Prevent and Fight Viruses 2.0

Created 5/19/2020, updated 9/4/2021

PREVENT AND FIGHT VIRUSES 2.0

Steve and Bonnie: While much of this protocol focuses on preventing and fighting COVID-19, much of the following can be applied to preventing and fighting other viruses.

Understanding the following will allow almost anybody to safely prevent and fight viruses no matter your age or state of health. We always suggest speaking with your physician and integrative health professional.

Until further notice, we urge you to continue with extra immune support. SARS-CoV-2 is not the only virus we fight. There is influenza (flu), norovirus (stomach flu), adenovirus (common cold), and four other coronaviruses (common cold), among others. Introduction Two of the most insidious characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 virus is that it evades our initial immune response (the innate immune response) and kills crucial immune cells (macrophages). By doing this, not only is our initial immune response delayed, but our second immune response (adaptive immune response) is as well. This is why focusing on preventive measures, which include helping our immune system recognize and fight off initial exposure to SARS-CoV-2, is critical. Conversely, for some patients with severe COVID-19, immune response becomes so overstimulated that it creates an inflammatory response that does not abate. This is where patients can become critically ill. Hence, SARS-CoV-2 put our immune system at odds. We need early activation but not continued overactivity. The following is the best way to do so. Four Phases in the Timeline of COVID-19 Phase One - Prevention Prevention means you are prepping your immune system for peak surveillance to detect SARS-COV-2, as well as reducing daily levels of inflammation, to improve outcomes if you become infected. Prevention encompasses stress reduction and optimal diet, lifestyle, supplements, and public health measures. If you are over 60 and/or have underlying conditions such as obesity, diabetes, and hypertension, extra prevention vigilance is warranted. Phase Two - Infection If you happen to be infected with SARS-CoV-2, support for infection emphasizes specialized immune activity against infection. Phase Three - Escalating Inflammation If SARS-CoV-2 overstimulates the immune response to the point that you are symptomatic, support is focused on anti-inflammatory measures. Phase Four - Recovery Once you are not symptomatic, support should still be focused on resolving inflammation, inhibiting tissue damage, curtailing losses of function, and restoring and reoptimizing function. Because patients have been observed to relapse into the Escalating Inflammation Phase, it is essential to communicate with your health professional to continue the following well into what may appear to be the Recovery Phase. In-Depth Strategies to Support the Four Phases We did not include public health measures such as wearing masks and social distancing, as you should be well aware of these measures by now.

Diet and Beverages Sugar Added sugars, sweets, desserts, and sweetened beverages of any kind should be looked upon as badly as the coronavirus. Sugar often provides the opening a virus needs to take hold because it weakens our immune system. Aside from the WHO stating the aforementioned, in Cell Metabolism, the largest study ever done on the link between glucose levels and COVID-19 found that the better your glycemic control, the better your COVID-19 outcome. Those with blood sugar disorders have to take precautions to another level, as diabetes is a malady associated with very poor outcomes in COVID-19 patients. Fruit and Vegetables Not only do they provide fluid and electrolytes, their phytochemicals protect the throat and lungs, and most importantly, help maintain your acid/alkaline balance. It is much tougher for viruses to take hold when the body's pH level is between 6.8 and 7.2, which is slightly alkaline. Being too acidic or too alkaline is not ideal. In addition, many fruit and veggies are rich in the mineral potassium, which is an integral nutrient for COVID-19 prevention and treatment. Fluids Drinks lots of fluids (warm or hot) to avoid dehydration. Electrolytes, especially potassium, are crucial. One of the things that happens with infection in severe cases is hypokalemia, which is potassium deficiency. Sodas, juices, and sweetened coffee or tea drinks are not recommended. A great tip, which has been recommended by numerous public health experts around the world, is to gargle with baking soda in warm water (spit out, don't swallow) upon waking and before bed. This will help neutralize pathogenic substances in the throat area. Some studies have found mouthwash to be effective as well.

Other Chewing xylitol gum (ideally from birch bark, not corn) has been shown to kill pathogenic organisms in the nasopharynx area. Keep alcohol to a minimum, if at all. Alcohol can have a detrimental effect not only on our immune system, but restorative sleep. Supplements Just eating a healthy diet will not suffice. You need supplemental support. The following are foundational supplements that should be taken not only for prevention phase, but through all phases if it comes to that. Supplements for All Four Phases, Especially Prevention VITAMIN C (Ascorbic Acid) Vitamin C is critical for almost every cellular function. It is especially important that you take vitamin C if you have the genetic mutation that impedes absorption. Dosage: 500mg - 700 mg twice daily for adults; 250mg - 350 mg twice daily for children.  **During Inflammation Phase, increase to 2,000mg - 4,000mg if tolerated digestively. ZINC Oral tablets/capsules along with zinc lozenges/zinc sulfate solution have been proven to be effective in blocking coronaviru