In addition to the strategies that the government has put in place (travel restrictions, self isolation, standing 6 feet apart, wearing a mask, washing your hands), there are also some holistic health approaches you can take that may be beneficial during this time.
Get enough sleep. People who did not sleep for more than 5 hours for 7 consecutive days had a 350% higher chance of getting a virus. Sleep is the foundation of the immune system. Supplements that can help improve sleep include melatonin, magnesium, and herbal teas with catnip, valerian, chamomile and passionflower. Click here to read a past blog post about the importance of sleep.
Flavanoids. Found in a variety of fruits and vegetables, these plant metabolites have a strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect. You can take turmeric (with black pepper to increase absorption) to boost flavanoid levels. Green tea and Vitamin C are also great sources. Vitamin C is water soluble therefore you can supplement high doses and will pee out what you don’t need. You can also get Vitamin C through food sources such as broccoli, red peppers, tomatoes, oranges, sweet potato, leafy greens etc.
Vitamin D. With all the sunshine we are currently experiencing and more free time to spend outside, we are currently receiving more vitamin D than usual through the sun’s rays. Vitamin D3 supplementation is a great preventative measure and will also be necessary in the winter months. Foods that provide Vitamin D include salmon, tuna, mackerel, cheese, egg yolk and mushrooms. Most of these foods are also high in omega-3 which decrease inflammation.
Zinc. Zinc is essential in immune system function and plays an important role in inflammatory response. Zinc deficiency is extremely common and therefore supplementing would be beneficial. When supplementing, always take with food to avoid stomach upset. Foods high in zinc include nuts, chickpeas, lentils, oysters, chicken and red meat.
And again, we can’t stress enough to WASH YOUR HANDS. We are excited that things are slowly opening but are still (not so patiently) waiting for the gyms to re-open so we can get back to helping you reach your goals!
Stay safe everyone.
