This is the latest and greatest version subject to change with the season and how my body is feeling…
2 Cups (or half a bag if your spouse is not looking…) chopped organic greens, good frozen choices are kale, spinach and broccoli rabe.
It is beneficial to switch your greens up. Don’t use too much raw spinach as it is high in oxalic acid which can cause kidney stones in sensitive people — In this case I took to the yard and grabbed a small basket of greens such as broccoli leaves (yes! they are a super food) and sorrel.
1 Cup wild organic blueberries
1 small handful of frozen organic pomegranate seeds if available and/or a kiwi
Two weeks ago preliminary results of a clinical trial came out in Great Britain which were very promising for Covid-19 patients. A group of 101 patients participated and results showed that those that received an inhaled form of interferon beta, developed by a company named Synairgen, had a 79% reduction in severe complications, such as needing ventilation. In addition, those that received inhaled interferon beta were twice as likely to fully recover from the virus without complications.
Fingers crossed for us all that when this data comes out in a peer reviewed journal, that the results hold up, and we are one step closer to an effective therapeutic!
Interferon is a key component of our body’s viral defense. There are a few types of interferon and they all come into play at different points in our immune response. This article is an informative discussion of the different impacts of interferon treatment to assist in disease fighting. During the infection process Covid-19 reduces our body’s cache of interferon. The exact mechanism by which it does this is not known at this point. Hopefully, scientists will solve this puzzle soon.
Until then there are some natural ways to increase our bodies’ manufacture of interferon, hopefully enough to help fend off viral invaders.
Natural interferon boosters include:
Licorice – This is a good study outlining its immune boosting components
Astragalus – An all around immune booster. There is some evidence it can increase interferon beta in conjunction with lactobacillus acidophilus
Elderberry – An established antiviral. As above, there is some evidence it can increase interferon beta in conjunction with lactobacillus acidophilus
Black Tea – Tea drinkers who drank 5 or more cups a day produced 5 times as much interferon as non-drinkers
Vitamin C – There is ample evidence of Vitamin Cs immune boosting properties including interferons.
Be aware, because Interferon boosts our immune response there has been some debate as to whether this type of immune system boosting is a great thing to do given that one of the most devastating effects of Covid-19 is Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) which, in an overly simple explanation, is when our immune system overreacts in the extreme in our lungs to fight off pathogen attacks (or due to injury an/or exposure to toxins) and begins to become inflamed to the point of choking off respiration. Some types of interferon play a part in this inflammatory process (the beta interferon plays a part in pausing this inflammation). Take this into consideration, do your research, and make a decision that you feel is best for you!
Personally, I am boosting my immune system as much as possible to hopefully keep any viruses floating around from taking hold – if any serious infection were to take charge (knocking on wood…) I will follow all directions of the medical professionals taking care of me and make sure they are informed of any natural herbs and supplements I am taking. Our immune system is our first line of defense. If the initial defense line holds strong we are most likely going to be O.K.. If the line collapses and all the invaders infiltrate, then reinforcements will be needed. ARDS is an abnormal overreaction – as of yet all the factors that lead to ARDS during COVID19 are not known. So I am banking on not letting the infection take hold initially. Again, knocking on wood for us all.
References for further information:
Good summaries of the preliminary data can be fround her by the BBC and here by New York Times article on preliminary data from Synairgen
CBS News piece also a good explanation of the preliminary Synairgen data
Breakdown of uses, interactions and contraindications of licorice
These two teas are my “go to’s” when I am starting to get that run down virus-y feeling…Traditional Medicinals Throat Coat and Breathe Easy teas the Yogi brand Breathe Deep tea. All three are licorice based and delicious.
A video by Medcram caught my attention last month because it describes an interesting mechanism thought to explain why hydroxychloroquinine could help individuals fight the caronavirus.
And more to the point, the power of Zinc in general to battle viruses if it gains entrance into an infected cell.
Dr. Roger Seheult does a great job of explaining the findings of this paper which details how zinc disrupts the replication of caronavirus RNA within a cell. The key to this process is materials called ionophores, which are compounds which can assist ions in transporting through cell membranes. Hydroxychloroquinine, Dr. Roger Seheult explains, is a zinc ionophore.
Here is another paper where something allowing entrance of zinc into a cell helps battle the virus, this recent paper preprint, indicates that the addition of zinc sulfate to a combination of hydroxychloroquinine and azithromycin “increased the frequency of patients being discharged home, and decreased the need for ventilation, admission to the ICU, and mortality or transfer to hospice for patients who were never admitted to the ICU.”
I am not a chemist – my best summary of this process is that its a complex buddy system that allows zinc to partner-up with certain compounds to hitchhike into our cells and fight caronavirus RNA replication – A buddy system I’m certainly going to try and facilitate within my own body with all the virus still floating around at the moment.
There has been some debate in the popular media and some reservations in the medical community about the use of hydroxychloroquinine due to heart complications.
Interestingly there is already a fairly common, safely used, and available zinc ionophore on the market to help get zinc into cells, Quercetin.
Quercetin may already be a familiar name, it is a flavinoid frequently recommended as a healthy antioxidant supplement. It has some ability to stabilize mast cells that release histamine and wreck havoc this time of year. (Some further reading on its effect on mast cells here). It is found in foods particularly in apples, berries, onions and capers.
There are many healthy reasons to take quercetin to begin with, but the one-two punch with zinc sulfate seems to be a no brainer for myself given the present circumstances.
As always, I am not a doctor, check with your healthcare provider if you are on medication or have any health conditions. Take this information – do your research – convince yourself what is best for your body!
For further reading on the many properties of quercetin, this blog post by Peter Lloyd-Thomas is a wealth of information.
I personally have switched to this zinc and am now taking this quercetin
This is my (as always…) evolving list below. This is the most current comprehensive version. (Don’t judge…I can stop any time). The information here is brief and is not in anyway all inclusive of the benefits or all interactions these items may have with your body or other medications you may be taken.
As always, check with your doctor and/or pharmacist to make sure nothing interferes with any medication you are on or medical conditions you have:
Magnesium Citrate (or any kind of -ate…malate, glycinate, theonate…)
The majority of Americans are deficient – it is key in several hundred reactions in your body. It is a KEY metabolism driver
B12 (B-Complex) – The Bs do most of everything you enjoy in life. Every neurotransmitter that brings you joy uses B vitamins — B vitamins (especially B12) is key to about every step in the methylation cycle. As we get older our stomach acid secretion goes down and we need stomach acid to absorb B12 so take the methylcobalamin form. B12 is important to maintain nerve health also. This is what I take: Swanson B Complex
This explanation at Enzyme Stuff is one of the best written breakdowns of a complex process that we all want rolling smoothly under the radar in our bodies. If you understand the methylation process you understand that the B vitamins are one of the things that will make some of the things that make you literally happy. Keep them balanced!
If you are not regularly getting a half-hour of sunlight daily Vitamin D3 & Vitamin K2 – Absolutely make sure your Vitamin D levels are adequate. Your whole metabolism with shut down without Vitamin D and you will become wildly depressed and stress even with subpar levels. ALWAYS take Vitamin K2 with Vitamin D.
I use N-Acetyl-Cystine (NAC) which is an important player in detoxification pathways. It is one of the main components of the key detoxifyer in your body Glutathione. This is what I use: Jarrow N-Acetyl-Cystine
(If you get the flu, there is evidence that taking NAC reduces the incidence of the flu related pneumonia that kills people…)
**there is some controversy as to whether NAC can assist existing cancerous tumors by suppressing a part of the immune system or if it assists in fighting tumors – best to steer clear of you have a diagnosis **
I personally used to take NADH every day without fail – it aids in the conversion of energy from our mitochondria which gets worse as we age (surprise…). I have been happy with this: Now NADH with D-Ribose
In place of NADH, I now take NMN on the daily. Dr. David Sinclair (the author of Lifespan) recommends it as a key player for healthy longevity.
An additional supplement I have added into rotation lately is PQQ – which will actually grow new mitochondria and help with many issues such as prediabetes. This is the one I have tried: Doctor’s Best PQQ
Take a high quality fish oil! We take Nordic Naturals…brain health/promotes healthy bacterial growth in the Gut
I will not go without hydrolized collagen every day and personally believe no one with joint problems should. We simply don’t eat enough organ meat/connective tissue anymore. This is what we take in our smoothies. It is tasteless. I add some to my coffee also:
I think as a whole everyone’s safest bet is to eat a variety of fermented foods and fiber to feed your gut because at this point scientist are not sure what all the probiotic strains are or do and taking a probiotic now is like a big guessing game (some strains have both benefits and downsides). That being said I do feel there is not enough contact and ingestion of probiotic bacteria for most people I know. So I do personally do use these probiotics:
Activated Charcoal works great for indigestion/gassiness – Also, If you feel you have eaten something “off” try this also as it binds to many pathogens…
**NOT WITHIN TWO HOURS OF ANY MEDICATION. IF YOU ARE ON NECESSARY TIME RELEASED MEDICATION DO NOT TAKE **
I have found that for some reason activated charcoal helps with anxiety – I cannot explain why. If I am having trouble sleeping it helps me to take a capsule (500-1000 mg) at night. I found this out by accident and have not been able to connect how this works, I believe it either latches onto cortisol in some way or balances my microbiome in a way that helps reduce anxiety, though the effects are so immediate I think it has more to do with latching onto cortisol.
Resistant Starch is a good starting place, along with probiotics, for rebalancing your GI system. I have experimented with Bob’s Red Mill Potato Starch and green bannana flour. I have found both to be excellent at balancing. I added resistant starch primarily to feed the good microbes in my lower GI track that need and thrive with tons of fiber.
The latest research popping up everywhere keeps focusing in on fiber as the key to creating a healthy GI balance. I found the green banana flour not as palatable as potato starch but there are lectins in potato starch that I am fairly certain I am sensitive to and I felt in my finger joints. When I swithched to the banana flour the joint achiness stopped. You determine what works best for you 🙂
I am sure there is more I have forgotten – but that is the basics
Enjoy!
Naomi
PS. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. But that did not influence any items on the above list. Where things were not available through Amazon I linked elsewhere. Like all else – do you’re own research until you are satisfied!
Simply Regenerative 