Boosting Immunity

FOLLOWING THE SUCCESS of APAN’s CORONAVIRUS COVID-19 CLINICAL SAFETY POLICY KIT I have promised you some additional document on boosting immunity.  By the way, if you have not accessed your Coronavirus Clinical Safety Kit please make sure you get it, as even when we return to our businesses, these protocols will still apply.  It is estimated that these precautions will need to be in place for at least 12 – 24 months, or even more.

With regards to the Immunity Boosting document, at this stage, it is still in the process of being finalised. This document will help you identify simple strategies to optimise the body’s defence system so it can resist and guard our body against this virus being transmitted to us.

I do feel guilty that I have not finished this, so I am going to give you just a few quick tips that are supported by studies, which you can immediately implement.   Here are three areas that are important in helping us boost the immune system.  These are:

1. LIFESTYLE
   Lowering stress levels through lifestyle choices such as deep breathing, mindfulness, brief walks in the fresh air and the use of essential oils such as lavender, camomile, orange, bergamot, jasmine, rose and ylang-ylang are simple ways that we can help bring stress levels under control.  Implement these on a daily basis, not just once a week. Please make sure you watch Dr Lipton’s video – it is truly powerful. Don’t underestimate simple strategies, as when collectively and consistently implemented they can help support the body towards better health.
   
   Improving quality sleep is another way that is critical in bringing down cortisol levels and helping support recovery and rejuvenation.  Plan to be in bed at a certain time, please leave your phone and electronic devices outside of the bedroom, ensure the room temperature is cool and make sure as much as possible that your bedroom is dark while you sleep – no night lights or open curtains.  
   
   Take deep, slow breaths before you sleep and use some essential oils to help you unwind and relax.  A good quality essential oil can lower stress levels and improve mood.  When you inhale an essential oil the tiny molecules dissolve in the mucus lining of the olfactory epithelium that is located on the roof of the nasal cavity. From there, mitral cells carry the output signals from the bulb to the olfactory cortex and carry signals to the limbic system, the primal brain responsible for emotions and mood.
2. DIET
   When it comes to boosting your immune system quality food is never more important. This is not the time to eat junk food.  Please avoid sugar and a high carbohydrate diet, as well as any processed food.  Eat fresh fruit and vegetables as much as possible and good quality fats such as avocado, coconut oil, natural, unsweetened yoghurt, or kefir which is rich in probiotics to enhance friendly bacteria.  
   
   According to several nutritional experts, “white” foods have excellent antiviral properties.  Food such as chicken bone broth with onion, garlic and ginger is a wonderful hot drink.
   
   Vegetables such as asparagus and cauliflower and pears with perhaps almond milk can make a great smoothie.
   
   Citrus fruit is also highly recommended, lemons, oranges, grapefruit and mandarins are good choices.
   
   Keep hydrated and drink lots of filtered water – hot drinks with lemon and ginger are also beneficial.  Eat quality food, eat slowly and enjoy nutritious food that can boost your energy levels and support your immunity.  This is a great time to optimise your health, while also giving your immune system every fighting chance to support your resistance to the virus.
3. SUPPLEMENTS
   While in the past vitamin C was not scientifically-substantiated as protecting the body against infections, new research is providing evidence that it can play an active role in supporting immunity – more information on this in our forthcoming- document.  At this point, the science supports the use of vitamin C as a useful immune-boosting option.
   
   Zinc is highly beneficial as is Vitamin D3 combined with K2.  
   
   Other valuable nutrients are Magnesium, Echinacea, Astragalus, Oregano and Garlic, just to name a few.  All these are well-supported by scientific studies and of course, anyone with any health conditions must be directed by their healthcare professional.

While these are just a few simple strategies they can provide you with valuable guidance.  It is the incremental application of simple strategies that collectively can help support and boost our health.