The virus is not only the number one topic to discuss but has affected every aspect of our daily lives in ways that most could not have imagined. Back in January, I began posting videos on Facebook and YouTube discussing the rising crisis in China and advised on how one could prepare their immune system if this virus were to spread in the United States.
Now, just a few months later, we are in the midst of a National State of Emergency. People are scared and confused as to what they can do. The United States took bold initiatives to slow the spread of the virus, and Federal, State, and local governments are working together to help us through the Pandemic. While much of the discussion has centered around testing and sanitary tips, very little has been discussed as to how one can best keep themselves healthy to prevent getting sick or things one can do if you become ill.
For best practices on the sanitization of hands and social distancing, refer to the CDC Website, which is updated regularly.
Below, we will be discussing strategies to help enhance and balance your immune system. These strategies will include specific product recommendations, many of these recommendations are based on research and clinical experience; however, while there is a lot of data supporting mechanisms by which natural substances may reduce viral replication and cell entry, they are not “scientifically” proven or approved to treat or prevent specific viruses. At this time, there is no proven allopathic strategy that is highly successful for the highly susceptible patient population either. Since our focus is on non-pharmaceutical methodologies, side effects would be minimal to non-existent. However, if you find yourself or a loved one presenting with symptoms that worsen, such as difficulty breathing, please seek prompt medical attention.
One of the most prudent steps you can take to protect yourself from any virus or flu is to enhance, while also balancing, your immune system, including trying to avoid an out of control immune response known as a “cytokine storm”. Here are some natural steps that you can take to reduce your risk of contracting a virus, or at least, minimize how sick you may become if infected:
1) Keep your body’s pH alkaline. If you have read our articles in the past on healthy drinking water, Biomagnetic Pair Therapy, or Healing with Voltage, you are most likely familiar with the power of pH. The body runs most optimally when it is slightly alkaline. Less than optimal pH can lead to cellular aging, infections, and general ill-health. Viruses and fungi reside in acidic environments. It’s a little more complicated than that; you can read more about pH and healing on our Biomagnetism page.
Your diet is crucial in maintaining a proper pH. If you were thinking of cutting back on your soda consumption, alcohol, processed foods, sweets, or other foods that you know are “bad” for you, now is the time to do so. It is important to consume more alkaline foods like raw fruits and vegetables.
- Click on Food Chart below that compares different foods and their pH.
- Baking Soda – sodium bicarbonate, plain old baking soda, is a miraculous, inexpensive treatment for acidic conditions. Learn more.
2). Reduce your stress. Relaxation techniques such as meditation and deep breathing will help reduce your body’s stress response, which lowers immunity. Watching virus updates on the News 24/7 will not help you relax. If you are stuck at home, it is better to read a book or watch some comedy – laughter is great medicine!
3). Sleep more. Sleeping is a restorative and healing time for your body and will help your body’s immune system. If you are wondering how well you are doing with sleep performance, you can always take our Online Sleep Assessment. We do have some formulas, such as Insomnitol™, to aid with your sleep. For other suggestions, please call for a consultation.
4). Antioxidants, Supplements, and Immune Enhancing Botanicals. Below is a list of recommended supplements to help enhance and balance your immune system.
5). In-Office Modalities.
Our office, as well as other holistic practitioners across the country, offer treatments to prevent or alleviate viral illnesses.
These therapies may include.
- Intravenous Immune Boosting Therapy, including High-Dose Vitamin C. We strongly suggest you get some intravenous Vitamin C infusions today to help enhance your immune system. And if you become ill, it is one of the best methods to eliminate viral infections. Read more about Oral and Intravenous Vitamin C. Watch Dr. Breiner’s video interview with intravenous Vitamin C researcher, Dr. Paul Anderson.
- Biomagnetic Pair Therapy. This amazing therapy can help rebalance the body and quickly and effectively change the environment so that pathogens can’t survive. We have a limited supply of magnets for at-home use. We offer instructions for placement for immune stimulation and balance.
- Neurofeedback Therapy can help calm an overly excited brain. It does this by helping create new neuropathways. We now have some home training options available. Call the office to learn more.
- Homeopathy
- Various Energetic approaches
- Nutritional assessment
Out of Office Telemedicine:
Today, many testing assessments can be done long-distance. Please call our office directly at 203-371-8258
Supplements and Herbal Formulas to Help Enhance and Balance Your Immune System:
Our own Dr. David Brady has formulated many of the supplements for Designs for Health that are useful to enhance and balance your immune system. Please note: Due to high demand some of the products below may be out of stock, be sure to check back for availability. Alternatively, we offer the ability for you to purchase supplements from Metagenics, one of our other premier supplement sources, as well as Nutrametrix and The Supplement Store. Visit the Supplement section on our website, choose the company, and in their search bar, enter the term “immune” to search for those companies immune-enhancing products. We encourage you to schedule an appointment with one of our doctors to evaluate your specific health needs.
Here are some of our recommendations and links so that you can purchase and stock up for you and your loved ones:
Immunitone Plus ™: This formula contains many essential botanicals to help the immune system and fight against infections. One herb, Andrographis paniculata is strongly immune augmenting and helps regulate Natural Killer cells. It also has some direct antiviral replication properties. Also included in this formula are immune-boosting mushroom fractions, Echinacea, Green Tea extract, and Sambucas nigra (Elderberry), which helps to stop viral replication.
ImmunoBerry Liquid™: This formula has many of the components of the Immunitone Plus to help all parts of our immune system and is formulated so that kids will like the taste.
Allicillin ™: A special odor-free formula with specific levels of garlic sulfides and ajoene. Allicillin will not only help the inflammatory response in the body but also has strong antimicrobial properties.
Quercetin-Ascorbate: Quercetin-Ascorbate powder is a powerful flavonoid and antioxidant blend. Quercetin is one of several flavonoids that have effects on mast cells and basophils. Vitamin C helps regulate histamine levels and helps control inflammatory responses. **
Silvercillin™: Distinct from the traditional colloidal (ionic) silver solutions, Silvercillin™ uses advanced technology that helps the body maintain a healthy barrier against intrusion of unwanted organisms. Unlike prescription antibiotics, Silvercillin™ targets specific organisms while sparing the body’s beneficial bacteria. It is safe for all individuals and will not cause any toxic load of silver, as it is 99% cleared within 24 hours. Benefits include; Immune System Support; Gastrointestinal support, and healthy inflammatory response support.
Ultimate Antiox Full Spectrum – Vitamin A is essential for proper immune function. If deficient, neutrophils, macrophages, and natural killer cells will all have diminished ability to fight infections. Vitamin A and other essential antioxidants are in Ultimate Antiox Full Spectrum. This formula contains components such as garlic, clove, curcumin, and sage, which also have antiviral effects.
Vitamin D Supreme: One of the essential supplements you should be taking is Vitamin D. This is also known as the Sunshine Vitamin since it is made by our melanocytes in our bare skin when exposed to UV light from the sun. Besides bone and cardiovascular health, Vitamin D has a positive effect on the immune system. Studies have shown when individuals have adequate blood levels; Vitamin D can act as an anti-infective agent and reduce the incidence of various infections, including upper respiratory infections, the common cold, flu, and pneumonia.
For most people, a daily dose of 3,000-5,000 IU may be enough. However, it is important to have your blood levels checked. Optimal blood levels are usually 60-80 ng/dL, and it is not uncommon for my patients to be 30 ng/dL or below! These levels require a higher dose of Vitamin D3, which can be done as an injection and followed up with oral supplementation. Also important when taking Vitamin D3, is getting the proper amounts of Vitamin K fractions to assure that as calcium absorption increases (an effect of Vitamin D), that it gets deposited in the places you want, such as the bones and the teeth. Vitamin D Supreme contains both the K1, and the MK7 form of K2.
Zinc Supreme: Zinc is a mineral that is a cofactor in more than 200 enzymatic processes in the body and is very important for the immune system.
Monolaurin-Avail™ is an encapsulated formula of monolaurin (glycerol monolaurate), a form of lauric acid, which is the predominant fatty acid in coconut and palm kernel oils and is also present in human breast milk (as 3.5-6.6 percent of total calories). This product is designed to offer potent support for immune health without adverse effects on beneficial intestinal flora. It contains vitamin C for added immune benefit, and sunflower lecithin to enhance absorption of the monolaurin.
Immune Support Packs: Many components of the above-recommended supplements are in these easy combination packets.
**If Quercetin-Ascorbate is out of stock, some of the other Vitamin C products from Design for Health include:
Liposomal Vitamin C is one of the best supplements to have in your infection protection arsenal. Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, in this nanoparticle liposomal form, will be absorbed and delivered into your cells in a way that is far superior to any other oral form. Hold it in your mouth for up to 1 minute before swallowing for absorption right into the bloodstream. The positive effects of both oral and intravenous Vitamin C for infections have a long history of success.
C+BioFizz: This delicious, effervescent, orange-flavored powder easily provides therapeutic dosing of vitamin C and bioflavonoids. Also contains Quercetin. Kids and adults like this fizzy Vitamin C drink..
