Can we boost our immunity to prevent Corona Virus?
Edgbaston Wellness and Medispa
The Corona virus (COVID-19) is a new illness that is gripping the world and affects your lungs and airways. Its main symptoms are a cough, high temperature and shortness of breath.
These symptoms are quite common like a common cold or flu. It appears to be spread by cough droplets.
HOW TO PREVENT: We are being told that washing your hands with soap and water using a hand sanitiser gel and covering your mouth and nose when you cough and sneeze are useful. Avoiding contact with people who are unwell.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU THINK YOU HAVE A COLD: You don’t need to see your GP, it is reasonable to take medication to help with cold. Self isolation is recommended i.e stay at home, not to go to work or public places or use public transport. Try and avoid visitors at home and you need to do this for up to 14 days to reduce the possibility of spread of infection. Call 111 if you are concerned you have an infection. It is important to take paracetamol if there is a raised temperature and continue to keep hydrated.
WHY DO WE GET THE FLU?
This is a viral infection and may affect some individuals more than others and possibly related to reduced immunity (older age/younger children/pregnancy/immunocompromised). The current generation is more susceptible due to changes to the viral organisms, increased stress and work pressures, electro magnetic and radiofrequency alterations of body mechanisms etc.
HOW TO BOOST YOUR IMMUNITY
The most important factors are to reduce stress, increase sleep and improve hydration and nutrition and have a regular exercise regime. There is a novel concept of modulating the activity of the immune system by altering our nutrition with specific nutrients and is called ‘immuno nutrition’.
It is often used in critically ill patients and post operative patients to ensure that we optimize recovery. A range of immuno nutrients like arginine, glutamine branched chain amino acids are used to preserve and augment cellular immune functions.
The use of antioxidant vitamins and minerals like vitamin A, E and Selenium to improve sport performance and immunity is being increasingly recognised.
However, chronic use of dietary anti-oxidants may reduce performance. There are several studies on the use of intravenous ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) and others combining this with maintenance oral high dose vitamin C and Echinacea 500mgs twice a day to reduce the severity of flu like illness.
Gorton et al have shown that using vitamin C in high doses both reduces and prevents symptoms of flu and cold like symptoms. The absorption of oral nutients is variable at best and hence the role of intravenous drips like the Immunebooster drip by Intravita.
It contains Lysine, N-Acetyl Cysteine, Ornithine, Aspartate, Taurine, Vitamin B complex, riboflavin and B12. It may be combined with Vitamin C and Glutathione to get the best efficacy and boosts your immune system. Please call for a complementary consultation to discuss these measures at the Edgbaston Wellness & Medispa.
Further reading: 1) https://111.nhs.uk/covid-19 2) https://edgbastonwellness.co.uk/services/iv-therapies/iv-immuno-booster/ 3) https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/