EvexiPEL Has It: The Patented Pellet
May 14, 2023
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During the winter, we regularly share tips on how to ward off nasty cold and flu viruses. Maintaining a healthy immune system is key! Since COVID-19 is the biggest viral threat to public health right now, we must stay vigilant and take steps to strengthen our immune systems during cold, flu AND COVID season. Nutritional supplements can play a role.
As I’ve said in previous blogs, if we bolster our immune systems, we don’t need to fear coronavirus COVID-19. We’ve also learned a lot about the virus this past year and how certain vitamins, minerals and antioxidants can help protect us from getting sick or gravely ill with the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) associated the most severe cases of COVID-19 and the flu.
In this blog I’ll share some insight on what we’ve learned along the way and how nutritional supplements can help support your journey to good health by bolstering the immune system.
In the early months of 2019, most people in the United States had barely heard of COVID-19, a novel coronavirus named SARS COV-2. The media was putting out its traditional coverage of influenza numbers but discussions of a COVID-19 test or COVID-19 vaccine were mostly unheard of until spring of that year. Worrying that we would test positive for the virus was far from our minds.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC and other public health organizations quickly identified symptoms of COVID-19 (updating that list as new information became available), and over time, discovered who was at highest risk for the disease. Older adults and adults of any age with certain underlying medical conditions are at higher risk for COVID-19. Studies continue to show us who is most at risk for severe complications of COVID-19. For example, research published in May 2020, revealed that a deficiency in the antioxidant glutathione was commonly found in patients with established comorbidities for COVID-19. A January 2021 study suggests that Type 2 diabetes has a disproportionate effect on the COVID-19 mortality rate of middle-aged people.
By now we all know that avoiding infected people, following social distancing measures and washing our hands can minimize the odds of contracting coronavirus disease during the COVID-19 pandemic. IMPORTANT: Always be sure to wash your hands at night before bedtime. That’s when we’re most likely to infect ourselves with germs transmitted from the hands to the eyes, nose and mouth.
It’s also generally accepted that a healthy immune system is the best line of defense when the body needs to fight infection and disease. Since COVID-19 is at its most deadly when it attacks and replicates in the lungs, we also know that it’s important to take proactive measures to support respiratory health.
Healthy living—avoiding processed foods, staying active, minding mental and spiritual health, avoiding tobacco, alcohol and drugs—is a great place to start. This includes a balanced diet of fresh fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, as well as healthy fats. Those clean, unprocessed foods provide many of the nutrients we need to boost immune response. Being proactive about managing stress is also essential to a healthy lifestyle, as stress wreaks havoc on the immune system.
As we age and suffer from certain disease states, our bodies produce lower levels of the nutrients we need for optimum health. For many people, a healthy diet and lifestyle isn’t enough to sustain proper levels of disease-fighting antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. When that occurs, the immune system suffers, leaving us more susceptible to viruses like colds, the flu and coronavirus disease. Nutritional supplements can help fill the gap. Through research, we’ve also learned how certain nutrients help minimize symptoms of COVID-19, especially the potentially deadly acute respiratory disease syndrome (ARDS).
If the idea of boosting your immune system is a top priority for you, beefing up your intake of antioxidants is key. Antioxidants help combat free radicals and reactive oxygen species that compromise the immune system. They also help minimize the production of inflammasomes in the lungs, helping to protect against serious respiratory infections (like ARDS) that can accompany the flu and COVID-19.
Good old vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is a powerful antioxidant known for its antiviral properties, vitamin C helps support the production of T lymphocytes—or T cells—white blood cells that support the immune response to foreign invaders in our bodies. How much vitamin C do you need? 1000-2000 mg/day when healthy, 2000-4000 mg/day when ill and during cold, flu and COVID season.
You may think of melatonin as a “sleep aid” but this hormone is considered to be the mother of all antioxidants. Melatonin plays many roles in the body, acting as an anti-inflammatory and immune regulating nutrient. Specific to COVID-19, research suggests that melatonin can have a positive impact on the coronavirus NLRP-3 inflammasome (a protein that triggers the negative side of the immune system). How much melatonin do you need? 1 to 5 mg/day before bed. Your practitioner may recommend higher doses if you are ill.
Earlier in this post I mentioned the likely connection between glutathione deficiency and COVID-19 but what does the antioxidant glutathione do? Glutathione helps flush toxins from the body and promotes cell health. It also helps our bodies utilize vitamin D to support healthy lungs. How much glutathione do you need? Ask your practitioner. We recommend intravenous administration of glutathione for optimum results.
During the winter months we become susceptible to vitamin D deficiency, as we don’t get exposed to as much of the sunshine vitamin during the short, cold days of winter. Evidence suggests that a deficiency in vitamin D may increase the odds of having a more severe bout of COVID-19 and the respiratory distress that comes with the worst cases of the virus. How much vitamin D3 do you need? A minimum of 10,000 iu/day for adults and 2000-5000 iu/day for children.
A mighty trace mineral, zinc has long been touted for its antiviral qualities and immune function support, as numerous studies show. How much zinc should you take? 24 mg/day minimum. Ask your practitioner what dose would best meet your needs.
Nutritional supplements can be administered orally and intravenously. Before taking any supplements, it’s important to speak with a healthcare practitioner to find out what options would work best for you.
We often recommend IV nutrition supplementation for our patients, as the IV delivers the nutrients directly into the bloodstream, without having to pass through the gut. This approach is especially helpful for patients with poor gut health and inflammation because it allows a higher concentration of nutrients to enter the blood stream directly and much faster than oral supplements.
A healthcare practitioner can perform lab tests to determine whether you have any nutritional deficiencies and prescribe the appropriate dosage. She can also analyze your total body health and review any medications or supplements you currently take to avoid potential adverse interactions.
If you live in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex and have questions about how to boost your immune system, contact us.
The friendly and knowledgeable health practitioners at EVEXIAS are here to help!
