We are faced with a global pandemic, whether you believe it, or not. We are 3+ months in since Patient Zero in Wuhan China and the Coronavirus or Covid-19 as this version is being labeled, is running rough shod around several Countries, maybe more. There is a rush to create a vaccine as well as to find treatments. This is more than a Health issue, it is a business and financial issue, it is a family issue, it is a Political issue…it affects us at almost all levels of our life. There are conspiracy theories running amok, and on top of it, media coverage and varying expert opinions as to how we should handle this, which leads to more fear and confusion. On top of this, we have some Leaders out there who are more interested in slowing the sinking stock market than telling the truth about what is going on. I felt it was time to shed some light on the best way to protect yourself and your family, especially in regards to nutrition.
Nutrition is often overlooked, and sometimes belittled due to the enormous number of companies and people profiting off of it, and sometimes, unscrupulously. Let’s toss them aside and focus on the facts. Our bodies are biochemical machines that need micro and macro-nutrients to create energy, rebuild themselves, function optimally and keep the balance (a big part of which is warding off negative pathogens, which are bacteria, virus, fungus/mold/yeast, and parasites).
For the person who makes excellent life-style choices; gets top quality and quantity sleep, stays hydrated on clean spring water, exercises regularly, keeps stress at a minimum and eats a mostly organic whole foods diet void of sugar, processed, table-salt-laden, empty-calorie foods, nutrition is a minor need, in most cases. The problem is that most people do not fall into this category, and in many cases, they fall into the severe categories making nutrition a great need. I see deficiencies in my Practice, regularly. It is one of the leading causes, along with prolonged or heightened stress, of chronic disease.
Where acute illness, depressed immunity, allergies, and those getting sick over and over or getting sick for longer periods of time, this is what I see the most:
1) The need for fat soluble vitamins: Vit A, D, E and F (Essential Fatty Acid). A separate article may be written to discuss this category, alone. Suffice it to say, the American Diet leaves many people deficient in these vitamins and immune function suffers.
2) Quality Vitamin C. A great number of people do not eat enough quality fruits and vegetables and/or take supplements with a very inferior form of Vit C (ascorbic acid). This does NOT bolster the immune system. It acts more like an adjuvant (activator or stimulator of the immune system).
3) Calcium, especially moving into our cells, is crucial to our ability to ward off viruses/pathogens. Healthy fat, especially flax seed oil, assists in transporting Calcium into the cells. This is why a few leading Cancer Treatment Centers are whipping flax seed oil into cottage cheese and feeding it to their Patients!
4) Oxygenation—green foods are high in chlorella which brings oxygen into the cells. This helps our immune system defeat pathogens. Exercise helps, too, but when we’re fighting, we typically don’t have the energy to give to exercise, so only moderate movement so to help our lymph system “take out the trash,” and deep breathing are the ways to go, along with green foods.
5) Killing Agents. This category can be confusing so I’m going to give you the boiled-down version: Any product that is a natural anti-microbial or that which kills these pathogens. If we knock down negative bacteria, our immune system may focus on the virus that is the priority. We have to be careful to not over-do these or more importantly, Rx antibiotics as we can damage the GOOD bacteria which help in the fight against negative pathogens! Probiotics (good bacteria) and prebiotics (the food and fiber which allows the probiotics a place to reside) are crucial to many people where bolstering immunity is
concerned.
6) Immune enhancers such as elderberry, echinacea, ginseng, and others that work in varying ways. Some by calming the nervous system and allowing for a heightening immune response because there is less energy wasted. Some by enhancing qualities in White Blood Cell production. Others have both killing agent qualities as well as stimulating cells which contribute to a quicker immune response.
7) Zinc is a vital nutrient to immune function. More importantly, adequate levels of zinc are key as it is also used to make stomach acid, which is part of how our body kills pathogens AND properly breaks down foods to help us make energy in which to fight the battle!
8) Having said what I did about zinc, I will further it with a new category saying that anyone with digestive issues has an immune issue, to some degree. Using nutrition to improve digestion has helped many people move through health issues.
9) In the same light as #8, I will add that hormonal issues can lead to improper immune function, especially the following: Hypothalamus, Pituitary, Thymus, Thyroid and Adrenal Issues to name the main ones. There are a number of nutrients/formulations to assist with hormonal imbalances/dysfunction.
Other things to consider:
Is your nutrition whole food based? Is it certified organic? Does the company have testing facilities in-house AND use outside agencies to assure quality standards? (almost NONE of the companies you buy from retail locations can claim ANY of these to be true). Also, do these companies have research and development programs? Mine do!
If you are interested in finding a personalized regimen OR consulting with Paul Gerst L.Ac. to build or refine your current program and get connected to the best supplements for you, call him at 774-283-2726 or email him at thebalancedpath@gmail.com.
Paul does both face-to-face visits and video-calls or phone consultations. Your first visit has a fee, but if you buy your supplements through Paul, you will get limited support moving forward AT NO ADDITIONAL COST! This makes these valued supplements even more valuable! In many cases, you’ll pay the same or less than you do at retail locations and through Paul will get better quality, AND PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT! Truly, there is no reason to go elsewhere.