Nearly 90 cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in the U.S., and two people have died. New York City reported its first case on Sunday. But there’s no need to panic as Dr.Leana Wen stated that the general public should be “much more worried about the flu and other viruses.”
Symptoms of coronavirus:
According to the World Health Organization, common signs of infection include fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. In severe cases, it can lead to pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death.
Top five ways to boost your immune system:
- Show your gut some love. 70% of your immune system is located in your gut. Eating probiotic-rich foods such as yogurt, kefir, kimchi, fermented veggies or taking a supplement has been shown to boost the immune system and fight off infection. Find my post here with the top brands for supplements and food sources.
- Make sure your vitamin D is in check. A new global collaborative study has confirmed that Vitamin D supplementation can help prevent against acute respiratory infections.
- Take zinc. A 2015 analysis of clinical trials found that when taken orally, zinc may help to treat a cold and reduce the length if taken within 24 hours after symptoms start. Zinc can also be found in oysters, beef, turkey, pine nuts, cashews, and chickpeas
- Hydrate. Dehydration has been found to decrease salivary rate and decrease concentration of salivary immunoglobulin A, which is one of the first lines of defense of the immune function on foreign bacteria. Aim for half your body weight in ounces, or check your urine to make sure it doesn’t look darker than a light colored lemonade.
- L-Lysine. L-lysine plays a particularly important role in the immune system. It is involved in the development of antibodies and has antiviral properties.
The Basics
- Wash your hands. Sing “Happy Birthday to You” and really scrub under those nail beds.
- If you’re sick, stay home
- If your kids are sick, keep them home
- Get at least 7 hours of sleep
- Manage your stress
Debunking the myth of vitamin C
Vitamin C does not prevent colds and only slightly reduces their length and severity. A 2013 review of scientific literature found that taking vitamin C was linked to small improvements in cold symptoms and did not reduce the likelihood.
Wishing you a happy and healthy week!
In great health,
Erin