Immune Enhancement Ideas/ research supporting

General Immune Support ideas are consistent across infection types because the primary role of the Th1 immune response is to fight unknowns. Once we’ve been exposed to a bug we then create “memory” and antibodies (Th2) and this will protect us when we are re-exposed to a bug, pathogen or antigen (think allergies). The initial response is supported by healthy smooth running body systems. These are our foundational health tools (Basic Treatment Guidelines) that you often hear me ask about and talk about, good sleep, healthy food, specific nutrient and botanical support as needed, stress management and identifying and treating any underlying health issues. (hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease)

So how can we support our innate immune response? By supporting our overall vitality, keeping active, oxygenated, and well nourished. Eat the rainbow of foods. Get the sunshine in your cells! Supplements that can help are some of our longstanding favorites, here are food sources as well as other reminders.

Top recommendations

Vit.C- Bell peppers, parsley, broccoli, kiwi, strawberries, cauliflower, sweet potato. I also recommend supplementing with Liposomal Vitamin C, regularly and at increased levels when we are exposed to or fighting a bug. Ascorbic acid will work fine, it does risk aggravating the bowels in higher doses, the liposomal is generally better tolerated.

Vit.D- mushrooms, sardines, salmon, egg yolks, cod liver oil. Can also be taken as a supplement, I prefer Vit.D with K2

Sunshine, time outside and fresh air!

Get hot! Sauna, hot baths, measured fevers. Alternating hot/cold is a great way to increase circulation and also the ability of the immune system to “survey” and tag infected cells and/or invaders.

Here are some research studies to support the vitamin recommendations above, I encourage you to also do your own search, it’s fun! https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/. Enter a topic in the search bar, here I searched Vit.C, Vit.D, and threw in a garlic reference (yum!)

  1. Herbal Medicines and Cytokine Storm in respiratory infection. Paul Bergner J Clin Virol. 2011 Mar;50(3):194-200. doi: 10.1016/j.jcv.2010.12.006. Epub 2011 Jan 15.

  2. Vitamin D and the anti-viral state. PMID: 21242105 J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. 2020 Mar 16:105663. doi: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2020.105663. [Epub ahead of print]

  3. Vitamin D and Intestinal Homeostasis: Barrier, Microbiota, and Immune Modulation.PMID: 32194242 Nutrients. 2017 Nov; 9(11): 1211.  Published online 2017 Nov 3. doi: 10.3390/nu9111211

  4. Vitamin C and Immune Function PMID: 29099763

https://www.painfreestrongradio.com/pain-free-strong-radio/episode-86-corona-virus-with-dr-heather-zwickey-the-facts-from-an-immunologist-and-infectious-disease-specialist/

Here is another useful talk about the current viral pandemic and nutrients to support overall health, lung health and immune health with Dr. Paul Anderson ND https://dearmedia.com/shows/the-gabby-reece-show/

Eat the rainbow of foods! Get outside and enjoy the fresh air and sunshine. Call your friends. Social distancing doesn’t mean isolating.

Eat the rainbow of foods! Get outside and enjoy the fresh air and sunshine. Call your friends. Social distancing doesn’t mean isolating.

Jennifer ClemonsComment