We’re putting forward information designed to help boost the immune system giving it a better advantage to help fight colds, Flu’s and the new Sars-Covid-19 virus.
The Covid 19 virus (to give it it’s shortened name) is said to be a new virus to the human population. As natural immunity has not developed yet, this puts some groups of the folk at greater risk than others.
The folks that are at high risk of danger are those that are lightly to be:
- Immune compromised in some way.
- People generally over 70.
- People with a predisposition of chest infections.
- Other medical conditions not previously covered.
So far there seems to be little being put in the media on how they can increase their ability to deal with coming into contact with the virus and the negative effects it may have on them.
Hopefully the following information will help fill this void, and folks will take it on themselves to act in a personal sovereign way, and improve the probable negative impact coming into contact with this virus may have on them.
Eat fresh vegetables and fruit.
They tend to be of a high nutritional value and contain many of the trace elements and minerals that the immune system uses. Processed food tend to have low nutritional value and does little to help the immune system, in comparison.
Make sure you are getting enough sleep.
The average person need between 7/8 hours sleep a night. It is crucial to the repair and development of the immune system. A recent paper produced by Pittsburg University found that getting less that 6 hours sleep a night puts people at greater risk of getting a cold. (by extension, that probably includes Influenza and Covid 19 as well).
Engage in moderate exercise.
If like many people these days you have got out of the habit of making you heart beat a little bit faster than normal, now is a good time to start a new habit and make it work a little bit more, so it actually has an effect on the immune system. A walk (slightly faster than your normal pace) will cause your heart to beat a bit faster and your immune system to strengthen over the long term. A key benefit is that immune cells circulate through the body faster, so have a better chance of getting to infection before it builds a fortified base to spring out from into the bodies systems.
But the key word to take notice of is “Moderate”, do not over do it, and seek the doctors advice if you have any pre-existing conditions that you think may be detrimental to you.
Vitamin D
The body naturally produces vitamin D through absorbing sunlight onto the skin and through the eyes. During the winter period many people can develop a deficiency of it. Using a supplement is a good idea to top it up, especially now in view of the new COVID 19 virus epidemic that is underway in the UK and the wider world.
There is a great deal of solid research done on Vitamin D. People that have a higher level of Vitamin D have a lower risk of upper respiratory tract infection problems. If you can, get your vitamin D levels checked at the doctors. If they are high then you have no increased problem to worry about, but if you have a low level, increasing your Vitamin D vitamin intake will be of real benefit to you. On average between 1,000 and 2,000 IU (international Units) should be enough to build up any deficiency you may have over the short term, as summer is around the corner getting out in the sun for 15/30 mins a day should get you back to normal levels for your immune system to take advantage of.
Vitamin C
This Vitamin helps the immune system in different ways to Vitamin D within the body. Supplementing natural vitamin C obtained through food may be a good idea if you are low on it. 1-2 grams per day should be enough to top up any deficiency without causing any adverse effects that high doses of the vitamin can cause to the body, over prolonged use.
Zinc
Supplements of Zinc has been shown in studies to help prevent pneumonia and cold infections. The same studies have shown to shorten a cold by about a third. Certainly worth taking if you have underlying lung issues. Note that taking it before the onset of a virus attack or as it begins is important, if you are to get the benefits of it.
There are negative effects to taking Zinc, one of which is a bad taste in the mouth. Dosage levels should be around 20 milligrams a day for a period of a week or two.
Probiotics
Studies have shown that regular taking of a probiotic results in significantly fewer days of illness compared to the placebo group in the same studies. For high at risk groups this is an extremely important issue.
Resistance to infections becomes harder as the infection takes advantage of the extra time to gain a foot hold and multiplies at greater rates the longer it goes on. Two types of Probiotics in particular were covered in the tests, ensure that one or both of these are in any of the probiotics you take. These are Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. (look for them on the labels.)
These are just a few easy to put into practice suggestions to inform you, the sovereign folks that read this site how to help yourselves in the coming weeks and months until the human herd has developed its immunity.
It is important to repeat that most people (80% approx) will have cold and flu like symptoms little different from a normal winter season of infections. The effects according to government scientists on the remaining 20% can be catastrophic and deadly.
The virus is here and taking hold in the population, protecting our vulnerable family, friends and communities is something we should all be doing, but it is also down to those of us that fit into the category of “vulnerable” to do what we can to ensure we have the best chance of getting though it. Please start to undertake any or preferably all the immune suggestions today.
N.B. this is not a definative list and there are many more ways you can help yourself, just by searching online for more information on the subject.