10 Defense Strategies for the Coronavirus





Latest Update:

There’s not much we can do medically about the Coronavirus that has spread out of China. Doctors and scientists do not have a solution to it other than to contain it. But what can we, as healthy citizens do?  A lot more than just stocking up on face masks and antibacterial gels. 

Because medical care is limited, prevention is key and the best defense is offense in this case. Below are my top ten defense strategies

10 Defense Strategies for the Coronavirus

1. Avoid Major Public Spaces

If you’re coming down with something don’t run to the hospital first thing*. It may be best to call the nurses or your doctor first and get some advice on how to go about it. If you have minor symptoms like a cough or fatigue don’t be running to the doctors office where there are others that are sick and probably need the medical professionals help. The Centre for Health Protection has set up a hotline in which you can call for help or information (2152-1122). 

2. Mask up 

mask up please

This virus spreads through fluids. If you breathe it in or now we know that it’s through your eyes. Minimise your exposure and wear a mask if you go out. 

3. Sanitize & Hygiene  

Sanitize & Hygiene

You want to make sure you are sanitizing and washing your hands well before and after meals, after being in public or after coughing. The virus though can be on our clothing in our hair etc so I recommend diffusing your home and office space with Australian Tea Tree oil that is naturally antiseptic. For larger spaces and more efficiency, the GelAir Health e-split can be placed in your aircons or fans even to kill off the bacteria in the air. One packet contains 60ml (6 of the 10ml bottles) of organic Australian Tea Tree oil.  

4. Sleep 

deep sleep

Deprivation of sleep weakens your immune system and makes you more susceptible to bacteria and viruses. There’s a crucial 4 hour window between 10-2am where the body does the most restorative work while we sleep. So you want to try to be asleep between these times and of course continue sleeping through the other stages of sleep. You can very well sleep 8 hours but if you’re missing this window of 10-2am you are depriving your body from these four hours of healing.

5. Stay Hydrated  

Since the Coronavirus affects our lungs and respiratory system, we want to make sure we are keeping our throat moist. Herbal teas and bone broths are great for keeping our immune system strong while hydrating. 

6. Avoid Sugar and Alcohol 

avoid alcohol

Sugar suppresses your immune system, feeds unhealthy bacteria and creates more inflammation and stress on your system. Alcohol depletes a lot of nutrients like magnesium and B vitamins and can also leave you dehydrated. During this Coronavirus epidemic time where we are all susceptible, we want to avoid these two things. 

7. Cook your Own Food 

Eat real, fresh food. Handle and prepare your own food and minimise the risk of exposure whether it be from the chef or the waiter. By cooking your own food you can control the quality of the food from the source, to the seasonings added to it, to how its cooked. 

8. Be aware of immune suppressing medications

Medications like steroids, antihistamines, antacids can suppress your immune system. It may be wise to look into taking more natural alternatives that are often just just as effective as drugs. A powerful antihistamine for example is quercetin.

9. Stress Less

Stress adds stress to our immune system. And there is something called the epidemic of fear. Fear stimulates the creation of cortisol in the body and over time this will create inflammation when our cortisols are high for an extended period of time. Also we know that our emotions if not put in check can literally create toxic stress and make our bodies acidic over time. So I stress (no pun intended =), stressing over this Coronavirus will not help your immune system and will only weaken it.

10. Supplements 

All of these are short term therapeutic doses for adults to prevent and protect ourselves from this Coronavirus. None of these are guarantees to protect you from the virus but we want to cover our basis and do what we can because there is no current cure for the Coronavirus. 

Vitamin D3 

This sunshine vitamin strengthens your immune system. We make less vitamin D in winter months and especially when we are constantly indoors. The general recommendation of 1000 iu is far too low. And so, especially when we have a disease outbreak like the Coronavirus, I would personally go up to 5000 iu for at least 1 full week. Optimal blood levels of Vitamin D3 are between 70-100, it is good to get tested if you happen to get blood work done.

Vitamin C

 

A common vitamin we overlook and disregard to boost our immune system.I like to use liposomal Vitamin C. Liposomal is an enhanced absorption that can increase absorption . A good immune protocol is about 2-5g per day, not all at once as it may create some loose stools, so divide the dose. 1 tsp (5ml) is 1000mg with Pure Encapsulations’ Liposomal Vitamin C

Honey

The nutrients from the honey hive have wonderful anti-viral properties. I particularly love the Seve Imperiale because it doesn’t just contain one nutrient but it’s a blend of propolis, pollen, honey, royal jelly and eucalyptus.  And because the Coronavirus keeps mutating, making it difficult for scientists to come up with a vaccine, we want to guard ourselves with a variety of different antiviral nutrients.

Zinc

Zinc can regulate our immune cells and it’s also a nutrient often depleted. 60mg (double of a daily dose) each day is a good dose to keep your immunity strong.

Probiotics

Because 70% of our immune cells live inside our intestines, we want to make sure our gut is healthy with good bacteria. Taking a live probiotic like the Udos age specific probiotics will add to your immune health.

Elderberry & Echinacea

Elderberry and echinacea are both proven herbs that help strengthen our immunity. avoid the sugary elderberry syrup since we don’t want the sugar when we are strengthening our immune system. Sambu Guard uses wild grown elderberry and echinacea plus acerola fruit, a source of Vitamin C, and some honey that offers antiviral properties. Sambu Guard also comes in a children’s formula that is in a base of natural pear juice.  

Having said all that, none of us have a magic formula or pill for this Coronavirus. We do what we can to protect ourselves, our loved ones and I want to add, also the stranger on the street. Our city has been challenged by SARS, this year with the protests and now at the beginning of our Lunar New Year, with the Coronavirus, but we remain united in love, faith and strength. I continue to believe and pray to see the goodness of the Lord in this land (Psalm 27:13).

Bless you with good health and God’s protection and peace.

Written by: Denise Tam, Holistic Nutritionist

*If you are running a fever or feeling quite ill please go see a doctor immediately. 



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