​The latest import from China

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.

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