Some reasons I'm not freaked out about COVID19.
COVID-19, or Corona Virus was first reported in Wuhan, China on December 31, 2019, which started out as an outbreak, has since become an epidemic, and may be set to become a pandemic this month. (An outbreak happens when a disease occurs in greater numbers than expected in a community, and can even be just one case. You can have outbreaks in different communities. An epidemic is an outbreak that spreads rapidly to many people. A pandemic is an epidemic of global proportions that has become widespread across several countries or continents.)
Mountain Man and I visited 3 large cities in China for 2 weeks in January and landed back in Southern Utah as news of the epidemic in China hit the US. What was thought to be first introduced to humans by the consumption of infected bat meat in Wuhan, now has the world paying attention and wondering whether to be freaked out or put it out of mind. If you’re feeling uneasy, you might feel better after reading 5 Facts About Corona Virus That Bring Me Peace.
As I’ve devoured whatever I can find online about this virus, and the current statistical reports from the World Health Organization, a clear plan of action is coming together for me and anyone I have influence with. Knowledge is power. And I say, Power to the People!
We really can’t expect our government or the scientists working madly on a solution, to protect our individual immune systems. And no one is as invested in our own survival or ability to thrive physically than we are. So, the way I’m preparing for a potential spread of COVID-19 in the Southern Utah region follows.
It's the same way I’m prepared for viral infection from influenza, swine flu, epstein barr and any other immune deficiency in our big family and wherever I have an audience. Of course we'd follow smart guidelines for quarantining and whatever else is deemed necessary at that time. But until we know more about this virus, here's my plan.
Number 1: Avoid simple sugars and processed/junk food.
Did you know that your blood shows lab evidence of a lowered immune system within 30 minutes of eating simple sugars (like glucose, refined sugar, and fructose). First it causes a 50% reduction in your white blood cells’ abilities to kill germs. White blood cells are our “friendly fighters” that surround and gobble up bacterial, fungal and viral invaders. This effect is most noticeable 2 hours after eating sugary treats, but is still present even 5 hours later.
Keeping blood sugar levels healthy has been shown to improve immune system activity on many levels, including the insulin/glucagon cycle where blood sugars release insulin and insulin triggers the manufacture of histamine and cortisol... all not good for healing the body or fighting infection. Help your kids see the connection between their intake of sugars and feeling unwell. You don’t have to harp on it or be the sugar Nazi, just help them uncover how much was too much sugar for their immune system to take, in the previous 24 hrs before feeling ill. The correlation is amazing.
Memo to the Mom: Stock up on ready snacks that are low glycemic or keto friendly like fresh veggies with dip (carrots, celery, broccoli, cauliflower, Terra Chips (root vegetables) or Sweet Potato chips dipped in hummus, guacamole or Unranch dressing from The Feel Good Cookbook.)
Number 2: Load up on foods and spices with antiviral properties.
These include coconut oil, raw garlic, oregano, ginger, kimchi and other fermented foods. (Thankfully our Korean Exchange Daughter always has some in the fridge.) Body Balance capsules and Body Balance Liquid both contain antiviral herbs like mediterranean oregano and myrrh gum which kick virus in the booty at first signs of illness. In addition to having antiviral properties, the combination of herbs in Body Balance hit a broad spectrum of invasive species from E.coli, strep, staph, to candida yeast and fungus.Number 3: Eat lots of colorful fruits and vegetables.
They are full of antioxidants which will destroy the free radicals that weaken our immune system and are responsible for making us feel sick when we catch a bug. Each color provides different antioxidant power – so be sure to eat a rainbow every day. If you’re kids aren’t the hugest vegetable eaters yet, give them their antioxidant dose with a smoothie packed with fruits AND veggies, use that smoothie to make jello with grass-fed gelatin or popsicles, sneak pureed vegetables into your spaghetti sauce, soups, chilis, or whatever other way you can think of – be creative!Number 4: Stay well-hydrated.
Stick to water, coconut water, herbal teas, and bone broth. No soda or sugary drinks. We love Izzy fruit sweetened sodas for a special treat, but even those will go if there's infection in the house. How do you know how much water to drink? Divide your body weight (in pounds) in half and drink that number in ounces! Do you come close?Number 5: Drink more bone broth
Bone broth has amazing immune-supporting properties. Use it in breakfast smoothies, soups and curry sauces. Glutamine is the nutrient in bone broth that keeps the gut, muscles and bones supplied with materials for repair. If bone broth doesn’t suit you, take supplemental glutamine a spoonful a day in water.Number 6: Eat fermented foods.
The probiotics contained in fermented foods have tremendous immune boosting powers. In fact, the fermented Korean cabbage, kimchi, was found to have significant effects in preventing and fighting the H1N1 influenza virus! Other examples of delicious fermented foods to try include sauerkraut, pickles (try “real” pickles without added vinegar like Bubbies), miso, kefir, and kombucha.Number 7: Get fresh air and moderate daily exercise.
Getting out in the sun for 20 minutes a day will help your body produce it’s own Vitamin D (the “pro-survival molecule.) Plus, moderate exercise can boost the production of macrophages, the kind of white blood cells that “eat” bacteria and viruses. However, intense exercise can actually temporarily decrease immune function – so don’t overdo it!Number 8: Get enough sleep.
An increase in sleep actually increases the number of your white blood cells. On the other hand, loss of sleep even for a few hours at night, increases inflammation in our body which makes us more susceptible to catching the flu and having more severe symptoms. So make sure your whole family is getting enough zzzz’s.Number 9: Cut the stress.
Emotional stress creates physiological stress in our bodies that lowers our immune defenses and makes us more vulnerable to illness. Stress has been shown to lower our white blood cells’ abilities to kill germs, and actually creates more inflammation that may make us feel even sicker. For guidance on how to help manage your child’s stress naturally, take a look at Visualization for Stress/Anxiety Relief for some great tips. Two more Bonus ways, that are always in my back pocket, or kitchen cupboards rather unplug my stress concerning any kind of illness. I'm SO deeply grateful for both of these!Bonus Number 10: Sweep away early symptoms.
Make infections “tap out” by sweeping the gut with Exodus Prebiotic Sponge and following with Body Balance capsules or liquid to escort invasive species out of the body.Bonus Number 11: Vitamin C therapy
Vitamin C therapy is the secret weapon that few of our mothers understood. We need only a small daily amount of it (less than 100 mg), UNLESS we’re fighting off infection. At that point, the body actually can absorb and make use of up to 200 times the Recommended Daily Allowance. To review a very encouraging recent study using vitamin C therapy on patients succumbing to Sepsis click here. I’m stocking supplemental Vitamin C in 2 forms - sodium ascorbate powder (provides fastest uptake and is inexpensive) plus liposomal vitamin C capsules (for great absorption and convenience).How to Do a Vitamin C Flush
To top off your body's stores of Vitamin C in order to give maximum fight to infection, Take 1,000 milligrams Vitamin C every hour from morning til whenever you get a sloshy bowel movement usually by dinnertime. Then stop for today.
That’s your flushpoint or the maximum amount your body can absorb into your tissues. The next day. Take 75% of the flush point amount in divided doses (every 1 or 2 hours spread evenly throughout the day. Do this over the next 4-5 days.
You’ll feel the affects as congestion breaks up and lungs become relieved throughout that first day. Keep going with the Vitamin C at intervals daily until you feel sloshy or until symptoms are all gone. This technique has worked wonders for acute respiratory infection in our big family and in our online community. Vitamin C fact sheet from NIH.
Does this plan make sense to you?
What else are you doing to build your defenses?
Please leave a comment. Let's learn together!