Episode 01: Boosting the Immune System
Due to recent concerns over the Corona Virus, I wanted to take this opportunity to provide some insight as to how you can best boost your immune system to help prevent contracting the Corona Virus.
The type of virus (Corona, a variant of SARS virus) is prooxidant , so antioxidants will be very important to prevent exposure to it.
In this day and age you have to stay boosting but increase if potentially exposed (if anyone coughs or sneezes nearby you )
The Anti-Oxidants that I recommend here are "over the counter” thus do not require a doctor’s office visit:
Vitamin C
Vitamin A
Vitamin D3 with Vitamin K
Quercetin
Resveratrol
(Disclaimer) Most “over the counter” supplements are safe for the majority of people. If there is any need for caution, I will attempt to cover those situations which are specific for each supplement. However, there may be unique circumstances in which a person will know their need to adhere to other guidelines rather than my recommendations.
Warning: If you are pregnant or nursing, consult your healthcare practitioner before taking any product.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This discussion is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Vitamin C
intake levels should be taken to bowel tolerance in AM and PM. (Which means stop increasing dosage once stool is soft, then continuing on with that dosage.) If exposed to sneeze or cough from others, then increase Vitamin C intake to 6 grams to 8 grams for at least 3 days, and can decrease to (still boosting) intake levels of 4 to 5 grams gradually over the course of 4 to 5 days.
Vitamin A
High dose Vitamin A can be helpful to boost your immune system. Adults can take 15,000-20,000 IU , and kids can take 5,000-10,000 IU when exposed to a cough or sneeze, for 3 days. If no further exposure, then you can immediately drop to regular intakes levels after 3 days.
Caveat : High dose Vitamin A may cause a headache, which may be difficult to distinguish from headache induced by Corona Virus.
Vitamin D3 with Vitamin K
High dose Vitamin D3 with Vitamin K will be needed if exposed to a sneeze or cough from others. This comes in 25,000 IU per capsule , so 3 capsules in the AM . If you have not been re-exposed, then after 3 days you can return to normal intake. Those with excess Vitamin K (genetically) and excess platelets should not take this Vita D3 with K.
Quercetin
2 capsules (approximately 120 mg per capsule) twice per day, unless exposed to sneezes and coughs from others, in which case you should increase frequency to 2 capsules , three times a day.
Resveratrol
Resveratrol, 100mg for kids, and 250mg for adults, a minimum twice a day, should be taken if a dry, hacky, constant cough starts , with or without a fever. Resveratrol is a natural COX2 inhibitor without side effects of the prescribe COX2 inhibitors. It will “kick” the virus out of the lungs.
I hope you find this information helpful. If you have any questions regarding the information contained above, then please feel free to call.
Very Best,
Helen Watt M.D., MPH