Sensitive Subject: Would anyone be open to sharing practices, supplements, etc. that we are using to support our immune systems, in light of COVID19?

[MissCygne]

I understand that there is as yet, no confirmed treatment as yet for COVID19.
I am deeply grateful to, and respect, the hardworking researchers, doctors, nurses, technician, and everyone involved in researching treatments and a vaccine for COVID19.
With respect, I know of many including myself, who are doing our best to support our immune systems and find ways to support our bodies, minds, and emotions, should we contract COVID19.
I am immunocompromised.
I understand that at this point, that there is very little peer reviewed research due to the novelty and rapid emergence of the virus. So I would be especially interested in anything that has biological plausibility.
Thank you in advance.

 

[kenny]

Google two things:
Eat a healthy diet
Exercise

What's new is:
Keep hands away from face
Avoid crowds
Wash hands

Ignore scammers trying to sell you "Herbal Formula XYZ, guaranteed to protect you from CV".

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

ive been actually picking the lemons off our tree to make lemon water rather than just let them fall
My other half is not a fruit eatter so i gotta get vitamin c into him another way

 

[MissCygne]

ive been actually picking the lemons off our tree to make lemon water rather than just let them fall
My other half is not a fruit eatter so i gotta get vitamin c into him another way

Thank you for sharing your Vitamin C tip Daisy’s and Diamonds.
ps. I love your happy avatar!

 

[Bron357]

My advice, socially isolate as much as possible. Work from home if you can. Walk, bike, drive instead of public transport.
Be aware of where your hands are.
What they touch.
The most likely way of transmission is hand to eye, nose or mouth. The virus can live on surfaces for a number of days.
Unless you are ill yourself or are associating with ill people you don’t really need a face mask. Unless someone actually sneezes or coughs directly into your face you aren’t likely to be infected by airborne particles. It will be hand touching an infected surface then hand going to eye, nose, mouth contact 99% of the time.
Eat well, get enough sleep, drink plenty of fluids. There is not much scientific evidence that any type of supplement replaces a good and varied diet. But some people take comfort or feel better taking extras In pill or powder form. No harm in that (except excess Vit A and E) except to your wallet!

 

[Arcadian]

Lots of what I take is pretty boring, but backed by a lot of hardcore scientific research and its stuff I've used for quite some time. I don't take a lot of medicines so don't have drug interaction issues. However stands to reason that before you take anything, please ensure you research heavily, get blood tests, and work with a a medical or natralpathic doctor because some of this stuff can have drug interactions at high levels.


What I take now:

Lactoferrin which is expensive and I'm taking a high dose, but will help boost my immunity back up. It is NOT a cure all by any means. (but what is really?) I don't always take this because the expense of the good stuff is really mind blowing...lol and the amounts you need to take for therapeutic result is actually quite high (making it also not cheap) but if I'm ill, I will bite the bullet.

N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine (NAC) which is a glutothione precursor. There is a tremendous amount of real hardcore studies done on this supplement and its current uses in medicine. Being asthmatic, anything that allows for additional production of glutothione is good which if you're sick helps to keep ferritin in check, Also added benefit NAC helps to thin out mucus from my lungs.

Solaray MegaB Stress. For me this is the best B Complex I ever used. As I age I find I need B vitamins more, and I went probably a month without? yeah that was a bad month! I take more than the average bear.

D3 which is another necessity I take daily. 3,000UI When I lived in the NE I took more because my blood tests showed I really needed much more.

Omega 3 (fish oil) I use Nordic naturals

In the evening I take Theanine because its hard for me to stop my brain. I've always got some complex problem I'm trying to solve most days, so during the work week if I'm actually going to sleep normal people hours (lol) I take 2 hours before bed to help me relax. Can only take in the evenings. LEF or Jarrow , whichever happens to be cheaper.

Vitamin C. I have done intravenous which I prefer but seems like everyone is out of it, but currently taking 2 grams a day by mouth and only because I'm ill. My doc would like me to take more...(lol yeah right!) I normally take 1 gram daily.

Tyrosine which is a normal supplement for me. I take it for mood enhancement and only in the morning. I take...a lot. I don't recommend my dose for someone not familiar with it.

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

Thank you for sharing your Vitamin C tip Daisy’s and Diamonds.
ps. I love your happy avatar!

why thank you MissCygne

something i have been mindful of is
usually elderflower is my winter pick me up (its still early Autumn here) but i read somewhere ??? that elderflower/berry isnt actually good in this case
it would appear vitiman d is really important, i just watched a very long u tube video of an english couple who were hospitalized in Japan off a cruise ship and the nurses but them into a room with sunlit windows

of course hopefully the NZ government has acted in time and we wont have it in the wider community

 

[missy]

I already take Vit C (1000 a day and now upped it to 2000 a day but separated by 6 hours at least). I also already take NAC which might or might not be helpful. Also take 2000-3000 Cus D3 but nothing has changed re my supplementation since CV.

Of course maintaining a healthy diet and getting sufficient sleep and exercise can only be beneficial.

I copied and pasted some tips that some of you might find helpful. Let me find it. Here it is.

 

[House Cat]

I’m taking resveratrol. There is a study that shows it is an effective anti-viral agent against MERS-COV which, to my limited understanding is a type of coronavirus. I think it’s worth a shot.

Effective inhibition of MERS-CoV infection by resveratrol - PMC

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is an emerging viral pathogen that causes severe morbidity and mortality. Up to date, there is no approved or licensed vaccine or antiviral medicines can be used to treat MERS-CoV-infected ...

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

I’m taking large amounts of high quality vitamin C.

I take vitamin D3, 5000 mg. I run deficient.

I just had a b12 injection.


I should take the rest of the stuff I have in my cupboard to promote overall health, but man! I hate swallowing pills and I’m already taking so many. I have probiotics and omega 3’s and a million of their supplements...

I read somewhere that curcumin might help.... i need to look into it.

 

[MarionC]

I take Wellness Formula from Whole Foods, magnesium with zinc, and have lots of citrus in my diet.
What I have always thought was helpful was eating tons of vegetables and drinking lots of water. Fiber and hydration.

Could not find ibuprofen today, and now glad I didn’t...

 

[MissCygne]

Lots of what I take is pretty boring, but backed by a lot of hardcore scientific research and its stuff I've used for quite some time. I don't take a lot of medicines so don't have drug interaction issues. However stands to reason that before you take anything, please ensure you research heavily, get blood tests, and work with a a medical or natralpathic doctor because some of this stuff can have drug interactions at high levels.


What I take now:

Lactoferrin which is expensive and I'm taking a high dose, but will help boost my immunity back up. It is NOT a cure all by any means. (but what is really?) I don't always take this because the expense of the good stuff is really mind blowing...lol and the amounts you need to take for therapeutic result is actually quite high (making it also not cheap) but if I'm ill, I will bite the bullet.

N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine (NAC) which is a glutothione precursor. There is a tremendous amount of real hardcore studies done on this supplement and its current uses in medicine. Being asthmatic, anything that allows for additional production of glutothione is good which if you're sick helps to keep ferritin in check, Also added benefit NAC helps to thin out mucus from my lungs.

Solaray MegaB Stress. For me this is the best B Complex I ever used. As I age I find I need B vitamins more, and I went probably a month without? yeah that was a bad month! I take more than the average bear.

D3 which is another necessity I take daily. 3,000UI When I lived in the NE I took more because my blood tests showed I really needed much more.

Omega 3 (fish oil) I use Nordic naturals

In the evening I take Theanine because its hard for me to stop my brain. I've always got some complex problem I'm trying to solve most days, so during the work week if I'm actually going to sleep normal people hours (lol) I take 2 hours before bed to help me relax. Can only take in the evenings. LEF or Jarrow , whichever happens to be cheaper.

Vitamin C. I have done intravenous which I prefer but seems like everyone is out of it, but currently taking 2 grams a day by mouth and only because I'm ill. My doc would like me to take more...(lol yeah right!) I normally take 1 gram daily.

Tyrosine which is a normal supplement for me. I take it for mood enhancement and only in the morning. I take...a lot. I don't recommend my dose for someone not familiar with it.

Thank you Arcadian, for taking the time to share the supplements that you are taking, your reasons for taking them, and your valuable thoughts on each.
Thank you especially, for your courage and compassion in helping others, in this sensitive subject.
May your kindness be returned to you a thousandfold.

 

[bespokecarmel]

To any and all with compromised immune systems who are taking prescribed medications, please check with your physician before adding supplements, OTC medications, and even vitamins to your regimen.
The advice given by Bron357 is solid for anyone; maintain your good hygiene habits and physically isolate as much as possible. I would add that we humans need social contact to maintain mental health. Fortunately, we can email, call, Skype, text or sing from our balconies!
We will get through this!

 

[lyra]

I'm on methotrexate and remicade infusions. I take prescription strength Vitamin D2 50,000 IU (Osto) and Folic Acid. I have to be careful adding anything at all. I'm taking extra Vitamin C 1000mg and Vitamin D3 1000 IU, which *might* help boost my immunity to bacterial and/or viral infections. There is a small amount of data suggesting that people like me who are gene positive for HLA-B27 have natural immunity to viruses. I've read the journals, and I'll take a teeny tiny bit of hope in that. My immune system is trying to kill me either way. Good luck!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I am very much a proponent of prevention and good health overall which means good diet with less processed foods, sugar, and bad carbs, more organic foods as much as possible, plenty of sleep, some exercise. But since most of us don't get all the vitamins we need in our diet, and especially vit D in the winter in colder climates, supplements can help. (I take no prescription meds and do not have any known health issues.)

Supplements daily in winter:

1000 mg vitamin C, 1 or 2 x a day

5,000 iu vitamin D3 (morning) and 100 mcg K2 (after dinner) (5 days a week).

fish oil or krill oil capsules a few times a week year round


At first hint of upper respiratory symptoms or exposure, add these:

Increase vitamin C 1000 mg 5-6 x per day (1 every 2-3 hours)

Increase the vitamin D3 5000 iu to 2 x per day (I have seen much higher recommended)

50 mg zinc

25,000 iu vitamin A for 3 days only

NAC -increases glutathione, your body’s most potent antioxidant but it also thins mucus and protects the liver. You can take 1 50-750mg four times per day or a little more often if needed. (just getting this from dr. recommedation, haven't taken yet)

(Elderberry syrup has research supporting use for colds and especially the flu. It is as effective and safer than Tamiflu. I am a strong proponent of it for those and it has worked for me. There's less known about whether it would help CV or not. Some speculate that it might not be good in a cytokine storm, but others say there is no evidence of that. So if I use it, it will be a small amount. I have a few links if anyone needs them.)

Some evidence for the lurking skeptics:

Study confirms vitamin D protects against colds and flu — Harvard Gazette

Researchers find vitamin D helps the body fight acute respiratory infection.

news.harvard.edu

Vitamin effects on the immune system: vitamins A and D take centre stage:

Vitamin effects on the immune system: vitamins A and D take centre stage - PMC

Vitamins are essential constituents of our diet that have long been known to influence the immune system. Vitamins A and D have received particular attention in recent years as these vitamins have been shown to have an unexpected and crucial effect ...

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

There's also evidence that Vit C IV therapy has worked to help people survive sepsis. The Chinese are studying it now for CV.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Regarding pain relievers/fever reducers, I also read what Jimmianne read about the French not recommending ibuprophen or other NSAIDS. Aspirin is also in that catergory. I also read that Tylenol is bad because it can deplete glutathione which we definitely need in a respiratory virus. After reading several sources, all said that it is likely best to take none of the fever reducers, because fever is fighting against the virus or bacteria. Lowering the fever can possibly prolong the illness.

Sooo, I will try to manage with a lower fever, but it it gets too high (like 103+), then I might not be able to resist taking something for relief. I just definitely wouldn't be taking it around the clock. Very important to drink a lot of fluids, of course.

 

[JPie]

I’m on gummy vitamins and vitamin C chewables, just as I was before this whole thing went down.

 

[kenny]

A new virus changes nothing.
A good immune system is the result of the same as as before.
Eat a healthy diet and get exercise.

Avoid fast food and processed foods, white sugar, white flour, high fructose corn syrup, etc.
Eat more whole grains, less red meat, more plant-based proteins like legumes, beans, tofu.
Make the time took from scratch, it's very important to health.
If you can't make the time, stop something that's sucking your time away.
Bulk cook on the weekends, freeze single servings in ziplock bags for the microwave.
Buy fewer food with barcodes, and more fresh produce and bulk grains.

Sit less, move more.
Lower your stress, drink plenty of fluids and get lots of rest.

Be happy and have good relationships; if you can't, then get into therapy.

All the above was true before COVID-19, as it is after COVID-19.
Avoid the many nutrition/supplement/herb scams that prey on your fear.

The only new things I'm doing because of COVID-19 is more social isolation and smart hand washing.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Exactly, Kenny! We are all saying we knew to do the immune strengthening things for ANY viral infections. Colds and flu are far more common, and I do these things to help stay well regardless of which virus is going around. Most here are pretty intelligent and research these things. We use things that are proven to be beneficial.

 

[lyra]

Kenny, that's how we always eat. The problem we're having now though, is that we can't necessarily even get fresh produce or the meats we usually get. When the weather gets a bit warmer, we'll be grilling everything outside.

 

[jeweln]

To boost my immunity ,I take daily :
A spoonful of raw honey ,
Probiotics (I use Activia yogurt drink ) ,
Green tea,
Citrus fruit for vitamin C .

And at the first sign of flue or a virus ,I do warm water & salt gargles 3-4 times a day , and I increase warm fluid intake , stops the sickness immediately .

 

[diamondseeker2006]

To boost my immunity ,I take daily :
A spoonful of raw honey ,
Probiotics (I use Activia yogurt drink ) ,
Green tea,
Citrus fruit for vitamin C .

And at the first sign of flue or a virus ,I do warm water & salt gargles 3-4 times a day , and I increase warm fluid intake , stops the sickness immediately .

Oh yes, I forgot to mention green tea! Thanks for posting that!