How to naturally strengthen your immune system (to Protect yourself From all Virus’ including COVID-19)

I Had a lot of people asking me who has a higher risk and what I and my family are

doing to stay healthy, so I thought I'd share some thoughts and insight today with you

on things that we do to protect ourselves not only from this virus but others as well.

There are so many things you can do to naturally strengthen your immune system to

protect yourself from any virus, including COVID-19.

Who’s at a Higher Risk?

-Elderly with underlying or uncontrolled conditions

-people with immune-compromised conditions 

-those with an uncontrolled active autoimmune disease.

Thousands of elderly and people with autoimmune disorders and underlying

conditions die every year from something as simple as the flu. This virus is no

exception. 

BUT They are always at a higher risk, for all viruses’, not just the coronavirus!! 

A weaker or nonfunctioning immune system always results in being more susceptible

to viruses and illness. 

Our immune system is there to protect us from these things and if it's not functioning

properly, it doesn’t have the ability to do so.

Why the Elderly are at higher risk?

The Elderly Immune System is not as strong as a healthy person because of their age

and other underlying conditions that they may have.

Most Elderly are deficient in essential vitamins and nutrients that they need to have a

a strong immune system so they can fight infections and viruses like Covid 19.  

They also commonly don't get enough exercise or drink enough water which would

help to flush out different toxins and bacteria which would contribute to a weaker

the immune system as well.

Most of the time they are taking medications/ steroids for different autoimmune

diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol which suppress their

immune system or they have other underlying lung or heart issues that will increase

their risk.

Why people with an Autoimmune Disease are a higher risk?

People with autoimmune disease or a compromised immune system have very

similar challenges except they usually have a weaker or non-functioning immune

the system mostly because of leaky gut, food allergies, and sensitivities, or underlying

conditions and they are also taking medications/ steroids which suppress their

the immune system as well, which puts them in a higher risk situation.

Are these new risks?

These are not new risks, just a different virus. And all viruses require your immune

system to be functioning properly in order to protect you.

Protective measures you can take to improve or strengthen your immune system.

Strengthen your immune System

You can strengthen your immune system by taking the proper supplements that are

specifically beneficial for your immune function and also make sure they are good

quality supplements. Increasing your vitamin D, vitamin C, and vitamin A and taking a

good fish oil supplement has been shown to improve your immune system.

You should also take a good multivitamin with zinc and a good probiotic.

1. Eat Protein 

A Lot of people don't realize this, but eating the right amount of protein for your body

weight affects how well your immune system functions.

Calculate the amount of protein you need per day on average, you will get how many

grams on average that your body needs.

(0.8g of protein per 1kg body weight or 0.36g per lb. body weight)

*Note this is the only minimum requirement, most times with autoimmune issues,

you need more than that, but it’s a place to start. 

2. Get to bed by 10 pm

10-2 am is your restorative sleep when your body repairs itself. So make sure you are

sleeping between those hours. You should also get at least 8 hours of sleep each

night minimum, if possible.

3. Limit stress 

Stress is a big problem in our fast-paced world we live in today. Sometimes the stress

that is brought on is unavoidable but most stress can be addressed in a healthier

way. It’s how we manage stress and what we do to reduce stress, that really makes a

difference.

There are a few things I do consistently every day to manage stress. I move my body

every morning, do meditation, read scriptures and pray. These things help to clear my

body and mind and make it much easier to focus on the positive things in my life.

If you don’t take time to do these things for yourself every day, it’s very challenging to

deal with the regular stress and challenges we face in our lives. 

When our bodies are in stress mode all of the time, it actually increases adrenal

stress which can compromise your immune system and lead to sickness.

4. Drink water 

You should be drinking a minimum of 8-10 glasses of water daily, depending on how

active you are. You need water to digest your food and get rid of waste.

Besides being an important part of the fluids in your body, water is also needed by

each cell to work.

5. Limit sugar intake 

Sugar shuts the immune system off. Processed foods, grains or sugars, fast food,

gluten will all suppress the immune system. 

6. Eat real food 

Make sure u have what you can eat. Don't eat things you have a reaction to even if its

healthy because that will suppress your immune system

7. Exercise

Get outside in nature, nothing too strenuous, 20-30 min per day) your lymphatic

the system needs movement to flush out.

8. Reduce 

A huge factor that people may not realize is that alcohol, smoking, and vaping will

compromise your immune system. And it will make you more susceptible especially

to this virus because of where it migrates

I'm not here to promise you you won't get the virus. The bottom line is if you take

better care of yourself you are better off. 

Strengthen your immune system, limit the fear and stress, eat real food, take the

supplements you know are safe, get to bed by 10 pm, and don't forget to exercise!  

Don’t live in fear, take this time instead to make healthy changes in your life with all

this time on your hands

Take this opportunity to Establish healthy habits!

Learn new healthy recipes

Start a regular exercise program

Find some new hobbies

Catch up with old friends and family

Do the things you can do, the things you have control over and that's your healthy

choices and the way you choose to live your life.

Tracey