Resiliency: Protecting Yourself from Colds, Flu and Other Viruses
It’s been just about a year since Covid-19 came to the forefront of news in our country. If we’ve learned anything, we’ve learned how vulnerable many Americans are due to the current state of their health, which has a lot to do with diet and lifestyle choices. Many health professionals have dug into the research for how best to prevent and treat this coronavirus, and recommendations have evolved as more research has become available.
We’ve come to understand how important it is to be resilient, not only so that we don’t get sick at all or as often, but also so that our bodies are better able to fight off cancer or anything else that comes our way.
Very recent to surface in the research is how much the health of one’s microbiome impacts outcome of Covid-19 as well as “long hauler syndrome”. That shouldn’t surprise us since it’s well known that more than 70% of a person’s immune system is in the gut. Suffice it to say that your immune system would cease to function or even exist without your microbiome.
I’ve combed through the most up to date guidelines for Covid-19 prevention and treatment using supplements and come up with recommendations for different groups of people, depending on their susceptibility to having a worse case of Covid-19 (or any new variation that might come our way).
Then, I took those recommendations and matched them up with professional grade (i.e. very good quality) products that meet the guidelines. I’ve compiled the recommendations into easy to use protocols in my FullScript dispensary. When your order through my FullScript dispensary, you will automatically receive 20% off your order. Every order–not just the first one! I do this because I’m not trying to make a whole lotta money on supplement sales (yes, I do make a little bit for my efforts to keep up to date), but instead my goal is to get good quality professional grade supplements into the hands of people at affordable prices so they can afford to actually take them!
What supplements should I take to prevent colds, flus, and other viruses?
Besides a good quality multivitamin and EPA:DHA supplement, which I’ve found most people need, the most basic thing to supplement with-especially in the winter months-is Vitamin D. While it is possible to get enough Vitamin D from sunlight, you really have to be intentional about it-getting sunlight at the right time of day for enough time and with enough of your skin exposed. In order to know for sure, it’s necessary to test your blood level to see if it’s in the optimal range. FYI, most Americans are deficient in Vitamin D.
The chart below shows how the Covid-19 death rate plummets when Vitamin D levels were just barely within the normal lab range of 30-100 ng/dL. Optimal ranges are higher than that at 40-60 ng/dL. I’d rather be optimal in the lab ranges, not just normal!
In another study, Vitamin D reduced ICU admission rate by 97%! That’s HUGE!
I think we can conclude that Vitamin D3 supplementation is a no-brainer, unless you know by testing that your sun exposure is enough for you. Supplemental D3 needs to be combined with Vitamin K in the form of K2-7 in order to ensure that the calcium the Vitamin D is helping you to absorb more of is getting into the bones and other places it’s supposed to go instead of hanging around in the bloodstream or kidneys causing plaque build up or kidney stones. That is why I recommend taking a combination D3/K2-7 product or getting K2-7 in a separate product. Vitamin K is produced in the gut, but a healthy microbiome is needed for it to be produced. From lots of micronutrient testing, I know that many people are deficient in Vitamin K. Plus Vitamin K helps your heart, helps to increase energy, and is being studied for it’s role in decreasing the severity and duration of COVID-19.
What Else Can I Do?
If you’d like to not just avoid the ICU, but up your odds of not getting sick at all, or perhaps having a lighter case than you might have otherwise, then you will probably want to do a little more than maintaining optimal Vitamin D levels, so read on!
I’ve divided my recommendations into two groups:
1) Adults of any age and children who are not at increased risk of severe illness. Please see the most current (December 23, 2020) CDC list of underlying medical conditions of who is or might be at increased risk of severe illness, and
2) Adults of any age and children who are or might be at increased risk of severe illness from the virus that causes Covid-19.
In addition, because a healthy gut is so important for supporting your immune system, the Gut Health Protocol is for everyone.
Lastly, for those who want the BEST tools out there, I’ve added The Best of the Best for Immune Support protocol, from which you might choose one or more tools, depending on your needs.
Group 1-Just the Basics, Please! (For healthy adults of any age and children with little risk of severe illness from the virus that causes Covid-19):
These recommendations are based on the MATH+ Protocol developed by Dr. Paul Marik and supported by the FLCCC (Front Line Covid-19 Critical Care Alliance). In addition, I recommend a good quality multivitamin and EPA:DHA supplement.
Vitamin D3 with K2-7 (reduces viral growth, reduces upper respiratory infections, boosts immune response):
Prevention: 1,000-3,000 iu/day (combined total from all supplemental sources)
If You Have Symptoms: 4,000 iu/day (may increase to 10,000 iu daily for no more than 7 days)
(Note: If you have not been taking Vitamin D3 or know your levels are deficient, it is recommended to take 10,000 iu/day for a few weeks then drop down to 5,000 iu/day until blood levels of 25(OH)D reach 40-60 ng/mL.)
Zinc (inhibits the ability of viruses to replicate):
Prevention: 30-50 mg daily (combined total from all supplemental sources)
If You Have Symptoms: 100 mg daily for no more than 7 days
Quercetin (move zinc into the cells so it can kill viruses; shown efficacy for treating SARS):
Prevention: 250 mg daily
If You Have Symptoms: 250 mg twice daily
(Note: Quercetin use cautioned with hypothyroidism; TSH levels should be monitored. Quercetin may react with calcium channel blockers, estradiol, and immune suppressive drugs.)
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid best for Covid-19 when in combination with adequate melatonin–supports immune system and anti-viral):
Prevention: 1,000 mg twice daily
If You Have Symptoms: 2,000 mg two to three times daily
Melatonin (decreases cellular inflammasomes to which viruses attach and works with ascorbic acid to decrease Covid-19 symptoms):
Prevention: begin with 0.3 mg and increase to 6 mg taken at bedtime
If You Have Symptoms: 10 mg taken at bedtime
To order from my selection of products, click here. If you don’t already have a FullScript account with me, simply create one and then you’ll be directed to the selection.
(I’ve listed several of each item in case any are out of stock and to give you options in ordering.)
Group 2–Everything Recommended by IFM (For adults and children with higher risk of severe illness from the virus that causes Covid-19):
These are The Institute for Functional Medicine recommendations for Covid-19 Prevention and Treatment. In addition, I recommend a good quality multivitamin and EPA:DHA supplement.
Vitamin D3 with K2-7 (reduces viral growth, reduces upper respiratory infections, boosts immune response):
Prevention: 5,000 iu daily
(Note: If you have not been taking Vitamin D3 or know your levels are deficient, it is recommended to take 10,000 iu/day for a few weeks then drop down to 5,000 iu/day until blood levels of 25(OH)D reach 40-60 ng/mL.)
Zinc (inhibits the ability of viruses to replicate):
Prevention: 30-60 mg daily (combined total from all supplemental sources)
Quercetin (move zinc into the cells so it can kill viruses, shown efficacy for treating SARS):
Prevention: 500 mg twice daily
Vitamin A (enhances immune function and supports lining of lung and intestines):
Prevention: 10,000-25,000 iu daily (combined total from all supplemental sources)
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid best for Covid-19 when in combination with adequate melatonin–supports immune system and anti-viral):
Prevention: 1,000-3,000 mg daily
Melatonin (decreases cellular inflammasomes to which viruses attach and works with ascorbic acid to decrease Covid-19 symptoms):
Prevention: 5-20 mg, taken at bedtime
Curcumin (reduce inflammation and decrease viral activity)
Prevention: 500-1,000 mg twice daily
NAC (supports immune function and helps the lungs),
Prevention: 600-900 mg daily
Elderberry (packed with Vit C, helps to prevent the flu)
Prevention: 500 mg daily
PEA (improves outcomes in acute respiratory disease and flu)
Prevention: 300 mg twice daily
If You Have Symptoms: 600 mg three times daily
EGCG (from green tea–reduces inflammation, enhances immune system, move zinc into the cells so it can kill the virus)
Prevention: 4 cups green tea OR 225 mg EGCG daily
Resveratrol (shown in lab to attack a relative of the Covid-19 virus)
Prevention: 100-150 mg daily
To order from my selection of products, click here. If you don’t already have a FullScript account with me, simply create one and then you’ll be directed to the selection.
(I’ve listed several of each item in case any are out of stock and to give you options in ordering.)
Gut Health for a Healthy Immune Response Protocol (for everyone):
Kiran Krishnan, chief scientific advisor of Microbiome Labs knows all about the microbiome. He explains how important a healthy microbiome is to your immune system. He explains that your immune system is like a lone security guard in a very crowded and very large stadium. There are mostly good people in the stadium (that’s the good players in your microbiome), but there are a few rogue characters with mal-intent in there too (that’s colds/viruses/other harmful bacteria). How can this lone security officer possibly surveille the entire stadium? He can’t without the help of, and being in tight communication with, the good people in the stadium who alert him to any problems as soon as they occur.
Kiran explains it much better than I in minutes 1.5-11 of this interview. Give it a listen! The special on the products mentioned is over, but have no fear! I give you an even better discount than that when you order from my FullScript dispensary! (It makes no sense to me, but I am able to offer a better discount on these products in my FullScript dispensary than I am from my practitioner link on the manufacturer’s site. Go figure!)
MegaSporeBiotic RECONDITIONS the gut microbiome by crowding out pathogens, increasing microbial diversity, and creating favorable shifts in your gut’s environment. Take with a meal.
Week 1: One capsule every other day (for very sensitive stomachs, 1/2 capsule every other day)
Week 2: One capsule daily
Week 3-4+: Two capsules daily
(If you have a fantastic diet and no gut problems, MegaSporeBiotic may be all you need.) If not, read on:
MegaPreBiotic REINFORCES a healthy and diverse gut microbiome by promoting the growth of beneficial gut bacteria. Take with or without a meal.
(in addition to MegaSporeBiotic)
Week 5: Add 1/2 scoop to 16 oz water and drink throughout the day
Week 6-8+: Add 1 scoop to 16 oz water and drink throughout the day
MegaMucosa REBUILDS the thick mucosal barrier that protects the immune system from the outside world. Take with or without a meal.
(in addition to MegaSporeBiotic and MegaPrebiotic)
Week 9: Add 1/2 scoop to 16 oz water and drink throughout the day
Week 10-12+: Add 1 scoop to 16 oz water and drink throughout the day
Once you consider your gut to be pretty healthy (I know that’s subjective, but use your best judgement on that), you don’t have to do the MegaPrebiotic and MegaMucosa every day. Kiran mentions using them a few times a week. Continue to take 2 MegaSporeBiotic capsules every day for best immune health.
To order from my selection of products, click here. If you don’t already have a FullScript account with me, simply create one and then you’ll be directed to the items.
The Best of the Best for Immune Support (for anyone, but especially those at higher risk):
In addition to the Gut Health Protocol, use one or more of these products at the appropriate times!
Megacidin–Use before you leave the house or will be around a lot of people to stimulate your immune system by targeting the immune tissue in your mouth which sends signals to other parts of the immune system in a matter of minutes!
MegaMune–Take whenever it’s colds/flus/virus season to help both the innate and adaptive branches of your immune system.
MegaViron is an unrivaled, rapid-acting immune supplement
formulated with potent herbs with antioxidant properties to take when you start having symptoms. MegaViron supports 3 key features of immunity: the surveillance system, clean-up crew, and de-escalation team.
To order from my selection of products, click here. If you don’t already have a FullScript account with me, simply create one and then you’ll be directed to the items.
In summary, there is much we can do to make our bodies more resilient, not only with supplements, but with healthy diet and lifestyle choices as well. Keeping sugar and processed foods to a minimum, getting adequate exercise (not too much and not too little), and getting adequate sleep are foundational to having a resilient and healthy body.
Need Help?
Long lists of supplements can be confusing, and often it’s hard to know what to take, especially considering the supplements and medications that you are already taking. If you would like an appointment with a registered dietitian to figure out the best supplements for you, click here for a quick 30 minute appointment. (112.50) (80.00)
If you would like an appointment with a registered dietitian not only to figure out the best supplements for you, but also dietary and lifestyle recommendations tailored to your specific needs, click here for an in depth 90 minute appointment. (337.50) (240.00)