Today is March 12, 2020. Currently, we are at what is hopefully the peak of the Coronavirus hysteria. So this post today is about how to give your immune system a good boost.
Boost your Natural Killer cells
Natural killer cells are a kind of white blood cell that enters into your circulation and fights off pathogens, microbes, tumors, and help with tissue damage. You may think that increasing the number of natural killer cells is a way of enhancing their pathogen-killing capabilities, but this is not the case. The key to having a properly functioning immune that will result in having effective natural killer cells is from leading a healthy lifestyle (Surprise).
What supplements can you take to enhance these white blood cells? Here are some:
-Zinc (Link for Zinc Acetate no longer available)
This supplement is great for just about everything. In fact, most men have deficiencies in zinc and should supplement anyway to get proper amounts.
It is super effective for fighting off viral infections as well. Scientists have identified over 300 different enzymes that are directly affected by the presence of zinc. In addition, they have found over 1000 different transcription factors that are also dependent upon zinc for proper functionality.
For the most potent anti-viral effects use zinc lozenges that are in the form of zinc acetate. Studies have shown that they can shorten colds by 7 days! Lozenges dissociate into ionic zinc in the nasal cavity and help fight off the deleterious symptoms that come with viral infections.
–Spirulina
This supplement is good for just about everything, including fighting off viral infections. Research has shown, that spirulina helps increase your natural killer cell’s ability to fight pathogens.
–Blueberry
Blueberries are good for everything. They are an antioxidant powerhouse and contain a high level of polyphenols. Here is a study that backs it up
–Curcumin
Found in the spice turmeric, curcumin has shown increased natural killer cytotoxicity and stimulates t-cell proliferation. Therefore, it helps against viral infections.
–Echinacea
Echinacea is well known for its antiviral effects. For some time though, the mechanism for how it modulates viral activity was unknown until this research article was produced demonstrating that echinacea improves natural killer cell toxicity. I think echinacea maybe one of the best supplements to fight off a cold or virus.
–Garlic
This is one of my favorites for when I’m feeling a cold coming on. When feeling sick I’ll chop up a bunch of cloves and throw them into some boiling water for five minutes and add turmeric for its curcumin, and some ginger for taste. Here is the study that shows its boosting effect on the immune system.
Exercise/Movement
One of the components of your immune system is your lymphatic system. The lymphatic system contains lymph which contains infection-fighting white blood cells that fight off the pathogens that enter your body. Unlike the circulatory system that pumps blood through your veins via the heart, the lymphatic system has no pump and therefore relies on the movement of your own body to help it get to different tissues. This is why any form of movement or exercise is paramount for giving your immune system a boost. Simple things like foam rolling in the morning or jumping rope for 5 minutes a day help get the lymph moving through the lymphatic system.
Sauna
Sweating is a great way to eliminate toxins in the body. Therefore, using a sauna is a great way to help cleanse the body of built-up toxins.
Thieve’s Oil
Thieves Oil is a blend of aromatic herbs and essential oils that have been proven by research to help fight off viruses. According to the Journal of Biological Chemistry, the aromatics in the oils has a direct toxic effect on many bacterial cell membranes. In fact, other studies have shown that if thieve’s oil is diffused into aerosol form, it can inhibit the amount of aerosol-born pathogens indoors.
Eucalyptus Oil
Eucalyptus Oil is proven to help with respiratory problems. In fact, just like theive’s oil, when diffused it also has the ability to fight off airborne pathogens. Here is a study that backs it up.
Bone Broth
There are many benefits to bone broth. One of them is its ability to heal the gut. Your gut is responsible for the majority of your body’s immune system. More specifically, the intestines are lined with immune cells called mast cells. Mast cells coordinate the immune system’s and nervous system’s responses to toxins and infectious agents Therefore, boosting the health of your gut will boost the health of your immune system.
Cold/Viral Mother of All recipes:
Here is a recipe that combines some of the supplements and ingredients into an immune-boosting, virus-fighting cocktail.
- -5 cloves of garlic chopped
- -1/2-1 teaspoon of turmeric
- -1/2-1 teaspoon of ginger
- -2 cups of bone broth
Boil up some bone broth and add the rest of the ingredients to it while boiling and let it all cook for 5-10 minutes. Then slurp it up like a soup. You will feel better immediately!