Supplements + Other Tips I've implemented To Boost My Immune System During Coronavirus (COVID-19)

With the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak spreading globally, I wanted to share what I'm doing to give my immune system a much-needed boost.

Besides the basics that we should all be doing to help protect ourselves from the Coronavirus like hand washing, keeping social distances from others, limiting travel to only when necessary, and disinfecting common or frequently touched areas, we can also incorporate other measures to help keep ourselves and our loved ones protected.

There are so many vitamins, herbs, and supplements that can help boost our immune systems and we certainly can't take them all. Starting with the basics, we need to have deep, restful, and reparative sleep which can be difficult during stressful times, so we also want to look at ways to support our sleep and stress level. We should also focus on a healthy diet filled with antioxidant-rich foods, protein, healthy fats, and complex carbs.

MULTIVITAMIN

Many vitamins including B6, C, and E are all known to help boost the immune system and can be found in a healthy diet. Although I try to eat a healthy diet, it's not always possible, so I like to start with a good multivitamin to fill in any possible nutritional gaps. My current favourite multi is My Kind Multivitamin by Garden of Life. There is one for men and one for women and non-age-related ones. I actually feel a difference when I take this multi and it's chocked full of amazingly healthy and organic ingredients! I can even take them on an empty stomach as they are made with whole foods.

VITAMIN C

I've also been taking extra Vitamin C. I love this spray version and take a couple of sprays AM and PM. Vitamin C is water-soluble so we just pee out what our body doesn't use. I keep chewable ones on hand also. If you want to know how important Vitamin C is to our immune systems, you can check out this article on 20 Ways Vitamin C Strengthens the Immune System.

 As always, check with your doctor for professional advice before starting a new supplement.

QUERCETIN WITH BROMELAIN

The 3rd supplement that I've incorporated as a result of this outbreak is something that I had heard of but never taken before, Quercetin. It's actually what prompted me to write this article. I had known of this supplement as one that helps with allergies, but it also has anti-inflammatory actions as well as a whole host of other benefits that I wasn't aware of until recently. It has anti-viral properties and specifically supports the respiratory system which is where the Coronavirus attacks. This one that I'm taking has Bromelain which also has a number of health benefits. Bromelain can slow blood clotting so you may want to choose a Quercetin supplement without Bromelain if that is a concern to you.

From NCBI: 
In vitro and some animal models have shown that quercetin, a polyphenol derived from plants, has a wide range of biological actions including anti-carcinogenic, anti-inflammatory and antiviral activities... Read more HERE.

I don't know if it's helping but I feel better taking it, plus it has so many other benefits! You can read more online or check out webmd. 

VITAMIN D

I also take some extra Vitamin D for my immune system and actually take it all winter long. Vitamin D also plays an important role in immunity and has so many other health benefits that I will most likely always take extra Vitamin D (on top of what's in my multi). I had had my Vitamin D tested this winter and it's in the normal range thanks to my intake of this supplement.

Read more about the role Vitamin D plays on the immune system at Science Daily.

Some other herbs that I like for the immune system are echinacea, astragalus, and zinc or zinc lozenges. There are many others to choose from, these are just some of the ones I like to take as prevention to illness or when I feel rundown. Again, speak to your healthcare practitioner to decide what's right for you.

Other simple things I've been doing is eating more onions and garlic, making sure I drink a lot of fluids to stay hydrated, mostly water and herbal teas that are calming or green tea is a good choice thanks to its antioxidants. I already have trouble sleeping and it's significantly worse since the Coronavirus outbreak, so I try to not watch the News before bed and I practice deep breathing or listen to meditation apps or soothing sounds on my phone before bedtime. I also like to have calming herbal teas at night to help with my sleep, just not right before bed or I'll be waking up to use the restroom.

I hope you find some of these tips helpful! I'd love to hear your tips in the comments about what you are doing to stay healthy and happy during these difficult times so we can all learn something from each other.

Hoping you and your families stay safe and healthy! 

*Note: Always check with your doctor or health care provider before beginning any new supplements

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