In this article, we focus on the crucial role that the immune system plays in protecting us from COVID-19. Note this is the updated version of our previous article on the 20th of March2020 in the Pattaya People Magazine (and updated on April, 18th).
Every day the media publishes the number of cases of infections, deaths, and recoveries. Of course we must respect the barrier gestures. And depending on the country, we must respect social distancing or even a complete isolation. But strangely very few media and no government talks about what ultimately remains the best protection against COVID-19. Our immune system!
Current situation (2020, April 18)
Countries can’t stay in lockdown forever. For people’s life to return to normal, there are only two ways that the virus can be defeated. Either a vaccine is found or countries develops “herd immunity”. Which means about 60% of the population need to be infected. To end the epidemic sparked debate and questions about each of the paths, there are three options.
To end the epidemic there are three options.
1) We could still try to achieve a full elimination of the virus. But this would then involve the enforcement of even stricter lockdown for between six weeks to three months.
2) We could still “squash the curve”. But it would involve social distancing restrictions until a vaccine is developed, which could be 18 months or longer away.
3) We could allow people to slowly get infected until about 60% of the population had the COVID-19. At which point there would be “herd immunity”. This is likely the quickest way for people to return to normal life. Though many do support the option, other describe it as “offensive” and akin to murder.
A word about Herd Immunity
If a large group of people – the herd – is immune to a virus. Then an individual in the middle of this group is unlikely to become infected. The virus has a very hard time getting through the herd. Herd immunity, then, happens when people in a community are protected from a virus and its associated disease to a degree that people who are not immune are still protected because of the high population immunity.
Let’s be realistic
Whatever strategy is used to fight the virus, there is none that will save lives. Even if a vaccine is discovered… COVID-19, like many other viral diseases, will still kill the “weakest”. Let’s take for example the seasonal flu. We know well about it and we do have a vaccine against it. But seasonal flu still killing around 650,000 people each year worldwide! And the only thing that can help the weakest is to improve their health. Starting by boosting the immune system.
We want to exterminate germs, but we are germs!
“Le microbe n’est rien, le terrain est tout.” (The microbe is nothing, the “terrain” is everything)
Last words of Louis Pasteur, father of the “Germ Theory”
Having said that just before he died, Louis Pasteur admitted that his eternal rival, another French scientist named Antoine Béchamp was right all along with his “cellular theory” of disease. The idea is that if the person has a strong immune system and good tissue quality (or “terrain” as Béchamp called it), the germs will not manifest in the person. Then they will have good health. It is only when their health starts to decline (due to personal neglect and poor lifestyle choices) that they become victim to infections. Ultimately Pasteur’s ideas were accepted by society and Béchamp was pretty much forgotten. The practice of Western medicine is based on Pasteur’s germ phobia which gives rise to the use of vaccinations, antibiotics, and other anti-microbial.
COVID-19 and the Immune System
Back to the COVID-19 what we know today is that only a few categories of infected people risk either serious illness or even death. These categories are older people and those with weakened immune systems or medical conditions. People with chronic bronchitis, emphysema, high blood pressure, heart disease, lung disease, cancer, or diabetes are at higher risk. This means the healthier the person, the less likely the virus is to cause damage. It sounds obvious you may think. But “being healthy” to fight such an infection means much more than having no particular health problems. As with all types of coronaviruses, the immune system plays a crucial role in fighting infection. Therefore people with low immune function will be most affected.
Indeed washing your hands, avoiding contact with people having flu symptoms, avoiding travel, etc. make sense. But it is also important to focus on building a stronger immune system. With a strong immune system, you are safer from attack by all but the most virulent microorganisms. It is also likely that you would experience fewer colds or viral infections and have better overall resistance to infections.
Key Steps to Boost the Immune System
A healthy lifestyle is essential for immunity. Be sure to eat a healthy diet, exercise, avoid toxins, maintain appropriate body weight, and get enough sleep. As stress lowers immunity, take steps to manage it. Practice techniques to activate the relaxation response, such as breathing exercises, visualization, or meditation.
Eating Habits
- Avoid refined sugars and saturated fats
- Avoid GMO foods, junk foods and processed foods
- Make sure you get plenty of quality protein and essential fatty acids.
- Take a multivitamin and mineral supplement or get most of them in Superfood Smoothie
- Take extra vitamin C, or consider taking liposomal vitamin C.
- Zinc and Selenium are two important minerals for boosting immunity. (Sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds and cashews nuts can provide you with sufficient zinc and selenium).
- Boost your vitamin D levels.
- Eat probiotics and prebiotics. Foods rich in probiotics and prebiotics are apple cider vinegar, sauerkraut, yogurt, kefir, kimchi and kombucha. All can facilitate better gut health and a stronger immunity.
Use famous virus killer products
Colloidal Silver: Many studies show Colloidal Silver works against a number of other coronaviruses. Older research dating back to the 1980’s demonstrates that silver can stop numerous types of viruses from replicating, simply by bonding to them.
Oregano oil: has a compound called carvacrol which is largely responsible for its biological activities. In addition to antiviral properties, this compound also has antibacterial, antifungal and antiparasital effects. In all, oregano has at least 50 compounds that have antimicrobial action, including thymol and rosmaric acid.
Our articles should be used for informational and educational purposes only. They are not intended to be taken as medical advice. If you’re concerned, consult a health professional before taking dietary supplements or introducing any major changes to your diet. More details in our FDA Disclaimer
Sources: onlinelibrary.wiley.com – sg.iherb.com – hellomotherhood.com – maronewellness.com – www.news.com.au