Happy February, Frank!
February is Love Month. But right now, the coronavirus is taking the media spotlight.
Some symptoms of coronavirus infection overlap with being in love, like shortness of breath and a racing heartbeat. Fever and cough, however, are more likely to be due to the virus than your loved one.
The coronavirus is basically a cold virus with an attitude. And we know that medical science doesn’t yet have a cure for the common cold. Without treatment, it takes seven days to blow over, with treatment, it takes a week.
The South African government (yes, the same bunch who couldn’t save you from polony) says it is ready when the virus hits our shores. You will receive a free stay at Tembisa Hospital (voted “Worst hospital in Gauteng” year after year, and among the worst in the world, according to the World Health Organisation). Our government practically guarantees you won’t die of the coronavirus…
So what can you do to protect yourself (from the virus, I mean, not against love)?
As with love, there’s barrier methods, such as face masks and rubber gloves, which will make you look like Michael Jackson. Not very sexy. And rather stuffy in the South African summer heat.
Vaccines? The current flu vaccine is so way off target, it’s of no use at all against the coronavirus. You’d be better off wearing a clove of garlic around your neck (added bonus: will ward off vampires and unwanted love attention). Anybody who recommends you have the flu shot should not be trusted around electrical appliances or sharp objects.
Leonard Cohen sang, “There ain’t no cure for love.” The same is true for the coronavirus, I’m afraid.
Some more useful tips: How about boosting your immunity a bit?
The following are proven to increase resistance against viral infections of the coronavirus kind:
Moderate exercise
Go for a half-hour brisk walk three or four times a week, or climb a few flights of stairs every day. Stuff like that. Don’t run half marathons, that’s punishment, not exercise. Maybe you need to wear a mask to keep out the air pollution, but your immunity will improve.
Bonus: Free of charge.
Ketogenic diet / Fasting
Evidence is emerging that people on a ketogenic diet or practising regular fasting are more resistant to viral infections, among other benefits. Viruses and bacteria can’t burn ketones for energy. No food = no energy = no worries.
Vitamin A
The collection of molecules known as carotenoids represent some of the most potent antivirals in nature. Vitamin A represents a small slice of this collection. Don’t get your Vitamin A from a multivitamin, that is synthetically produced. These can cause problems, especially in overdose. Rather focus on yellow, orange and red fruits and vegetables, which contain these molecules, as well as other immune-boosting relatives. Yes, ‘carotenoids’ and ‘carrots’ share the same root (no pun intended). Carrots are a brilliant source. But don’t forget squash (the vegetable, not the sport), oranges, grapefruit, apricots and yellow sweet potato. The carotenoids are better absorbed from mashed, cooked food, making carrot juice or pumpkin soup extremely effective ways of dosing carotenoids.
Zinc
Zinc is essential in fighting viral infections. Studies reveal that the majority of Americans are zinc deficient. There’s every reason to believe the same is true for South Africa. At Integrow Health, you can buyZinplex Triple strength, which delivers 25 mg elementary zinc with every tablet (about 250% the ridiculous daily recommendation). Take one tablet a day to boost zinc levels safely.
Vitamin C
Ascorbic acid / Vitamin C is always top of people’s minds when they think of cold prevention. The late, great Linus Pauling recommended 2,000 mg a day, although he also said that taking at least 250 mg a day is the least you can do to protect yourself. Recent flu studies have shown that a daily dose of 8,000 mg daily, taken in divided doses by mouth during active infection (with the flu virus, not the coronavirus) stops flu within 24 – 48 hours for most patients. It should also have similar effects on the coronavirus, though, since Vitamin C disrupts the same energy pathway inside infected cells.
Vitamin D
For decades, Vitamin D was relegated to a vitamin for bone density. Newer evidence suggests that it also plays a major role regulating the immune system, including immune responses to viral infection. I see vitamin D as the conductor of the immune orchestra. Indispensable. We all need more of the sunshine vitamin. But wearing clothing and sunblock impairs the skin’s ability to produce Vitamin D3, the active hormone. If Sandy Bay isn’t your scene, consider taking our Mega D3at a dose of one tablet per week.
Sutherlandia (cancer bush)
Cancer bush has been used in South Africa against fevers, coughs and colds for centuries. During the 1918 Great Flu pandemic, it was reported to be a reasonably effective treatment. This is a century later, and this is a different virus, but cancer bush works by boosting T-lymphocytes and Naturak Killer (NK) cells. These are generally useful in mopping up stray viruses. Cancer bush takes a week or so to kick in, so it is best taken continuously for three to six months.
And there you have a basic anti-virus toolkit. It may not be 100% secure, but it beats Tembisa hospital pants down.
Bonus tip: Use a bra as face mask. That way, you and your Most Significant Other can stay both close and healthy in these trying times.
Oh, yes, while we’re talking about LOVE. Watch this space. For Love Month, we plan some special healthy surprises. As soon as we’ve ironed out the details, we will email you.
And in Other News
Something more mundane: We are changing our packaging. Apologies if you get the same product packaged in different colour containers. We were forced into this by supply shortages. Some bottles are white, some are black. It’s part of the fun of living in the Rainbow Nation.
Love and Kisses
The Team at Integrow Health
