Supplements and Corona virus

SUPPLEMENTS AND CORONAVIRUS

Good Monday morning.

By many accounts, it’s going to be the worst week we have seen  thus far so PLEASE stay home and be safe.

I wanted to clarify a few things about supplements. 

First of all, the best supplements are fresh, whole, fruits and vegetables. Period.

Consume as many as you can. Fresh, frozen, dried, canned… They are all good.

Greens,

Berries

Cruciferous vegetables,

Beans

Citrus fruits

Nuts and seeds

Make sure to include the skins (just wash them well). There is more nutrition on the skin of a carrot than in the flesh. In addition to a myriad of vitamins and minerals, in proportions and forms which nature intended for us to consume, they provide fiber, which is crucial for proper gut health and 70% of our immune system is in the gut.

That having been said, there are a few supplements which are standouts in general and some which have been touted as beneficial for Covid-19.

Vitamin C. Some studies have shown benefit in treating sick people but in high doses, only administered IV. that having been said, vitamin C is a very important supplement for infections. The best source is still citrus fruits but as a supplement, you can take as much as 2000 mg a day without the GI side effects seen in high doses.

Vitamin D. Again, super important in general for immune function but specifically with covid, there is some information indicating that it interferes with the ability of the virus to bind to receptors on our cells, allowing the immune system more time to identify it and kill it. Although the best source is still the sun since we make it by converting cholesterol into vitamin D and then absorbing it, you need at least 20 minutes out in the sun with a significant amount of your skin exposed, and then not wash for at least 12 hours, as you’ll just wash away whatever you produced. I’ve read that it can take as much as 48 hours to absorb all the vitamin D you make in one sun exposure session. There is unfortunately no good food source so supplementation is the best way to go. You want Vitamin D3 (not D2) and around 2000-3000 units a day.

Beyond those 2 specific ones, not much is out there for corona specific supplements. There is NO role for taking antibiotics like Zithromax or antimalarials like Hydroxychloroquin, as a prevention. These are only to treat more advanced cases and remember that most people will not even become that ill. In addition by taking or hoarding these drugs, you make less available for those who really need it. In addition, these drugs have side effects like heart and joint problems. Leave the doctoring to the doctors!

Other general well know immune-boosting foods include:

• Garlic. Garlic has powerful anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties. It has been shown to enhance immune health by stimulating protective white blood cells like NK cells and macrophages. Make sure to let it rest for 10 minutes after peeling and crushing or chopping before cooking. The active enzyme allinin takes about 10 minutes to become active.
• Curcumin. Curcumin is the main active compound in turmeric. It is a powerful anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting function. Raw is the best (it tastes almost like a carrot) but powdered or as a supplement is OK. It’s absorption is dramatically increased if consumed with a pinch of pepper (piperine) so if you take it as a supplement, make sure it has pepper in it.
• Mushrooms. These are the best for the immune system. Medicinal mushrooms are all the rage but the best ones are… your simple white buttons! Just cook them since they do contain toxins. Small amounts are harmless but it builds up. The toxin is destroyed with even minimal cooking.
• Zinc. Available in some nuts, the amounts are small so unless you eat a lot of fruits and veggies, you’ll need to supplement.
• Selenium. Selenium is a mineral that’s essential for immune health and is found in brazil nuts, beans, greens and mushrooms. 
• B complex vitamins. B vitamins, including B12 and B6, are important for healthy immune response. Yet, many adults are deficient in them, especially B12. which may negatively affect immune health
• Echinacea. Echinacea is a genus of plants in the daisy family. Certain species have been shown to improve immune health and may have antiviral effects.
• Astragalus is an herb commonly used in Traditional Chinese Medicine. 
• Elderberry. This French plant is used to make the liquor St. Germaine. It’s awesome with vodka, cucumber and mint or basil! However, that cocktail won’t give you much elderberry. It is sold as a concentrated syrup. I have no experience with it but I drink a lot of St. Germaine (just kidding).
• Propolis. Propolis is a resin-like material produced by honeybees for use as a sealant in hives. Though it has impressive immune-enhancing effects and may have antiviral properties as well. 

Stay well.

It’s going to be a rough week.

AC 😎✌️🌱❤🐖🏃🏻🧘🏻‍♂️🌎