to lose weight, and obesity is one of the top risk factors. So getting a handle on your food choices is critical.
[Read: Prepare Yourself for a Healthy Immune System]
2. Protect Your Gut-Brain Axis
The bulk of your immune system is in the gut. Studies show that gut microorganisms can activate the vagus nerve, which affects the brain, mood, and behavior. Our minds (thoughts, beliefs, emotions) affect gut health and the microbiome (good bacteria) via the vagus nerve.
Studies have shown that stress inhibits signals sent through the vagus nerve causing digestive problems. The vagus nerve is a connector between the brain and the immune system.
The vagus nerve transmits information in both directions – from the brain to the gut and from gut to brain. When it functions properly, the vagus signals the shutting down of inflammation, which has been associated as the underlying root cause of just about every chronic disease.
We know those with underlying chronic diseases have a higher risk of complications from COVID.
[Also Read: Gut Health and Immune System]
3. Keep Moving
According to recent research, regular exercise may help prevent (acute respiratory distress syndrome ARDS) a lethal complication and major cause of death among patients with COVID-19. Regular exercise has numerous health benefits, with protection against this severe respiratory disease condition being just one.
You don’t have to go to the gym to exercise. And again, staying active will help you get to and maintain a healthier weight.
Exercise also improves your lymphatic system, which is a network of highways that carries the garbage (waste, toxins, viruses, bacteria) out of your body, defends you against infection and disease, allows fat-soluble vitamins like Vitamins A, D, E and K to get into your bloodstream and then throughout your body, as well as removing excess fluids from body tissues.
4. Get Your Zzz’s
Studies have proven that sleep deprivation makes you more susceptible to the common cold, so it stands to reason that it would compromise your ability to fight off other viruses as well. Lack of restful sleep is also linked to elevated blood pressure, known to be an underlying condition that influences how well you can deal with viral infections.
In fact, after just one night of only four to five hours of sleep, your natural killer cells—a main player in viral killing—drop by 70%.
It is important to reduce exposure to EMFs (electromagnetic frequencies such as from computers, tablets, cell phones, etc.) because they interact with our bodies through the pineal gland causing melatonin reduction. Melatonin is responsible for regulating our sleep, for bodily repair functions, and preventing cancer.
Our pineal glands make melatonin when it’s dark. The problem with EMF is that the body can’t tell the difference between it and light. Therefore, enough EMF in the bedroom will ensure that little melatonin is produced, resulting in compromised sleep. Sleep deprivation makes you more susceptible to the common cold and other viruses.
[Also Read: How Quality Sleep Boosts Your Immune System]
5. Supplement Wisely
There are several supplements that have proven to be helpful in keeping your immune system functioning optimally. You may choose to include some or all of the following:
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin D3
- Quercetin
- Zinc
- Magnesium
- Vitamin B12
These simple steps you can take to improve your overall health will pay huge dividends, not just in helping reduce your risk of being infected with COVID but also helping you avoid other common chronic illnesses.
[Also Read: Supplements to Enrich the Immune System]
About The Author:
Ann Musico is a certified holistic health coach and founder of the Three Dimensional Vitality Website. She is also an author of several books, including Today is Still the Day, a wellness blogger and independent nutritional consultant.
