As the coronavirus crisis continues to evolve, as our hospitals continue to fill,  and as a new school year begins many people are questioning what other plans or actions should they be taking. Currently with the DELTA variant exploding around us, it continues to be so important to be proactive and take care of ourselves. COVID is not going away, but we do have the advantage of more knowledge  and resources than we did last year. I wanted to share some of my recommendations.

 

Up your game & Continue to take care of yourself 

Unfortunately, there is no individual thing that will end this pandemic or guarantee your full protection- but there are many things we can do collectively to provide some layers of protection from this virus. Navigating through the ever changing information can be exhausting, but adding up all the tools and wisdom we have gathered has a synergy that we can all benefit from.

Taking care of yourself and continuing to LIVEIT remains more important than ever. Nourish your body with nutritious food, get plenty of rest and sleep, take care of your mind with meditation and mindfulness, and stay connected with supportive friends and family.

If you can, I recommend getting vaccinated if you haven’t already. (If you still have reservations and want to discuss, please do not hesitate to book an appointment to discuss. I respect that we all have unique circumstances and need a safe professional place to explore the pros and cons) You can read more about my thoughts on vaccines here.  For higher risk individuals, I do also recommend vaccine boosters and expect those recommendations to continue to evolve. While vaccination does not necessarily protect you from infection, it does give your immune system an extra advantage and in most cases prevents serious complications and hospitalization from COVID.

Supplementation can also be a form of ‘Internal PPE’. While we have no definitive evidence of how supplementation can combat COVID19, we can extrapolate from the depths of research and information we already have and apply it to the current situation. Here are a few I have found useful.

  • Vitamin C 500-1000 mg twice per day
  • Quercetin 500 mg twice per day
  • Zinc picolinate 40 mg per day*
  • Melatonin 6 mg at bedtime
  • Vitamin D3 having a therapeutic level (often 2-5000 iu  per day)
  • NAC 600 mg twice daily
  • Vitamin A 10,000IUs a few times per week*

*Some supplements (such as Vitamin A and zinc should not be taken continuously for long periods of time for most people.) Always consult with your doctor before adding new supplements into your regimen. 

 

 If you become infected with COVID, have a positive test result, or have symptoms- contact your physician.

If you become infected &/or have symptoms, there are steps in addition to vaccination and supplementation that can help reduce symptoms and promote recovery. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. These can include: fever or chills, brain fog, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting and/or diarrhea.

If you have symptoms or if you have been exposed, you need to isolate yourself from others even if your symptoms are not severe.

Some other recommendations I have found useful:

  • It is a good idea to have a Pulse oximeter on hand to monitor your oxygen level (you can purchase these at most pharmacies or online)
  • Stay hydrated as much as possible
  • lower fever with cool packs, Tylenol, or Ibuprofen (if not allergic or contraindications)
  • keep in close contact with your physician and form a plan
  • SPM Active (Specialized Pro Resolving Mediators): 3 twice per day for a few days then 2 twice per day for a few days then 2 per day
  • Aspirin 81-325 mg per day
  • curcumin, resveratrol, EGCG, astragalus
  • Chicken soup or bone broth can help clear nasal passages, reduce inflammation, and more
  • Avoid sugary foods as they fuel inflammation
  • Warm Epsom salt baths can help replenish magnesium
  • If you have asthma or shortness of breath, check with your doctor to find out  if you are a candidate for nasally nebulized glutathione.
  • If you are at high risk and have been exposed or have a positive test result, contact your physician for a referral for monoclonal antibody (laboratory-made proteins that mimic the immune system’s ability to fight off harmful pathogens such as viruses) infusion treatment as soon as possible, even if you do not have severe symptoms. 
  • Talk to your doctor to see if Ivermectin may be right for you

There is debate by some regarding an off label use of a medication called Ivermectin. The jury is still out regarding the research on this medication but I see low risk with this medication and potential great benefit for many. In some cases, it may also make sense to use Ivermectin preventatively, post-exposure before symptoms begin depending on circumstances.  If this is something you are interested in adding, please make an appointment to discuss if this is a good fit for you.

It has been said that with this virus in wide circulation, it is not so much a question of if you will be exposed-but a question of when. Having a plan and being proactive can help protect you and your family and hopefully decrease the burden on our hospitals, and hopefully get us closer to the end of the pandemic! As always, let’s continue to stay safe, stay healthy & continue to LIVEIT!

*this information is as of August 16, 2021 and is subject to change as we learn more