Here are some important things you can do to limit your likelihood of contracting COVID-19 and for ensuring your immune system is as strong as possible with basic hygiene and an overly-conservative approach to social distancing being the most important!
Basic hygiene is massively important, always. Wash your hands. Wipe down surfaces. Don’t touch your face. These things can’t be overstated.
Social distancing works. If you are virus-free and want to assuredly remain that way, stop interacting with people. That’s not necessarily realistic, but to the greatest degree that you can implement strategies that drastically minimize contact with others, you should do it.
Focus on health basics…eat well, exercise, get plenty of sleep. These ensure your body is at its best, for whatever health challenge you may face.
Supplements will not keep you from getting sick, nor will they cure this or any other virus. However, they may play a role in maximizing your immune resilience. In that light, here’s what I recommend:
Hydration - ok, it’s not a supplement. But please stay well-hydrated! Your mucous membranes are your first line of defense. If they dry out and crack, you are at a disadvantage.
Multivitamin - Each one of you has gone through the process of blood analysis and supplement recommendation with me. If I have suggested you take a multivitamin, please remember to do so. Some of you do not need a multivitamin, based on your blood results and/or dietary analysis. However, you might consider adding one for the time being. If you want to discuss this, let me know.
Vitamin D - Some studies have suggested that adequate Vitamin D levels can make individuals less susceptible to viral illness. If your blood tests show that you need to be on Vitamin D, then you are already aware of what you should be taking. If your levels are good, there is no role for additional Vitamin D.
Vitamin C - It is reasonable to increase your intake slightly. If there is Vitamin C in another product you take daily (like a multivitamin), you do not need to add more. For those who take no Vitamin C currently, 250mg to 500mg daily is reasonable, but please take this at least 4-5 hours before or after your workout. If you get sick with a cold or flu, or if someone close to you is sick, it is reasonable to take 1g - 2g per day.
Zinc - You are probably familiar with zinc as a preventive or treatment tool for the cold and flu. This seems to be a topical effect. In other words, the zinc needs to land on the mucous membranes in your nose or throat. Zinc capsules are not as useful. For this, you can use something like Zicam or Vick’s First Defense. Vick’s is available in the UK. If you don’t live in the UK, Amazon will deliver it to you in the US or Europe.
Elderberry - maybe. Stay tuned for an update next week. In the meantime, I see no downside to trying about 1g of Elderberry daily, in a syrup form…if you can find it.