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When it comes to staying healthy, I believe in prevention first. By prevention I don’t mean vaccines and screening tests. I believe in cultivating true health from the inside out by adopting healthy habits such as proper diet and exercise, an enjoyable family and social life, and a personal spiritual practice.
Yet, even healthy people sometimes get sick. And with “cold and flu season” approaching I want to share some of the best ways I know to stay healthy naturally and some natural ways you can treat symptoms so you can recover quickly if you do get sick. 10 Ways to Avoid Getting Sick
Natural Ways to Speed Recovery If You Get Sick When I get a cold or the flu, it’s usually because I’ve been overdoing things and not getting enough quality sleep. The first thing I do if I become sleep deprived is to allow my body the time to recover. In addition to getting much-needed rest, I like to use the remedies I can find in my kitchen rather than take medicines if I don’t really need to. And you can, too. For example, the B.R.A.T. (bananas, rice, apple sauce, toast) diet is good if you are recovering from an upset stomach or diarrhea. And adding spices to your food can help ease nasal congestion. These are just a couple of ways you can feel better faster. Here are 9 more easy ways you can recover naturally from common ailments:
Supplements to Prevent and Treat COVID-19 In addition to everything I have mentioned above, there are some specific ways you can protect your immune system to help prevent COVID-19 infection. As I have already mentioned, optimal vitamin D levels can help prevent acute respiratory infections. This includes both influenza and COVID-19. One possible way vitamin D strengthens the immune system is by regulating cytokine production. Keeping a healthy gut microbiome is also an important factor in preventing COVID-19 infection as well as other illnesses. A less-than-optimal gut microbiome is associated with proinflammatory cytokines that could predispose you to severe COVID-19. The good news is your gut microbiome responds quickly to what you feed it. So, changing your diet to support your gut microbiome is an easy way to improve your immunity and stave off COVID-19 and other infections. Taking a high-quality probiotic is also a good way to improve your gut microbiome. Zinc deficiency has been associated with more severe COVID-19 illness. Zinc deficiency can be caused by malnutrition, chronic diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease, and even some medications that increase the body’s loss of zinc, such as diuretics. Taking a zinc supplement alone or in combination with a zinc ionophore (such as hydroxychloroquine) has been proven effective in both preventing and treating COVID-19, especially in the early stages. Some experts do not recommend long-term use of zinc supplements because too-high doses over a long period of time can cause copper deficiency and subsequent hematologic and neurologic issues. However, zinc supplements and nasal sprays containing 50 mg of zinc are safe for daily use, especially if you feel a cold coming on. I like Vimergy liquid zinc. I take a small amount daily and more if I am coming down with a cold. You can also get adequate levels of zinc by eating meat, shellfish, chicken, nuts, and lentils. Another supplement that is instrumental in helping to fight off coronavirus infections is quercetin. Quercetin is a flavonoid that has antihistamine and anti-inflammatory properties. There is a large body of research showing that quercetin can help fight obesity, type 2 diabetes, circulatory dysfunction, chronic inflammation, high blood pressure, and mood disorders. It has also been found to trigger tumor regression and begin the process of apoptosis. In 2003, when the SARS epidemic broke out, research showed quercetin provided broad-spectrum protection against the SARS coronavirus. In June 2020, a study showed that quercetin interfered in multiple steps of pathogen virulence, virus entry, virus replication, and protein assembly and recommended its use against SARS-CoV-2, in combination with vitamin C because of their synergistic effects. You can take 500 mg of quercetin twice per day. Supplementing with vitamin C will enhance the effect. Finally, melatonin is shown to help support immune function and prevent severe COVID-19 infection. Melatonin is a hormone secreted by the pineal gland. Researchers at the Cleveland Clinic reported that patients who were taking melatonin had a nearly 30 percent lower likelihood of testing positive for COVID-19 after adjusting for age, race, smoking history, and various disease comorbidities; the likelihood of testing positive for the virus increased from 30 to 52 percent for African Americans who took the supplement. The usual dose is 0.5–3 mg taken 1 hour prior to bedtime. However, some doctors recommend 3–6 mg. Children should not take melatonin. Over-the-Counter Treatments to Prevent COVID-19The CDC has now admitted that fully vaccinated people are not necessarily protected from contracting the Delta variant and can spread it. (This is known as viral immune escape, which immunologists should be talking about!) In fact, some studies show that vaccinated people can have up to 1,000 times more viral load in their noses and mouths than unvaccinated, and therefore can (and are) passing this much higher viral load to others—vaccinated and unvaccinated alike. One easy way to help protect yourself from contracting COVID-19 is to take measures to reduce the SARS-CoV-2 pathogen load in your own respiratory and nasal secretions. Using a simple povidone iodine (brand name Betadine) mouth rinse and nose spray is an easy way to do this. You simply take a few drops of Betadine in water, swish it in your mouth, gargle and spit it out. For your nose you can either use a dropper or sprayer, spray the same diluted solution into each nostril and snort it out. Do this twice per day. Iodine has been used for a long time as a safe and effective antimicrobial. You probably remember your mother putting it on scrapes when you were a child. However, if you are allergic to iodine or cannot use it for some other reason, you can use diluted hydrogen peroxide. Some over-the-counter mouthwashes, such as Listerine, may also be effective for gargling. A placebo-controlled clinical trial testing 4 antiseptic mouthwash/gargling solutions is currently underway. -Shared from Christiane Northrup, M.D. ![]() A young businessman wakes up in a locked hotel room next to the body of his dead lover. He hires a prestigious lawyer to defend him, and over the course of one night, they work together to find out what happened. ![]() A lone scientist in the Arctic races to contact a crew of astronauts returning home to a mysterious global catastrophe. ![]() A rich Indian family's ambitious driver uses his wit and cunning to escape from poverty and rise to the top as an entrepreneur. ![]() A socially awkward 16-year-old meets her mother's fiancé, a man whose charm, intelligence and beauty seems too perfect to be human. ![]() A bloodthirsty grizzly bear stalks two estranged brothers (James Marsden, Thomas Jane) in the Alaskan wilderness. ![]() 2018 | TV-14 | 55m | Documentary Films. This documentary on actress and television producer Betty White traces her decades-long career as a woman breaking new ground in entertainment. Starring:Betty White, Valerie Bertinelli, Georgia Engel ![]() Filmmaker Helena Coan examines the remarkable life and career of actress, fashion icon and humanitarian Audrey Hepburn. ![]() Elite snipers Beckett (Chad Michael Collins) and Miller (Billy Zane) are tasked with guarding a gas pipeline. A ghost shooter seems to know exactly where they'll be at all times, and they begin to suspect he's being aided from within. ![]() When Michael Harding (Penn Badgley) returns home from military school, he discovers that his mother (Sela Ward) has a new man, named David (Dylan Walsh), in her life. Though David makes Michael's mother very happy, Michael cannot seem to shake feelings of distrust. He becomes increasingly suspicious of the man and wonders if the pleasant exterior hides a sinister side. ![]() Sent to live with his estranged father for the summer, a rebellious teen finds kinship in a tight-knit Philadelphia community of Black cowboys. ![]() When a prisoner transfer van is attacked, the officer in charge must fight those inside and outside while dealing with a silent foe: the icy temperatures. ![]() Commuter Rachel Watson (Emily Blunt) catches daily glimpses of a seemingly perfect couple, Scott and Megan, from the window of her train. One day, Watson witnesses something shocking unfold in the backyard of the strangers' home. Rachel tells the authorities what she thinks she saw after learning that Megan is now missing and feared dead. Unable to trust her own memory, the troubled woman begins her own investigation, while police suspect that Rachel may have crossed a dangerous line. ![]() When Effie Gray becomes the wife of distinguished writer John Ruskin, it soon becomes apparent that Ruskin regards her as a muse rather than a wife, and the stifling atmosphere of their home soon takes a toll on Effie's health. ![]() A Parisian aristocrat, quadriplegic since a paragliding accident, hires a young man to be his live-in caretaker. Although very different the two men bond and develop a close friendship. ![]() Always feeling like they have to say "no" to their kids, Allison and Carlos decide to give their three kids a "Yes Day," during which the kids have 24 hours to make the rules. ![]() Fiction and reality begin to blur when a struggling writer hires a woman to watch over her twin children. ![]() California entrepreneurs Ben (Aaron Johnson) and Chon (Taylor Kitsch) run a lucrative business raising marijuana and share a one-of-a-kind love with beautiful O (Blake Lively). Life in Laguna Beach is idyllic for them, until Elena (Salma Hayek), the merciless leader of the Mexican Baja Cartel, moves in and demands a piece of the action. However, Elena underestimates the trio's unbreakable bond, and with the help of a shady DEA agent (John Travolta), Ben, Chon and O go to war. ![]() Ben Cash (Viggo Mortensen), his wife Leslie and their six children live deep in the wilderness of Washington state. Isolated from society, Ben and Leslie devote their existence to raising their kids -- educating them to think critically, training them to be physically fit and athletic, guiding them in the wild without technology and demonstrating the beauty of co-existing with nature. When Leslie dies suddenly, Ben must take his sheltered offspring into the outside world for the first time. ![]() Ben Cash (Viggo Mortensen), his wife Leslie and their six children live deep in the wilderness of Washington state. Isolated from society, Ben and Leslie devote their existence to raising their kids -- educating them to think critically, training them to be physically fit and athletic, guiding them in the wild without technology and demonstrating the beauty of co-existing with nature. When Leslie dies suddenly, Ben must take his sheltered offspring into the outside world for the first time. ![]() A trial of faith unfolds at the apex of World War I, when secrets are revealed to three courageous Portuguese children through a series of apparitions, while their doubting family and aggressive government officials try to silence them. ![]()
You may have heard about the sea moss “superfood” recently. It’s being touted by celebrities as an immune-boosting, skin-healing, digestive aid, but like most declared superfoods, sea moss has actually been consumed for centuries.
Although the research on sea moss is limited, there are reports of the seaweed possessing brain-protecting, immune-boosting and digestion-aiding properties. Plus, we know that seaweed is an excellent source of health-promoting nutrients. So is sea moss all it’s cracked up to be? Let’s find out. What Is Sea Moss?Sea moss, also known as Irish moss, is a red seaweed with the scientific name Chondrus crispus. It’s been consumed by humans for thousands of years, found mainly on rocks along the North Atlantic Coast. Today, it’s planted and processed in several coastal countries, including the U.S., China and Ireland, and used for its carrageenan content. Carrageenan is commonly used as a food additive for its binding, thickening and stabilizing effects. It’s used in food products including almond milk, coconut milk, hemp milk, creamers, yogurt, canned soups and frozen pizzas. Carrageenan is also an active ingredient in some conventional medicine solutions. Sea moss is also valued for its algal polysaccharide, which is extracted from carrageenan and has medicinal and health-related properties. Studies propose that algal polysaccharide aids:
In addition to its carrageenan and algal polysaccharide content, sea moss is also rich in:
The potential health benefits of this red algae are linked to its neuroprotective and immune-boosting constituents. BenefitsThere are some potential benefits of sea moss, but the studies evaluating these effects have been done in labs or on animals. There certainly isn’t a clear understanding of how Irish moss may improve the health of humans, but the nutrient content in the seaweed is promising. 1. Aids Digestion Irish moss works as a prebiotic, allowing it to influence the composition of our gut microbiota. It’s also a mucilaginous food that has a sticky texture and helps stool move through the gastrointestinal tract more easily. In a study published in BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, rats fed Irish moss showed significant improvements in gut microbiota composition. Researchers suggest that, based on these findings, sea moss may help improve gut health and immune modulation. It was able to increase the population of beneficial bacteria and decrease harmful bacteria, including Streptococcus pneumoniae. 2. May Boost Neurological Health Studies suggests that red seaweed may have neuroprotective effects because of its ability to alleviate oxidative stress. For this reason, researchers indicate that C. crispus may be a promising ingredient in pharmaceutical applications for potential novel anti-neurodegenerative drugs for humans. 3. Boosts Immune Function Research published in Applied and Environmental Microbiology indicates that red seaweed enhances host immunity and suppresses the expression of what’s called “virulence factors,” or molecules that are produced by bacteria, fungi and viruses. This study was conducted in a lab, but researchers concluded that its results suggest that components of C. crispus may play a health-promoting role in animals and humans. 4. Increases Satiety When combined with liquids, Irish moss has a gel-like texture that is thick and sticky. It acts as a soluble fiber that helps keep you full longer. Adding Irish moss to meals may increase satiety and, therefore, possibly cut down on the amount of calories you consume. There isn’t scientific evidence to back this up, but the idea is that sea moss works similarly to chia seeds and aloe in this respect. 5. May Have Anti-Tumor Effects There are some lab studies suggesting that Irish moss has anti-tumor effects that are due to its algal polysaccharide content. Researchers don’t have definitive answers about why this occurs in lab trials, but they indicate that it may be due to polysaccharide’s ability to enhance the body’s immunity and improve its antioxidant activity. 6. Rich in Iodine A study published in the Journal of Medicinal Food found that iodine in C. crispus is high and bioavailable. Both low and high iodine intake levels can increase the risk of disease, so it’s important to consume the right amount. Iodine-rich foods support thyroid function, healthy metabolism and brain health. Your thyroid, for instance, must have high enough iodine levels to make thyroxine, a key hormone that works to regulate important, everyday biochemical reactions. Thyroid disorders that may arise from low-iodine levels can lead to symptoms like sluggish appetite, heart issues, mood changes, weight fluctuations and appetite changes. 7. May Boost Skin Health Sea moss is used in skin care products because of its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. It’s also rich in nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin A and magnesium. Using sea moss topically may help hydrate and soothe your skin, while fighting damage and infections. There isn’t any scientific research on the benefits of Irish moss for skin, but its vitamin and mineral content alone is promising for promoting healthy aging. How to Use You can find sea moss in raw, dried or gel form. It’s also available as a powder or capsule, and it’s used as an ingredient in some skin care products. You may have a hard time finding sea moss at your local grocery store, so purchasing it from a reputable company online is another option. Irish moss is pretty much flavorless, so it can easily be added to smoothie, juice and soup recipes. Remember that it works as a thickener, so it also works well in sauces and even baked goods. Like algae, you have the option to supplement with sea moss pills and sea moss powder. However, keep in mind that the science on humans is lacking, so check with your health care provider first. This is especially true if you have hypothyroidism. Risks and Side Effects When consumed in normal amounts, sea moss is generally safe and may have health benefits. Excessive consumption of Irish moss, however, can mean that you’re ingesting too much iodine. Too much iodine can cause thyroid disorders, so you need to be careful not to take in too much of the nutrient. If you have Hashimoto’s, thyroiditis or other issues related to hypothyroidism, speak to your doctor about limiting iodine foods. |
AuthorValerie utilizes an extensive amount of research producing this blog. Categories are purposely set up in stages, rather than topics, so you can easily implement one step at a time. Archives
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