With the increasing paranoia around contact with other people due to the coronavirus, and the effect this feeling has on our emotional and psychological well-being, I have a suggestion which can help in two ways.  

Namaskar is the traditional Indian greeting and gesture of respect made by bringing your palms together before the chest or face and bowing. This gesture avoids bodily contact while showing love and respect for all human beings we come in contact with during this concerning time. A loving gesture is what we all need right now.

This simple greeting creates the positive energy and atmosphere we need to help us through the uncertainty we all share during this unprecedented international response to the coronavirus.
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I encourage readers to share other gestures and greetings that will help people across the world at this time.

In the news we are hearing of the latest import from China and it is not a wide screen television, it is the coronavirus. This potentially serious virus has no vaccine and is treated by rest, isolation, some anti-viral drugs and the strength of your immune system. Sadly modern medicine does not recognize natural interventions which are both low cost and effective.
 
In my Full Spectrum Macrobiotic Approach the best path to prevention is keeping your immune system strong through a well-balanced diet, a healthy lifestyle, internal exercises to strengthen immunity (Qi Gong) and the judicious use of both supplements and herbs.
 
Here are the most important elements in a Full Spectrum Macrobiotic Approach diet:

• Center your diet on whole grains and cooked vegetables.
• Eat a variety of properly cooked grains and vegetables
• Include natural animal foods (vegan substitutes below), seasonal fruit, natural seasonings, beverages, etc.
• Healthy fats (butter, coconut oil and olive oil) are needed to promote white blood immune cell production and to absorb fat soluble vitamins which are essential for immune strength.
• Eat soluble vitamins from your foods (D, E, A and K). K2 is in sauerkraut, natto (a Japanese fermented product), organ meats and grass fed dairy products. A is in sardines, free range eggs; grass fed dairy including butter and organ meats. A is in vegetables but less bio available. D is in few foods such as cod liver oil, duck eggs and sardines.
• Supplements are needed for vegetarians and vegans to avoid nutritional deficiencies.
• Eat adequate protein. Vegetable foods have low amounts of proteins. Moderate but daily amounts of animal proteins are needed to get adequate protein to create immune cells.
• Vegetarians can get supplementary proteins from dairy products and eggs.
• Vegans need some pea or rice protein powders, along with other supplements to supply missing nutrients.
• Eat zinc rich foods such as grass fed red meat or take a supplement.
• Fermented foods aid digestion of nutrients including miso, yogurt and pickles.
• Limit alcohol.
• Try to avoid refined sugars and be moderate with natural sweeteners in the winter.
• Limit raw fruit and vegetables as they slow the metabolism and slow immunity when eaten in excess.
• Astragalus and reishi mushroom supplements boost immunity
• Jade Protector or Ten Treasure Tea Pills help in the winter if you tend to have weaker immunity.

• Supplements and herbs that boost the immune system include:

 

1. Zinc: 50-100 mg.
2. Vitamin C: 3-6000 mg. per day
3. Vitamin A, D and K if not eaten in foods or D levels are low. All are essential to boost immunity. Higher levels of D are associated with stronger immunity, D and K2 are important to take together to balance each other.
4. Vitamin E is needed for some to boost immunity.
5. B complex supplements are needed if under a lot of stress.
6. B12 as a sublingual supplement for those over 70 or vegan
7. CO-Q 10: for people over 60 or with weakened immunity: 100-300 milligrams per day.

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• Lifestyle suggestions are:

1. Get more rest and sleep in the winter.
2. Learn how to protect yourself from electromagnetic pollution.
3. Eat regularly.
4. Learn Qigong/Nei gong to strengthen your immunity.
5. Exercise moderately in the winter. Don't exhaust yourself with exercise or activities.

Using noninvasive IDx Diagnosis®, the ways listed below are just a few examples of how I can see signs of weakened immunity that need to be addressed:

1. Swelling, darkness and red or purple colors under the eyes
2. Pale, chalky facial color
3. Sunken or swollen cheeks
4. Swollen lips or swollen bright red lips

 
I evaluate the strength of a person's immunity and recommend specific foods, food remedies, supplements and herbs to address any imbalances I see.
 
The modern medical approach to immunity centers on the immune system. In a holistic approach, the health of every system in the body is related to strong immunity. I give recommendations to strengthen any system that is weaker and could contribute to weakened immunity. The modern diet and lifestyle including even some natural diets and lifestyles can weaken immunity.
 
Through education we can learn how to take steps to build a healthy immune response to viruses including the recent corona virus.

Traditional macrobiotic teachings throughout the world emphasized the balance of three powers we all have for longevity. These are attributes of the body and mind that influence life and health. In health, they are in balance. In sickness, they become out of balance. Some traditional examples are in Ayurveda medicine, the three gunas of tamas, rajas and sattva. In Chinese medicine and philosophy according to Taoist tradition, they are Essence (Jing), Energy (Qi), and Spirit (Shen), known as the three treasures. In modern Full Spectrum Macrobiotic Approach teachings they are Constitution, Condition and Lifestyle.
 
The integration of these three energies constitutes our very existence and they are considered to be treasures that should be protected, nourished and balanced. When they are sufficiently preserved and cultivated then health and longevity of the body, mind, and spirit are achieved. Keeping them abundant should be the goal of every person. To neglect them is to neglect life itself.

The three treasures are compared to a candle. The substance of the body or essence can be compared to the wax and wick of the candle. The heat is like the energy of the body and the light of the candle, the spirit or consciousness.  With poor dietary and lifestyle practices the candle of the three treasures can be burned at both ends.

Essence (Jing), “the giver of life,” is the first treasure. It is the concentrated, refined, and regenerative energy that we receive at our conception that is meant to last us our entire lives. It is the foundation of our existence. It is the root energy of the body that is responsible for procreation, physical energy, sexual energy, creativity, longevity, and youthfulness. It is easily dissipated through excessive eating, drinking, sexual activity, work, stress, lack of sleep and addictive behaviors. Becoming tired is natural, but becoming exhausted is dangerous. To preserve Essence (Jing), the Taoists avoided extremes and sought to maintain balance in their lives and activities.

Energy (Qi), “the breath of life,” is the second treasure. While Essence (Jing) is our deep reserve, Energy (Qi) is our day to day vitality. It is the energy we derive from the air we breathe and foods we eat. It is also our actual breathing. The deeper and more regulated our breathing, the healthier we become as blood and energy are more efficiently and deeply circulated to every cell of the body leaving them more nourished and vitalized.

Spirit (Shen), “the light of life,” is the third treasure. It is our mental, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing as well as our connection to our higher self and the Divine. Spirit (Shen) is housed in the Heart and provides us with feelings of peace, calm, and serenity. It gives us proper perspective on our life and our place in the universe. When the Spirit (Shen) is strong, attachment to the mundane dissipates and we become more childlike, awakened, and at ease in the world around us. We become compassionate for and caring of others.

An understanding of the balancing effects of diet and lifestyle preserves the three treasures. Both Qigong and tonic herbs harmonize and develop the 3 treasures.